Where Silence ScreamsRHEA’S POV I stood behind the couch, watching the exchange, my heart clenching in my chest. Sekani had always been bright and sensitive. He was loyal to a fault. And today, I could see that his heart was hurting in ways he didn’t yet understand, seeing the tension between Yuri and me. He didn’t know the truth. Not yet. But even his little heart knew that something wasn’t right. Miles looked up at me after Sekani’s frosty reaction. His eyes burned with fury, but underneath that rage, I caught glimpses of something else, confusion… pain… maybe even betrayal. It was hard to tell. He looked like a man trying to hold someone responsible, someone to lash out at, but there wasn’t one person to blame. We were all in this mess together. Even me. And honestly, with everything I learnt, I didn't know what to feel. But despite all the damage done, all the scars and lies, I was sure of one thing. My heart didn’t belong to Miles anymore. And as much as that should’ve
A Moment Too Late.RHEA’S POV I tucked Sekani into bed, gently brushing his curls back and planting a soft kiss on his forehead. He mumbled something in his sleep, clutching his stuffed lion tighter. My chest squeezed. I watched him for a moment longer, letting the calm of his sleeping face soothe the ache in my heart, then quietly stepped out of his room, switching off the light.Back in the living room, Miles stood in the center like he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. His shoulders were slightly hunched, hands tucked into his pockets, eyes scanning the space like he was looking for something, maybe a piece of the life he had missed. I took a slow breath, steadying myself for the conversation I knew we couldn’t avoid tonight.The staff were still setting the dining table. I wasn’t hungry, but I needed the distraction. I needed something to focus on. I waved the staff off with a small gesture and walked toward the table myself. I motioned for Miles to join me at the table.
The Boy, the Rain, and the TruthMILES' POV I stood there in the dark, staring at the door she slammed in my face. For a moment, I didn’t move. I just stood there burning. My emotions spun through me like a broken compass: frustration, guilt, confusion… but above all, anger. Sharp, bitter anger. Because no matter how much I might be at fault, I was still an Alpha with pride the size of the entire Crimson Peak Pack. And being dismissed like trash wasn't exactly something I was used to. But I also knew things would not always go my way. If I wanted my family back, if I truly wanted to fix this, I had to shut my ego up, swallow it up, and drink water. So, I turned and walked away from the door, fists clenched, jaw locked tight. As I stepped into the yard, I patted down my pockets, searching for my phone. Nothing. I paused, frowning, glancing back at Rhea’s house, thinking maybe I had left it inside. But then I remembered I hadn’t touched it all evening. Shit. I must’ve forgotten it at
Held Between Breath and Silence Rhea's POV "Get me dry towels, warm blankets, and a heating pad, quickly!" I snapped, barely keeping the panic out of my voice as we carried Miles' semi-conscious body into the house and the guest room on the ground floor. My pulse thundered in my ears, and my jaw clenched. I muttered a curse under my breath as the staff scrambled to obey. His skin looked so pale, and his lips had that faint bluish tint that made my gut twist painfully. He didn’t just look cold. He looked… wrong. Ms. Lucy rushed back with an armful of towels, the thickest blanket in the house, and the heating pad. She handed them to me with shaky hands. Sekani stood by the doorway, watching with wide, confused eyes. One of the younger staff had already grabbed a mop, quietly soaking up the puddle of water dripping from Miles’ drenched clothes to prevent anyone from slipping. "Mummy? What's going on?" Sekani asked softly. I turned to him, crouching just enough to smooth his curls
RHEA'S POV I stared at PA Dennis flashing across the screen as the phone rang in my hand. My heart thundered in my chest. This couldn't be happening. I had thought of reaching out to Evans or even Rico, to let them know about Miles' condition. They would know how to handle this better. But PA Dennis? Goddess, how was I supposed to tell him that his son was lying unconscious in a hospital bed? My fingers tightened slightly around the phone, still ringing. "Luna, is everything alright?" Holmes asked beside me, looking concerned. “Yes,” I said quickly, forcing my voice to stay even. I turned to him. “His father’s on the line. But… I don’t think it’s a good idea to break this news to him. Not like this and not from me.”Holmes nodded with understanding. “That’s true. I—”He paused as his own phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his brows furrowing slightly as he glanced at the screen. I looked at him in anticipation. "It's Beta Evans," he muttered. “Thank goo
Unburied ThingsRHEA’S POV Despite the usual cheerful greetings as I walked through the hospital halls, I could feel the subtle whispers trailing behind me. Eyes flicked my way. Curiosity buzzed in the air like static. Everyone wanted to know what was really going on between me and Alpha Miles Mondragon. And I didn’t blame them. News traveled fast in packs. Only the blind wouldn’t notice how he had been circling me like a moth since the moment he stepped foot in Crimson Peak. One of my staff even informed me that people are saying that the only reason Miles was investing in the pack was to win my heart. Not completely false, to be honest. But now, they were asking bigger questions. Like why he was at my place. Why I was the one who brought him to the hospital. But none of that rattled me half as much as the thought of seeing his parents again. I already knew they were here. I had turned off my phone last night just to avoid Holmes reaching me. I barely slept a wink. I tossed and tur
