Cecelia's pov

"You can't blame yourself for decisions I made," I protested while turning to face him. "I chose to fake my death, I chose to raise Golden alone, I chose to stay hidden instead of coming back which makes this just as much my fault as

anyone's."

We stood there in the dim light from the window while both of us carried guilt for choices that had led to this moment. The bond between us ached with shared pain that neither

of us knew how to fix.

"I'm scared," I admitted while the confession felt like weakness. "I'm terrified that we won't find him in time or that when we do find him he'll be hurt beyond what we can fix or

that he'll hate me for not protecting him better."

"He could never hate you," Zeke said while pulling me into his arms. "You're his whole world Cecelia, everything he knows about love and safety and being cared for comes

from you."

"Then where is that love now when

he needs it most?" I sobbed against his chest while my hands fisted in his shirt. "Where is his mother when someone has taken him away from everything familiar?"

"You're here doing everything possible to get him back," Zeke said while his hand ran up and down my spine. "That's where his mother is, fighting with everything she has to bring him home."

I don't know how long we stood there holding each other while the night deepened outside. Eventually my tears slowed while exhaustion crept in to replace the panic though

the fear never really left.

"You should try to sleep," Zeke murmured against my hair. "I know it seems impossible but your body needs rest."

"I can't sleep knowing Golden's shoe just arrived as a threat," I said while pulling back to look at him.

"How am I supposed to close my eyes when whoever has him is watching us close enough to deliver packages?"

"I'll stay with you," Zeke offered while guiding me back toward the bedroom. "You don't have to be

alone with this."

We got back into bed while this time there was no pretense of maintaining distance. I curled into Zeke's side while his arms wrapped around me holding me close. The bond

hummed between us providing comfort even though nothing could really ease the ache of missing my son.

"Tell me something good about Golden," Zeke said after a while. "Something that makes you smile when you think about it."

I closed my eyes while searching

through memories for something that didn't hurt quite so much. "He sings in the shower," I said while a small smile tugged at my mouth despite everything. "These made up songs about fish and boats and whatever else is in his head at the moment, completely off key but so enthusiastic that you can't help but laugh."

"Like his mother then," Zeke said while I could hear the smile in his voice. "You used to sing in the shower too."

"I did not," I protested weakly while the normalcy of this conversation

felt surreal given the circumstances.

"You absolutely did," Zeke insisted while his chest moved with quiet laughter. "Every morning without fail, usually songs from whatever musical you'd been watching that week."

The memory of those mornings felt like it belonged to someone else's life while so much had changed since then. "That feels like a hundred years ago," I said while my smile faded. "Back when things were simpler even though they felt complicated at the time."

"We were both so young," Zeke agreed while his hand continued its soothing path along my back.

"Trying to figure out how to be married when we barely knew each other."

"I knew you," I said quietly. "Maybe not everything but I knew the important parts, I knew you were kind even when you were trying to be distant and I knew you carried guilt that wasn't yours to carry."

"You saw through me from the beginning," Zeke said while something shifted in his tone. "I tried so hard to keep you at arm's

length but you wouldn't let me hide behind duty or obligation."

"For all the good it did me," I said while old hurt crept into my voice. "You still chose Layla in the end."

"I chose wrong," Zeke said firmly while his arms tightened around me. "I chose fear over love and duty over happiness which cost me three years with you and our son."

The bond pulsed stronger between us while I felt his sincerity through the connection. "We can't change the past," I said while trying to keep my voice steady. "All we can do is

focus on the present and getting Golden back safely."

"And after?" Zeke asked while his question hung in the air between us. "What happens after we find Golden and bring him home?"

I didn't know how to answer that because I hadn't let myself think about after. Everything had been focused on finding Golden while the future beyond that rescue felt impossible to imagine.

"I don't know," I admitted while my hand rested over his heart feeling the steady beat beneath my palm. "I

guess we figure it out as we go."

"I want you to stay," Zeke said while his voice dropped lower. "Both of you, I want you to stay here where you belong instead of running away again."

"This isn't my home anymore," I protested though the words felt weak. "I built a life in Seacreek over three years, Golden has friends there and a routine he loves."

"Golden deserves to know his father," Zeke countered while shifting so he could see my face. "He deserves to grow up as part of

this pack with all the protection and opportunities that come with being an Alpha's son."

"And what about what I deserve?" I asked while pulling back slightly. "Do I get a say in this or are you just making decisions about our future without consulting me like you did three years ago?"

