As night fell, the cozy warmth of the kitchen enveloped Estella, Elena, and Devon. The clatter of dinner dishes had ceased, and now it was time to tidy up. Estella began clearing the table, gathering plates and utensils with Elena’s help.
But Elena gently intervened, “You’ve done enough, my dear. I can handle the rest. You should go upstairs and give Devon his medicine before he goes to bed.”
Estella paused, a small frown creasing her brow. “But we can finish earlier if I'll help,” she protested softly.
Elena smiled reassuringly. “But Devon spent a lot of energy at the park today, and he’ll likely fall asleep quickly. It’s best to give him his medicine while he’s still awake.
Estella nodded, understanding Elena’s reasoning. “Alright,” she agreed with a gentle smile. “I’ll go check on Devon.”
She made her way to the living room, where she’d find the medicine she needed for Devon. Opening one of the wooden cabinets, Estella retrieved a small bottle and held it in her hands. Upon reaching outside Devon’s room, she knocked softly on the door and then entered.
Estella found Devon already lying in bed, his eyes brightening at the sight of his mother. “Mama,” he greeted warmly, his voice filled with affection.
“Hey there, sweetheart,” she replied, crossing the room to his bedside. “It’s time for your medicine.”
Devon nodded, shifting to make room for his mother beside him.
Estella watched as Devon’s eyes, glowing a bright shade of red, sparkled with intensity like precious rubies. They were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen, shimmering with a mesmerizing allure.
Yet, beneath their beauty lay a hidden truth, one that Estella dared not reveal. For Devon’s eyes were not just a unique feature-they were a sign of something far more extraordinary, and perhaps, it would lead him to where his father was.
(Flashback)
Estella lay back on the bed, her body drained of energy after the long and exhausting labor. She never imagined that bringing a new life into the world could be so physically and emotionally demanding.
But as she held her newborn baby in her arms, all the pain and suffering seemed to fade away. At that moment, as she gazed down at the sleeping bundle wrapped in a clean cloth, tears welled up in her eyes.
It was tears of joy, tears of overwhelming happiness that she thought she would never experience again. Despite the trials and tribulations she had endured, here was a precious gift- a symbol of hope and new beginnings.
Estella cradled the baby close to her chest, feeling the soft rise and fall of its breath against her skin. A sense of wonder filled her heart as she marveled at the tiny fingers and toes, the delicate features that mirrored her own.
Elena stood beside the bed, her eyes alight with warmth and affection as she gazed at the newborn baby boy cradled in Estella’s arms.
“Oh, he’s simply handsome,” Elena exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. “Look at those chubby cheeks and tiny little fingers. He’s adorable.”
Estella smiled, her heart swelling with pride as she looked down at her son. The baby boy was indeed a sight to behold - his chubby cheeks were rosy and round, his button nose perfectly formed, and his lips curled into a tiny, contented smile.
“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” Estella agreed, her voice filled with love. “I can’t believe he’s finally here.”
Estella tenderly traced her fingers over her baby’s smooth, delicate skin, searching for even the slightest hint of herself. But as she looked upon the tiny face before her, she found no trace of her own features, nor any resemblance to Carlos, her ex-fiancee.
Now, she was certain that the man she had slept with at that time was not Carlos. But, after such a revelation, she did not feel any pain or sadness but instead a wave of peace.
It didn’t matter who the father of her baby was. At that moment, as she held her child close, she knew with absolute certainty that he was hers, and hers alone.
As Estella marveled at her baby’s features, she was suddenly jolted from reverie when the baby’s eyes fluttered open. A gasp escaped her lips as she and Elena exchanged shocked glances.
The baby’s eyes were a mesmerizing shade of red - intense, vibrant, and filled with a power that seemed to radiate from within. Estella’s heart raced as she realized the significance of what she was seeing.
In their world, the color of their eyes held great meaning. Blue eyes were a sign of average power, like Elena’s. Green eyes represented the gift of healing and medicine, just like Estella’s own eyes. Yellow symbolized formidable strength, much like Carlos’s.
But red eyes - red eyes were something else entirely. They were the mark of an inborn alpha, a werewolf with the strongest power imaginable. Red-eyed werewolves were incredibly rare, their power unmatched by any other.
Elena’s words echoed in the room, breaking the stunned silence that had settled over Estella and Elena. “No wonder, when I found you at the lake that day, although you were as pale as a corpse, your life force was still so strong. It turns out, it was your son’s doing.”
Estella felt a chill run down her spine at Elena’s words. The realization filled her with a mixture of awe and fear.
Not fear for her son’s abilities, but fear for the man who was his father. She knew that if he knew about her son, he might come looking for him, seeking to claim him for his own. And at that moment, Estella knew that she would be powerless to stop him.
