24. Getting to know the territory

Mia Miller

I had just placed my feet on the floor and opened my eyes. My baby, Lorenzo, was beside me, as always. He never left my side for a second.

"Mama," he hugged me with his little arms.

"Good morning, my love," I smiled, feeling that warmth in my heart that only he could awaken. Lorenzo was such a sweet child, with his big curious eyes and that smile that melted away any worry.

As I stroked his soft hair, I heard a soft knock on the door. Before I could respond, the door slowly opened, revealing a tall woman with a striking presence. I knew who she was before she even introduced herself — Esther, Ethan’s sister.

"May I come in?" she asked with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I nodded in agreement.

She entered the room, her movements elegant and controlled, as if she were always aware of her posture and the impact she had on others. She stopped a few steps away from us, her eyes focused on Lorenzo, who looked at her with that innocent expression only a young child could have.

"This is Lorenzo," I said, trying to hide any nervousness in my voice.

"So, this is my nephew," she murmured, with a slight surprise, though her tone remained calm and measured. "He’s beautiful."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a little of the tension dissipate. "He’s my life."

Esther took a step closer, and Lorenzo, in his curiosity, reached out his little hand to her. Esther smiled for real this time, a small but genuine smile, as she took his hand.

"He has my brother’s eyes," she commented, still looking at Lorenzo. "I... I wanted to meet him ever since I knew of his existence."

There was something in her tone that made me relax a little more. Esther didn’t seem like the threat I had feared at first. There was a softness in her eyes now, something that made me realize that, despite her position and the rigidity that seemed to surround her, she was just a sister meeting her nephew for the first time.

"I’m glad you want to meet him," I replied sincerely, and I was surprised by the honesty in my own voice.

"I want you to know," she continued, still focused on Lorenzo, "that I’m not here to judge or make things harder. I just want to understand what’s going on and how I can help."

Those words took me by surprise, and I felt a wave of relief. Maybe things weren’t as hard as I thought. I was still in unknown territory, but at least now, it seemed like I had someone by my side, even if it was just the beginning.

"Sorry for how I acted when I came back from New York," she said sincerely.

"It’s okay, I appreciate it."

For sure, Ethan’s sister was kinder than he was.

My mind was still a mess, with that damn message. I had so many things to digest… my father's death, Charlotte’s sudden disappearance without even giving me an explanation. So many things.

But seeing my son safe beside me eased half of it.

Ethan entered, with that serious and controlled air he always carried. He was a man of few words, and that always made me a little nervous, especially now, after what had happened between us. I couldn’t look at him, not after what happened between us.

"We’re leaving," he said coldly, without preamble. "We’re going to meet my pack. They need to know I have an heir."

My head spun with those words. I looked at him, my heart racing. I didn’t like this, not one bit. The weight of what he was saying hit me full force. If Ethan’s pack found out that Lorenzo was his son, I would lose any chance of peace. And the idea of staying here, trapped in this world I barely understood, terrified me.

"I... I don’t know if this is a good idea," I murmured, insecurity clear in my voice. "If they find out that Lorenzo is your son, what will happen to us? I don’t want to stay here forever, Ethan. I don’t even know if... if this wolf thing is real."

I knew I sounded foolish, maybe even desperate, but this was all too much for me. Part of me still couldn’t believe that this world he insisted on showing me was real. And if it was, how would I fit into it? How would Lorenzo fit into it?

Ethan watched me in silence for a moment, his intense eyes assessing me. "I understand that it’s hard for you," he began, his voice still firm, but with a touch of something that almost sounded like... understanding? "But this isn’t something we can hide. Lorenzo is my son. That makes him part of this world, whether you believe it or not. He’s a wolf, and you don’t have choices."

There was a strength in those words that left me speechless. I knew he was right, but that didn’t make the situation any less terrifying. I wanted to protect Lorenzo, I wanted to keep him away from all of this. But now, more than ever, I felt like I was losing control.

Ethan took a step toward me, his gaze locked on mine. "You don’t have to be afraid. We’re not bad wolves like the ones you’ve seen in the stories."

There was a promise in his words, but also a warning. Ethan was telling me that, whether I liked it or not, Lorenzo was now part of this world. And so was I. The idea was suffocating, but part of me knew that running away was no longer an option.

I swallowed hard, trying to find the words.

"Okay," I whispered finally. "I’ll go with you."

I took the clothes for Lorenzo that Ethan had brought from the old house and dressed him comfortably enough to handle the cold of the forest.

This all felt like a joke.

"My brother is bossy, but he has a good heart, Mia," Esther whispered as she reached the door.

"I know he might not be all bad..."

"Can I ask you something?" she sat on the bed.

"Of course," I said, as I dressed Lorenzo.

"Why didn’t you tell him about the child? It’s been two years."

I sighed. That was a question I asked myself many times.

After I got pregnant with Lorenzo, I was lost. The house was mortgaged, my father was in terminal cancer, maybe that’s why I was somewhat resigned. I only had myself, and now that innocent child.

I still suffered a lot from Collin’s betrayal and the way everything ended. I had to send an apology to every guest for the wedding, I had to cancel everything, and resolve it all on my own. And in the middle of all that, how could I approach the man I met in a bar, and slept with just once, telling him I was pregnant?

So I decided, at that moment, I would be a single mother. I didn’t need another man in my life. I didn’t even know Ethan’s last name.

"It was easier to ignore. I didn’t want to deal with a pregnancy after an unplanned night of sex."

"I understand."

"And even more because he’s a..." I stopped the sentence as I noticed Esther staring at me.

"We’re wolves, Mia. And our life isn’t easy, it’s all different from what you’ve imagined. But that doesn’t mean we’re bad people. We just follow our instincts, sometimes."

"Thank you for talking to me." I touched her hand and smiled.

Maybe all of this wasn’t so bad, but still, I was afraid of everything that could, and would, happen.