Chapter 4

Honestly, I had no answer to Jake's question, because I didn't know how to explain to my son why his father kept making another woman's child his priority.

That evening, after putting Jake to bed early, I went to find Jackson. He was in his study, reviewing some pack document plans.

"We need to talk," I said from the doorway.

He didn't look up. "I'm busy."

"It's about Jake." I said, refusing to let him shun me away.

"What about him?" He asked, uninterested.

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. "You hurt him today. In the garden."

"I didn't hurt him. I was spending time with Lily." He responded casually, feeling no remorse for hurting his son's feelings.

"And ignoring your own son in the process!" My voice rose despite my efforts to stay calm. "He asked for five minutes on that swing, Jackson. Five minutes. But you couldn't even give him that."

"Lily was upset—"

"Jake is five years old! He doesn't understand why you treat Lily better than him! Lily is not even your daughter, yet you treat your son like he doesn't matter!"

Jackson finally looked at me, his eyes cold. "Maybe if his mother wasn't so pathetic, I'd pay him more attention."

The words struck like a slap. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." He stood, walking around the desk. "You walk around this pack house like a ghost. No authority, no power, no presence. You're not a Luna. You're barely even a wife."

"Because you've never let me be! You swore to punish anyone who ever called me your Luna, Jackson!" Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "You've never marked me, never claimed me, never given me a chance—"

"I never wanted you!" he shouted. "Isn't it obvious?”

“I wanted Sophia! I was supposed to marry her, build a life with her, but you ruined everything!" He spat angrily.

"I ruined everything?" I laughed bitterly. "You got drunk and forced yourself on me! I was just a maid doing her job!"

"And you got pregnant to trap me!" He shot back.

"I was eighteen years old and terrified! I didn't trap anyone!" I tried to defend myself.

Jackson grabbed my arm, pulling me close. "You know what I think? I think you saw an opportunity and took it. Poor little Elena, suddenly elevated to “Luna”. Must have felt like winning the lottery."

I jerked free from his grip. "I never wanted this. I never wanted to marry someone who hates me."

"Then leave!" He snapped angrily.

The words hung in the air between us.

"What?" I couldn't believe my ears.

"Leave," Jackson repeated, coldly. "Take your things and go. I'll give you money, set you up somewhere far from here. You can start over."

"And Jake? What happens to him?" I asked him.

His jaw tightened. "Jake stays with me."

"Absolutely not—"

"He's the Alpha's son. He belongs to this pack." Jackson's voice was final. "You can leave, Elena. But my son stays."

"You don't even want him! You ignore him, neglect him—"

"He's still mine!” He cut me off. “And I won't have people saying I let my son be raised by a low-rank omega in some distant pack." Jackson returned to his desk. "Those are your options. Stay and be invisible, or leave without Jake. Choose."

I stood there, shaking with rage and helplessness. He had me trapped again, just like his father had.

His phone chimed on the table and he checked it. He read the text and his lips curved into a wide smile as he typed his response back. 

I didn't need anyone to tell me that the text was most definitely from Sophia. I mean, it was completely obvious.

"I hate you," I whispered, my voice shaky.

"The feeling is mutual." He didn't even look up from his phone. "Close the door on your way out."

I fled to my room, finally letting the tears fall. Through the wall, I could hear Jake crying in his sleep, calling for his papa. My heart broke into a million pieces as I cried myself to sleep.

Many hours later, I was awakened by my phone ringing. I rubbed off sleep from my eyes and realized it was a call from an unknown number.

I was hesitant at first but eventually picked the call.

"Hello?"

"Elena Stone?" A woman's voice, unfamiliar.

"Yes. Who is this?" I asked, curiously.

There was a brief moment of silence before the response came,

"A friend. Someone who knows what Sophia is really doing in your pack."

My heart raced. "What are you talking about?"

"Meet me tomorrow. The old coffee shop on Market Street. Two o'clock." The woman paused. "Come alone. And don't tell anyone, especially not your husband. Your son's life might depend on it."

"Wait, what—"

The line went dead before I could finish talking.

I stared at the phone, my hands trembling. “What did she mean about Jake's life?” I thought to myself.

Suddenly a crash echoed from downstairs, followed by loud chaotic shouting. I ran to the hallway, looking down into the foyer.

Pack warriors were everywhere, and Beta Raphael was shouting orders.

"Lock down all exits! Search every room!" I saw him yell orders at the warriors.

"What's happening?" I called down.

Beta Raphael looked up at me, his face grave. "There's been an attack on the southern border. Several pack members are injured."

My blood ran cold. "What?! Is Jackson—"

"He left earlier. He's currently at the resort with Sophia. We can't reach him." He answered, concerned etched on his face.

His phone suddenly rang, and he answered it quickly. "What? Are you sure?" His face went pale. "Understood. Increase security around the pack house immediately."

"Raphael, what is it?" I asked, my heart beating fast.

He hesitated, then said quietly, "The attackers are headed specifically to your quarters."

The room spun, and I grabbed the railing for support.

"Where is Jake now?" Raphael demanded.

"He is in his room. Sleeping." I responded quickly.

"Please get him, and bring him to the safe room. Now. I'll be there shortly." Raphael replied, and ran off again.

I didn't even wait to ask questions too. I ran to my son's room, my heart pounding hard.

The moment when I opened the door, my world stopped. The window was open, curtains blowing in the night breeze.

But… Jake's bed was empty.

"JAKE!" I screamed, rushing to the window.