CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 50
DALTON

The hospital floor was driving me crazy. It was too symmetrical and sterile. There was nothing inside a hospital that brought it to life, except for those ugly paintings they usually put in the hallways. But they were horrendous.

The maternity area of the hospital was clear, and I truly appreciated it because I didn't want to encounter too many people. There were two robust women on guard at the nurses' station.

An hour ago, I had been notified that Elsa had entered the delivery room for a cesarean section. That's why I came here, to meet my son. I'm intrigued to meet him, but the truth is that another thought lingers in my mind: to see if he's my son.

It sounds really wicked on my part, but I still have some doubts. I inquire about Elsa's room, and one of the women gives me directions. Room 302, that's the number corresponding to Elsa's room. I knock on the honey-colored wooden door with my knuckles.

The door opens, and a nurse appears in my field of vision. I step into the room. Elsa is in bed, and there's a small crib next to her. There are two sofas, a television, a sink, and more medical equipment that is visible at first glance in the room.

At that moment, Blair comes to my mind. I shouldn't be here. I should be by my wife's side in our house, helping her with our little puppy. Not here, with this woman. If only I hadn't been so stupid when I met her.

"Hello, I'm glad you came," Elsa says, being the first to speak.

"He's my son," I say simply, shrugging slightly.

"I know you're only here for him," she says with a smile, but it's evident that her own words hurt her.

"How is he?" I ask, directing my gaze to the little one who is asleep in the crib.

"He has your eyes," she replies with a small smile.

"Green?" I ask, looking for a topic of conversation.

"Yes," she nods, looking at the baby.

"What's his name going to be?" I'm the worst; I come to meet my son, and I don't even know his name.

"Declan," she says, lowering her gaze. "I ask that you respect that."

"Why wouldn't I?" I furrow my brow at her request.

"I'm going to die, Dalton."

"Same as everyone eventually." I wanted to add that a weed never dies, but well, she's the mother of my child, and I owe her respect.

"No, you don't understand," she tucks her hair behind her ears.

"Then explain it to me."

"I met my mate."

"Well, you know Declan can live with me." I still don't understand.

"Before I met you, I mean."

"Are you saying that the child isn't mine?" I start getting angry because if she has done all this to trap me, I'll kill her.

"No, no, no. Declan is your son," she rushes to say.

"Then how is it possible that your mate hasn't even marked you?" I ask, raising my voice.

"He... wanted me to get close to you," she says in a desperate tone.

"Then, explain to me who your mate is."

"He already knew you, he convinced me that if I got pregnant by you, he and I would be together," tears well up in her eyes. "After I met you, everything was going according to his plan, you and I would see each other and everything, but he didn't count on Blair showing up."

"What the hell are you talking about?" My words are more of a growl.

"That he wants to harm you, and he believed that through me, he would achieve it, but Blair appeared in your world and made him change the whole game," she sighs. "He knows that the only way to hurt you is by striking where it hurts the most: my family."

"He'll harm Blair," I say, swallowing hard.

My heart immediately races, and my wolf fights to come out, but I have to control myself.

"Who the hell is he?" This time I shout, causing Declan to flinch.

"His name is Dominic," she says, frightened.

"Where is Blair?" I say angrily but containing my temper for the little one present.

"She's in Russia."

"Why are you telling me all this, Elsa? Why now?" I ask near the door.

"Because I know he doesn't care about me. He'll kill me to leave no loose ends," she says, taking Declan in her arms. "And the only hope I have for Declan to have a good home is for you to save Blair."

I open the door to the room and rush out of the hospital. I have to reach my family before that bastard does. But who is he?

BLAIR

I lift Eros towards the ceiling, playing with him. He's wearing a light blue jumpsuit. We just arrived from the hotel. I take him to the room and start rocking him and singing him a lullaby to put him to sleep because he's been restless today, but it's because he didn't take his nap.

The stairs end, and I walk toward my room. I feel Eros's big head resting in the hollow of my neck, his slow, small, and relaxed breaths. I reach the room and put my bag on the bed. Then, I place Eros in his crib. Once Eros is lying down, I take off my clothes, which is a cream-colored trench coat, and put them in the wardrobe. I remove my high heels and the black body-hugging dress.

I take out black jeans, a black cotton blouse with a V-neck, a large cream-colored knitted sweater, and winter boots from my closet. I hear the doorbell and start going downstairs. Near the kitchen entrance, I see someone on the other side trying to force the doorknob because it keeps shaking. Then, I hear a thud, and instantly, I know who it is.

A letter slips through the gap between the door and the floor. I pick it up silently and open it:

"It's time for us to meet. I've arrived, my dear."

I rush upstairs and enter my room, picking up Eros in my arms and looking around. What should I do? I can't run away, but I can't let them find Eros either. I don't know what they're after, but I'm sure it's nothing good.

I enter the bathroom in my room and remember the hole. Inside Eros's room, there was a hole in the floor. It was meant to connect the laundry room to the bedroom, but it was never finished.

I run to Eros's room and move the rug to the center of the room. By removing it, a small hole is revealed, just big enough for a finger to fit. I insert my finger and lift the lid. It's a small compartment, but Eros fits perfectly inside.

I take several blankets and place them inside to make a comfortable spot for Eros. I carefully put Eros inside, trying not to wake him up. I kiss his forehead, and a tear, of which I'm not aware, falls onto his cheek. I close the lid again and rearrange the rug.

I walk crouched to the stairs. Through the wooden bars, I see three casually dressed men. I sneak into my room when I hear them starting to climb the stairs. I follow the sound of footsteps, which are getting closer, but some steps fade away.

My senses alert me as I know he's going to Eros's room, my baby. I open the door and lunge at the guy who was near the door, wrapping my legs around his waist and biting into his shoulder. The guy throws me off, and for a moment, I feel like I'm flying until I feel the heavy impact on my back.

I stand up and lean against the wall. My back hurts, but my adrenaline is stronger. The guys are near the beginning of the stairs, and I'm facing them. One is blonde, and the other is dark-haired.

"So the moon shines brightly on us," says the unharmed one, approaching me.

I run towards the railing of the stairs, place my hands on the edge, and swing my legs over to jump, and I succeed. I reach the ground without any harm. I feel a strong tug on my hair that pulls me back. I see another guy with black hair.

"So, you're my brother's woman," he says with a sinister smile.

"Brother? Are you referring to Dalton?" I'm instantly scared by his blue eyes.

They forcefully hold my arms and make me stand up abruptly. I see that it's the two men from the stairs, the blonde and the dark-haired one. I don't say a word and feel a terrible blow to my stomach that takes my breath away for a moment.

"That's for trying to escape," he says as I quickly regain my breath.

"Atala," he says with a disgusted expression.

"Who the hell are you?" I ask in a whisper.

"My name doesn't matter, my dear, but if you insist, I'm Dominic, and we're going to have a very pleasant afternoon."