Looking For Answers
The Next Morning — Theo’s Study
Morning sunlight filtered through the wide glass panes, spilling across the polished wooden desk. Theo sat behind it, fingers rubbing his temples as though trying to erase the fragments of the haunting dream that had refused to fade with dawn.
Moments later, a knock echoed softly.
“Come in,” Theo called out.
Beta Matt stepped inside, his usual calm composure shadowed by concern. “You sent for me, Alpha?”
Theo gestured toward the empty chair opposite him. “Sit, Matt. There’s something I need to discuss.”
As soon as Matt settled down, Theo leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk. His tone was low, almost hesitant.
“It’s been happening again,” he began. “The same dream. Every night… a little girl crying, begging me to save her. But I can’t see her face. No matter how close I get, she fades—” His voice trembled slightly before he steadied it. “And each time, the pain feels real, like it’s mine.”
Matt’s brows furrowed. For several seconds, he said nothing. The silence in the study thickened until the only sound was the ticking of the old wall clock. He knew exactly what these dreams meant — and what memory they threatened to resurrect.
Finally, he spoke softly. “Alpha… such dreams don’t come without reason. The Moon never shows what’s forgotten unless it must be remembered.”
Theo’s eyes lifted sharply to his. “So you think… it’s about her? My child?”
Matt hesitated. “I think your heart already knows the answer.”
A heavy silence followed, then Theo sighed deeply, as though exhaling years of buried guilt. “You’re right. I can’t ignore this any longer.” He lowered his voice to a near whisper. “I’ve decided to… seek someone who can help me find her. A sorcerer from outside the known lands. Quietly.”
At his words, Matt’s eyes widened. “Alpha, no! You know the law. Sorcery is forbidden — if anyone, especially Alpha Damian, finds out—”
Theo raised a hand to stop him, his expression firm but weary. “I know the risks, Matt. But I also know the pain of doing nothing. I owe her this much.”
Matt’s jaw tightened, torn between loyalty and fear. “And… what of Lambert?” he asked carefully. “If the child is found, what happens to your son? To the title?”
Theo froze for a moment. The question lingered like a shadow. His fingers clenched around the armrest before he finally replied in a steady, quiet voice.
“When that time comes, I’ll know what to do. But Rina was my fated mate. Her child deserves the life that was stolen from her.”
The conviction in his tone silenced Matt. Slowly, he nodded in understanding and rose to his feet. “Then may the Moon guide your choice, Alpha.”
As he turned to leave, neither of them noticed the faint shuffle by the doorway.
Hidden just out of sight, Mina stood stiff, her hand pressed against the wall. Her face was pale, but her eyes — her eyes burned with fury.
So it was true. The dreams, the secrecy… Theo was really planning to bring back that child.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, her mind spinning with fear and rage. If that child returns, Lambert’s future will be gone. Everything I’ve built — gone!
Her nails dug into her palm until blood pricked the skin.
Before Matt opened the door to leave, she slipped quietly down the corridor, her steps silent but her thoughts aflame.
No. She would never allow that child to be found.
Never...
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Mina’s Chamber
Mina shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath uneven. The heavy silence of the chamber pressed down on her as she began pacing back and forth, one hand gripping her robe, the other trembling slightly.
Her mind was a storm — Theo’s voice echoing over and over again: “Rina was my fated mate. Her child deserves the life that was stolen.”
Those words clawed at her chest until she wanted to scream. But no sound came out — only the quick rhythm of her footsteps against the marble floor.
Then, a small hand tugged gently at her robe.
“Mother?”
Mina froze, looking down to see Lambert — his wide blue eyes filled with innocent curiosity, his soft blond hair slightly messy from play. He smiled brightly, wrapping his little arms around her waist.
“Mama, why do you look sad?” he asked, tilting his head up at her.
Her heart softened instantly. Kneeling, she pulled him close, holding him tightly against her chest as her lips pressed to his hair. The scent of his warmth, the fragile heartbeat against hers — it reignited something fierce and primal inside her.
She smiled faintly, stroking his hair. “I’m not sad, my love. Mama was just thinking…”
Lambert grinned and held her face with his tiny hands. “Don’t think too much. Papa said thinking too much makes your head hurt.”
She chuckled quietly, though her eyes glimmered with a sharp determination. “Your papa is right.”
As she watched her son’s laughter, her resolve hardened like steel. No one… no child from another woman… will ever take your place, my son.
Moments later, she called softly, “Nora!”
Lambert’s nurse entered quickly, bowing. “Yes, Luna?”
“Take him to the garden,” Mina said with a composed smile. “He needs sunlight. And make sure he eats after playtime.”
“Yes, Luna.”
Lambert kissed her cheek before Nora led him out, his laughter fading down the corridor. The instant the door shut behind them, Mina’s expression darkened.
She moved swiftly to her dressing table, opened a hidden drawer beneath a folded silk cloth, and took out a small silver bell. Its sound was faint but sharp as she rang it once.
Moments later, her personal maid slipped in — head bowed, eyes wary.
“You called for me, Luna?”
Mina turned, her gaze calm but icy. “Yes. I need you to find someone for me. A sorcerer.”
The maid’s head snapped up in fear. “A… a sorcerer, Luna?”
“Yes.” Mina’s tone brooked no argument. “Someone discreet. Someone who doesn’t ask questions. You must find one before tomorrow morning.”
The maid’s hands trembled. “But… Luna, sorcery is forbidden. If the Alpha—”
Mina’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Did I ask for your opinion?”
The maid instantly lowered her gaze. “N-no, Luna. Forgive me.”
“Good.” Mina stepped closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “This must remain between us. If a single word escapes your lips, I will personally feed you to the wolves outside the northern gate. Do you understand me?”
The maid swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. “Y-yes, Luna.”
“Go,” Mina ordered. “And do not return until you have found one.”
With a terrified bow, the maid hurried out, her footsteps fading into the long corridor.
When the room was silent again, Mina exhaled slowly and turned toward the window, watching the sunlight spill over the distant forest line.
Her reflection in the glass looked calm — serene even — but her thoughts were venomous and cold.
If Theo wants to find that child, then I’ll find her first.
And I’ll make sure she never sees the light again.