I walked to the bedside, leaned over him.
That little face... I looked at it a hundred times a day, but right now it felt precious beyond measure. I gently kissed his forehead.
"Mommy loves you," I whispered. "Always and forever."
Kai stirred in his sleep, smacked his little lips, then drifted off again. I sat by the bed, holding his small hand. Warm, soft, like a small bird in my palm.
The door cracked open. Kayden peeked in, holding a steaming cup.
"Drink this." He came in, set the cup on the bedside table. "Your voice..."
"Thanks." I picked up the cup, warm steam clouding my vision. Sipped slowly. The dry ache in my throat eased a bit.
Kayden stood on the other side of the bed, looking down at Kai with focused tenderness, like observing a miracle.
"He's sleeping hard." He said softly. "The guidance took a lot out of him. But that's good. Deep sleep helps his body heal."
"Bloodline guidance..." I looked at him. "How many times does he need it?"
"Once a week," Kayden said. "Until his body fully adapts to Alpha bloodline power. Probably... two to three months."
Two to three months. Meaning every week for the next few months, Kayden would come. Would be part of my and Kai's lives.
"I'll make time." He continued. "Evan can handle pack business. The company has deputies..."
"You don't have to do this." I cut him off, instinctively pushing him away again. My hand tightened on the cup. "You have important things. The pack needs you..."
"Kai needs me too." Kayden looked up at me. "He's my son, Layla."
"This is what fathers do." He paused, voice softening. "Even if it's not for you."
Even if it's not for you.
The words pierced somewhere soft in my chest. I couldn't tell if I felt relieved or strangely hollow. But this was what I wanted, wasn't it?
He won't use Kai against you.
He's just being a father.
You can keep it clean...
"I should go," Kayden said. He looked at Kai one last time, his gaze holding too much longing. "He's asleep. You should rest."
He turned toward the door. His tall figure cast a long shadow in the dim light.
"Wait," I called out before I could think.
Kayden stopped, turned back. Hope flashed in those silver eyes, then dimmed quickly, like he was afraid to expect too much.
My hands clenched slowly in my lap, gathering courage.
Layla, stop running.
"So why?" My voice came out small. "If you really don't see me as a mistake. Why did you have to reject me?"
Kayden's body went visibly rigid. He looked down, no longer meeting my eyes, just standing there silent for a long time, like a statue.
The room filled with nothing but the monitor's beeping and Kai's even breathing. A strange tension spread. I almost laughed at myself, looked away. I was about to give up—he won't answer—
