Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Elena
On the drive home, I stared out the window.
The streetscape rolled past frame by frame, lamplight sliding across the glass, casting gold streaks over my face. Anya leaned against my shoulder, already asleep, her small hand clutching my sleeve, breathing steady and warm.
"I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
"However long you need, I'll wait."
"I love you."
Lucifer's words kept echoing in my ears, over and over, like they'd been carved into my brain. My heart was racing. I held Anya's little hand, my palm slick with sweat.
The car stopped in front of the house. Lucifer got out, came around to my side, opened the door, and reached for Anya.
"I've got her," I said softly.
"She's too heavy." He insisted, his eyes on my face. "And you're tired." He paused. "I want to hold her, too—"
The way he said it made my heart soften. I didn't refuse again, just watched him lift Anya carefully. His movements were gentle, like he was cradling something fragile and precious. Anya's head rested in the crook of his shoulder, her mouth slightly open, sleeping soundly.
Liam climbed out too. He came to my side, hesitated, then said quietly, "Today... thank you."
"For what?" I touched his hair. He was used to it now—didn't blush anymore.
"For..." He bit his lower lip. "For giving Dad a chance."
My eyes burned.
"Liam—"
"I could tell." He looked up at me, those gray eyes bright under the streetlamp. "You were happy today. I haven't seen you that happy in a long time."
"Were you happy?"
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah."
I pulled him into a hug. "Good."
Lucifer had already carried Anya inside and laid her gently on the couch. Anya rolled over, mumbling "Mommy," her little hand grasping at the air before she fell back into deep sleep.
I walked over and covered her with a light blanket, tucking the stray hair behind her ear.
"Elena."
Lucifer's voice came from behind me. I turned. He stood there, hands in his pockets, looking at me with such tenderness.
"Good night."
"Good night."
The door closed.
I stood in the living room, listening to his footsteps fade, then the car starting, then the engine disappearing into the night. My wolf stirred inside me, tail swaying slowly.
That night, I slept restlessly.
I lay in bed, eyes closed, mind full of Lucifer.
The way he'd looked at me in the restaurant.
The way he'd held my hand and said "I love you.
" The gentle way he'd held Anya. I rolled over.
The pillow still carried the scent of lilies—from the flowers Lucifer had sent last time.
I'd pressed a few petals into the pillowcase.
I breathed deeply. That familiar scent filled my nose. My heart raced again.
Elena, what are you hesitating for?
He's done so much. Cleared up the news. Sent Lina away. Set up a trust for Anya. Offered to share custody of Liam...
He's proven his commitment.
And you?
You're still hiding behind "I need time."
But your heartbeat doesn't lie.
Every time you see him, your heart races. Every time he comes close, you can't breathe. Every time he says "I love you," your eyes sting.
You love him.
As dawn approached, I finally made my decision.
I would tell Anya. Tell her Lucifer wasn't just her "Dad" in name—he was her real, biological father.
And then... then I'd give Lucifer my answer.
Morning. Sunlight leaked through the curtain gaps, cutting long strips of light across the floor.
I fried eggs, toasted bread, and squeezed orange juice. Anya sat at the table, little legs swinging, humming some song she'd picked up somewhere.
"Anya." I set the plate in front of her and sat beside her.
"Yes, Mommy?" She looked up, mouth stuffed with bread, cheeks bulging.
I couldn't help but smile, reaching over to wipe jam from the corner of her mouth.
"I need to talk to you about something."
She swallowed. "What?"
I took a deep breath.
"Remember the... 'dad' who had dinner with us last night?"
"Yes!" She nodded hard. "Liam's dad! He was nice. He got me ice cream!"
"Right." I took her small hand. "But Anya, he's not just Liam's dad." I knew she called Lucifer "Dad" only because in her mind, Lucifer was Liam's father, and she just followed Liam's lead. She didn't really understand.
She tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
My throat tightened.
"He's... he's your dad too. Your real dad."
Anya froze, mouth open, the bread dropping from her hand onto the plate.
"My... dad?" she repeated, voice small.
"Yes." I nodded, eyes already burning. "Anya, I didn't tell you before because... because of a lot of complicated reasons. Mommy and Daddy were separated, but now..."
I paused.
"Now I want you to know that 'Dad' isn't just a word. He really loves you. He really wants to be your dad. He wants to be with us. He wants us to be a family."
Anya looked at me, those gray eyes—identical to Lucifer's—thinking hard about something.
The living room was quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator and occasional birdsong outside.
"Then..." she said softly, "why hadn't I seen him before?"
