The Child He Didn't Choose.

ERYN

“AwoooOOoooo.” My heart skipped a few beats as the howl from…NIKO pierced my ears. I gasped, placing my hands on my chest as I raced back into the house from the balcony where I was standing and watching the moon.

“Mum.” I could see tears flowing out of his eyes as he jittered on the bed, shaking violently while gasping for breath.

“Mum.” He called out again, and I realized he was trying to tell me something. Matching my line of sight with his, I realized he was trying to bring my attention to his hands. Looking down, I found sharp black claws protruding from his fingertips.

He was wolfing out.

My heart skipped several beats as I quickly wrapped my arms around him and carried him, grabbing my keys, shit! I can't drive in this kind of state, all I'd do is get us both killed.

“Mum, I feel really hot.” He whispered and I tore open his shirt, trying my best to hide my own tears while I used my free hand to order an Uber. It didn't get up to a minute before the Uber arrived and I dashed in.

“It's okay, baby. You'll be fine. Everything will be fine, please don't close your eyes.” I begged, using one of my hands to pat his head while the other was caressing his claws.

“Please, Niko. Stay with me, don't you dare close your eyes.” I choked out as tears blurred my vision.

“Can’t you drive this car a little faster? Go over the speed limit or something, I don't care.” I yelled, I was losing my mind while my boy's body was blazing hot as he kept shaking.

Fear gripped me at the thought of losing him even before I could get to the hospital and I couldn't help but think, this was all Torren's fault.

If he hadn't hurt Niko today, maybe, just maybe, his transformation would have been delayed by a few days.

“Mommy?” Niko called out in a tiny voice and I placed my hands on his, staring down at him, “If I can't stay here after this, promise me to always take care of yourself. I won't be here to protect you from anything.” My heart shattered in a million pieces as it seemed like my son was slipping out of my hands.

“No, no, don't say that. You'd be with mommy forever. Please don't close your eyes.” I begged, sobbing uncontrollably. He was going through intense pain due to his transformation and yet all he could think about was me.

Why would God allow harm to come to such an innocent and smart child?

“Mommy? Don't cry. You still need to see what my wolf looks like.” I chuckled in pain, nodding immediately as the Uber drove into the hospital premises.

“Can you ask Daddy if he has time? I'd want him to see my wolf too.” He stated and I nodded immediately.

He was dying, he was leaving unless a miracle was wrought and all I could do right now was give him everything he needed.

Whatever he wanted even though that means talking to Torren.

I immediately mindlinked Torren though I wasn't in high hopes of receiving an answer.

“Can you please make time to come see Niko? He needs his father now.” I said and almost immediately, I heard Torren sigh from the other end—wherever he was.

“I'm busy.” Before I could reply, he shut off the mindlink blocking me out and I scoffed.

Niko was still staring at me expectantly and I took a deep breath in while gathering him in my arms as I walked into the hospital.

“Daddy's busy at work right now but he promises to come once he's done okay?” Niko nodded in agreement, blinking his eyes a few times.

“Isn't that daddy?” Niko finally asked as we were checking into his ward and sure enough, as I raised my head, there was Torren who said he was busy with Asher and Saela.

“Torren?” He turned around and sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

“Are you serious, Eryn? Are you really tailing me now? Niko is just shifting, there's no need to come here. You're overreacting.” He snapped and I opened my mouth but then shut them again, staring at him in disbelief as he said those words in front of Niko.

“Ren? Asher's sweating a lot, his body is basically burning up.” Saela whined, tugging his jacket a bit and Torren nodded, turning to her.

“Dad? Can you please stay with me a little more? I'm scared.” I had to clench my teeth together to stop them from jittering.

“Asher needs me more right now.”

“You're right. I'll go ahead and take Niko to his ward.” I turned around immediately without a single word more and took Niko to his ward.

After making him lay down, I just stared over this tiny body trying not to think of anything else. My son is my main priority right now.

“Mum? Does daddy have another son? Is Asher also daddy's son?” My lips trembled as I wasn't sure how to answer that question so I just bent my head in shame.

If only I hadn't gone after Torren back then? If only I wasn't so foolish to believe in true love and fated mates? If only we weren't mated.

“Are you still in the hospital? I have something to say.” I quickly mindlinked Torren. After this, I wouldn't bug him again. He can go ahead and do whatever that fuck he wants.

“Observation room with Saela and Asher. Don't come.” He bluntly said and I blocked him out.

“Mommy would be back okay?” I patted, leaving Niko in the ward, I went directly to the observation room.

“I'd like to speak with you alone.”

“What part of Don't come did you not understand? And where is Niko? You shouldn't have brought him here just to meet with me.” He said, his voice giving off irritation.

“Since she wants to speak with you alone, you can take your time. I mean, Asher is hurt but Niko might be hurt as well. Though Niko is much stronger than Asher, such a gifted little wolf.” She was feigning pity, concern and I was the inconsiderate wife. I wondered how she did so well in being double faced but I didn't come to argue with that.

Torren swerved and nodded before walking a bit away from them.

“What do you want? Dragging your son to the hospital to make a scene, how high of you. Do you even know how to be a mom?” There he goes questioning my parenting and still thinking I tracked him here just to see him.

“Once Niko's wolf awakens…he'll ugh leave. His last wish and also my last request is for you to be there when he transforms. And also, keep your distance from your girlfriend till the divorce is done. There's no need to hurt the child.” I said, trying to keep a confident tone and then he scoffed.

“I only promised to be a good father, nothing more. And you shouldn't be so jealous of Saela, Asher is my son too.” He snapped.

“Aren't you listening? Niko would die!” I yelled.

“There's no need to curse your child just to stall the divorce and get your point across. Aren't you afraid he’ll get really ill?”

“If this is you being a good father then I'm concerned. Don't you like your own son? Niko?” I half yelled.

“He isn't something I wanted…he was forced on me by my grandfather due to your schemes.” He accused and just then, I was about to answer when Niko's voice stopped me.

“Mommy.” Asher was holding him by the arm. He merely pulled away before falling into my arms and I bent to grab him.

Asher himself tripped backwards and Torren caught him as well.

“Daddy, it hurts. I was just taking him to find his mommy then he scratched me.” Asher muttered in Torren's arms and I opened my mouth in disbelief.

He was much of an actor just like his mother. Yes, Niko's Claws had scratched him because he was in the middle of a shift and they were sharp but…

“Apologize.” Torren demanded and Niko, who might have heard what Torren was saying earlier, just kept his head down.

“You're as vicious as your mother, Niko. Surely she rubbed her attitude off of you.”

“Don't talk about my mommy like that.” Niko yelled and his eyes shone while Torren picked Asher up and walked away without a word.

“Mommy, I get it now. I'm not the child daddy wants. It's okay but what would you do when I'm gone?” He questioned.

Such a pure child. He knew he was dying.

“My wolf is coming.” Niko muttered as he began convulsing in my hands and then collapsed.