~Celine~
Immediately I woke up, I freshened up, breastfed my son, and headed to the kitchen. I couldn’t wait to prepare breakfast for Kilhan and take it to him.
Last night, I had to feed him because he couldn’t hardly lift his hand. ‘I wouldn’t mind doing the same again this morning.’
While I was wearing the apron, I heard someone walk into the kitchen. I looked back and saw it was my father and the boy that came with Kilhan.
Then I remembered I didn't know who he was yet. In my father’s arms was my son, holding onto him peacefully.
“What are you doing in the kitchen, Celine? The maids will prepare breakfast.” Alpha Darius uttered, moving closer to me.
“I know, but this is for Alpha Kilhan. I prefer to do it myself.” I answered, and he heaved a sigh.
“Well, we’ll talk about that later. Have you met Charles?” He asked, pointing to the young man who stood quietly at the kitchen door.
“No, I haven’t,” I answered, and he waved at him to move closer.
“Here. This is Charles, my son, and Charles…”
“Your son?” I cut him off in confusion before he could keep talking.
“How is he your son? With Whom?” I further inquired.
“Ashley Grayson.” He answered with a faint grin.
“Ashley Grayson?? My mother’s sister?? You had an affair with my aunt?!” I asked in awe.
“It’s been a long time, okay?”
“A long time? Can you even hear yourself right now?! How old is he?” I asked, my gaze falling on the young man.
“I’m twenty.” He responded, and I raised my eyebrows in more surprise.
“Twenty? That means you were together with Ashley at the same time you were with Mom! You killed her because she was cheating, whereas you were in a relationship with her sister that time too?!” I asked, and they both remained mute.
“You killed my mother seventeen years ago! Whereas you already had a three-year-old son with her sister? Oh, Goddess! What kind of man are you?!”
Tears heated my eyes rapidly and I shook my head in disbelief. I had thought I knew all the bad things he had done to my mom, but I was wrong.
“Celine, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?! You’re sorry?! Can you hear yourself, right now? My mother is dead! For an offense that you were also committing! You could have just chased her out of the house and cut connections with her! But you killed her! You snapped her neck right in front of me!” I yelled in tears, moving closer to him.
“Celine…”
“Give me my son. I knew I should never have come here.” I carried my baby from him and stepped back.
“What else don’t I know? Tell me right now. What else are you keeping from me?” I asked, cleaning my teary eyes with my hand.
“That’s all. I swear. I’m not keeping anything else.”
“Like I’d believe anything you say. And why is Ashely Grayson here? You want her to take the role of my mother, don’t you?”
“No, not at all. She’s here because Kilhan sent her here to get to me. We were not in contact for years, okay? That man made her come back.”
“Oh please, don’t blame Alpha Kilhan for anything! Everything that happened is all your fault!” I answered in a loud voice, storming out of the kitchen.
“Won’t you cook anything for your beloved again?!” I heard him ask from inside the kitchen.
“It’s none of your business!” I mumbled as I headed to Ethan’s room. Ethan was the only one I could trust with my son.
Getting to his door, as I was about to knock, the door suddenly opened, and he walked out.
“Oh… I was just going to knock on your door.” I uttered with a faint smile.
“I was coming to see you too.” He answered.
“Really? What is it?” My face lit up.
“No. You go first.” He responded, and I heaved a sigh and nodded.
“Just found out my father has an affair with my aunt, and now I have a half-brother. That Charles guy. I don’t think I can trust anyone else with this little one, so I thought I should bring him to you, while I go and check on Kilhan’s wounds.” I explained, brushing my baby’s hair with my hand.
He nodded slowly as he took him from me. “I’ll play with him till you get back then.” He answered with a straight face, placing him carefully on his shoulder.
“What did you want to tell me?” I asked, and he shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you when you’re back.” He answered, and I nodded with a smile.
“Thank you so much,” I answered and I turned to leave.
“How’s Alpha Kilhan, though?” He asked, making me pause. I looked back at him with a wide grin.
“He’s better. Thank you, Ethan.” I answered, and he nodded, letting out a faint smile.
I walked away and headed to Kilhan’s cell room. I had a major assignment in mind, and that was to get a name for my son.
I knew I was forbidden to tell him he had a son, but I didn’t want to name him alone, I wanted Kilhan’s opinion too.
Getting to the cell room, I unlocked the door and walked in. He was lying on the bed, his gaze glued to the ceiling.
“Alpha Kilhan,” I called, and it was like my voice jolted him out of his thoughts.
“Celine.” He called, trying to sit up. I hurried to his bed so I could help him up.
“How are you this morning?” I asked, looking at his chest, and I noticed his bandage was stained already. “We need to change that,” I added, staring at his chest.
“Thank you.” He uttered, making me look at his face.
“No. You don’t have to thank me.” I answered with a faint smile. I raised my hand and slightly caressed his stained bandage.
“If the wound wasn’t that deep, it would have healed up by now,” I muttered.
“It will take at least two more days for it to completely close up, but the mark will remain.” He answered, looking at his chest.
I nodded and heaved a sigh.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked, and he raised his head to look at me.
“What?”
“So I have this friend. She gave birth to a boy. The father of the child is dead and she’s having issues naming him. She said she would love a man’s opinion.” I uttered, and he furrowed his brows.
“So…” He muttered.
“Imagine you’re the father, what would you call him? I mean, you can name a few and I’ll ask her to pick from them.” I uttered, and he nodded slowly.
He stared into space as he began to think. “Erm… Maybe Andres or Kendrick. You can tell her these two.”
“Okay. Why did you choose those though?” I asked, and he looked at him.
“Because if he was my son, I’d like him to bear a name that means strong. I’d raise him to be a strong and fearless man, and his name must portray that. So yeah… That’s why.” He explained, and I smiled.
“Right. If he were to be my son, I’d choose Kendrick, because it starts with the letter K,” I answered as our eyes locked.
We went quiet for a while, and when I got uncomfortable, I looked away.
“I should go and grab your breakfast and the first-aid box. I’ll be back soon.” I uttered, moving away from his bed.
“Say Hi to your friend for me. I’m glad you now have a friend.” He uttered, and I looked over my shoulder at him. I smiled softly and nodded.
Heading out of the cell room, I ran back to the house in excitement. I finally found a name for my son.
I dashed into the living room and headed up the stairs to tell Ethan about it. I knocked on his room door and when he told me to come in, I opened the door.
“Guess what?!” I uttered in excitement.
“What?” He furrowed his brows.
“I finally got a name for my baby boy. His name will be Kendrick.” I uttered happily, and he nodded with a faint smile.
“And where did you get the name?” He inquired.
“From Kilhan, of course.”
“You told him about the baby?” His eyes widened.
“No. Of course, not. I came up with a story and asked him the question. He has no idea I have a baby. I came back to tell you about it. I have to go and make breakfast and then grab the first aid box for him.” I uttered as I proceeded to leave the room.
“Celine,” Ethan called, making me halt.
“Yes?” I looked back at him.
“I’m leaving.” He uttered, and I furrowed my eyes.
“What do you mean?” I turned to look at him.
“I don’t have to stay in your father’s house anymore. You don’t need me here, and my pack needs me now more than ever. I’m leaving before the end of today.”
“But.. I… I need you here.” I mumbled sadly, walking closer to him.
“No, you don’t. You’ve got Kilhan here with you, you’ve got the greatest protection you could ever wish for your son. That’s more than enough.”
“No, it’s not, Ethan. I don’t want to lose you. Please, Ethan.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve made up my mind and there’s nothing you can do to change it.” He answered, causing me to gulp hard.
‘So that is it? He’s just going to leave?’ My heart cried.