Chapter 17
Apr 17, 2025
“Mommy, is breakfast ready?” Danny’s voice echoed through the small kitchen as Felicia cracked eggs into a pan. The comforting sizzle of food cooking filled the air as she glanced back to see both boys sitting at the table, waiting patiently.
“Almost, sweetheart,” Felicia replied with a soft smile. She turned back to the stove, her mind racing. Today was the day. They would leave Orion’s pack and go to Lucien’s. It felt like a leap into the unknown, and though her chest was heavy with nerves, she reminded herself that she was doing this for her children’s safety.
The door creaked open behind her, and she turned to see Lucien entering the room, holding a small bag. “Good morning,” he greeted, his charming smile lighting up his face.
Felicia raised a brow as he pulled two small tubs of ice cream from the bag and set them on the table in front of Danny and Max. “Ice cream in the morning?” she teased, shaking her head with a chuckle.
Lucien shrugged, his grin playful. “What can I say? I like spoiling the boys. Besides, it’s a special day, isn’t it?”
Felicia tried to look stern but couldn’t hide the warmth in her eyes. “Well, they’re going to be bouncing off the walls,” she muttered, but she still took the ice cream and placed it in front of the boys. Both of them cheered, already digging into the tubs with wide grins.
“Are you ready?” Lucien asked, his voice gentler now as his gaze settled on her. There was a flicker of concern in his dark eyes, as though he could sense her hesitation.
Felicia turned back to the stove, flipping the eggs onto a plate. “Almost,” she said softly. She didn’t look at him, afraid he might see the doubt lingering in her expression. “I just need to finish up here.”
Lucien stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “I know this is a big change,” he said. “But you’re doing the right thing, Felicia. I’ll make sure you and the boys are safe.”
Felicia nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. She wanted to believe him, but trust wasn’t something she gave easily anymore.
After breakfast, the time came to say goodbye. Felicia knelt in front of Danny and Max, fixing their coats and smoothing their hair. “Say goodbye to Uncle Orion,” she urged gently.
Danny ran to Orion, throwing his arms around his waist. “Bye, Uncle Orion! Will you visit us?”
“Of course, little man,” Orion said, his voice rough with emotion as he ruffled Danny’s hair. Max followed, clinging to Orion’s leg as he mumbled his goodbye.
When it was Felicia’s turn, she hugged her brother tightly, holding on for a few extra seconds. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered.
Orion pulled back, his hands resting on her shoulders. “If there’s anything—anything at all—call me, sister,” he said firmly, his sharp eyes locking with hers.
Felicia nodded, her throat tight. “I will,” she promised, though she couldn’t bring herself to say more. Her emotions were too raw.
Lucien waited by the car, giving them their moment. When the boys were buckled in and Felicia had settled into the passenger seat, Lucien climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
The road stretched out before them, winding through dense woods that seemed to close in around the car. The boys chatted in the backseat, their excitement bubbling over, but Felicia was quiet, staring out the window as the trees blurred past.
Suddenly, Lucien pulled the car to the side of the road. Felicia frowned, turning to him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said with a grin, already stepping out. She watched in confusion as he walked a few paces into the woods and crouched down, picking something from the ground.
When he returned, he was holding a small bouquet of wildflowers. Felicia’s lips parted in surprise as he handed them to her.
“Beautiful women deserve beautiful flowers,” Lucien said smoothly, his dark eyes gleaming with sincerity.
Felicia let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Lucien, this isn’t necessary.”
“It is,” he insisted, his voice warm. “You’ve been through a lot, Felicia. You deserve something to make you smile.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down at the flowers, unable to suppress a small, genuine smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Lucien chuckled, putting the car back in gear. “Let’s go. We’re almost there.”
When they arrived at Lucien’s packhouse, Felicia’s breath caught. The building was massive, a blend of rustic wood and modern stone, with wide balconies overlooking the surrounding forest. The pack grounds were bustling with activity—wolves in their human forms sparring, mothers gathering near the gardens, and children playing near the edge of the woods.
As soon as Lucien’s car pulled up, heads turned. Felicia could feel their eyes on her and the boys, curiosity and whispers spreading like wildfire.
Lucien stepped out first, his expression hardening. He scanned the crowd, his commanding presence enough to silence their chatter. “Back to your business,” he ordered sharply.
The pack members quickly obeyed, scattering like leaves in the wind. Felicia stepped out cautiously, holding Danny and Max’s hands as they gazed around in awe.
An elderly woman approached, her sharp eyes raking over Felicia with open scrutiny. Her expression was unimpressed as she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Felicia to hear. “She looks better than the last one.”
Felicia blinked, her brows furrowing. “Excuse me?” she asked, her voice firm but controlled.
Lucien chuckled softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t mind her,” he said, his tone light. “She has dementia. She barely knows what she’s saying.”
Felicia nodded slowly, though unease prickled at her. She glanced back at the woman, who was now mumbling to herself as she shuffled away.
“Come on,” Lucien said, his voice drawing her attention back to him. “I’ll show you to your rooms.”
