Chapter 56 Eiden
Eiden's POV
Even in this situation, I still wondered if Liam would mind if I hugged him to calm him down.
I took Liam to sit in the car. The driver parked in front of the forest near Liam's kindergarten.
At least Liam felt safe because he was in his own car, and I was sitting next to him.
No one said a word. I was confused about what Liam wanted to hear from me.
By the Moon Goddess, I've never been in a situation like this. A strange man approached Liam. I was certain it wasn't one of my enemies who sent him.
The man grabbed Liam's hand because he wouldn't answer his question. I could hear him ask, "Do you have a minute?"
My fists clenched as I sat up straight. My jaw clenched, emotions welling up in my chest. My head was filled with questions.
I glanced at Liam every two seconds, checking on him and feeling the sharp pain of a knife in my chest.
Liam intertwined his ten fingers and hugged his backpack tightly. He was no longer shaking. It seemed I was right to let him calm down.
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.
I was so stupid. I should have pinned the man's arms and thrown him to the ground, then pulled off his medical mask to see his face and interrogated him.
My response was slow, even though my gut feeling told me the man had evil intentions toward Liam.
I glanced at my watch. Twenty minutes had passed, and neither Celeste nor David had arrived.
I didn't know where Celeste lived. It seemed very far from Liam's kindergarten. I'd called her about fifteen minutes ago.
David chased after the stranger who approached Liam. I was afraid he wouldn't return home if he couldn't catch the bastard because he didn't dare look at Celeste.
'Hey, you, Eiden.' My wolf's voice echoed in my head. He hadn't commented on it all along, just listening to me battle with my own thoughts.
'What?'
'Talk to Liam. You two act like strangers.' My wolf snorted.
'I don’t know what to say.' I watched Liam squeeze the strap of his backpack. 'He’s calmed down. What if he remembers that damn stranger again?'
'Why does that damn stranger come to his mind whenever he talks to you? Why are you so convinced you’re frightening to your own son?' My wolf shook his head.
I didn't know why I was so cautious around Liam. Even Celeste and Levi. They were precious to me, and I didn't want to lose them.
They were hesitant to trust me again because of the carelessness of the warriors guarding my mansion. I was so grateful that they were still willing to meet me after knowing that.
“Do you have any idea when your mom and Levi will arrive?” I broke the silence that had enveloped us for over twenty minutes.
“It took us almost an hour to get to my school,” Liam said without looking at me, his hands still fiddling with the straps of his backpack. “I don’t know when they’ll arrive.”
“In that case, they should arrive around one this afternoon.” I glanced at my watch again. Then I checked my phone, and there were no messages from Celeste.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I asked. “I was planning to take you to eat by the lake.” I stared out the window, hoping to see the lake nestled in the forest.
“I’m hungry.” Liam followed me, looking toward the forest. “But I’m scared to sit there.”
“I know.” I nodded. Liam turned to me to make eye contact.
“Do you trust me? I won’t let anyone hurt you,” I said. This promise was sacred. The Moon Goddess would punish me if I didn’t keep it.
“I’m confident I can take on ten men at once, but you have to stay behind me while I fight them.” I gripped Liam’s shoulder.
"You have to be brave, throw rocks at them, or whatever. Don't let them take you away from me; that would only distract me." I was teaching Liam to be a real man at the age of five.
"Yes, I understand." Liam nodded, his fists clenched tightly and his eyes full of determination. "I won't be a coward because I have brave and mighty parents."
I was stunned and wondering. Were the parents he was referring to Celeste and Benedict? My heart ached as if it were being pinched.
“I can definitely be as brave as you and Mommy.” Liam smiled shyly. He doubted himself.
I was silent for a moment before a smile spread across my face. Liam considered me his parent. There was nothing more gratifying than knowing this.
“It’s okay to be unsure now. In time, you’ll become a brave man who can protect yourself,” I said.
"Don't think about helping others until you're sure you're okay." I hoped Liam would understand that I wasn't forbidding him from doing good; I was just anticipating him growing up to be a people pleaser.
"I'll remember your words." Liam seemed to understand my words well. It appeared he would repeat my words before he drifted off to sleep.
“I want to sit in the forest.” Liam showed me that he was practicing being brave, facing his own fears, and also indirectly letting me know he trusted me.
“I made chicken sandwiches for you and me.” I handed Liam the blue food container.
“Thank you so much.” Liam accepted it cheerfully. “Enjoy your meal.” He ate it with gusto. I smiled happily.
We ate beneath a tree, gazing out at the lake. A strong wind swept across the ground, lifting scattered leaves.
“Have you ever experienced what I’ve experienced?” Liam asked me curiously.
“Never.” I shook my head.
“Do you think that man wants to kidnap you?” I raised an eyebrow. Liam brought it up, a sign that he didn't want the stranger to become his nightmare.
“Yes.” Liam nodded confidently. “Mommy said a werewolf-hating organization is after me.”
My eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat. I'd never heard of a werewolf-hating organization.
"I didn't know that," I said. "I'm sorry, I should have been able to protect you from them."
I should consider placing a warrior spy in the rogue clan. They'd have to be really good at hiding and blending in with the rogues and only keep an eye on Liam while he's at his school.
"Liam!" Celeste's scream echoed throughout the forest.
Celeste ran while carrying Levi, panic flashing in her eyes and across her face. Her dark-blond hair flowed wildly behind her, and the skirt she wore didn’t slow her down at all.
My heart pounded in my chest. It had been a long time since I had seen her. She had grown even more beautiful and charming.
'Ugh.' My wolf rolled his eyes.
"Mommy." Liam stood up, his eyes welling up.
Celeste lowered Levi from her arms. She hugged Liam tightly without even having time to catch her breath.
“Liam.” Levi joined them.
My heart warmed watching them embrace.
Will I one day be part of their family? If the Moon Goddess hears my prayers, she will melt their hearts for me.