Pain flashed across his face while the bond echoed with his regret. "You're right, I'm sorry," he said while releasing me though his hand stayed on my waist. "I'm not trying to dictate anything, I'm asking you to consider staying because I don't

want to lose you again now that I finally have you back."

"You don't have me back," I said while the words came out sharper than I intended. "We kissed a few times and slept in the same bed but that doesn't erase three years or fix what broke between us."

"Then let me try to fix it," Zeke said while his thumb traced circles on my hip. "Give me a chance to prove I've changed and that I can be the mate and father you both deserve."

I wanted to argue while pointing out all the ways this could go wrong but

exhaustion made it hard to think clearly. "Can we talk about this later?" I asked while settling back against his chest. "When Golden is safe and we're not operating on fear and adrenaline?"

"Later," Zeke agreed while his arms came back around me. "But I'm not giving up on us Cecelia, not this time."

I wanted to tell him there was no us anymore but the bond hummed contentedly between us while my body relaxed into his warmth despite my mind's protests. Maybe there could be an us again

someday but right now all I could focus on was bringing my son home.

Cecelia's pov

Sleep came eventually while pulling me under into dreams where Golden was safe in my arms laughing about fish and singing his made up songs. I woke several times during the night reaching for him before reality crashed back and reminded me he wasn't there.

Each time Zeke would tighten his hold while murmuring reassurances until I drifted off again. The bond stayed active

all night providing comfort through the connection

even when words failed.

Morning came too soon while pale light filtered through the curtains. I felt Zeke wake before he moved while his body went from relaxed to alert in seconds. "What is it?" I asked while sitting up.

"Marcus just texted," he said while reading his phone. "They found something on the security footage."

We dressed quickly while I didn't bother with makeup because what did appearances matter when my son was missing. Zeke kept one hand on the small of my back as we

walked to the security office where Marcus waited with the footage queued up.

"This was recorded at two seventeen this morning," Marcus said while hitting play. "Watch the service entrance on the east side."

The footage showed a figure approaching the door while wearing dark clothes and a hood that obscured their face.

They moved with purpose while placing a box on the ground near the entrance then walking away without looking back.

"That's our package," I said while

my heart raced. "Can you enhance the image to see their face?"

"We tried but the angle and lighting make it impossible," Marcus said while his frustration was clear. "However we did get something useful."

He zoomed in on the figure's hand while showing what looked like a tattoo on their wrist. The image was grainy but I could make out what might be letters or symbols.

"Can we identify the tattoo?" Zeke asked while leaning closer to the screen.

"We're running it through databases now," Marcus replied while pulling up comparison images. "If it matches any known pack markings or organization symbols we should get a hit."

I stared at the frozen image while trying to memorize every detail because this person had touched something my son had worn. They'd been close enough to Golden to take his shoe which meant they might know where he was being held.

"How long until we get results?" I asked while my hands

clenched

into fists at my sides.

"Could be hours or could be days depending on how unique the tattoo is," Marcus said while his expression showed he wished he had better news. "But it's more than we had

yesterday which means we're making progress."

Progress felt meaningless while Golden was still missing but I forced myself to nod while trying to stay hopeful. Zeke's

hand found mine while he squeezed gently through the bond I felt his determination to see this through no matter how long it took.

"What else can we do while we wait?" I asked while needing action instead of standing around helpless.

"We follow up on every other lead," Zeke said while already pulling out his phone. "The shoe analysis, the note handwriting, Robert's identity, anything and everything until something breaks."

Marcus's phone rang while he stepped away to answer it. When he came back his expression had shifted into something I couldn't quite read.

"That was the lab," he said while looking between Zeke and me. "The preliminary soil analysis from Golden's shoe came back with results."

"And?" I demanded while my heart hammered so hard I could hear it in my ears.

"The soil composition matches an area about sixty miles north of here," Marcus said while pulling up a map. "It's mostly wilderness with a few abandoned structures from old logging operations."

"That's something," Zeke said while

studying the map. "We can send teams to search the area."

"There's more," Marcus continued while his tone made my stomach drop. "The soil also contained traces of a specific mineral compound that's only found in one location within that area."

He zoomed in on the map while highlighting a specific spot deep in the wilderness. My breath caught while I stared at the location because it was remote and isolated which would make it perfect for hiding someone you didn't want found.

