Chapter 11 Eiden
Eiden's POV
Liam lets me meet him at his school whenever I want. If I didn't care about my work, I'd go there every day.
Really, I'm so happy.
I couldn't sleep well and anxiously wait for sunrise because I was so excited.
'I'm so happy too,' my wolf said, grinning widely, showing the rows of teeth that had ripped apart a black bear that had been rampaging through the forest and nearly injured a girl the yesterday afternoon.
I had told Beta Selena to guard the pack while I was gone and to make sure the enemies didn't know I was not in my office.
Lately, Alpha Romeo of the Mountain Twins Pack has been very active in bringing his warrior squad to attack his enemies.
My wolf has already dueled with his wolf twice in the past month. Damn it.
I completely agree with the war experts who say that Alpha Romeo lost his sanity because his mate, Luna Lyssera, left with the rest of the pack. I don't care what happened to them.
My car, driven by the warrior, arrived at the border between the werewolf and rogue clans. I told them to return to our pack, not to wait here, and that I would call them when I was about to leave.
I could take care of myself. After all, my ancestors and I never attacked rogues. So there was no reason for the rogues to hate me or my members.
I put on my hat, mask, and jacket. Besides the hat, I also covered my head with the hood of the jacket.
The two rogue warriors guarding the rogue clan's border gate took me to an office. There I was asked to hand over my ID card and answer honestly why I came to their clan.
I wasn't worried about news spreading about my son living with the Rogue Clan because the staff member who interrogated me was a Rogue spy I'd hired to find the information I needed and tell me about Liam.
I was at the border office for an hour. The first and second times I'd visited the Rogue Clan, they'd held me there for two hours.
They suspected I was observing their clans to find out which group my warriors and I would attack. It was natural for them to be wary of an Alpha werewolf.
A car was waiting for me, taking me to Liam's kindergarten. The driver was the rogue spy's brother-in-law, who worked at the border office. This way, my secret was safe with them.
"Thanks, Ricky," I said, opening the door. "You're welcome, Alpha," he replied.
I got out of the car, my heart pounding and a nervous smile spreading across my face.
I approached the kindergarten and leaned against a tree near the gate.
I took out my phone and texted Celeste, asking where they were and if Liam was in his classroom.
It seemed like class hadn't even started yet. A school bus carrying the children arrived, and the children disembarked with varying expressions.
They were small, like dolls, but who knew when they grew up, they might become muscular warriors or brilliant spies.
\[Liam is already in class.\] Celeste answered me five minutes later. \[Levi and I are sitting on the playground. You can come here if you want.\]
I was a bit disappointed because I couldn't see Liam walking cheerfully into his school with his backpack on his back.
\[I will go there.\] I typed without thinking. Then I put my phone in my pocket.
I walked to the playground casually. Some people glanced at me, while others backed away because my scent couldn't lie.
They were wondering who I was. It seemed like this mask was hiding my face.
I entered the playground, loud laughter and shouts of children greeted me. Levi had lots of friends.
I found Celeste chatting animatedly with a woman. I sat on a bench near them and tried not to overhear. Unfortunately, I couldn't talk to Celeste.
Some of the kids noticed my scent was different from theirs. The woman Celeste was chatting with couldn't hide her questioning look.
Time passed slowly. I checked my phone occasionally, chatted with my wolf, and mostly watched the boys and girls.
They were so cute. A few minutes ago, they were playing happily and laughing heartily, and the next, they were arguing over trivial things.
“I haven't told Liam about your desire for him to stay at your house.”
I jumped at the sound of Celeste's voice and found her sitting next to me. I'd been so focused on watching the little girls catching butterflies that I wondered who would win.
"You just can't find the right time?" I guessed correctly.
"Yeah." Celeste nodded. "I don't know how to tell him."
"Maybe I should talk to him," I said. I was in a hurry to get Liam to open up to me.
"Yeah, you tell Liam." Celeste even left it to me before she tried to persuade him.
"I'll guarantee your safety while you stay in my pack, but if you're still unsure, how about I buy or rent a house between the werewolf and rogue clans?" I asked her.
I'd already scouted out a house they might like in that area. The houses there were for men who hid their women's mistresses.
Celeste isn't my mistress, but that's the only place that suits us.
“I can’t make my decision.” Celeste looked at me seriously. I sensed a different aura from her. She didn’t seem like a civilian. “I’ll let Liam decide.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to Liam.” I honestly didn’t know how to build a father-son bond with Liam.
All I could think about was that we would grow closer if we lived together.
We had lunch at a restaurant. I’d booked the VIP room this morning. We needed a private room to avoid curious stares.
It was a different restaurant than the one we went to with Benedict.
“How’s school, Liam?” I asked Liam, who was sitting next to me. We had already finished eating.
At least, the few times we had eaten together meant I knew Liam’s favorite foods and drinks.
Liam and Levi enjoyed their meal quietly, unhurriedly, and quietly. Celeste and Benedict taught them very well.
“I’ve been enjoying drawing lately,” Liam replied. “My teacher said I could be a painter if I keep practicing.” He glanced at me, still nervous and uncomfortable with me.
“I didn’t think you could paint like me.” I smiled faintly as Liam turned to me in surprise, seemingly hesitant to ask.
“But I don’t paint seriously; I do it when I feel like it and when I’ve just seen something amazing.” I knew what Liam wanted to ask me.
Liam nodded and stared at the empty plates on the table. I didn’t know what he was thinking.
“Do you want to see my paintings?” I smiled at the enthusiastic face he only showed me for a glimpse. “I only have twenty paintings.”
“How can I see them?” Liam muttered. I accidentally caught Celeste’s eye, who was just as surprised as I was. “They’re at your house.”
“You know, Liam, I really want you to stay with me. It’s okay for just a day.” This was a good opportunity to talk to Liam about it.
“Celeste and Levi will be living in a different house from us, but don’t worry, you can still see them,” I added.
Liam was taken aback by my words. He brought the tips of his index fingers together, lowered his head, and wiggled his legs. I wanted to stroke his head so badly.
“I want to go to the werewolf clan, but I’m scared,” Liam said, his voice barely above a whisper. He was ashamed of his curiosity.
"Why are you scared? You're my son. I won't let them touch you," I promised Liam. What good would my power be if I couldn't protect my son?
“What about Mom and Levi’s safety?” Liam looked at me hopefully.
I glanced at Celeste and Levi, who were staring at me silently. Then my eyes returned to Liam.
“Of course, I’ll protect them too. They’re precious to you,” I said. Liam didn’t need to ask that; I was thinking about them too.
“Okay. I’ll stay with you.”
“Thank you, Liam.” I couldn’t hide my happiness.