CHAPTER 17
1254 Words
Seraphine’s POV
The house felt too quiet after Caden and Marcus left, the kind of heavy silence that made the floorboards creak louder than they should and turned every distant wave into something uneasy. I headed upstairs fast, bare feet moving quickly over the old wooden steps, my heart pounding with that sharp, instinctive fear only a mother really knows. Kevin and Dani were already moving ahead of me, checking the rooms and muttering to each other in low, worried voices.
Luna’s room was first. I pushed the door open gently. My daughter lay curled under her favorite blanket, her small face peaceful in sleep, dark hair fanned across the pillow. She looked so much like me in that moment—serious even in rest. Relief washed through me briefly. “She’s safe,” I murmured.
I entered Emery’s room next. He was sprawled dramatically across his bed, one arm hanging off the side, dinosaur pajamas twisted from whatever adventure he’d been dreaming. A soft snore escaped him. Another wave of relief crashed through me.
But that wasn't all.
We'd given Evan the room next to Emery's because Isolde clearly wasn't coming to pick him up.
The door stood slightly ajar, that worried me instantly.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt the world tilt.
The bed was empty, but not just empty, it was made with meticulous care. The corners tucked precisely, the pillow fluffed, the blanket smoothed as if no child had ever slept there. A four-year-old could not have done this. At least, not with that much detail. My wolf surged forward, a low growl building in my throat as panic clawed its way up.
“Evan!” I called, voice cracking despite my effort to stay calm. Kevin appeared in the doorway behind me, his face paling as he took in the scene.
Dani checked the closet and under the bed. “He’s gone.”
I crossed the room in two strides and pushed the window open wider. Cool night air poured in, thick with the smell of salt and the harbor. My stomach dropped. “He’s gone,” I whispered, fear tightening my throat. “The bed’s made like no one slept in it. A four-year-old doesn’t do that.”
Mira had followed us up and stood just outside the doorway, looking uneasy. “Isolde must have reached out to him somehow. Probably slipped a message to him earlier at school. She’s still his mother on paper. That kind of pull…”
I didn’t let her finish. “Call Marcus right now. Tell Caden to turn the car around. Something’s wrong.”
I didn’t wait. I hurried downstairs and out of the house, heart racing as I followed the only lead I had—Evan’s faint scent mixed with the night air. My feet slapped against the damp path leading toward the harbor. The moon was low, throwing pale light across the dark water. Every step felt too slow. Where was he? Why would he leave the house in the middle of the night?
I kept moving, breath coming fast, scanning the premises for any sign of him. Then I heard the soft, rhythmic splash of oars cutting through water.
My steps faltered.
A small boat floated a little way out from the dock. Isolde sat straight-backed at the stern, her face half-hidden. And right in front of her was Evan. His small shoulders were hunched, staring down at the black water.
“Evan!” I called out.
He turned, the movement hesitant. Even in the dim light, I saw the conflict etched on his young face. “Ms. Sera,” he said formally.
Isolde remained silent, watching like a predator assessing its prey.
I stepped to the edge of the dock, heart shattering at the sight of him so small and alone on that boat. “Evan, sweetheart, come back. Please.”
He hesitated, glancing at Isolde before looking back at me. His voice was small but steady. “She said… Alpha Caden only kept me to please you. That once the fighting stopped, he would send me away. That I don’t really belong.”
The words cut deep. I could see how they had burrowed into him, feeding every insecurity he had.
I knelt at the edge of the dock, keeping my voice gentle but firm, the way I had spoken to him weeks ago in the library. “Remember what we talked about, Evan? A real mother isn’t just a title. It’s the one who stays. Who protects. Who chooses you every single day. Look at my actions, not her words. Your wolf knows the truth. Caden is already turning around because you belong with us. With him.”
For a long, agonizing moment, Evan stood frozen. Then.. “I want to go back,” he said suddenly, voice gaining strength. He turned to Isolde. “I’m going home.”
Before she could react, Evan climbed onto the edge of the boat and jumped.
The splash was loud. Freezing harbor water closed over him. I didn’t hesitate. I dove in after him, the cold shock stealing my breath as I swam toward his small form. My wolf fully merged with his in that moment—a profound, instinctive connection that wrapped around us both like a shield. I reached him, pulling his shivering body against mine, treading water as I held him close.
“You’re safe,” I whispered fiercely against his wet hair. “I’ve got you.”
Isolde watched us from the boat, her face a mask of cold silence. She said nothing. After a long moment, she picked up the oars and began rowing away, disappearing into the darkness of the open water.
I swam back to the dock with Evan clinging to me. Kevin was there, reaching down to pull us both up. Evan was shivering violently, but he held my hand tightly once we were on solid ground.
My phone rang. A call from Marcus.
“Seraphine,” he said, voice urgent. “Elder Brennan didn’t just file a competency review. He filed a formal petition to the central pack council citing Caden’s prolonged absence and the existence of unregistered bloodline heirs. According to pack law, a challenged Alpha has seventy-two hours to appear before the council or forfeit the title by default. The deadline expires tomorrow morning.”
My blood ran cold. “Who filed the title challenge?”
“Not Brennan,” Marcus replied grimly. “The Alpha of Greymoor.”
The final piece clicked into place. Isolde had cut a deal—trading Caden’s title to Greymoor in exchange for governing Ironmoor as acting Luna under their external authority. A complete betrayal.
I straightened, still holding Evan’s cold hand. “We’re coming with you. The children and I. Presenting a unified family in front of the central council is Caden’s strongest defense.”
Marcus didn’t argue. “Agreed. Get ready. We’ll meet you on the road.”
I ended the call and looked down at Evan, brushing wet hair from his forehead. “We’re going home. All of us. Together.”
Evan nodded, small fingers squeezing mine. I walked back toward the house with him, the weight of what lay ahead heavy on my shoulders, but for the first time in hours, I didn’t feel alone in carrying it.
Caden’s vehicle lights appeared in the distance as I reached the porch.
The night wasn’t over. But we would face whatever came next as a family.
A complicated family.
- Writer
