I smiled and pressed a finger to my lips. The elderly man on the examination table chuckled softly.
“Sorry, Mrs. White is just resting,” I whispered to Caelyn, gesturing toward another patient. “Can you wait just two more minutes?”
Caelyn nodded vigorously, bouncing on her toes. When she smiled, those two little dimples appeared-the same ones I had, though everything else about her was pure Caelan. His deep blue eyes, his determined chin, even the way she tilted her head when concentrating.
Kate ruffled Caelyn’s curls. “Someone was very excited to show you her math worksheet.”
“I got everything right!” Caelyn stage-whispered, pulling a paper from her backpack. “And Tommy said my rabbit drawing was better than his!”
Mr. Henderson finished rolling down his sleeve. “Your daughter?”
“Yes, Mr. Henderson.”
“Beautiful child. Those eyes… stunning.”
I finished writing his prescription, trying to ignore how my heart clenched. Every day someone notices those eyes.
Ten minutes later, Kate was locking up the clinic while Caelyn tugged on my hand.
“Can we go to the park now? Please? I want to feed the ducks!”
“And get ice cream,” I added, making her squeal with delight.
Kate handed me the keys. “Mr. Davis just needs his weekly blood pressure check tomorrow. Nothing urgent.”
She knelt down to Caelyn’s level. “Remember to bring Kate Auntie a flower from the park!”
“I will! A pretty yellow one!”
We stepped onto Main Street, Caelyn’s small hand warm in mine. The spring afternoon sun felt gentle on my face as we walked toward the town center.
“Mommy, why did Mr. Henderson say I have pretty eyes? Everyone always says that.”
My step faltered slightly. “People just… notice beautiful things, sweetheart.”
“Do I look like you?”
“You have Mommy’s hair and smile. But your eyes are… special.”
She seemed satisfied with that answer and skipped ahead, her voice bright with chatter about school. Miss Johnson said this, Tommy did that, Sarah brought cookies for snack time.
I watched her bounce along the sidewalk, her backpack swaying with each step. Seven years old, innocent and happy.
Sometimes I can hardly believe we made it this far.
If it weren’t for Kate, Caelyn and I would never have the life we have today…
She risked everything to help me escape, even followed me to this remote human town…
Kate gave up her career prospects in the big city just to stay with me through the hardest times…
–
Kate’s contact that witch who lived deep in the forest. It took us two days to find her…
The witch looked at my pregnant belly with such sympathy and agreed to help us hide our scent…
The spell was complicated, requiring complete cooperation from both me and my unborn child…
When the spell was complete, I knew that from that moment on, we were completely “dead” to the werewolf world…
Those first few days in town were truly difficult as we started over in an unfamiliar human world..
Learning human ways, hiding my werewolf identity, walking on eggshells every single day…
Thank God for Kate. She taught me how to survive in the human world…
I set up my own medical clinic. It took three years for me to build a reputation here…
Human medical systems were different from werewolf ones. I had to relearn so many things…
But that constant busyness helped me temporarily forget the pain in my heart…
Watching Caelyn grow from a baby in swaddling clothes to the lively, adorable little girl she is now…
Her first time calling me mama, her first steps, her first day of school… every moment was precious beyond measure…
But whenever she asked about daddy, my heart would ache terribly…
Sometimes I wonder how long can this life last?
Caelyn will grow up someday and want to know the truth…
And me… can I really keep running away forever?
“Mommy?” Caelyn’s voice cut through my thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”
I realized I’d been lost in memories again. “Sorry, baby. Just thinking about work.”But she was already distracted by something else. “Look! There’s the ice cream truck!”
Willowbrook’s central park spread out before us like something from a postcard. Spring flowers bloomed in careful beds, children played on swings and slides, and families picnicked on the grass.
The ice cream truck had drawn its usual crowd of kids and parents. I counted six people ahead of us in line.
“You sit right here on this bench,” I told Caelyn, guiding her to a spot where I could see her clearly. “Don’t move, and don’t talk to anyone you don’t know. I’ll be right back with your strawberry cone.”
“I know the rules, Mommy.” She rolled her eyes.
I joined the line, keeping one eye on Caelyn and one on the cheerful woman operating the truck. Mrs. Patterson, a widow who’d been running this route for fifteen years. She knew everyone in town, including my daughter’s ice cream preferences.
“Afternoon, Dr. Reynolds! Let me guess-one strawberry cone for Miss Caelyn?”
“You know us too well.”
A few other parents stood nearby, chatting about weekend plans and upcoming school events. Normal conversations about normal lives. I let myself sink into the mundane comfort of it.
This is what I wanted for her. This normal, safe, happy childhood.
Through the crowd, I could see Caelyn sitting exactly where I’d left her, swinging her legs and watching the other children play. Her face was bright with contentment.
Caelan’s POV
The message on my phone was urgent. Another Rogue attack at the eastern border of Blackwood territory. Third one this month. I scrolled through the security report, jaw clenched tight.
“Your Majesty, we’ve mapped the attack patterns, Edward said, passing me a tablet. “They’re testing our defenses. Getting bolder.
1 studied the map. Willowbrook sat right between our strongest outposts. Perfect location for a command center.
“How soon can we reach the border?”
“Three hours if we push it. I’ve already alerted the packs in that region.”
I nodded. “Let’s move.”
The weight of the King title never felt heavier. Seven years of searching for Sable and our child while trying to hold the kingdom together.
The motorcade sped down road. Then it happened-a loud pop from the lead vehicle, followed by smoke billowing from under the hood.
“Damn it, my driver muttered, pulling over.
Edward approached my window. “Engine failure in the lead car. Needs immediate repair.”
“How long?”
At least three hours. Maybe four.”
I checked the map. Willowbrook Center Park, 500 metres.
“We’ll wait in town. Keep me updated. I stepped out, stretching my legs. ‘Ill walk around. Need some air.”
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