Tethered

Soren’s POV

Brian came striding in, almost too fast, his face lit up with a strange sort of joy. Not the kind of expression you’d expect in our line of work. He handed me an envelope.

“A letter from your wife,” he said, then disappeared without waiting for a response.

I didn’t need to read the name. I already knew who it was from.

Inside was a letter, and a small, wrapped box. My hands trembled as I unfolded the paper.

"You are the father of my child."

The words stared back at me, loud and raw. I unwrapped the box to find a pregnancy test. Positive.

My heart cracked open with emotions I wasn’t ready for. Me—a father? That thought had never even flirted with my imagination. I didn’t know how to feel. Was she scared? Was she happy? I had no answers, only a hurricane of uncertainty.

And on top of it all, that monster Davina was still out there, circling her. I should’ve ended her when I had the chance.

I climbed out of the basement, needing air—needing something stronger. But I didn’t make it far.

Killian stood in my path.

“You look troubled,” he muttered.

“I need a drink. Move,” I said, brushing past him and heading for the minibar. Whiskey met glass, and I swallowed it before it could settle.

“I’m going to New York,” I said, eyes still on the bottle.

“No, you’re not,” Killian replied. “Mathew’s still working on your closed case. We’re this close to trapping Davina. The plan is working.”

“Raisel is pregnant. With my child,” I said, barely above a whisper. “She’s alone. I need to be with her.”

“So, she told you,” Killian said evenly.

“You knew?” I asked, but his silence spoke for him.

“How far along is she?” I pushed.

He hesitated. I grabbed his collar and yanked him toward me, anger flashing through my veins.

“If you’re thinking of forcing her into an abortion, it’s not even possible—it’s been over four months,” he said firmly.

“What?” My voice broke. “Why would you think I’d want that?”

“You don’t exactly look thrilled,” he said.

I let go. He wasn’t wrong.

“Is she... okay with it? With the pregnancy?” I asked.

“She’s happy,” he replied without pause.

Of course she is. I’ve watched her from a distance long enough to know how much she loves kids. I remember the fight she had with

Alaric after that test. The lies. The heartbreak. He knew he was infertile and manipulated the results just to hurt her.

And she cried. She truly believed she couldn’t have children. It destroyed her. That same woman is now carrying my child.

“Thank God she told you in a letter,” Killian said, making himself a drink. “Seeing your reaction... she would’ve been crushed.”

“If she’s happy... then I’m happy too,” I said, almost convincing myself.

“Good. Because there’s no turning back now,” Killian said. “You have a chance to do better. Be better. Learn from your father’s mistakes.”

“Easier said than done,” I muttered.

Fear crept into my chest like smoke. What if I’m not enough? What if I mess this up like everything else?

“She needs you. The child needs you,” Killian said. “And you still have time to process this. When you see her again, you can mask your emotions or come to terms with them. But not now you are not going to New York. Remember her promise?”

I nodded slowly. Raisel made it clear—I wouldn’t be able to leave this place just yet.

“I just hope Mathew gets Davina and throws her back behind bars,” I said.

“He will. Raisel confronting him? That guilt lit a fire under him. Now he’s doing everything he can to make it right,” Killian said.

“The evidence trail is closing in. Fast.”

“Good,” I whispered, gripping the glass. “She doesn’t deserve freedom.”

Raisel’s POV

I hadn’t felt this light in weeks.

A good evening nap, a clearer head, and now this—flashes of Davina on the morning news, in handcuffs, surrounded by officers. Mathew was walking beside her, stone-faced. The broadcast detailed every one of her shady deals, each one dragging her deeper.

There was no money left to buy her freedom. No tricks. No more masks.

Soren had done this. He knew Davina's shady business location and shared every information with Killian. From there, Killian left the breadcrumbs trail and practically led Mathew to Davina's shadowy business.

Though Mathew was always wary of Soren, he couldn’t ignore the truth. Killian, Roacher, and Jace were careful to steer Mathew just enough without exposing everything.

“Thank God she’s behind bars,” Hazel said, flopping onto the couch. “This month has been hell.”

“Don’t even get me started,” Fiora added, sipping her coffee. “I need a mental vacation.”

“How about clubbing?” I offered, already grinning.

A synchronized “No,” from both of them.

“Netflix night then?” I tried again.

“Now that I’m down for,” Fiora smiled. “Home is where peace is.”

“Yeah, no more random bar hookups,” Hazel muttered.

I blinked. That... didn’t sound like her. Hazel thrives on flings. What changed?

We let the day pass lazily, binge-watching friends and falling into chuckling at moments that didn’t warrant it. The calm felt foreign—but good.

Still, in the quiet moments, my thoughts drifted back to Soren. I hadn’t heard from him yet. I kept checking the mail like a teenager waiting for prom night to be confirmed.

I gently rested a hand on my growing belly, feeling the faintest flutter under my palm. My baby. Our baby.

There was life in me—and with it, hope.

I know it in my bones.

Soren and I...

We’ll be together again soon.

But how soon—

Or at what cost—

I don’t know.