Shadows Of The Past: Chains Of The Present.

TORREN

I stood up quietly, letting my eyes rest on the little lad Niko for a time longer than necessary and in that moment, I thought of my younger self.

Soft. Vulnerable. Just as he was now, I had also unlocked my wolf earlier than usual so I was quite confident that he would do just fine. After all, he had Alpha Blood running down his veins.

I let my gaze linger till a sudden stir on my right got my attention.

Eryn was sleeping on the farthest part of the bench, on a makeshift couch that we had carried along with us and that felt…disturbing.

In the past, she had always tried to use every opportunity to her own benefit, stealing every moment to get closer to me and now? She was staying away? Ironic, isn't it?

Every single time I got drunk in the past, she would crawl into my bed. It got to the point of using Niko as bait to see me, claiming he missed his father thinking I wouldn't see through that facade.

But now? She was maintaining her distance like I was a plague. That bothered me, it bothered the shit out of me.

Is she throwing a tantrum? Because I asked for a divorce? She should have thought of the fact that Saela would come back when she seduced me multiple times and clung her way into my home by impressing my grandfather.

Saela.

The thought of her, my first love drowned out every drowsiness and I sat up, grabbing my tablet to review work.

I had to squint my eyes as the light from the screen reflected on my face as I called a few icons.

How was the awakening serum coming up? That's what I needed to check. I scrolled through some of the details of the product that had been reported to me and sighed in satisfaction.

In no distant time, the awakening serum would be ready and hopefully, if everything went according to plan, Asher would be able to wolf out and avoid the fate that befell his mother.

Saela had experienced the same thing and had become unable to shift forever but even at that, I was sure to do everything I could do for my..son.

“Daddy?” I heard Niko's little voice purr as the sheets ruffled a bit while he sat up and I turned flashing him a smile.

“I'm really happy you came to spend time with me today.” He thanked me and I ruffled his soft, curly hair softly.

“Really? That's good to hear, little man.” I acknowledged, my eyes drifting back to my tablet as I spotted something..a review about the awakening serum.

Oh, it's nothing.

My heart stopped racing and I turned to see Niko staring at me intensely.

“Daddy, can you also spend a little more time with mommy?” I tilted my head, with squinted eyes, “If you don't like me, you can like mommy a little more.” I gritted my teeth, folding my fist as I turned to look at Eryn again.

This vile woman.

“Did your mum put you up to this?” I quickly asked and he shook his head in negativity immediately.

“No!” He snapped.

I swallowed hard, closing my eyes softly to calm myself down.

Eryn had definitely asked him to tell me that. She is going through a child now? It was no wonder why she was laying on the couch looking so comfortable because she had coerced a child to talk to me about her.

Quite pathetic.

He wouldn’t admit it but I knew the kind of woman she was. The kind that shamelessly climbed into my bed and had sex with me just to claw her way up.

Only her. Eryn.

Just as Niko kept staring at me with expectations in his eyes, my phone began buzzing and I sighed, taking it up immediately to see that it was none other than Saela calling.

She didn't have a wolf so she was the only one that couldn't mindlink.

For her to call me at this hour, it only meant that it was important and I needed to take it. After all, she had slightly mentioned that Asher had been running a fever, maybe it had gotten worse? If it wasn't important, she wouldn't have called.

At some moment, even though Nora tried her best to be a pick me, I wished she was half as considerate as Saela..

Years ago, when I had first met Saela at the mixer, I had felt that intense pull of love. I knew from that moment she was my fated mate and that even made me see through Eryn’s lie of being my mate even quicker.

Both of our families had always opposed I and Saela's relationship then but just when I had thought I had resolved it all and would get married to Saela, she had mysteriously disappeared.

At first, I was heartbroken, then that feeling suddenly migrated to anger and then pity and worry. She didn't have a wolf so how would she survive in the wild?

When she came back not too long ago, asking for my help and also explaining why she had left, I had no choice than to even be willing to marry her if that's what it took to protect her and my son.

Even though the love I had for her now as she returned wasn't as strong as before, she had come back with my son and I wasn't going to turn my back on her.

After all, she had told me my grandfather had threatened her to leave me and it aligned with the time I was running for re-election so she had to leave so as not to jeopardize my chances.

“Torren?” I heard Saela's voice over the call I had accepted and I cleared my throat, walking out of the tent.

“It's late. Why are you calling?” I answered with a question and I heard her sniff.

“I was just worried. Aren't you coming home?” She queried and I sighed.

Asher was fine, thank goodness.

“No, I have to get through today with Nora and Niko.” I answered and she sighed. I could visualize her pouting her lips.

“Really? How about I and Asher? Are you going to leave us to stay with that woman throughout this night? Torren, I'm worried about you, besides Asher is running a strong fever. I need you” Her voice had an edge to it, sounded smooth and soft just like a honeycomb and almost felt like she would cry.

“Saela, I'd be back early tomorrow morning, okay? Asher would be fine. I'd also send my best healer to you right now, alright?” I soothed and I heard her swallow.

“Alright. But, can't you really make it back tonight?” She questioned and I shook my head as though she could see me.

Asher might really be bad, I have to leave. As I turned back to the tent, I saw Niko's shadow standing, staring and waiting.

“No. But I'll be back tomorrow morning okay?” I ended the call with that and sighed.

“Nora.” I jerked, hearing that voice from within. It was my wolf, speaking after a long time of silence. A fatal accident that had made my wolf weak, so weak that I almost didn't recognize Saela as my mate even when she came back and now? Maddox was actually speaking.

“Nora? Nah, don't worry, we'll be with Saela soon. I know you want her just as much as I do. And I know she doesn't have a wolf yet but at least, she could help you heal. At least, that's what I was told.” I answered in excitement but instead of a reply, he went silent.

Again.