Deceit
That same day, when Theo finally returned to Mina’s chamber after a long, exhausting day running the affairs of the pack, Lambert was the first to reach him. The young boy squealed in excitement and threw his small arms around Theo’s leg. Theo chuckled softly and lifted him briefly before setting him down.
But the moment he turned toward Mina, his smile faded.
She stood a few steps away, her hands folded tightly in front of her, her shoulders weighed down by something heavy. Her eyes, usually warm whenever she saw him, were clouded with sadness.
Theo’s brows drew together.
“Mina… what happened?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she sighed deeply and called for Lambert’s nurse.
“Please take him outside to play for a while.”
Lambert obeyed happily, leaving the room with the nurse, and the door closed quietly behind them.
Mina approached Theo, gently guiding him toward the cushioned chair near the window. Theo allowed himself to be led, still watching her with a puzzled expression. She sat beside him, her hands trembling slightly before she took his hand in hers. The silence stretched for a heartbeat.
Theo said nothing, waiting.
Finally, her gentle voice broke the stillness.
“I am worried about you, Theo… and about the child who was lost. The one we still haven’t found.”
At the mention of the lost child, Theo’s expression tightened. Pain flickered in his eyes, but he forced himself to remain silent, listening.
Mina’s eyes softened with guilt and sorrow.
“I feel terrible,” she whispered. “As a mother… knowing that Lambert’s half-sister is missing, and we still have no clue where she is. It breaks my heart to see you carrying the guilt alone.”
She exhaled again, this time shakier. She lifted Theo’s hand and held it between both of hers.
“That child deserves a chance… deserves to be found.”
Theo looked deeply at her—his eyes shadowed with regret, yet touched by her compassion. Her words pierced through him, loosening something that had been clenched tight in his chest for years.
“I think,” Mina continued softly, “we should look for a way to know if she is alive… and where she might be.”
Theo opened his mouth, ready to speak, but Mina gently pressed her fingers against his lips, silencing him.
“Let me finish first.”
Her hand lingered there for a moment before she lowered it.
“I did something on your behalf,” she confessed, her voice suddenly trembling. “But I… I have been afraid to tell you.”
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
“Mina, what did you do?”
He squeezed her hand, reassuring. “Tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll remain calm.”
She took a deep breath, gathering courage. Her palm patted his hand gently before she finally said:
“I secretly found a sorcerer… someone who can help us track the child’s whereabouts. But I hesitated to tell you because… I know the consequences of dealing with such people.”
She fell silent, watching him anxiously.
Theo did not speak for two long seconds.
Then—suddenly—he pulled her into his arms.
He hugged her tightly, relief and joy washing through him.
“Mina… thank you. Thank you.”
He pressed his cheek to her hair. “Your heart… your kindness… I don’t deserve it.”
He pulled back, still holding her shoulders.
“I was actually planning to seek out a sorcerer myself. But I kept wondering how you would feel about it. Whether it would frighten you.”
Mina’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
“And you didn’t need to worry about that,” she scolded softly. “Rina’s child… is also my child now. She deserves a chance to be with her family.”
Theo’s eyes softened completely at her words. A weight he had carried alone for years finally eased. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly.
“Then we leave at once,” he said. “No more waiting.”
Mina nodded.
“Agreed. I will call Sabina to prepare immediately.”
She stood and summoned Sabina, giving her quick instructions on packing, arranging guards, and bringing the necessary supplies for the journey.
Once everything was set in motion, Theo left the chamber with a determined stride and went straight to his study.
Inside, he summoned both Matt and Jihoo. They arrived quickly, bowing respectfully.
“We have a new development,” Theo said.
Matt remained silent at first, but eventually he spoke.
“I had also found a sorcerer, Alpha… but I was waiting for your command.”
Theo shook his head.
“No need to pursue that anymore. Mina has already handled it.”
Matt blinked, surprised but respectful.
“Both of you,” Theo continued, “will secretly take over the pack in my absence. No one must know where Mina and I are going.”
Jihoo bowed deeply. Matt hesitated only a moment before nodding in agreement, accepting the responsibility.
Theo dismissed them with a firm wave of his hand.
And preparations for the journey began...