The man she had slept with that night might be no ordinary man. Estella’s heart clenched with fear at the thought of facing him, knowing that she would be no match for his strength.
Estella’s gaze met Elena’s, her expression grave and determined. “Elena,” she began, her voice steady, “no one must know about my son’s eyes.”
Elena understood the weight of Estella’s words. She nodded solemnly, her warm eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
“You have my word, Estella,” Elena replied, her voice soft but resolute. “I will not breathe a word of this to anyone. Your son’s secret is safe with me.”
(End of flashback)
"Mama!"
Devon’s voice pierced through Estella’s thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment. With a soft smile, she focused her attention on her son, who was watching her with wide, curious eyes.
Estella reached for the small bottle of blue liquid medicine on the bedside table. She carefully opened the lid and, with a steady hand, poured a single drop onto Devon’s red eyes.
As the liquid touched his eyes, Devon blinked in surprise, his red eyes slowly fading to a soothing shade of green, mirroring Estella’s own eyes. Relief washed over Estella as she watched the transformation take place before her eyes.
With a gentle touch, Estella tucked the blanket around Devon. “Goodnight, my darling,” she whispered, pressing a kiss on his forehead.
As she turned to leave the room, Estella couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her son, peaceful and content in his bed.
Estella descended the stairs, her footsteps light as she rejoined Elena in the living room.
"Is Devon asleep now?"
Elena’s question about Devon drew a nod from Estella. “Yes, he’s finally asleep,” she replied softly.
“Fortunately, you were able to make that medicine for Devon,” Elena remarked, her voice filled with relief. “Without it, we would have a difficult time hiding his identity from everyone.”
Estella nodded in agreement, her heart heavy with concern. “But it’s not enough,” she admitted, her voice tinged with worry. “The medicine can only hide his eyes for a day, and we’ll have to repeat the process every single day.”
Elena’s reassuring words offered a small measure of comfort. “You have done the best you can,” she reassured Estella. “As long as Devon stays by our side, hiding his eye color won’t be a problem.”
A heavy silence settled between Estella and Elena, the weight of unspoken questions hanging in the air. Elena broke the silence, her voice soft and tentative.
“Has Devon not asked you why we are hiding his eye color?” Elena inquired, her eyes searching Estella’s for an answer. “And why is he not allowed to tell anyone about it?”
Estella shook her head, a troubled expression crossing her face. “No, he hasn’t asked,” she admitted. “But I fear the day he does. I still don’t know how to explain it to him.”
Elena’s gaze softened with understanding. “Devon is a smart child. He will understand,” she said gently. “He will ask questions one day, and you must be prepared to answer them. He may even start asking about his father.”
Estella felt a pang of anxiety at the mention of Devon’s father, whom she did not know. She knew that one day, she would have to face his questions about the man who had fathered him.
“His father… I hope that time will not come,” she answered softly.
Two years had passed since Estella opened her shop in the village. She knew she couldn’t rely on Elena for everything - after all, the kind old woman wasn’t getting any younger, and Estella was determined to support her son by herself.Having lived a life of privilege in a wealthy family, Estella had little experience of ways of earning a living. But she refused to let that hold her back. With her knowledge of medicine and her skill at producing pills and elixirs, she knew she could do something about it to make a living.As she tended to her shop, carefully arranging her potions and herbs, Estella felt a sense of pride swell within her. She may not know a lot of things, but when it came to her ability to create medicine, she was one of the best in the field.As Estella prepared to open her shop for another day, memories of her past brushed against her mind like a bitter gust of wind. These skills of hers were so renowned in the Vesper Pack, which was also the reason why the alpha had
As Estella stepped out into the cool night air, her heart pounded with fear and worry about her missing son. Her usually gentle features were now etched with lines of concern, and her hands trembled slightly as she scanned the area for any sign of Devon."Devon!"Every passing moment felt like an eternity as she called out his name, her voice tinged with desperation. Her mind raced with all the worst-case scenarios, imagining all the dangers that could befall Devon in his vulnerable state.With each step she took, Estella’s senses were heightened, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow, searching for any trace of Devon’s presence. She was acutely aware of the fading effects of the medicine, knowing that time was running out to conceal Devon’s true nature. And so, she had to find him before anyone else.***Devon is currently at the depth of the forest. Earlier, he sat quietly in the chair, his eyes scanning the area around him as he waited for Elena to return from the bathroom. The ch
