Twice Fated

Chapter 10:At Present

After five years...

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting soft rays of light inside our home. I could hear the birds chirping outside, the faint sound of crickets, and the gentle flow of the river in the distance. It sent a warm and peaceful feeling through me.

Rick was not by my side. He had already woken up to join the warriors in checking the border.

The door creaked open, and my kids came bounding inside my room, their voices in unison as they chorused, “Good morning, Mom!”

My eldest son, Edsel, who is four years old, yawned and looked at me with eyes full of energy. My little boy, Gian, two years old, was rubbing his eyes in a cute manner.

“Mommy, I want pancakes!” he demanded.

I chuckled, leaning down to kiss their foreheads. “Well then, let’s eat some pancakes now,” I said, winking at them. They giggled and ran towards the kitchen.

“It’s all mine! I won’t share with brother!” Gian declared.

An amused laugh escaped my lips. I turned to look at my eldest boy, Edsel. He had a gentle and doting look on his face. He was already used to his brother’s antics and often spoiled him.

A gentle smile formed on my lips as I watched my little babies eat their breakfast. Five years ago, during my third month of pregnancy, I discovered I was expecting. I had been shocked and worried, still facing so many uncertainties at the time. But Rick had offered to marry me, and I had no regrets. Rick had been a loving husband and an incredible father.

Speaking of the past… five years had passed since that fateful day. While I felt like I had moved on, it couldn’t be completely erased from my heart. There were moments when the ache of the past resurfaced. The reason I couldn’t completely let go of Cole was because Edsel bore such a huge resemblance to him. Edsel was the spitting image of his father. He had Cole’s blue eyes and looked like a little version of him. The only thing Edsel inherited from me was my lips. On the other hand,Gian,resembles his features and face to me,except for those piercing golden eyes that belonged to his father.

Suddenly, I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of footsteps.Edsel and Gian rushed to the living room, their faces lighting up as they saw Rick.

“Daddy!” they squealed in unison, rushing to hug him.

A smile tugged at my lips as I watched my husband’s handsome face. Rick scooped them up effortlessly, his laughter filling the room. My heart swelled with love as I took in the sight of my family, feeling gratitude for the life we had built together.

While the kids were playing, I turned to Rick and said, "Let’s have breakfast together. I didn’t eat with them because I was waiting for you."

When we started eating, Rick’s expression turned serious. “Sweetheart, there’s something important I need to tell you,” he said, his tone carrying a weight that immediately put me on edge.

I frowned, feeling a sense of dread slowly washing over me. “What is it?”

He heaved a sigh before answering, “The annual council meeting will be held in our pack next week, and there’s a high possibility that Cole will be attending.”

Rick’s next words caught me completely off guard. “It’s time to introduce you as my wife.”

I froze in my spot, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t the thought of Cole finding me that terrified me. In fact, I doubted he’d even bother. He had banished me from the pack all those years ago, and by now, he must have completely erased me from his memory. I was certain he’d moved on and was living his perfect life with Georgina.

No, what truly scared me was the possibility of him discovering my son.

“Our son…” I whispered, exchanging a worried glance with Rick.

Sensing my anxiety, Rick gently placed his hand over mine. “Just relax. He doesn’t know you were pregnant back then. Besides, I’m your husband now. I can protect you.”

I bit my lip, still uneasy. “ What if he sees our son?”

Rick’s voice was calm yet firm. “I’ll introduce my children too. Don’t be afraid of him. He doesn’t have the guts to come near our family.”

The days flew by quickly, and before I knew it, a week had passed. The annual council meeting was set to begin tomorrow. Despite my lingering fears, Rick’s reassurance lessened my worries. He was right,I couldn’t keep hiding forever.