"How fast can we get a team there?" I asked while already moving toward the door.

"Cecelia wait," Zeke grabbed my arm gently. "We need to plan this carefully because if we go rushing in we could spook whoever has Golden."

"I don't care about spooking them," I said while pulling free. "That's where my son is which means that's where I need to be."

"And you will be," Zeke said while moving to block my path. "But we're doing this smart with proper

backup and tactical planning so we don't make things worse."

I wanted to argue while every instinct screamed at me to run to that location immediately but the rational part of my brain knew he was right. "How long?" I asked while forcing myself to stay still.

"Give me two hours to assemble a team and plan our approach," Zeke said while his Alpha authority bled into his voice. "Then we go get our son."

Two hours felt like an eternity but I nodded while knowing it was

necessary. Zeke pulled me against him while the bond pulsed with shared determination because finally after days of dead ends we had a real lead that might bring Golden home.

"We're close," Zeke murmured against my hair. "I can feel it, we're so close to finding him."

I clung to that hope while trying not to think about what condition Golden might be in when we finally reached him. The shoe had been dirty which meant wherever he was being held wasn't clean or comfortable. The thought of my

baby in some filthy abandoned building made rage burn through my veins.

Whoever had taken him would pay for every second of fear they'd caused while I would make sure of that personally.

But first we had to find him while bringing him home safe because nothing else mattered beyond that singular goal.

Two hours, I told myself while watching Zeke coordinate with Marcus and the security team. Just two more hours then we'd finally

have answers about where Golden was and who had dared to take an Alpha's son.

Zeke's POV

The command center was loud and busy while my team got ready for what might finally help us find Golden.

Marcus put maps on the big table while showing everyone the place we needed to go sixty miles north where old logging buildings sat empty. Warriors checked their guns and radios while everyone felt tense because this might actually work.

"We have three main buildings," Marcus said while pointing at

pictures from above. "Two storage buildings and one big processing building, all empty for at least fifteen years. The woods are thick which helps us hide but also makes it hard to see."

I looked at the pictures while my wolf moved around inside me restless and angry because I felt like Golden was there waiting. The dirt test had been too exact to be wrong while the special minerals on his shoe only came from this one spot.

"How do we get in?" I asked while thinking about the best way to go

inside.

"Each building has lots of doors and windows but most are probably broken from being old," Marcus said while showing building plans. "We need to be careful going in so the buildings don't fall down or make noise that warns anyone inside."

The door opened while Cecelia came in wearing dark pants and a jacket that one of my female warriors gave her. Her hair was pulled back tight while she looked ready to fight instead of scared like last night. Seeing her like this made

me feel proud and protective at the same time.

"I'm coming with you," she said in a voice that meant she wouldn't change her mind.

"Cecelia, this might be dangerous," I said even though I knew she wouldn't listen.

"My son is in one of those buildings which means I need to be there," she said while walking over to stand next to me. "You can let me come with the team or I'll follow by myself but I'm going either way."

The bond got hot between us while

I felt how serious she was through our connection. She would do what she said whether I liked it or not. "Fine,

" I agreed while my team looked surprised. "But you stay right next to me the whole time and if things get bad you leave right away."

"Okay," she said while taking my hand on the table. Her touch made me feel warm while the bond hummed happy that we were touching. Our fingers stayed together while Marcus kept talking about the plan.

"We'll take six vehicles," Marcus

continued while not looking at our joined hands even though everyone noticed. "Three teams of eight entering from different sides at the same time. Alpha, you'll lead the main team through the front of the biggest building while I take the west side and Finn takes east."

"What about backup?" I asked while my thumb rubbed circles on Cecelia's hand without me thinking about it.

"Two teams stay outside as perimeter security," Marcus said. "They watch for anyone trying to leave and they're ready to come

help if we need them."

Cecelia leaned closer to look at the maps while her shoulder pressed against mine. "What if they move him before we get there?" she asked quietly. "The shoe could be old, he might not even be there anymore."

"The soil was fresh based on the lab results," Marcus said gently. "Whoever delivered that package to you was at that location within the last week which means Golden was probably there recently too."

"Probably isn't definitely," Cecelia

said while her voice shook a little. "What if we get there and find nothing again?"

I turned to face her while letting go of her hand so I could cup her face instead. "Then we keep looking," I said firmly. "But I feel in my gut that this is it, that we're finally going to find him."