In the depths of the night, a sleek black wolf dashed through the forest, its movements swift and silent. As it approached a looming castle nestled amidst the trees, the moonlight glinted off the dark stones, casting an ethereal glow. The castle stood tall and imposing, its architecture ancient and majestic, yet shrouded in an air of mystery.Inside, the halls echoed with a haunting silence, broken only by the sound of the wolf’s footsteps as it transformed into a human form. Now a man of imposing stature, the figure moved with a grace that belied his predatory nature.Stopping before a grand wooden door, the man’s hand gripped the handle, and with a slow, deliberate movement, he pushed it open.Inside the dimly lit room, a figure sat upon a throne-like chair, his presence commanding and imposing. His features were chiseled and handsome, yet there was a coldness to his demeanor that sent shivers down the spine.“I have returned, Lord Ariston,” said the man who entered the room with a
As the morning sun filtered through the windows of her quaint little shop, Estella bustled about arranging her shelves, her hands deftly arranging jars and vials of freshly crafted pills.The peaceful rhythm of her work was interrupted by the creak of the door swinging open. Turning to greet the newcomer, Estella’s warm smile faltered slightly as she laid eyes on the unfamiliar man standing before her.Nevertheless, she greeted him kindly, her voice gentle as she welcomed him into her store. The man returned her smile, his demeanor friendly as he introduced himself as Brett Marrock, the village chief's son.Recognition dawned on Estella’s face as she realized who he was, and she greeted him once again.“Welcome to my shop, Mr. Marrock.”Brett’s gaze swept across the shelves of Estella’s store, his eye searching for a particular sight. Not finding what he sought, he turned to Estella with a curious expression. “Where’s your son?” he inquired, his tone casual yet filled with genuine int
Deep in the night, Estella tossed and turned, unable to shake off the unsettling news Brett had delivered. The audacity of their actions left her restless. Seeking solace, she slipped out of her bedroom, craving the cool embrace of the outdoor air. The bench outside her house beckoned, offering a sanctuary under the moon’s pale light.Sitting there, Estella sighed heavily. “They have no shame,” she muttered to herself, her mind replaying Brett’s words.How could they betray her like that? Her regret swelled, a bitter taste in her mouth. If only she had destroyed all her research before - perhaps then this wouldn’t have happened.As Elena noticed Estella sitting outside, her concern deepened. Estella’s usually composed demeanor was replaced by a troubled expression, clear evidence that something was amiss. Earlier, when Estella had returned from her shop, Elena had sensed that something was troubling her.Elena briefly went into the kitchen and returned carrying two steaming cups of mi
The next morning dawned with a sense of purpose as Estella, accompanied by Devon, made her way to the shop. Elena had other commitments that day, leaving Estella with the responsibility of tending to the shop with Devon following her.As they entered the herbal shop, Estella turned to her son with a tender smile. “Darling, I’ll be at the back processing some herbs. If a customer comes in, just call me, alright?” she instructed, her voice filled with warmth.Devon nodded, his expression was serious yet reassuring. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ve got it,” he assured her, a hint of pride in his tone.Estella leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on Devon’s forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she murmured.With that, Estella retreated to the back of the shop, her mind focused on the task at hand. She knew that if she was to seek vengeance and confront the Erylis family, meticulous preparation was key.In the secluded work area, surrounded by shelves laden with dried herbs and vials of potent elixirs,
The rhythmic clang of the bell chimed as Brett lumbered out of the shop. Estella watched him disappear down the dusty street, a wry smile playing on her lips.Turning, she saw Devon standing in the doorway with his brow furrowed. Unlike most children his age, his expression at this moment wasn’t one of childish curiosity, but something deeper which surprised Estella.“Mama,” he began, his voice surprisingly deep and serious for someone so small, “are you sure about that man, Mr. Marrock? He seems suspicious.”Estella knelt before him, her warm smile a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within. She knew that Devon was a smart and perceptive child however, she did not realize that it was to this extent.“He’s not the most pleasant fellow, that’s for sure,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. “But sometimes, Devon, you need to work with… undesirable ingredients to create the perfect pill.”Devon’s expression remained serious. Unlike most children who might have pictured bubblin
Brett Marrock trudged along the dirt path leading back to the Vesper Pack territory. His vacation was over, and the brief respite from the grueling demands of his life as a low-rank werewolf in the pack had ended.The Vesper Pack territory loomed ahead, a sprawling expanse of fortified barracks and watchtowers. Brett’s position within the pack was far from prestigious; he was a humble soldier, working tirelessly to prove himself worthy in a world that often overlooked him.As he approached the barracks, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, his presence both comforting and exasperating.“Brett! My friend! Back from your grand vacation?” Lucian Grum’s voice was a warm blend of sarcasm and genuine delight. Lucian was also a low-ranked soldier, but what he lacked in rank, he made up for in his vast knowledge of the pack’s intricate social web.Brett’s face broke into a tired smile. “Lucian, it’s been a while,” he said, his tone light despite the fatigue weighing him down.Lucian ch