(Azaria 'Ziya' Point of View)
The day started like any other. After my usual morning run with Aniyah, I returned home, showered, and slipped into bed for some much-needed rest. The familiar rhythm of our routine was a comfort, a way to keep the ghosts of the past at bay. But as I stood in the kitchen later that afternoon, preparing an after-school snack for Caspian, I felt an inexplicable tension, a shiver running down my spine that I couldn't quite place.
The smell of freshly baked cookies mingled with the sweet aroma of apples and peanut butter, Caspian's favorite. I laid out some extra snacks, anticipating that Dakari might come over again. Those two were inseparable, and it was heartwarming to see my son so happy, so full of life.
Not long after I finished washing the dishes, I heard the front door swing open and the familiar patter of small feet racing through the hallway. "Mommy, I'm home, and I brought a special guest!" Caspian's voice rang through the apartment, his excitement palpable. I turned just in time to see him shoot around the corner into the kitchen, launching himself into my arms.
We giggled together as I held him close, his little arms wrapped tightly around my neck. "I already set out some snacks for you and Dakari," I said, ruffling his curly hair.
"Oh, Kari's not with me. His mom called him home," he said with a frown, his disappointment evident.
"Aah, well who is this special guest then, Cass?" I asked, releasing him and getting ready to head towards the living room, curiosity piqued by his mysterious announcement.
"Well, it's an Alpha! He said that it's rare to test high for everything. He even offered to be my friend!" Caspian's eyes sparkled with innocent enthusiasm as he relayed the news.
I smiled at him, though a wary feeling settled in my stomach. It wasn't surprising that Caspian scored high on his tests; he was bright and curious, always eager to learn. But the mention of an Alpha trying to befriend my son? That was concerning. My mind raced with possibilities, the worst-case scenarios flashing before my eyes.
As we walked toward the living room, I praised Caspian, trying to keep my voice light. "That's amazing, Cass. I'm so proud of you."
But as we rounded the corner and the figure standing in my living room came into full view, I froze, my heart stopping in my chest. Standing there, looking every bit as imposing as I remembered, was Ethan Thorne.
His eyes met mine, a flicker of something dark crossing his face. Before he could speak, I yelled for Lilly, my voice sharp and urgent. I knew she was napping, but I also knew my call would go through our mind link.
Lilly came out of her room, rubbing her eyes, her expression quickly shifting to one of alarm as she saw Ethan standing there. Without hesitation, she walked over, scooped Caspian into her arms, and headed straight for the door. She didn't say a word, but her eyes met mine briefly, and I knew she understood the unspoken command: if I don't call her in an hour, she's to run.
Once the door clicked shut behind them, I turned my attention back to Ethan. He was staring at the now-closed door, a mixture of anger and frustration etched on his face.
"Was that really necessary?" His voice was low, almost a growl, as he tore his gaze away from the door to look at me.
My eyes narrowed as I leaned against the wall, my arms crossed defensively. "Why are you here, Ethan? We have an agreement that you would stay away from me."
"Oh, and what about my son?" he snapped, his voice rising as his anger flared. "Should I stay away from him too? I flew out here for an allyship with the Lycan King and was told to witness a few exams for some of the inner-city children as a test of my commitment to developing Arcanthia, or at least that within the alliance, in preparation of a peace treaty. Imagine my surprise when I find an almost six-year-old boy who resembles both me and my ex-wife. A boy I knew nothing about until now. Would you have ever told me?!"
He stood there, his chest heaving with emotion, his eyes boring into mine, demanding answers. I leaned back against the wall, my expression cold and unyielding, refusing to let him see how rattled I was.
I allowed a small, mocking smile to grace my lips, my eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and something sharper. "Oh darling, if you think I would have told you, then you really haven't changed a bit. It's adorable, really, how you believe you were ever in the loop."
I took a step closer to him, my smile widening as I saw the frustration flash across his face. "You see, some surprises are better left… undiscovered. It keeps life simpler, don't you think? And let's be honest, my little one doesn't need any more complications in his life. He's perfectly fine without extra… distractions."
My tone was syrupy sweet, each word a polished dagger aimed straight at his heart. "But it's really sweet of you to think otherwise. Really, it is. It's just that some things are better off... out of reach."
Ethan's eyes darkened, his jaw clenching as he struggled to keep his composure. I could see the fury simmering beneath the surface, his control slipping with every passing second. "You always were a master at keeping secrets, Azaria," he spat, his voice low and venomous. "But you won't keep him from me. Not now that I know."
I felt a surge of anger rise within me, my protective instincts flaring at his words. "Oh, I will keep him from you, Ethan. Make no mistake about that. He doesn't need you. He's better off without you in his life."
He took a step toward me, his eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can just cut me out? Like I don't matter?"
"Yes, Ethan, I do," I replied coldly, my voice steady despite the rapid pounding of my heart. "Because you don't matter. Not to me, and most definitely NOT to Caspian. You never did."
His face contorted with rage, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a moment, I thought he might lash out, but he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "This isn't over, Azaria," he said through gritted teeth, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will find a way to be in his life. I will make sure of it."
I met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. "Good luck with that. Now, if you're done here, I'd like you to leave."
With that, I walked over to the door and opened it, standing aside and waiting for him to leave. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine for any sign of weakness, but he found none. With a final, furious glare, he turned and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him.
I stood there for a moment, my heart racing, my mind spinning with a thousand thoughts. I knew we couldn't stay here now. Ethan had found us, and it was only a matter of time before he came back. I had to keep Caspian safe, no matter what it took. I called Lilly to let her know they could return before starting my stress cleaning.
An hour later, Lilly returned with Caspian, her eyes filled with worry as she set him down. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice low as she glanced around the apartment, half-expecting Ethan to still be there.
I nodded, trying to keep my voice calm for Caspian's sake. "Yeah, it's fine. He's gone."
Lilly exhaled in relief, but I could see the tension still lingering in her eyes. "What did he want?"
I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Caspian, who was looking up at me with wide eyes. "He… He knows who Caspian is," I said quietly, watching as Lilly's face paled.
"What are we going to do?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"We're relocating," I replied firmly. "We can't stay here, not now that he knows."
Caspian's face fell, his bottom lip trembling. "But, Mommy, I like it here. I have friends."
I crouched down in front of him, pulling him into a hug. "I know, sweetie, I know. But sometimes we have to do things we don't want to, to keep us safe. Do you understand?"
He nodded, sniffling as he buried his face in my shoulder. "Okay, Mommy."
"Besides, it's not like we are leaving tonight. Just soon. You will see your friends plenty before me move." I held him close, my heart aching for him. He had already been through so much, and now we were asking him to uproot his life. But I had no choice. I had to protect him, no matter the cost.
After putting Caspian to bed and making sure he was asleep, I sat down with Lilly, filling her in on my conversation with Ethan. She listened intently, her expression growing more serious with every word.
"We have to leave soon," she said once I finished, her voice filled with urgency. "We can't wait. He'll come back, and we can't risk him catching us slipping."
I nodded in agreement, glancing at the clock. It was already getting late, and I had to be at work in less than fifteen minutes. "You're right. We'll start packing up some of extra stuff around here as soon as I get back. I'll call in sick tomorrow night if needed and we'll start looking for a new spot first thing in the morning."
Lilly nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I'll start getting things ready. We need to move fast."
I stood up, grabbing my keys and heading for the door. "I'll see you in a few hours. Be careful, okay?"
"You too," she replied, giving me a small, reassuring smile.