It was as if an electric current ran through my body, alerting me to the potential threat she represented.
“Cierce?” I murmured, staring at her. “Why did Ignis think Cierce was a threat?”
Cassian looked at Cierce and then at me. “I don't know, Mom, but Ignis used the garlic code only when she arrived.”
The tension in the den was palpable, and Cierce's gaze met mine. She remained calm, but something in her eyes made me question.
I looked at Cassian, seeking more clarification. “Tell me, my love, exactly what happened that day.”
***
THE ARRIVAL OF THE TRIPLETS
Zora's expression changed abruptly when they mentioned Hunter. Her joyful demeanor faded, replaced by a perplexed expression, and then a slight tension. Ignis, noticing the change, stared at her with curiosity.
“What's with that look, Zora?” Ignis questioned, her voice cutting. “Don't like that the boys are looking for their father?”
Zora, still holding the boys, looked at Ignis and replied, “I'm just surprised to hear that the boys came looking for Hunter and paternity, Ignis.”
Ignis, in turn, smirked disdainfully, as if she knew something others didn't. “Surprised? As if you didn't know these boys are Hunter, the Alpha King's, and your husband's sons.”
“It's better for everyone to come inside. It seems like a storm is brewing,” Zora advised, nodding towards the interior of the cabin.
Ignis, now with an amused expression, asked, “A literal or figurative storm, Zora?”
“Both, if necessary,” she replied firmly.
The triplets looked from one face to another, sensing the tension between the two. Dorian, curious and perceptive, whispered to Cassian and Kane if that was normal. Kane shrugged, while Cassian just sighed, indicating that something was wrong.
***
The Cabin, imposing in the tranquility of the forest, welcomed the triplets Cassian, Dorian, and Kane, led by Zora. For the boys, that place seemed like a fairy tale castle, full of mysteries and magic. The atmosphere inside the cabin was welcoming, but the tension between Ignis and Zora still hung in the air.
Zora, guiding the boys to the living room, broke the silence and smiled gently at them.
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything?” Zora asked, concerned about the boys' well-being.
Kane, showing signs of tiredness, rubbed his eyes and murmured that he was sleepy. Zora, still smiling, offered help.
“I'll ask one of the omegas to take you to the room, alright?” she suggested, showing willingness to assist.
“No need to bother, Zora. I'll take Kane myself,” Ignis declared, holding the boy's hand.
Zora, accepting the suggestion, smiled and agreed, letting Ignis lead Kane upstairs.
Zora then turned her attention to Dorian and Cassian. With a gentle look, she asked, “Do you two also want to rest from the journey?”
Dorian, whose gaze had already been lost in the state-of-the-art video game in the room, asked, “Can I play a bit?”
“Of course, Dorian. This house is yours too,” Zora replied with a smile.
Dorian got excited about the idea and soon immersed himself in the virtual world. Now alone with Cassian, Zora approached and knelt down to his level. She gently touched his face and, with admiration, commented, “Impressive.”
Cassian, serious, looked at Zora and asked, “What do you find impressive?”
Zora, still with a touch of admiration in her eyes, replied, “Despite being so alike, you, Cassian, resemble Hunter the most. I can see in you how his children would be with me.”
Cassian, with a serious expression, stared into Zora's eyes. He didn't say anything, but his expression revealed curiosity about the connection Zora saw between him and Hunter.
At that moment, Ignis appeared in the room, contributing to the conversation.
“Cassian inherited a lot of Hunter's physical appearance, but undoubtedly, he has much more from the mother than you can see, Zora,” Ignis commented, offering a different perspective on the triplets' characteristics.
Zora turned to Ignis, showing a gesture of hospitality. “Would you like something to drink, Ignis? Tea or something else?”
Ignis considered for a moment. “Just water, thank you.”
While Zora walked away to get the water, Cassian remained thoughtful. Zora's and Ignis's words echoed in his mind, making him reflect on his own identity.
Zora returned with a glass of water, handing it to Ignis, who thanked her with a nod.
The atmosphere in the cabin's living room was tense, with Cassian sitting on one of the sofas, silently observing the interaction between Zora and Ignis. The two women stared at each other with palpable coldness, despite the apparent civility.
Zora, trying to break the ice, addressed Cassian. “Don't you want anything, Cassian? A snack or something?”
Cassian shook his head, expressing his lack of interest. “I'm good.”
