CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58

Kael’s POV.

I stood frozen in the living room doorway, my heart shattered, Liam’s small arms wrapped tight around my legs, his voice bright, calling me "Daddy."

His brown eyes sparkled, his curls bouncing, his happiness so pure it crushed me. My side throbbed, but the pain in my chest was worse, Elijah’s death, his blood pooling, his body cold, cutting me deep.

My wolf, Zeus, whined, his sadness heavy, his love for my pack urging me to protect this boy, his mother.

Sonia rushed forward, her dark hair loose, her face pale, pulling Liam away, her voice soft but firm.

"He’s the Alpha, Liam, not your daddy," she said, her eyes meeting mine, full of apology, her hands gentle on her son’s shoulders.

Liam’s face fell, his eyes sad, his lip trembling, and my heart broke more, tears burning, my throat tight.

"It’s okay," I said, shaking my head, forcing a smile, my voice shaky.

I wanted to ease her worry, to hide my pain, but my chest ached, Elijah’s empty eyes flashing in my mind.

Sonia’s gaze softened, her hands still on Liam, her voice low.

"Liam never saw his father," she said, her words heavy, her eyes dropping.

"When I gave birth, Elijah was on a mission. I didn’t know where. He never came back, just called sometimes. I had no picture, so I described him to Liam, told him stories." Her voice cracked, her sadness clear, and my heart sank deeper, my hands clenching, my guilt sharp.

Liam never saw Elijah, never knew his face, and now he never would, his father dead in my packhouse, shot under my watch.

My tears burned, my throat tighter, Zeus whining louder, his grief raw.

I crouched down, my knees creaking, my eyes level with Liam’s, his small face quiet now, his eyes big, watching me.

"Since you are not my daddy, can I call you Uncle?" he asked, his voice small, his hands fidgeting, trying to smile.

My heart ached, his innocence killing me, and I shook my head, forcing a bitter smile, my eyes burning.

"How about calling me Big Brother?" I said, my voice soft, my hand ruffling his curls, his warmth grounding me. Liam’s eyes lit up, his smile wide, his excitement bursting.

"I always wanted a brother!" he said, his voice loud, his arms wrapping around my neck, hugging me tight.

My chest tightened, my tears close, his joy mixing with my sadness, my guilt for failing Elijah, for failing him.

Sonia smiled, her eyes wet, her voice gentle.

"You don’t have to, Alpha," she said, her hands twisting, her face worried.

"I don’t want to trouble you." I stood, my heart heavy, my smile steady, my eyes meeting hers.

"I want to," I said, my voice firm, my hands clenching.

"He’s my brother now." Liam giggled, his hands clapping, his happiness bright in the dim room, the air warm, the couch worn, the wooden toys scattered.

Brian stood behind, his face soft, his brown eyes watching, his silence supportive.

My heart lifted slightly, Liam’s joy easing my pain, but my guilt lingered, Elijah’s death heavy, Nicholas’s smirk, "I don’t know what you’re talking about" burning in my mind.

Sonia’s smile faded, her eyes searching mine, her voice shaky. "Where’s Elijah?" she asked, her hands tightening on Liam’s shoulders.

"I thought he was coming to see us." My heart dropped, my breath catching, my eyes flicking to Brian, his face tense, his head shaking slightly, urging me to speak.

I looked back at Sonia, my throat tight, my hands shaking, my sadness overwhelming. I shook my head, my voice low.

"He’s not coming," I said, my words heavy, my eyes dropping, unable to hold hers.

"Why?" she asked, her voice sharper, her eyes wide, her hands trembling.

The room grew tense, the air heavy, Liam’s giggles fading, his eyes on his mother, sensing her fear.

I swallowed, my heart racing, my wound throbbing, Zeus whining, urging me to be strong.

"Sit," I said, my voice soft, my hand gesturing to the couch. "I need to tell you something."

Sonia sat, her movements slow, her eyes locked on mine, her face pale, Liam climbing beside her, his toy forgotten.

Brian stepped back, his boots soft, his face grim, the room too quiet, the tension thick. I stood, my heart pounding, my hands clenching, my throat so tight I could barely speak.

Sonia’s eyes burned into me, her voice pushing. "Tell me, Alpha," she said, her words desperate, her hands gripping the couch. "What’s wrong?"

I took a heavy breath, my chest aching, my eyes meeting hers, my voice breaking. "Elijah’s dead," I said, my words blunt, my heart shattering.

Sonia froze, her eyes wide, her breath stopping, her face crumbling. "No," she whispered, her voice shaking, her head shaking.

"No, that’s not true." Her doubt was raw, her pain clear, but my silence, my sad eyes, told her it was real.

Her tears came, loud and broken, her hands covering her face, her sobs shaking her body.

