The past returns.

Alice POV

“Of all the people I could have run into… it had to be them,” I thought as I froze in place, my eyes still locked on Ryder and Silas.

The two brothers merely stared at me for a few brief seconds. There wasn’t even a flicker of recognition in their eyes. Without saying a single word, they walked past Bryan and me as though we were complete strangers before disappearing into the principal’s office.

I swallowed hard before slowly turning around to watch them leave. Five years ago, I would’ve done anything just to catch one more glimpse of them. Now, all I wanted was to disappear before they ever looked my way again.

“Why are they here?” I questioned myself outloud.

“Mom, what did you just say? I didn’t hear you,” Bryan asked, tilting his head at me.

I forced a small smile before looking down at him.

“Nothing, sweetheart,” I said softly. “I was only thinking out loud.” I replied softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

Still feeling shaken, I walked over to the school reception and signed Bryan out early, explaining that I wanted to take him to the hospital where I worked so his bruises could be treated properly.

A few minutes later, we left the school together.

“Mom, are we taking a cab today… or the bus?” Bryan asked curiously as we walked along the roadside.

“Let’s take the bus today,” I said with a smile. “I think it’ll be more fun.” I state. Besides, I couldn’t afford a cab, and I also needed the longer ride to gather my thoughts after unexpectedly seeing the Bloodfang Alpha’s sons.

We waited a few minutes before the bus arrived. After paying our fares, Bryan quietly looked out the window while I stared into space, unable to stop thinking about Ryder and Silas.

‘If they didn’t recognize me… then maybe I still have a chance to protect Bryan.’ I thought within. ‘And what were they even doing in the Silvermoon Pack? Had they come for official pack business… or was there another reason entirely?’

My mind swirled with countless unanswered questions when I suddenly felt Bryan tugging gently on my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Slowly, I lowered my gaze to him.

“Hey, baby. What is it?” I asked softly, immediately pushing every troubling thought to the back of my mind.

“Mom…” Bryan hesitated. “You’re not angry with me because of what happened today… are you?” he asked quietly, lowering his head as he nervously fidgeted with his fingers.

I gently shook my head. “Of course not, sweetheart. Mommy’s just thinking about something else, okay?”

Bryan nodded, seemingly relieved, and the rest of the ride passed in silence. A small smile returned to his face, but mine never did.

About fifteen minutes later, the bus pulled up near Maplewood Apartments, and we got off before making our way home.

“Come on, sweetheart,” I said, offering him a small smile. “Let’s take care of those bruises before they get any worse.”

I led Bryan into the bathroom and cleaned his wounds, applied antiseptic to his bruises, fed him lunch, and tucked him in for his afternoon nap.

After making sure he was asleep, I head over to my room, pulling my phone out of my pocket.

‘I should call Daisy and let her know I won’t be coming back for the rest of my shift.’ I mused within myself.

Fortunately, she answered after the second ring and after a brief conversation, she assured me everything at the hospital was under control before ending the call.

With a weary sigh, I sat down on the edge of my bed, my phone still resting in my hand as my thoughts drifted back to the unexpected encounter at Bryan’s school.

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even notice my mother walk into the room.

“Oh my goodness!” I gasped the instant I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder. I jolted violently before turning around, only to find my mother looking at me with concern.

“Alice, what are you thinking about? You’ve been spacing out ever since you came home,” my mother asked, the concern clearly evident on her face.

I let out a shaky sigh. “Mom… I saw…” The words caught in my throat.

I swallowed hard before lifting my gaze to hers. For a few moments, I couldn’t bring myself to continue. Instead, I stared at the open bedroom door, trying to steady my breathing before finally looking back at her.

“I saw Ryder…” I whispered as I buried my face in my hands and drew in a long, shaky breath.

“I… I also saw Silas,” I choked out before collapsing onto the bed, my eyes already filling with tears.

“What?!” my mother exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

I slowly sat upright again, lowering my hands from my face as tears streamed freely down my cheeks.

“Mom… I saw them at Bryan’s school.” My voice broke into sobs. “Why? Why did they have to show up now… just when I’d finally decided to move on with my life?”

My mother fell silent, completely stunned as she tried to process everything I had just told her. The color slowly drained from her face as the weight of my words settled over her.

“Alice…” she finally spoke after a long pause. “Are you absolutely sure it was them?” she asked cautiously.

I bit my lower lip and nodded.

She let out a slow, frustrated sigh. “Tell me… did either of them speak to you?” my mother asked as she leaned forward slightly, almost afraid of what my answer would be.

I shook my head. “No… but they looked at me for a few seconds before walking away like I was a complete stranger. Mom… I don’t know why, but seeing them again terrified me. Besides, what if they remember me later?”

My mother immediately reached over and held my hand. “You don’t have to be scared, Alice,” she said gently. “From what you’ve told me, it doesn’t seem like they recognized you. Five years is a long time, and you’ve changed since then.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“And even if those arrogant jerks ever decide to interfere with your life again, we’ll simply leave this pack and start over somewhere else. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again. The most important thing is keeping you and Bryan safe.”

“But, Mom, I…”

“Alice,” my mother interrupted gently. “Right now, Bryan comes first. We have to do everything we can to protect him and give him the peaceful life he deserves.”