Silent Bonds MILES’ POV There was a dull throbbing in my limbs. At first, it was cold. Then warmth. Then pain. Everything felt slow, like my body had forgotten how to exist in one piece. I blinked against the blinding white lights overhead, squinting as the room began to sharpen into focus. The first thing I saw was my mother’s teary eyes hovering over me. Then my father’s stiff frame just behind her. And by the window, Evans stood with his arms crossed, looking out of it. “Miles,” my mother breathed, choking on relief as she rushed to my side and grabbed my hand. “Thank the Moon. You’re awake.” I blinked again, trying to breathe past the tightness in my chest. “Mom…?” My voice was barely a whisper, scratchy like I had swallowed gravel. I tried to push myself up, but a bolt of pain stabbed through my ribs, and I hissed in response. “Easy,” my father said quickly, stepping forward. “Don’t strain yourself, son.” Evans moved from the window and came to stand closer. “What the he
Of Storms and ScarsRHEA'S POVI had rehearsed this scene time and again in my head. I had it all in my head. Everything I would say to them, but what I didn't get ready for was the surge of emotion that would overwhelm me. Tears welled up in my eyes as Pa Dennis blinked like he had seen a ghost. Ma Lisa was already on her feet.“Come here,” Ma Lisa said, her voice breaking. Her arms were wide open and her lips quivered as she bit back tears.I didn't even think twice. I crossed the room in two strides. "Ma Lisa," I cried and fell into her embrace like it was the last thing I was ever going to do.“Oh, baby,” Ma Lisa whispered, holding me so tightly I felt like I might dissolve into the hug. “Look at you. Look at you." She patted my back. Then, she pulled back to take me in. “You are all grown up. You look beautiful, Rhea. You’ve always been beautiful.”I laughed, but there were tears in my voice. “You look the same.”“Still loud?” Ma Lisa said, stepping back to look me over. “Still s
Team SekaniMILES’ POV Taking Sekani to his game was the highlight of my day. We weren’t exactly on the same page yet, but I could tell, he was glad I came. He didn’t say it outright, but it was in his eyes, in the way he kept glancing over from the field like he wanted to be sure I was still there.The sun bathed the school field in warm, golden light, casting long shadows over the grass. Kids ran in every direction, their colorful jerseys flashing with movement. Sekani didn’t know it, but under my tracksuit, I was wearing something special. The moment the game kicked off, I unzipped my jacket, revealing the custom jersey underneath; black and white, with “SEKANI 10” bold across my back. I was here for him. Win or lose. “Let’s go, Sekani! That’s my boy!” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth. He looked over mid-run, his curls bouncing as he smiled, just for a split second. It was enough. My heart did a full backflip. I had never done this before—being a dad. I wasn’t sur
Bruises Beneath the SkinMILES’ POV Holmes eased the car to a stop in front of Rhea’s house. The sun was just beginning to peek through the early morning clouds, casting long shadows across the driveway. Rhea was standing on the porch with Sekani at her side. His suitcase was already packed and resting at his feet. Rhea had dressed him warmly for the day, zipped him into a soft navy hoodie. Her hair was tied back in that same no-nonsense bun she wore on work days. She was already in her scrubs, her arms folded across her chest. They both looked like a portrait I could never quite touch. Like something behind a glass frame, beautiful and distant. I pushed the door open, gripping the crutch in my left arm, and stepped out with effort. My leg still ached with every step, but I was getting better. I limped up the short path to the porch. Sekani didn’t smile nor rush toward me, he just stared down at his sneakers. We've not had any time alone since my parents left. He wasn’t avoiding m
Where We StandRHEA'S POVFive days later. “Mummy! Grandma took me to an ice cream shop!” Sekani announced the moment I stepped into the hospital room.The sound of his excited voice was the first thing that hit me, followed by the cool scent of antiseptics and the soft hum of machines. I smiled gently as I closed the door behind me. “Oh, did she?” I asked, walking toward Pa Dennis' bed. Sekani was perched on Ma Lisa’s lap, his legs dangling off the edge as he scooped ice cream from a bright blue bowl. He grinned at me, his lips already smeared with vanilla. “Yeah! And she let me get two scoops!”I let out a soft chuckle. “Two scoops? That’s a lot of sugar, champ.”Ma Lisa winked at me over his head. “It’s only once in a while.”Miles was seated in the chair beside the window, his head still wrapped in bandages. A single crutch leaned against the wall beside him. His right arm was in a cast, but he looked better and stronger. I was relieved when the doctor said his gen
