Chapter 542 – From now on I’m gonna protect you
Seraphine looked toward Voren in the driver’s seat and caught the way his fingers tightened hard around the steering wheel until the knuckles stood out pale against the leather.
The sight alone was enough to spark the dull throb of a headache behind her eyes. She drew in a long, steadying breath while the dark trees of pack territory rolled past the windows, searching for words that wouldn’t shatter the fragile quiet inside the car.
"Bryan, you’re still too young to understand some of this stuff, but Ravyn and I would never be together, and I can’t promise you’ll get to see him anytime soon."
The truth was bitter but Seraphine felt that holding it back would be worse. Her voice dropped softer, almost tender. "Voren is my husband now, and he wants to be your father. The four of us are gonna build a real complete family together."
Bryan stayed silent for a long stretch, staring down at his own hands. Seraphine didn’t push. She simply added the heavier truth in a gentler tone. "The real truth is, Ravyn isn’t even your biological father. And I honestly don’t know if he’d ever want full custody of you."
A single tear slipped down Bryan’s cheek and hung there. His voice cracked when he finally spoke. "Mom, how can you say that? Dad loves me."
Seraphine’s heart clenched so hard it stole her breath. She had no idea how to explain the rest without cutting him even deeper.
Thankfully the SUV rolled through the entrance of the outland’s luxury hotel just then, as the vehicle came to a stop in the wide parking lot.
The second Voren parked and the engine went quiet, he turned fully toward the back seat and took over. "Bryan."
The boy lifted his head, eyes still glassy as Voren explained it calmly.
"There are things we’re gonna tell you when you’re older and can actually understand them. Right now you don’t need to carry burdens that belong to the adults."
His voice stayed calm but carried a steady weight that left no room for argument. "As for your mother, Daisy, you’re not gonna see her again."
Bryan’s chin dropped toward his chest. "And Ravyn..." Voren kept going, softer this time. "I can arrange for you to see him every once in a while, supervised."
That was the most he could offer without putting the boy at risk. Keeping Bryan away from Daisy mattered more than anything.
Voren refused to let her pour bitterness and lies into the kid’s heart. Ravyn was different. Controlled visits could still happen if they stayed careful.
Bryan stayed quiet for another long moment. When he finally spoke again the question landed on both of them like a sudden punch. "Mom, uncle Voren, do you love me?"
Seraphine’s eyes flooded instantly. She leaned across the seat and cupped his face between both hands, thumbs brushing away the tear tracks. "Bryan, I love you. I always have, and I always will. Nothing’s ever gonna change that."
Voren’s mouth curved into a warm smile that reached his eyes. "And I’ve loved you too."
Bryan turned toward him as Voren continued to explain. "The only difference now is that I’ll be taking Ravyn’s place in your life." The smile on Voren’s face grew wider and softer at the same time. "You can call me Dad if you want."
A real bright smile finally broke across Bryan’s face, the kind that lit up the whole back seat. The love wrapping around him felt solid and true so he had no doubts they were being honest with him.
"Thank you... Dad...and Mom."
Then he looked straight at Esperanza. "And you too my beautiful sister, Espe. From now on I’m gonna protect you."
The pure sincerity of that promise pulled soft laughter from both parents. Voren reached over and ruffled Bryan’s hair with an easy affection. "You should also start getting ready for another sibling."
Bryan’s eyes went wide. "Another one?"
Voren let out a quiet chuckle. "That’s right. And now that I think about it, I’m gonna have to come up with a proper training plan for both of you."
If they trained hard in their younger days, they would be able to face the storms of life when the grew older, even if he wasn’t there for them.
Bryan immediately twisted around to stare at Seraphine’s stomach, confusion written all over his face. "But... aren’t pregnant women supposed to have big bellies?"
Seraphine’s laugh burst out before she could stop it. Voren answered first, voice full of quiet amusement. "They are. Give it a little time and your mom’s belly is gonna grow too."
Esperanza grinned so wide her eyes nearly disappeared. She let out a long, relieved sigh. "Finally. Nothing’s ever gonna tear Mommy and Daddy apart again."
Seraphine wanted to ask exactly what her daughter meant by that. So many questions still waited, but exhaustion was already pulling hard at her bones.
Once they climbed out of the SUV, they headed straight inside the hotel suite. Without a single extra word, Voren took Bryan under his wing and helped the boy with his bath while Seraphine washed Esperanza’s hair and rinsed the day’s tension from her little shoulders.
By the time they finished the night outside the windows had settled deep and quiet over the territory.
Instead of a heavy meal they settled the kids with light snacks, then tucked them into the wide bed. Both pups dropped into sleep almost the second their heads hit the pillows.
Only then did Voren step into the shower with Seraphine. Afterward he carefully dried her hair, made sure she finished every last spoonful of the warm soup waiting for her, and watched her curl up between Bryan and Esperanza on the big bed.
The sight of the three of them breathing softly together filled him with a peace he hadn’t felt in months. Voren kissed each of them gently once more, vowing in his heart to protect them with his life.
Not wanting to disturb that quiet picture, he grabbed a quick meal for himself and stretched out on the long couch near the window. Exhaustion tugged at every muscle, yet his mind kept turning over the next steps, refusing to shut down.
Hours later his eyes snapped open, every trace of fatigue vanished in an instant. At that exact moment his phone vibrated against the side table. He picked it up and saw the notification of a new video.
The second he pressed play the warmth drained from his face. His gaze drifted slowly from the glowing screen to the woman and two sleeping pups on the bed as a deep chill settled low in his chest.
He could only hope the video wasn’t showing exactly what the cold dread in his gut already feared.