Alliance of Shadows, Book 4: DRESON

Unspoken

He stiffened, noticing the same thing I did at the same time.

Someone was watching us from the hall.

"Hello," I called out.

Alpha Henry stepped from the shadows, his presence commanding as he crossed the threshold into my room. His sharp gaze flicked between me and Kaden, studying us with an expression I couldn’t quite read. "Brotherly love is a blessing, don't you think so?" His voice was calm, almost thoughtful. "It’s rare to see siblings as close as you are with your brother, Dreson. Even children seem to embody the Alliance’s blended customs."

Kaden jumped to his feet, his movements jerky and frustrated, and ran from the room without a backward glance. Seconds later, the unmistakable slam of his door echoed down the hall.

Alpha Henry tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "What's wrong with him?"

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "He's mad because I won't be here to help him when he gets bullied. I'm the only one that stands up for him since the other kids don't like that he's a hybrid."

"And you don't mind?" The man standing by my door rested a hand against the frame, his gaze steady and unreadable.

"He's my baby brother," I said with a shrug. "Mommy and Daddy tell us all the time that brothers gotta protect each other. It’s not so bad, but since I'm the only one who actually plays with him, he's going to get lonely an awful lot."

He nodded. "And what about Celestia? She's one of my pack wolves, and that makes Kaden part of my pack, too."

Again, I shrugged. "She's my mommy now, just like she's Kaden's mommy. She doesn’t treat me any differently than she treats Kaden. She gives me lots of love, hugs, and kisses, just like she does for him."

"Not jealous at all?" Alpha Henry asked, his tone carefully measured.

"I don’t see a reason to be jealous, Sir." I met his gaze without hesitation. "I’ve seen and heard what people say about my Momma and my brother. It’s not right, though. It’s mean, and I don’t like it."

Alpha Henry hummed to himself, a quiet sound that carried a hint of contemplation. Without another word, he turned around and walked back down the steps.

A few minutes later, as I was pulling out some clothes to take with me, Celestia ran into my room and scooped me into her arms. Her sudden embrace caught me off guard, and I stiffened, unsure of what had caused such an emotional reaction. It wasn’t until I heard her whisper a soft thank you that I started to relax in her hold.

I had no idea why she was thanking me or what I’d done to earn her praise.

Setting me back on my feet, she smoothed down my clothes, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the fabric. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed through the words, telling me what had happened after Alpha Henry returned to the living room. The sheer gratitude in her voice was undeniable, as was the unwavering admiration in her eyes. She wasn’t just happy—she was overwhelmed, moved by something I had said, something I hadn’t realized carried so much weight.

"I don't know what you said or how you did it, but Alpha Henry has decided to take both you and Kaden this time," she said.

Tears sprang up in my eyes as I looked at her. "Really? He's taking us both?"

"Yes, he said he is," she assured me, her voice thick with emotion as she reached for my suitcase.

I stared at her, my chest tightening as the reality settled in. He was coming with me. My baby brother wouldn't be left behind. He wouldn’t be bullied or forced to navigate everything alone. Relief flooded through me, and I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

"Kaden," I ran to his room at the other end of the hall, already knowing where he was hiding. "Kaden, come out. I got some good news!"

"No," he whimpered, his voice muffled from inside the toy box. "Just leave."

"I can't, 'cause now you have to pack, too," I told him.

I heard the shuffle of plastic and fabric as he squirmed deeper into the box, resisting. Then, slowly, he lifted his head, his cheeks flushed, eyes glistening with leftover tears. He fixed me with a fierce glare. "You're lying, Dreson. I'm gonna tell Mommy on you!"

"I'm not lying," I frowned. "C'mon, go ask Mommy. She told me that the Alpha said you can come with me."

His expression flickered with confusion mixing with stubbornness. He blinked, considering, then crossed his arms. "I don't believe you. Mommy! Mommy, Dreson is lying to me!"

Celestia stuck her head into the doorway, amused. "So that's where he hides when he doesn't want a bath. Now, why are you calling your big brother a liar, Kaden? It's not nice to hurt others' feelings like that."

"But he is lying!" Kaden stomped his foot against the floor as he climbed out of the toy box, his little fists clenched. "He said I'm going too, but I'm not seven yet, and it's only for big kids, not little kids like me."

Celestia chuckled again, shaking her head before pulling both of us into her arms. The warmth of her embrace softened Kaden's rigid stance.

Kissing each of us, she smiled and said, "He's not lying, Kaden. You really are going with your brother. Alpha Henry said it's because you two are so close and that he would hate to damage the bond you share. Now, you each get to take one toy, so go pick one out while I pack Kaden's things, okay? Before you two go anywhere, though, Kaden has to do something."

I watched him suck his bottom lip between his teeth, the energy draining from his defiance as he stared down at his feet. He kicked at the floor lightly, hesitant to admit that he was wrong.

"I'm waiting, Kaden," Celestia repeated, her tone gentle but firm.

He glared at me for a beat, then muttered, "I'm sorry, you big poopy butt."

"That's okay, little poopy butt," I laughed.

The tension broke in an instant. Kaden’s small arms wrapped around me, his laughter bubbling out like he’d already forgotten his frustration. "Can I still play with your toys?"

"I'll let you take that big bear on my windowsill if you want," I said.

Kaden grinned, already turning toward the window to grab the plush toy, but my attention drifted elsewhere.

Celestia whispered something, her voice soft and careful like she didn’t want anyone to hear. I froze, straining to catch her words.

It sounded like a prayer.

...To my mother.

The name Tina was barely spoken, but it hit me like a sudden gust of wind. I blinked, unsure if I’d heard it right. My mother’s name? Celestia had never said it before—not like this. It wasn’t just a mention. It was thank you. It was something bigger. I stepped closer in time to hear the final words: “For letting me raise him in your place.”

A weird feeling settled in my stomach. Not a bad one, just... different. I didn’t know what to do with it. I glanced up at Celestia, watching as she quickly wiped her eyes, her fingers moving fast like she didn’t want me or Kaden to notice. I did, though.

She saw me watching, and her smile came instantly. It was just like her – warm, soft and steady. Not like the big, excited grins she gave when we played, but like something secret and special meant just for me.

"I love you, my little star," she murmured, brushing my hair back. “My Warrior’s Child.”

There was a deep pain in her words, something that said there was a secret she was keeping but afraid to say anything about. "I love you too, Mommy," I mumbled. Without thinking, I said the same thing she always said to me and Daddy, “Always forever.”

I thought about asking her, maybe getting her to tell me about what I heard. I wanted to ask why she said my mother’s name with such reverence and peace. Maybe even asking if she thought my mom was watching us from Mag Mell – the Druid version of the afterlife also known as the Planes of Joy – where spirits gathered in the halls of the Gods, filled themselves on wine and glorious meals. Some moved on, but others stayed to watch over their loved ones.

At least, that’s what I was told when I asked where my mom was one time. I didn’t make a big deal out of the situation, knowing that I’d somehow won over the Alpha King using only my own logic and worldly views – whatever that meant to a seven-year-old.

Instead, I grabbed Kaden and hugged him tight, pressing my face into the messy mahogany curls that were always in disarray. I didn’t know why, but it made the weird feeling in my chest go away just a little.

Celestia had thanked my mother for something that seemed so obvious to me. Of course, she would raise me – she was my father’s Mate after all. Then again, it also meant my mother wasn’t going to be forgotten, and, somehow, that made everything feel a little bit better.