\---
Meanwhile... Elina’s Side
An aggressive hand shot out from inside the shabby house and shoved a small figure out with brutal force.
Elina stumbled, falling hard onto the cold ground. Dirt smeared her thin dress, and for a moment, the impact knocked the breath out of her.
But she quickly jolted back up, tears already spilling down her cheeks as she banged her tiny fists against the wooden door.
“Mother! Please… I’m sorry! Let me in!” she cried, her voice rasping and desperate.
From inside, the door remained tightly shut.
Her sobs grew louder.
“Mother—please!”
The window above her creaked open, and Amelia’s furious face appeared.
“Stop hitting my door!” she screamed. “And get lost! I’ve tolerated you long enough! I can’t waste any more food on you!”
Elina’s heart shattered. Her cries intensified as she pressed her bandaged right hand to her chest.
“I’ll be obedient this time! I won’t eat without permission again! I’m sorry… please forgive me… please don’t send me away!”
She ran back and forth—door, window, door—her steps frantic, her tears unending.
Her small shoulders trembled from fear and cold.
But Amelia only grew more disgusted.
“Stop calling me mother!” she screeched, leaning farther out the window. “If you don’t leave my compound this instant, I will come out there and beat you until you can’t stand!”
Elina shook her head violently, refusing.
“I–I don’t have anywhere else to go… please don’t chase me out… Mother, please!”
Amelia slammed her palm against the window frame.
“One more word, and I will throw hot water on you!”
At that exact moment, Elina heard the creaking sound of the main door unlocking.
Her eyes widened in terror.
She hesitated—her feet frozen for a single second—then she turned and ran.
She ran until she reached a bit of distance from the house… where she stopped, crying bitterly.
Her small body trembled, her bandaged hand clutched tight against her chest.
Behind her, Amelia laughed hysterically.
“I hope you freeze out there in the cold, you cursed parasite!”
Elina sobbed harder.
After a long moment, she slowly turned and walked away, wiping her tears with her wounded hand, crying softly as she disappeared down the lonely path.
Inside the house, Amelia peered through the window once more. Not seeing Elina anywhere, she smirked with triumph.
“Finally… finally, I’ve gotten rid of that cursed parasite. Let her die out there.”
She laughed wildly and stepped away from the window.
\---
Back to Theo’s Side — Journey to the Sorcerer
Their preparations finished quickly. Sabina led the way, guiding Theo and Mina through the dense woods toward the hidden compound of the sorceress.
The air grew colder as they approached—a place thick with old magic and shadows.
Fortunately for them, Menar, the witch’s apprentice, had gone out to gather herbs.
Sabina was the first to enter the narrow compound gate, just as Mina instructed her earlier.
Inside, the old witch looked up, her eyes sharp and knowing.
Sabina stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“My mistress and the Alpha are coming. Please… say exactly what we discussed.”
She slipped several gold coins into the witch’s hand.
The witch weighed them briefly, then nodded with a sly smile.
“Very well.”
Moments later, Theo and Mina entered the dimly lit room. The smell of herbs and burning incense hung heavily in the air.
The witch didn’t waste time.
She lifted her staff, eyes glowing faintly, and spoke in a trembling, dramatic voice:
“The child you seek… is no longer among the living.”
Theo froze.
The witch continued,
“She died years ago. Nothing remains. No trace to follow. No soul to call.”
The world seemed to collapse around him.
Theo’s breath hitched—then broke.
He staggered back a step, his face drained of all color. Grief crashed over him like a brutal wave, tearing through him with raw, unbearable force.
“No…” he whispered.
His voice cracked.
“No… not my daughter…”
His knees weakened.
Mina immediately rushed forward, catching him, holding him, her arms wrapping tightly around his shaking shoulders.
“Theo… please… calm down…” she whispered, though her voice trembled too.
But Theo was inconsolable.
He buried his face into Mina’s shoulder, silent tears escaping him—the grief years in the making now ripping open fully.
After a long moment, Mina gently stroked his back.
“Let’s go home,” she whispered.
“There is nothing else we can do here.”
Theo nodded weakly, unable to speak.
Sabina quickly led them out, and they mounted their horses, beginning the sorrowful journey back home—Theo broken, Mina consoling him, and the witch behind them clutching her gold.