My fingers tighten around the phone 160

Ethan’s POV
I watched Lucas run toward the school entrance, his small backpack bouncing against his shoulders with each energetic
step. Before disappearing through the double doors, he turned back to me with that brilliant smile that still caught me off
guard sometimes—the perfect miniature of my own. He pumped his fist in the air, and I automatically responded with the
same gesture, completing our little morning ritual that had somehow become sacred in the months since he’d officially
become mine.
“See you later, Dad!” he called out, his voice carrying across the schoolyard.
Dad. The word still hit me square in the chest every time he said it. Six months, and I still hadn’t gotten used to the
miracle of being someone’s father, even though I have already thought Lucas as my son before I knew all the truth.
The image of Aria this morning flashed across my mind: her tousled hair spread across the pillow, amber eyes still heavy
with sleep, the gentle curve of her lips as she pretended to be asleep just to humor Lucas. The memory was so vivid it
almost felt tangible, like I could reach out and touch her if I just tried. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, a smile
tugging at my lips as I pulled away from the school.
How had my life transformed so completely in just over a year? Eighteen months ago, I’d been drowning in guilt over a
blurred memory from six years prior, obsessing over why Emma didn’t feel like the mate my wolf insisted she must be.
Now I was waking up beside my true mate every morning, anticipating the birth of our twin daughters, and discovering
that the incredible little boy I’d been drawn to from the moment I met him was actually my flesh and blood.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. What I’d believed was the greatest mistake of my life—that night seven years ago—had
actually given me my greatest blessings. For the first time, I found myself feeling genuinely grateful to the Moon
Goddess, whose mysterious ways had ultimately led us back to each other despite all obstacles.
The drive to the pack headquarters was short, the winding forest road so familiar I could navigate it blindfolded. As I
pulled into my designated parking space, my phone buzzed with a text from Aria.
*Zoe picked me up. Heading to camp. Miss you already. ❤️*
My thumb hovered over the screen as I debated telling her to take it easy, to be careful, to call me if she needed anything —but I stopped myself. She’d been clear about my overprotectiveness becoming suffocating. Instead, I typed: *Miss you more. Call if you need me. Love you.*
After a moment’s hesitation, I added: *All three of you.*
The main building was bustling with activity when I entered, pack members nodding respectfully as I passed. I’d barely
settled behind my desk when David appeared in my doorway, his posture rigid as always, but something unusual in his
expression—a faint tension around his eyes.
“Alpha,” he announced formally, despite us being alone. “We’ve detained the traitor from the training camp. Sarah
Jenkins, assistant instructor. She’s been providing information about Aria’s whereabouts and schedule to Emma for
months.”
My jaw clenched involuntarily, a flash of fury rushing through me. “Evidence?”
“Substantial.” David placed a folder on my desk. “Phone records. Text messages. Surveillance footage of meetings. She
even accepted money—paid directly into an offshore account we’ve traced back to her.”
I flipped through the file, studying the woman’s photo. Despite having visited the training camp frequently, I couldn’t
place her face. The thought that this stranger had been watching Aria, reporting her movements back to Emma, made my
blood boil. How many others might still be hiding in plain sight, threats to my family I hadn’t identified?
“What’s her connection to Emma?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the rage building inside me.
“They attended the same college,” David replied. “Emma gave Sarah significant money.”
I nodded slowly, digesting this information. “Have her transferred to the main compound. I want to question her
personally tomorrow. For now, keep her isolated—no visitors, no calls.”
“Already done, sir.” David shifted slightly, an unusual break in his typical stillness. That’s when I noticed it—the faint
reddish mark just visible above his collar. A love bite.
I raised an eyebrow, momentarily distracted from my anger. “Is there something else, David?”
He cleared his throat, a faint flush creeping up his neck. “There’s one more thing you should—”
1/2
“Hold on,” I interrupted, leaning forward with a spreading grin. “Does our Mr. Serious have a… personal development
he’d like to share?”
The flush deepened, confirming my suspicion. In all our years working together, I’d never seen David involved with
anyone romantically. The man was the definition of all work, no play.
“This is hardly relevant to security matters, Alpha,” he said stiffly, but the tips of his ears had turned crimson.
I waved my hand dismissively. “We’re both adults, David. Who’s the lucky woman who finally managed to crack that
professional exterior?”
He shifted uncomfortably, opened his mouth to respond, then seemed to reconsider. Just as he appeared ready to
answer, my phone rang loudly, the screen lighting up with my mother’s name.
“Ethan?” Her voice was tight with barely controlled panic when I answered. “Come to the hospital immediately. Your
father… he’s taken a turn for the worse.”