Liam’s eyes widened, his lip trembling, his small hand grabbing hers, not understanding but scared.

My heart broke, my tears burning, my guilt crushing me. I’d promised to save Elijah, to protect his family, but he was gone, shot in my packhouse, Nicholas’s plans to hide things, behind it.

"I’m sorry," I said, my voice rough, my hands shaking.

"You and Liam have a place here, always. I’ll take care of you." My words were steady, my heart heavy, my promise true.

Sonia nodded, her tears falling, her voice choked, her gratitude mixed with grief.

"Thank you, Alpha," she whispered, her hands wiping her face, her eyes red, her sadness filling the room. Liam hugged her, his face buried in her side, his quiet whimpers breaking me more.

My chest ached, my guilt sharp, my anger at Nicholas burning, his lies, his schemes, costing me Elijah, costing Sonia her husband, Liam his father.

I turned away from Sonia and Liam, my heart heavy, my chest tight with guilt and sadness. Sonia’s sobs echoed in my ears, her tears for Elijah, dead in my packhouse, shot under my watch, cutting me deep.

Liam’s small arms, his happy voice calling me "Big Brother," stayed with me, his innocence a sharp pain in my chest. He was too little to face this harsh reality.

I left the living room, my boots heavy on the stone floor, the air cool, the packhouse halls dim, torches flickering. Brian followed, his steps quick, his face tense, his brown eyes wary.

As we reached the hallway, Brian spoke, his voice low, his words sharp.

"They shouldn’t stay here, Alpha," he said, his hands clenching, his eyes meeting mine. "Sonia and Liam, it’s not safe." My heart raced, my anger stirring, my jaw tight.

I stopped, turning to him, my eyes narrowing, Zeus growling softly, his protectiveness fierce.

"They’re safe in the packhouse," I said, my voice hard, my hands fisting. "I promised them a place here." My heart pounded, my guilt for Elijah’s death pushing me to protect his family, to keep my word.

Brian shook his head, his face grim, his voice urgent. "The elders will get angry," he said, his eyes pleading.

"If they find out Sonia’s the wife of a traitor, they’ll cause trouble." His words hit hard, my anger flaring, my chest tightening.

He was right, Elijah’s betrayal, the fire, his death, could turn the elders against Sonia, against me. But I didn’t want to hear it, I definitely didn’t want to admit my pack wasn’t really safe for them.

"Who’d tell them?" I snapped, my voice loud, my eyes burning into his. "You?" My growl was sharp, Zeus roaring, my anger hot.

Brian’s eyes widened, his hands raised, his voice quick.

"Anyone could, Alpha," he said, his words steady but soft. "Guards talk. Maids whisper." His warning was real, his loyalty clear, but my anger exploded, my heart racing, my wound throbbing.

"Get out," I said, my voice cold, my hand pointing to the hall. "Now." Brian bowed, his face tense, and left, his boots fading, the silence heavy.

His words made sense, but I pushed them away, my guilt too strong, my need to protect Sonia and Liam louder.

I turned, my steps quick, heading to my room, my heart heavy, my mind spinning with Brian’s warning, Elijah’s blood, Nicholas’s smirk.

I opened the door, the room dim, the air warm, Aria sitting on the bed, her silver hair loose, her blue eyes wide with panic.

My heart sank, her worry hitting me, Zeus purring softly, his love for her strong. I walked to her, my arms wrapping around her, her warmth grounding me, her scent calming my rage.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice shaky, her hands gripping my shirt, her eyes searching mine.

I shook my head, my voice low. "Something came up," I said, my words vague, my heart heavy.

Elijah’s death was classified, too raw, too dangerous to share, even with her.

"I had to handle it." My chest ached, my guilt for keeping it from her mixing with my sadness for Sonia.

I pulled away, my hands shaking, heading to the bathroom, needing to clear my head.

In the bathroom, the water was hot, steam filling the air, my wound stinging as I washed, my thoughts loud. Brian’s warning echoed, "The elders will get angry." His voice, his fear, stuck with me, my heart racing, my anger at Nicholas, at myself, growing.

Sonia and Liam weren’t safe, not with the elders, not with Nicholas’s schemes. I dried off, my hands trembling, my mind set.

I had to protect them, had to get them out, at least for now, until the dust settled.

I stepped out, my pants fresh, my shirt loose, Aria still on the bed, her eyes soft, watching me. I sat beside her, my heart heavy, my voice low.

"Let’s go on a vacation," I said, my eyes meeting hers, my plan clear. It was the only way to get Sonia and Liam out, keep them safe, away from the elders, at least for a while before they find out the truth.

Aria paused, her eyes searching mine, her face curious.

"If that’s what soothes the Alpha," she said, standing, walking to me, her hands on my shoulders, her voice soft, "I’m willing to do it."