THE BOY IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
1833 Words
THALIA
“Nel?” My voice cracked after calling the name I hadn’t spoken aloud in years. “You’re really alive.”
No answer came, but a faint whimper in my mind was enough to confirm and give me so much comfort. After three years of silence and emptiness, my wolf finally came back.
My wolf was alive. She had been fighting all along. The surge of strength I felt earlier was enough for me, and even though it was silent again, I knew she was just around.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for fighting.”
Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.
The happiness I felt faltered a bit as soon as I turned toward the couch where the rogue lay. He was still unconscious, but I was sure that he was healing as he intended to. I continued holding the picture, looking at the boy over and over again, and couldn’t stop thinking about all the possibilities in my mind. I have so many questions that need answers. Hours passed, and the hope in my heart grew. I knew it shouldn’t take root, but I couldn’t stop myself.
After washing up and eating just so I won’t pass out, I sat by the couch and waited. Every rise and fall of his chest, every twitch of his fingers, I watched intently and wanted so badly to just shake him awake, hoping he could explain the situation to me. But I knew that he needed to recuperate.
By morning, he started to squirm a bit. He noticed me almost immediately when he opened his eyes. I must’ve looked like a lunatic sitting there, pale and sleep-deprived, staring at him as if I’d been waiting for this moment my whole life, but I really am.
This can’t be a coincidence. That boy is definitely my son, whom everyone thought I killed.
He got up, a little weirded out by how much I stare. After composing himself, he met me with a frown. “I know I’m a rogue, but you didn’t have to watch over me like a hawk. I won’t do anything to you. You literally saved me.” He said, eyes gleaming, but went back to normal after a few blinks.
I straightened immediately, “It’s not that, but I was waiting for you to wake up.”
He slowly got up from the couch, stretching a bit, and seemed to have already fully recovered. He gathered his jacket, which was already folded neatly on the coffee table.
“Yeah, I’ll be out of your hair immediately. Thanks for helping. Don’t do that again.”
My eyes widened, realizing he misunderstood and thought I was kicking him out.
“No, wait!” I stopped him, holding his hands while my other hand held the photo.
The rogue noticed and quickly snatched the photo from my hand before I could react. “Why were you going through my things?”
“I wasn’t,” I quickly defended myself, “It fell out of your jacket pocket when I removed it to tend to you, but I have to ask you about the child.”
His eyes narrowed, “He’s none of your business. I’m out of here.”
I panicked and blocked his path this time, not intending to let the only lead I have to disappear before me.
“What is it to you?” He sounded both wary and irritated.
“Just tell me already,” I demanded.
He stopped trying to go over me, cleared his throat before answering, “Fine. He’s my son.”
My shoulders slumped at his words. “Your… son?”
“That’s what I said,” he replied curtly, stuffing the photo back into his jacket.
“Are you sure he’s yours? Are you telling the truth?”
He glared at me, “And why would I not be sure? Reagan is my son.”
Reagan… the name sounds so unfamiliar. I wanted to complain that it wasn’t his name, but I stopped myself.
“I need to see him, please,” I demanded instead.
His brows drew together. “What?”
“I-I can’t explain it,” I stammered, but quickly recovered, “Let me meet him. I won’t do anything. I promise-”
“And why would I let you near my son?” he demanded, voice edged with confusion, irritation, and distrust.
My breathing hitched with his question. He’s right. Why would he let a random stranger see his son, especially given how I was reacting? I can’t exactly tell him the entire truth, or he might not let me at all.
“Because when I saw his face, something huge happened. My wolf, who’s been dormant for three years and thought was already gone, suddenly talked to me again.” I told half the truth, hoping and praying that it was enough.
He looked at me with slight surprise, but it was quickly replaced with suspicion. “And why would I believe everything you’re saying? No offense, but you look unstable.”
I fought the urge to let out a bitter laugh. Crazy, unstable, madwoman. I’ve heard it all, and I won’t falter from it anymore.
“I lost my wolf three years ago. Last night, she returned. And she told me to see the boy. Believe me or not, but I am telling the truth.” My voice trembled halfway, but I fought the urge to stay composed.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Thalia,” I answered, a little surprised that he cared enough to ask.
