Chapter 5 #2
"Then I'll buy... buy..." Kai counted on his fingers. "A really big dinosaur toy! And lollipops! And..."
"Alright, alright." I cut him off with a laugh. "Let's get in the car first. You can think about it on the way home."
In the car, Kai dug a crumpled paper from his backpack.
"Mommy, look! I drew this!"
I took it. Three crooked stick figures.
"Who's this?"
"That's Mommy!" Kai pointed to the tallest one. "This is me! And this one..." He paused, his voice dropping. "This is Daddy."
My hand tightened.
"The teacher said we had to draw our families today." Kai continued, his voice getting quieter. "But... but I don't know what Daddy looks like..."
He looked up at me, those silver eyes full of confusion.
"Mommy, where is my daddy?"
My heart felt like someone was squeezing it in their fist.
This wasn't the first time Kai had asked this question. But I never knew how to answer.
"Daddy's far, far away." I kept my voice gentle. "He's... on a very important mission. Like the superheroes you love—protecting lots and lots of people."
"When's he coming back?"
"When... when his mission is complete."
"How long will that take?" Kai tilted his head. "I'm already six, and his mission still isn't finished?"
"Some missions... take a very long time." Each lie shattered my heart.
"But I had a dream last night."
"What dream?"
"I dreamed about a man." Kai's face turned serious. "He had silver eyes. Just like mine!"
My hands clenched the steering wheel.
"And then?" I paused for two seconds, controlling my voice. Diana stirred restlessly inside me.
"He was standing by the ocean, looking really sad." Kai's brow furrowed in memory. "He kept staring at the water, like he was waiting for someone. Then he turned around and saw me."
My breath stopped.
Blood bond. The blood bond between an Alpha pup and his birth father. Even though they never met, the bond existed.
"Did he... say anything?"
"No." Kai shook his head. "He tried to talk, but then I woke up. Mommy, who was that man? Why does he have the same eyes as me?"
"It was probably just a dream." I kept my voice light. "Don't think too much about it, okay?"
"Oh." Kai nodded, but doubt lingered in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Mommy, you said Daddy's a superhero. Does he have silver eyes, too?"
"Maybe." I kept it vague, silently praying for this topic to end.
But Kai, my curious, persistent boy, especially about his mysterious father, wouldn’t stop asking.
"Then that was him!" Kai perked up with excitement. "The man in my dream must be Daddy! Right? Right?"
"Kai..."
"It has to be! Because his eyes are just like mine!" Kai bounced in his seat. "Mommy, does Daddy miss me? Is that why he came to my dream?"
I didn't know what to say. Faced with his excitement, his hope, I could only force out a smile that probably looked worse than crying.
Kai went still, studying me carefully, as if realizing something. His voice turned small. "Mommy, did I say something wrong?"
"No." I took a deep breath. "Maybe... maybe Daddy really did visit your dream."
"Yes!" Kai cheered. "Daddy remembers me! He'll come back soon!"
I looked at my son's excited face in the rearview mirror and swallowed the words that would disappoint him—words that were already breaking my heart before I could even speak them.
I'm sorry, Kai.
Mommy can't let you meet him.
Never.
After getting home, I left Kai with the nanny and retreated to my dressing room to prepare for the evening gala.
I'd worked four hard years to get the studio on solid ground. These networking events were necessary.
Besides, tonight my new collection, "Moonlight Shards," was on display—a perfect opportunity to expand my client base.
At seven, I drove to the venue.
Luxury cars lined the hotel entrance. Guests in elegant attire streamed through the doors.
Navy blue backless gown, short chestnut hair, blue contacts—my essential armor as Ella Ross, not Layla Gray.
Everything was perfect.
I stepped out onto the red carpet.
My assistant Anna was already waiting at the entrance.
"Ella!" She hurried over, eyes bright. "God, you look stunning tonight!"
"Thanks." I smiled. "Is 'Moonlight Shards' ready?"
"Of course! Center of the exhibition hall. Lots of people are already checking it out!"
We entered the venue. Crystal chandeliers, classical music, champagne, couture. Everything so polished and glamorous—something I couldn't have imagined seven years ago. Walking in here like this, openly, as a jewelry designer.
"Some major players showed up," Anna whispered in my ear. "The mayor's here. A few European jewelers... oh, and..."
She scrolled through her tablet, then suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" I asked absently. In a window's reflection, I noticed my lipstick had smudged. I opened my clutch.
"Oh, apparently there's some big shot from the North tonight." Anna's tone was casual, like discussing ordinary gossip. "Some business tycoon. Let me check the name... Blackwood."
The lipstick fell from my hand. The bright red stick hit the marble floor and shattered, like congealed blood.
"Ella?" Anna looked at me with concern. "What's wrong?"
Blackwood.
That name struck like a hammer blow, instantly demolishing every bit of strength I'd built. I was back seven years ago—that helpless orphan girl, bullied, accused, rejected by her mate...
On that land. In Blackwood territory.
"I..." My mouth opened. I wanted to tell Anna I was fine, but the words stuck in my throat.
It can't be him. The North is huge...
But then I caught it.
That scent.
Cedar, whiskey, and something wild. Primal. Cutting through countless perfumes, clear as a warning bell.
Diana erupted inside me. Screaming, roaring, telling me—
"No..." I murmured, instinctively stepping back.
"Ella?" Anna looked confused.
The scent grew stronger. Closer. I turned to run, but my legs felt like lead.
Go! Move now!
Get out of here! You can't be found!
I forced my legs to move and nearly collapsed. Anna caught me. After several wobbles, I managed to steady myself.
"I have to... I have to leave!"
My breathing came in ragged, trembling gasps. I finally regained control of my body and immediately—I took off at nearly a run.
A hand caught my wrist.
Instantly, the touch shot through me like an electric current, igniting every nerve.
No.
I froze in place, unable to turn around.
"Layla..."
That voice came from behind me. Deep, hoarse, with that same magnetic quality from seven years ago, but now edged with urgency.
This day had finally come.
I let out a bitter laugh—at myself, at this damned fate. But I had no choice. For my own sake. For Kai's. I had to face the past. Had to fight.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly turned around.
Black suit. Perfect tie. Long fingers. That same chiseled face, those silver eyes, that presence that made it impossible to breathe—but more mature now. Colder. More dangerous.
Kayden Blackwood.