Chapter 8

Chapter 8

SASHA'S POV

I was so devastated as I searched for Adrian, but hearing Adrian's tiny voice made me feel instant relief. The panic that had gripped me slowly disappeared.

Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I turned and saw Adrian rushing towards me. I was so worried earlier, knowing fully well that he didn't know his way around here.

I opened my arms wide as he rushed in. I wrapped my hands around him tightly, feeling better now.

“Don't you ever do that to me again, Adrian,” I said in a whisper into his ears.

“I won't, Mum, I'm so sorry,” he said, snuggling deeper into my arms as I pulled him closer than ever.

“But where have you been?” I asked after we had disengaged from the hug.

Adrian cleared his throat nervously.

“Mummy, some kids were bullying me when you were busy with the pack doctor, so I didn't want to disturb you and had to run away from them,” he explained.

My heart sank, wondering what my child must have gone through. I know what it felt like to be bullied, so I can only imagine how pitiful he must have been.

“Why would you run away when you don't even know anywhere around here? Do you want to get lost?” I asked.

Adrian's eyes dropped, realizing he was wrong for just leaving me there.

“I'm sorry, Mummy, I forgot that I was new around here,” he whispered.

I took a deep breath, calming myself.

“It's okay, baby, but promise me you'll always let me know before doing anything like this again,” I said.

Adrian's face lit up as he raised his hand.

“I promise, Mummy, I'll let you know before doing anything,” he vowed.

“Okay, that's better. I was so worried, and I'm so glad I found you now,” I said, my eyes becoming teary all over again.

I pulled him into another tight hug, not wanting to disengage from it. I couldn't just imagine losing my child.

As I disengaged from the hug, I noticed a stranger standing beside us, but I was still too overwhelmed to acknowledge him because I just couldn't imagine where I could have possibly searched for Adrian.

“Mummy, this man brought me back,” Adrian said, pointing his finger at the man.

I finally stood up, turning my face to appreciate the stranger who had brought my son back to me safely.

I knew someone was there, but with Adrian safely by my side, everything else faded into the background. Overwhelmed by Adrian's presence in my hand, nothing else mattered to me.

"Oh," I mouthed, slowly raising my gaze to meet his.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

Alpha Ryan, the one I'd hidden from for years, stood before me. Fear gripped me as I stared at him.

"Alpha Ryan," the words tumbled out, my voice barely above a whisper.

I stood frozen, my gaze still fixed on him.

"Hello, mate. It's a good thing you still remember me," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes piercing.

My mind reeled.

“Thank you for saving my son, but I will be leaving right now," I stammered.

I grasped Adrian's hand firmly and tried to leave, but he stopped me, grabbing hold of my arm.

"Not so fast," he commanded, making me stop in my tracks and shut my eyes.

I knew why he had stopped me, and I wished I could just escape from here, but his hands were holding onto mine, which made it rather impossible to escape from him.

"Is the little boy my son?" he asked.

Hearing his question made me panic even more, as the thought of him taking my son from me crept in.

I mean, we had just arrived back here in this pack today, and here I was faced with the father of my kids, who might probably want to take him away from me right here and now.

"Don't even think of lying to me, because the resemblance between us is so great," he warned, pointing out the obvious, and I knew there was no excuse for that.

I sighed softly, feeling helpless now, knowing one wrong move could mean losing Adrian forever.

Alpha Ryan was known for being ruthless and brutal, so he wasn't someone I would want to lie to, because that would mean my death. But I still had so much to live for.

"I'm still waiting for your response," he pressed.

I swallowed hard as I faced him fully. Lying was an option, but it wouldn't go down well.

"Yes, he is your son and the product of that night," I confessed.

Alpha Ryan's face lit up with joy, and he moved his gaze from me to Adrian.

"I can't believe you kept my son from me for this long," he said, making his way to Adrian, who stood confused.

As he moved closer to Adrian, my heart sank, knowing fully well that I had lost my son forever.

"Mummy, is he my daddy?" Adrian asked. There was also no need to lie to him, because Alpha Ryan would definitely say it to him if I didn't.

"Yes, dear, he is your daddy," I replied truthfully.

Adrian's eyes widened as Alpha Ryan stretched out his arms.

"Come here, son," he said.

Adrian rushed into his arms. Alpha Ryan lifted him, embracing him tightly, while I just watched them.

"Alpha, he is your son after all," a guard said.

Alpha Ryan nodded.

“I knew the resemblance between you two couldn't be just a coincidence,” he added while Alpha Ryan nodded.

“And that's why I wanted to see the mother,” Alpha Ryan said.

I stepped forward.

"So now you know the truth, can I have my son back? I need to head back home," I requested, hoping he wouldn't say no to my request, but he remained calm, so I continued.

"I need to return to my parents; they both need this medication," I added.

Alpha Ryan gazed at me now as I awaited his next word.

"No, you can't leave with him now," he said.

My heart suddenly became heavy upon hearing him say that. What I feared the most was about to happen, and I just couldn't stand it.

“Why…” I stammered.

"Why can't I go with my son?" I inquired, my gaze never leaving his as my eyes slowly became teary.

"Because you've been with him for six years, depriving me of my right to be with my son," Alpha Ryan replied.

His words cut deep, and I felt guilty for keeping his son away from him for so long, but I had a reason for doing so.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to,” I apologized.

"I have decided that my son will be with me for some time," Alpha Ryan continued.

"We need to catch up as father and son after all the years of being apart," he said.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I realized it was now happening, and he had made it clear to me already.

"Doesn't that mean I'll never see my son again?" I asked, finally letting out the tears that had been threatening to flow down my cheeks all this while.

The thought of losing Adrian was unbearable for me, even though I had the other three children with me.

But I love all my kids equally, and I just can't stand losing any of them.

"I'm not saying I'm taking him away from you. But as his father, I also deserve to be a part of my son's life since I've been away from him for so long," Alpha Ryan said.

"Yes, I know you deserve to be with your son, but that doesn't give you the right to keep him away from me. He's also my son," I asserted, my tears flowing down my cheeks freely now.

“And who said I'm keeping him away from you?” he asked me, but I kept quiet.

"I'll just hang out with him for a while. I'll bring him back home once we're done having fun," Alpha Ryan reassured me, but I didn't believe him.

“How do I believe that?” I asked him while he smiled.

“I'm a man of my word, and I don't intend to go back on it, so stop crying already,” he said, with a smile curving at the corners of his lips.

"Okay, I'll trust you this once, and I hope you stay true to your word and return with him," I said.

Alpha Ryan made a sign of crossing his heart before I moved closer to Adrian. I bent to his height.

"Baby, I'll be home waiting for your return," I whispered.

Adrian nodded enthusiastically.

"Alright then, do take care of my child," I told Alpha Ryan, hoping he would do just that.

He smirked. "He's not just your child; we both own him. Use the correct sentence," he corrected.

I bristled slightly.

"Whatever, just make sure you bring him back to me safely, just like I've kept him all these years," I implored.

Alpha Ryan's expression softened.

"He's my son; I'll take care of him," he promised.

I took a deep breath as I watched him take Adrian's little hand into his and turn to leave with Adrian.

Adrian looked excited and radiated joy; I couldn't help but feel good about it.

I knew how much he had always wanted to be with his father, and this was the perfect opportunity he was looking for.

I watched them get into Alpha Ryan's car, and a thought came into my head.

Would Alpha Ryan keep his promise and bring him back to me? Or would he just keep him to himself, knowing fully well that I can't fight with him?