"Because..." I bit my lip. "Because Mommy and Daddy had some misunderstandings. We were apart for a long time. But now those misunderstandings are cleared up."
"Oh." She nodded, then asked, "Why did he only come find us now?"
"Because..." I took a deep breath. "Because he didn't know where you were. Mommy took you far away. He looked for a long time before he found us."
Anya was quiet for a moment. Then suddenly, "Mommy, do you love him?"
I froze.
"I..."
"If Mommy doesn't love him," Anya said seriously, "then I don't want him as my dad either."
My tears finally fell.
"Silly girl." I pulled her into my arms. "I love him. I love him very much."
"Good!" She wrapped her arms around my neck, little face pressed against my shoulder. "Then can I still call him Dad?"
"Of course." My voice broke. "Call him whatever you want."
"Can I live with him?" she asked again, voice full of hope. "With Liam? Like a real family?"
My heart clenched.
"You... you want to live with him?"
"Yes!" She nodded hard, pulling back from my arms, eyes shining. "I like Dad! I like Liam too! Mommy, can we live together? I want a real family."
My vision blurred completely.
I held her tight.
"Yes." My voice shook. "Baby, we can. I promise."
Anya bounced in my arms with joy.
"Yay! Can I call Dad today? I want to tell him!"
I smiled through my tears.
"Sure. But finish breakfast first. When you get home from school, we'll tell Dad properly."
"Okay!"
I went to the shop as usual. When I pushed open the door, Nancy was already there, wiping down shelves.
"Morning, boss." She turned and smiled.
"Morning." I set my bag behind the register. "How many orders do we have today?"
"Not too many. We still have more than a dozen from yesterday, and five new ones came in today," Nancy said. "Oh, someone wants a custom fragrance blend. She specifically requested you do it personally."
"Okay, I'll contact her in a bit."
I opened the computer and clicked on the order list. The screen filled with order information. I stared at it but couldn't process a single word. My mind was full of last night's scenes.
"Boss?"
Nancy's voice pulled me back.
"Yeah?"
"You seem..." She hesitated. "Distracted today. Everything okay?"
I paused, then smiled.
"I'm fine," I said. "Just... thinking about some things."
"Good things?" She blinked. "You look like you're smiling."
I touched my face, realizing my mouth really was turning up.
"Good things," I said.
Nancy smiled too. "That's good. Oh, that shipment of rose essential oil arrived yesterday. Want me to put it in storage?"
"No need, I'll do it."
I stood up, about to head to the storeroom, when suddenly I felt uneasy. A strange feeling, like something was pulling me, from my chest, dragging downward.
My wolf shot up, fur bristling.
Something's wrong.
"Boss?" Nancy looked at me. "What's wrong? You're so pale."
I didn't answer, because my phone vibrated. I picked it up. Unknown number.
I opened it.
Just one photo.
Liam and Anya.
Tied to chairs, mouths taped shut. Blood on Liam's face, eyes locked on the camera, full of rage and fear. Anya was crying, little face red and swollen, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Below the photo, one line:
"Old docks. Warehouse 3. One hour. Just you and Lucifer. Or they die."
My blood froze.
"Boss—"
I turned and ran.
"Boss! Where are you—"
I didn't look back.
Out on the street, I flagged down a taxi.
"The old docks," I said, voice shaking. "Hurry."
The driver glanced at me and hit the gas.
The car tore through the streets. I sat in back, fingers trembling as I dialed Lucifer's number.
It rang once before he picked up.
"Elena—"
"The kids—something happened!" I cut him off, nearly shouting. "Liam and Anya have been kidnapped!"
Silence on the other end for a heartbeat.
"Where are they?" His voice instantly went cold, seething with suppressed fury.
"Old docks, warehouse 3," I said, tears already falling. "Lucifer, I can sense it. Liam... he's hurt..."
"I'm on my way." His voice was steady. "Elena, don't panic. We'll go together. Wait for me."
"But—"
"Wait for me." He repeated, voice firm. "Elena, trust me. We'll go together. We'll get them out together."
I bit my lip.
"Okay."
I hung up and leaned back in the seat, closing my eyes.
My wolf paced inside me, fur standing on end. It growled low in my body, claws scraping the ground, desperate to burst out.
When the car stopped at the old docks, Lucifer was already there. He pushed open his door and strode toward me.
"Elena."
I threw myself into his arms, trembling as I showed him the photo on my phone.
His arms came around me, palm pressed to my back. I could feel his body heat, smell the cedar and amber on him, hear his heartbeat—fast, pounding, syncing with mine.
"Don't be afraid," he said softly, lips against my forehead. "We'll get them back."
"Okay."