Semua Bab ALPHA’S HUMAN SURROGATE 2: Bab 11 - Bab 20

CATRIONA Jayden was up instantly, crossing the room in seconds.“What did he say?” he asked, voice already shifting lower, sharper.But Abriel didn’t respond.His body wavered.And then he collapsed forward—straight into my arms.“Baby!” I caught him against my chest, sitting back on the edge of the bed as I cradled him. His little body was trembling, and his skin felt clammy against mine.“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ve got you,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice from shaking. “I’m right here. Mummy’s right here.”He curled into me like he was trying to hide from the world.Then, in the softest, hoarse whisper, he said:> “I’m hungry.”Relief and panic collided in my chest.“Okay, baby, I made your favourite,” I said, kissing the top of his head. “Let’s eat.”I stood with him wrapped around me and carried him gently to the table, setting him on my lap as I began to feed him small pieces of the pancake, one by one.But my hands were shaking.My mind wasn't even here—I was still back i

CATRIONA I froze.That voice…It hadn’t changed.Even after everything, even after years of silence, war, loss, and healing, Gabriel’s voice slid over my spine like cold silk.He stood near the treeline, calm, composed—like he hadn’t shattered my world once before.My heart thudded in my chest, and my instincts screamed louder than my thoughts.Go inside. Now.I turned on my heel to bolt back through the gates—but in a blur of movement, he was suddenly in front of me.Too close.I took a quick step back, crouching slightly in reflex, my breath catching.Gabriel raised both hands slowly, palms open.“I’m sorry,” he said gently. “If my presence bothers you.”My teeth clenched. “If”?“I’m not here to disrupt anything,” he continued. “I came for one reason.”I didn’t answer. I only stared.Then he said it.“Abriel.”Something inside me snapped.I stood straight, eyes burning. “How do you know my son’s name?”He didn’t flinch.“And what about him could possibly concern you?”Gabriel’s gaz

CATRIONA I wiped the last bit of lotion into Abriel’s soft skin, then gently zipped up his pajamas — the navy blue ones with the little moons he always picked. His hair was still damp from his bath, curling just at the tips like his father's when it’s been freshly washed.The clock on the wall read 21:26.Jayden had texted earlier.> On my way.I reached for Abriel’s book basket by the bedside. “So, what are we reading tonight, baby? The Night Wolf? The Little Howler?”He shook his head.A small, firm no.I blinked. “Oh? No bedtime story? You don’t want Mummy to read tonight?”Again, he shook his head.I raised a brow, teasing gently. “Hmm, are you becoming a big boy now? Or… you just don’t want Mummy to read—”“Daddy.” The word came out soft but solid.My heart skipped. Froze mid-beat.Just that one word — daddy.Panic flickered. Was he going to say Gabriel again?But then he looked up at me, wide eyes clear, steady.“I'm not sleeping now,” he said, “I'm waiting for Daddy.”I stared

JAYDEN The wind outside howled through the cracks in the trees as I stood at the border of the RedMoon Pack, just beyond the gate.My arms were crossed. My mind miles away.Catriona hadn't called back yet. She texted. Said she's handling it. Said to trust her. And I did. With my life. But not with hers.She was out there, trying to silence a leak that could set off a war, while I stood here still trying to shake off the stench of Gabriel.His words echoed like claws scraping through my skull:> "Whatever's happening to that little boy, Jayden... it's bigger than you or me."No. Fuck that.Nothing was bigger than my family. No prophecy. No spirit. No goddamn wolf.I turned and headed back toward the main house. Each step heavy. The sun was beginning to go down.I poured myself black coffee and stood at the window, jaw tight, watching the trees sway like they were whispering secrets I couldn’t hear.Behind me, Jerome entered."Still no word from her?" he asked.I shook my head."And th

CATRIONA I woke up in the dark, my heart racing, my chest tight. The moonlight spilled across the floor in pale streaks, and next to me, Abriel slept—peaceful, unaware. But I couldn't rest. Not with everything clawing at the edges of my mind.I turned to look at him, really look at him. His small chest rising and falling in a quiet rhythm, those long lashes casting shadows across his cheeks. I raked my fingers gently through his soft hair, and a tear escaped before I could stop it."I couldn’t protect your siblings," I whispered brokenly. "But I will protect you. Even if it means dying."The memory of him trapping Jayden midair in the magical orb with a force I couldn’t comprehend burned through my chest. That raw power. That fear in his eyes. And then, the elevator. His sudden disappearance. And then finding him at Gabriel’s house.I wiped my face with both hands and slid out of bed, careful not to wake him. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t go another day with this weight between Jayd