"Elias! You'll regret this! You'll absolutely regret treating me this way!" She left behind those threatening words as she went. Something about her eyes unsettled me.
Four years ago, I'd had Herman secretly investigate where Liv had been during the six months she was dead. But the investigation had turned up nothing.
Herman had sent people to every werewolf territory, even rogue areas. But no one recognized her.
It was as if she'd vanished completely, then reappeared out of nowhere.
It was too strange.
It made no sense.
Just then, I felt Arian approach. I crouched down to face my son, setting aside those thoughts for now. "Did I scare you just now, Arian?"
He shook his head. "No. But I don't like Aunt Liv." He looked up at me with those blue eyes, identical to Serenity's. "She keeps trying to make me call her Mommy. I hate that."
My heart clenched.
"Don't worry. You never have to call anyone Mommy if you don’t want to. I won't let anyone force you."
His eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really."
He grabbed my hand excitedly. "Then will you play with me? I want to hear stories about Mommy!"
I hesitated.
I didn't want to refuse him, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth about Serenity. He firmly believed his parents had loved each other. The truth would only break his heart.
I hesitated too long.
His excitement faded. He let go of my hand. "You don't want to play with me?" he asked quietly.
"That's not it, Arian. I just?—"
"I know. You're always busy. You always have more important things to do." Big tears rolled down his cheeks.
With those words, he ran crying from the room.
I hurried after him, but he'd fled to his bedroom and locked the door. I could only stand helplessly outside.
I had to be the worst father in the world.
I sat in the living room for what felt like half the day. Finally, Lizzie pressed a glass of milk into my hands.
"Young Master Arian always has a glass of milk before bed," she hinted. "Why don't you bring it to him?"
I nodded and walked to his room.
I knocked. There was no response. I thought Arian was still angry and ignoring me. But soon I realized something was wrong. The room was far too quiet. No sounds, no familiar scent.
"Arian? Arian? Are you in there?" Fenrir grew restless. Without hesitation, I broke the door lock and pushed it open.
The room was silent. The window by the bed was wide open. Moonlight spilled onto the small bed, but the mattress that should have held a sleeping child was completely empty!
I strode to the bed and checked everything. There were no signs of forced entry between the bed and window. The bedding was neatly folded. On the pillow lay a note, written in wobbly crayon:
"Dear Daddy, I'm leaving. I'm going to find Mommy and bring her home, so don't be sad anymore."