Ignis placed her water glass on the coffee table with a slight sigh. “As good as possible, we all are.”
Zora looked at Ignis, delicately touching on the recent events. “We heard about the kidnapping of the boys. It was truly fortunate that their paths crossed with yours, Ignis.”
Ignis didn't miss the opportunity to correct. “It wasn't luck, Zora. It was the Moon Goddess who intervened for them.”
Zora smiled, trying to ease the tension. “Sure, Ignis. It was just an expression. Anyway, I'm grateful for bringing the boys safely.”
Ignis maintained her composed expression. “It's always like this. An empty expression...”
Zora gave a faint smile, attempting to dissipate the tension in the air. “Be that as it may, it's a privilege to have you here again. The last time we met was...”
Ignis interrupted, completing the sentence with an acidic tone. “It was when your father died, and you found out you couldn't give Hunter children because Fierce had brought the triplets into the world. An unforgettable moment, no doubt.”
Cassian, sitting on a sofa, observed the exchange of words between the two women, aware of the gravity of the discussion.
Zora, with a serious expression, addressed Ignis. “Do you really think it's appropriate to talk about the fact that I couldn't have Hunter's children in front of Cassian? He's just a child.”
Ignis stared at Zora firmly. “Cassian is not an ordinary child, and you know that. In fact, none of the three boys are.”
Zora responded cautiously. “Nevertheless, that doesn't justify...”
Ignis interrupted her. “You invited other wolves to the cabin for this, didn't you? To keep things under control?”
Zora looked away, hesitant. “It's not just for that, Ignis. I just want to ensure their safety.”
Ignis, in turn, stared at Cassian and Dorian before turning her attention back to Zora. “You want to know if they recognize the kidnappers, don't you? If they crossed paths with someone familiar. Well, Zora, the answer is yes, Alastair's banished. They are deeply involved in this.”
Zora widened her eyes, surprised. “How can you be so sure of that?”
Ignis looked into Zora's eyes with determination. “Because I fought against Jeff and his pack.”
The revelation caused a momentary silence in the room. Cassian looked from one woman to another, trying to process the information. Dorian and Kane, who were in a corner of the room, also turned to pay attention to the conversation.
Zora, now aware of the complexity of the situation, looked at Ignis with a mixture of shock and concern.
Concerned about the mention of the confrontation with Jeff, Zora asked Ignis, “How was it to fight against Jeff? Did he hurt you?”
Ignis let out a confident laugh. “Jeff and his pack were never a match for me, Zora. They underestimated the power of a fairy.”
A visible relief took over Zora's face. “I'm relieved to know that you're still strong as ever.”
Cassian, intrigued, addressed Zora. “Ignis is strong because she's a fairy, right?”
Zora smiled awkwardly at Cassian. “Yes, Cassian. Ignis is a fairy, but let me tell you a secret.” She looked at Ignis. “Ignis is the one who raised me.”
Cassian widened his eyes, surprised. “It can't be. Ignis seems to be the same age as you.”
Zora laughed gently. “It's true. Ignis raised me, Cassian.”
Cassian looked at Ignis, processing the revelation. “So, you're our grandmother?”
Ignis laughed at the confusion on Cassian's face. “Not exactly. I'm more of a mentor and protector.”
Cassian, still processing the information, mumbled, “But you raised Zora, so you're Zora's mother?”
Ignis nodded. “In a special way, yes. She sees me as a mother, and I see her as a daughter.”
Zora chuckled softly. “Exactly, Ignis is like a mother to me.”
Ignis, looking at Zora, added with a touch of curiosity, “If you see me that way, why don't you listen to me when you need to?”
Zora, looking at Ignis, shrugged and replied, “Not all children always listen to their parents, Ignis.”
Ignis, still thoughtful, addressed Zora. “Perhaps, if you had listened to me more, we could have avoided some problems.”
Zora smiled but kept her eyes cold. “Maybe, Ignis, but as I said, children don't always listen to their parents.”
Ignis stared at Zora, with a sad expression. “And unfortunately, many times, pain, and suffering could be avoided if they listened to the experiences of those who came before.”
Zora stood up, determined. “Well, enough talk for now. We need to prepare for dinner. It seems that Hunter and Fierce are on their way.”
Cassian's eyes lit up with excitement. “Are my parents really going to be here? That's amazing!”
Zora nodded, heading towards the kitchen. “Yes, they should arrive soon. I'll prepare something special for the occasion.”