I didn't look up. "There's more work to do. I’m staying."
"Work is never-ending, Alpha." These past four years, Herman had become increasingly bold about defying me. Like now—he walked to my desk and interrupted my work, looking at me with deep concern. "You should go home today. See Arian. He keeps asking me why Daddy never comes home. You can't keep running away like this."
My hand stopped.
Running away.Yes, I was running away.
Alfred had said it. Herman said it too. I thought so myself.
When it came to the only legacy Serenity had truly left me, the child she'd given birth to, I often couldn't face him. Because I was afraid. Afraid of those pure blue eyes, identical to Serenity's, looking up at me and asking "Where did Mommy go?"
I was afraid of making him sad. I also felt I had no right to be called "Daddy." Serenity had lost her life giving birth to him. What right did I have to be close to her child?
"Alpha." Herman sighed. "If the Luna were still alive, she would never want to see you treat Young Master Arian this way."
I had no response. I stood abruptly and gathered the documents on my desk.
"Let's go," I said coldly, telling him to bring the car around.
Herman was right. I couldn't run from my responsibilities.
I had to face this.
Herman drove me back to the mansion.
I mentally prepared myself before going upstairs to find Arian.
But before I even entered his playroom, I heard voices inside. He wasn't alone. A woman was with him, and their conversation made me frown.
"Arian, look what I brought you! Your favorite chocolate and toy cars. Do you like them?"
"I like them. But I don't want them." Arian said clearly. "Daddy said I can't just accept gifts from outsiders."
"How am I an outsider? I'm going to be with your daddy someday. I'll be your new mommy. We're family!"
"No! Daddy said I have a Mommy! I don't want a new mommy!"
"Your daddy is lying! Arian, the truth is your mommy already?—"
BANG!
I kicked the door open in fury. When I saw the woman inside, there was no joy, only rage. If she hadn't once saved my life, I would have lost my patience with her long ago.
"Liv!" I snarled at her. "What nonsense are you telling my son?"
Everyone jumped. Arian immediately ran to me and hugged my leg. Liv stood up, her face pale and expression awkward. "I wasn't going to say anything… Elias, I just wanted to build a better relationship with Arian."
I ignored her excuse and said directly, "I told you to inform me before coming to the mansion. And you're not allowed near Arian without permission. Are my orders as Alpha meaningless to you?"
Her expression immediately turned hurt. She stared at me in disbelief. "You've changed, Elias. You never used to talk to me like this. You should never have kicked me out. I just wanted to come back and check on Arian. Is that really so wrong?"
"He's Serenity's child." I couldn't understand why Liv still didn't get this. "He can only be Serenity's child. Not yours."
"But Serenity is already?—"
"Shut up!" I cut her off in fury for the second time. "Liv, if you dare say those words in front of Arian, savior or not, I will rip out your throat!"
Liv froze. Her face cycled through shades of red and white before she finally ran out of the room, crying into her hands.