He nodded once. “I’m Rael. A rogue, obviously.”
I smiled, “Obviously.”
“Thalia,” he called, now looking at me with more understanding, “You’ve helped me, and I thank and owe you for that, but I can’t risk my son’s safety for you. We’re still strangers, and you seemed like you’re already been living a peaceful life. Why don’t we just... keep it that way?” He suggested, definitely not taking me seriously.
The small smile and hope died with his words. He wasn’t taking me seriously.
“I’m serious, Rael.” I said with certainty in my voice, “I won’t do anything, but I need to see him. Just once.”
I just have to confirm it myself, or I know I would regret it forever. It could be a freak coincidence that somehow, Rael’s child looked a lot like my baby, who has suddenly disappeared. But once I see the child, I’ll know. No matter how long we’ve parted, I am sure that I would be able to recognize his scent.
He clicked his tongue and left without a word. He was already opening the door when I managed to grab his arm. I would jump on him if I had to. “Stop escaping, will you?”
“You saved me. That’s the only reason why I’m being patient with you. Don’t push your luck. You know, I could just yank you away if I wanted to. Let go of me.” He warned, this time with a serious voice and eyes changing into his wolf’s in a real attempt to intimidate and make me submit, but I didn’t budge.
There was surprise in his eyes as it was enough to intimidate a normal werewolf, but I was once mated to an alpha. It would take a lot more to intimidate me, especially with everything I’ve been through.
His nostrils flared, inching closer to my neck and suddenly scenting me, probably trying to catch a whiff of any other werewolf from me, but he wouldn’t get any but himself. “Who exactly are you? How are you not affected by my wolf?”
I froze. I knew his intentions, but I was no longer used to this kind of act.
I composed myself but remained close. “I’m just a rogue like you, strengthened by life and tragedy.”
“You saw me last night. I was being chased. I won’t be responsible for you if something happens on the way.” Rael gave me another threat.
“You don’t have to. I’ll handle myself just fine, and I will follow your rules once we’re in your hideout.”
--
“Slow down, we’re already near,” Rael said after we drove for nearly an hour. “We have to walk from here.”
I didn’t argue and went out of the car with him. I didn’t know whether my stubbornness or desperation convinced him, but I managed to persuade him in the end. I still haven’t told him that I think the child was my missing son from three years ago, but I’m sure he wouldn’t let me if I started with that.
I quietly followed him deeper into the unclaimed woods. True to his words, I saw an old cabin nearby, but Rael’s expression made my heart leap in my throat. He rushed to the cabin, only to find it empty.
There were clear signs that people were living in there, but everyone was gone.
“What happened?” I asked.
He didn’t respond and quickly moved to check on the room, gathering something they might have left behind. “Thalia, go back. I have to find my pack.”
“No, I’m going with you.”
Rael groaned in frustration, “I have no time to argue with you. Based on the scent, they left hours ago. They wouldn’t leave if there wasn’t a threat. That damn Darius wouldn’t leave us alone!”
I froze, almost wondering if I heard it right. “Wait, did you just say Darius? As in Darius Ellsworth?” I asked with surprise.
Rael halted gathering things after hearing my question. “Yes, the Alpha of Silvercast Pack. That monster has made it a life mission to hunt rogues, even people like us who don’t even mess with any packs. He managed to drive away most of the rogues living near the claimed lands. I already decided to move for my people’s safety, but that damn bastard wouldn’t leave us alone!”
I suddenly felt like I was submerged in ice-cold water. Packs have always been wary of rogues, but not to this degree, especially if the rogues weren’t even messing with them.
“Never show your face to me ever again because if I ever see you after this, I will end you myself.”
Darius’ last words suddenly echoed in my mind. Was he doing this to find and hunt me down? Did he learn that I was still alive and wanted to kill me?
Rael suddenly grabbed me, eyes gleaming with suspicion. “You asked me to trust you, but you’ve been keeping so many things from me. If you want to tag along, you have to tell the truth, Thalia. How did you know that man?”
“I am that bastard’s ex-wife.”
- Writer