A Soft Place to FallRHEA’S POVI stood by the doorway of Pa Dennis ward, my heart pounding with uncertainty. I wasn’t sure what kind of reception awaited me. Would Ma Lisa lash out again? Would she say more things that would leave me shattered?I sucked in a deep breath. Ma Lisa turned at the sound, and her eyes landing on me. I braced myself for another storm. But what happened next caught me completely off guard.Her face crumpled. “Rhea,” she whispered, voice trembling, “my dear… how could I be so hard on you?”She stood shakily, clutching the edge of the hospital bed for support. “How did I say all those awful things to you… when you’ve suffered more than any of us?”I stared at her in bewilderment. She came over and hugged me tightly. My chest heaved. "Oh, my dear, you don't deserve all of that," she wept. "Please, forgive me. Forgive me." Her body shook with tears.Tears welled up in my eyes and without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her and burst into tears. Her s
Between Love and Law Rhea’s POV The sky was just beginning to turn pale outside the kitchen window, that soft grey blur that comes before dawn fully arrives. The house was quiet. None of the live-in staff was awake. Not even the birds had started their morning song. I sat alone at the kitchen table; a half-drunk cup of tea had gone cold in front of me. My elbows rested on either side of an open law book, a few printed articles, and drafted letters scattered across the table. Child custody laws in our region. Alpha-bloodline inheritance rights. Exceptions for rogue-born offspring. I had read them all. And I was still reading. One of the letters was addressed to the Council of Regional Alphas, petitioning an investigation into Alpha Yuri Cassian's repeated violations of the protective order I had placed on file years ago. Another was a formal complaint to the Inter-Pack Justice Committee, detailing how Yuri had disregarded multiple warnings to stay away from Sekani, culminating in
Mothers at War Rheas's Pov "He’s fine," Dr. Singh said gently. "No internal bleeding, no head trauma. Just a few scrapes and bruises. We’ve cleaned them up, and he’s doing great." I closed my eyes for a second, letting out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Finally, my lungs pulled in air properly again. Ms. Lucy gave my back a reassuring pat as I nodded slowly. “Thank you,” I breathed. Dr. Singh gave me a kind smile, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder. “Nurse Marston, you can take a breather now,” he said warmly. “You can take tomorrow off if you wish.” "Thank you, Dr. Singh," I replied with a faint smile. With a final nod, he turned and walked away. I turned and reached for Sekani’s hand. His little fingers clutched mine tightly. He looked smaller somehow, his face pale, his shoulders slouched, his eyes shadowed with guilt. He didn’t say a word, and neither did I. He just walked quietly beside me, while Ms. Lucy trailed behind in silence. My chest felt like it
In the Name of the Son THIRD PERSON POV (I will use the third person's POV here because a lot of events are going to take place in this chapter. Please pardon me.) Sekani lowered his gaze, twirling his tiny fingers in his lap. “Mommy won’t let me talk to you. She won’t let me tell you anything. So I thought… maybe this way…” His voice trailed off to a whisper. Yuri stared at the boy, unsure whether to yell or cry. Sekani peeked up at him with those soft, innocent eyes. The look on Yuri’s face made the boy shrink slightly. Maybe he had done something really bad. Maybe Uncle Yuri was angry. “I’m so sorry, Uncle Yuri,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.” Yuri closed his eyes and exhaled slowly through his nose, trying to stay calm. “Come on, Sekani… I’m not mad at you. But sneaking into my car and following me all this way? That’s not okay, champ. Your mom’s probably going crazy right now.” Sekani shook his head, gaze dropping again. “Ms. Lucy thinks I’m asleep. Nobo
(I'm using the third person's POV for this chapter because so many events will happen at the same time. Please, pardon me.) Faster Than Fear THIRD PERSON POV Yuri sped down the highway, his foot heavy on the gas, engine growling as the city blurred past in streaks of color. His jaw was tight, and the muscles ticked with tension. His fingers gripped the steering wheel like it had personally wronged him. He weaved between cars, honking without restraint, his eyes fixed ahead like he was chasing something, or running from it. But he couldn’t outrun her words. “Because I don’t love you! I never did. And I never will!” They kept playing in his head. Was it that hard to love him? After all these years. They could easily pass as a couple. He knew Rhea would have loved him back if Miles didn't fucking show up. He slammed his palm against the steering wheel. BAM! “Fucking bastard!” he muttered under his breath, honking at a car that appeared in front of his, as he cut across another
The Edge of Letting Go RHEA'S POV “Ree, I know you’re mad at me, but just hear me out,” Yuri pleaded, his voice barely holding together. “Yuri, what’s there to hear out? That you’ve been lying to me for goddess knows how long?” His face twisted in frustration. “I did what I had to do. I was trying to protect you. You said you didn’t want to hear about him anymore.” “I did say that,” I snapped, blinking hard. “But it was still my life. You didn’t have the right to make choices for me. I never told you to lie. Never asked you to twist the truth. Yuri, you told me Miles didn’t want his child. Sekani grew up without a father because of you!” "But I have always been there," he defended. “You didn’t have to!” I shot back. The words ripping out of me before I could stop them. He stared at me, eyes wide like I had slapped him. Like he couldn’t believe I just said that. I knew I had hurt him. But he had hurt me first. Deeper. And the truth was, yes, he had been there for Sekani. Yes, h