She searched my eyes while looking for lies or false hope but I meant every word. Through the bond I pushed my certainty at her while trying to give her some of my confidence. She nodded slowly while leaning into my touch for just

a second before straightening up.

"When do we leave?" she asked while looking back at the maps.

"Thirty minutes," I said while checking my watch. "Everyone needs to gear up and do final weapon checks."

The team scattered to prepare while Cecelia and I stayed at the table looking at the satellite images. I could see her studying every detail while trying to memorize the layout like knowing the buildings would somehow keep Golden safer.

"I'm scared," she admitted quietly while everyone else was busy. "What if we're too late or what if finding him there makes things worse?"

"We won't be too late," I said while moving behind her so I could wrap my arms around her waist. "And nothing could be worse than not knowing where he is."

She leaned back against my chest while her hands covered mine where they rested on her stomach.

"I keep thinking about what condition he'll be in when we find him," she whispered. "That shoe

was so dirty, what if he's hurt or sick or scared out of his mind?"

"Then we'll get him medical care and bring him home and show him he's safe," I said against her hair. "But first we have to get there and get him out."

Drew approached carefully while clearly not wanting to interrupt. "Alpha, the vehicles are ready and teams are assembled."

"Good," I said while releasing Cecelia though my hand went to her lower back. "Let's move out."

The convoy of six black SUVs left

the pack house while the sun was just starting to come up. I insisted Cecelia ride in my vehicle in the back seat while I sat next to her instead of up front with the driver. Marcus sat in the passenger seat coordinating with the other vehicles through his radio.

Cecelia's hand found mine in the space between us while neither of us said anything about it. Her fingers were cold while I squeezed gently trying to give her comfort.

She stared out the window at the passing trees while I knew her mind was racing with all the terrible

possibilities.

"Tell me what we'll do when we get him back," I said quietly while wanting to distract her from the fear.

"What?" she turned to look at me confused.

"When we have Golden safe, what's the first thing you want to do with him?" I asked while my thumb rubbed across her knuckles.

She was quiet for a minute while thinking. "I want to hold him for about a year straight without letting go," she finally said while her voice

was thick with emotion. "And then I want to take him to the beach so he can play in the water and feel normal again."

"We'll do that," I promised while pulling her closer against my side. "As soon as the doctor clears him we'll go to the beach for however long he needs."

"You'd come too?" she asked while looking up at me.

"Of course I'd come," I said while confused why she'd think otherwise. "He's my son and you're...

you're important to me and

I want to be there for both of you."

She almost said something but stopped while biting her lip. Through the bond I felt a rush of emotions too mixed up to separate but hope was definitely in there.

She settled against my shoulder while we rode in silence for a while.

"I used to imagine this," she said so quietly I almost didn't hear. "Back when we were married, I used to imagine us working together as a team instead of you always being distant."

"I was an idiot back then," I

admitted while my arm came around her shoulders. "I kept you at a distance because I was scared of how much I was starting to feel for you."

"That doesn't make sense," she said while frowning. "If you felt something why would you push me away?"

"Because feeling something for you meant admitting I'd been wrong about Layla and wrong about what I thought I

wanted," I tried to explain. "It was easier to keep you away than face that I was falling for you."

She was quiet while processing that. "So you chose the easy path instead of the right one."

"Yeah," I agreed while there was no point denying it. "And it cost me three years with you and our son."

"We can't change the past," she said while her hand rested on my chest over my heart. "We can only decide what we do now."

"Now I choose you," I said while tilting her chin up so she had to look at me. "Every time, every day, I choose you and Golden."

Her eyes got shiny with tears while

she blinked them back. "Don't make promises you might not keep."

"I'm keeping this one," I said firmly. "I already lost you once and I'm not making that mistake again."

She opened her mouth but Marcus's voice interrupted. "We're five minutes out. Everyone needs to go radio silent and prepare for approach."

The moment broke while we both shifted into mission mode. Cecelia sat up straighter while wiping her eyes quickly. I kept her hand in mine though while not ready to let

go of that connection yet.

The vehicles slowed while we got closer to the target area. We parked about half a mile away so the sound of engines wouldn't warn anyone we were coming. Everyone got out quietly while checking weapons one last time.

even though I felt her fear through the bond.

"Good," I said while kissing her forehead without thinking about it. "Let's go get our son.

We moved through the woods in formation while my team knew how to stay quiet. Cecelia stayed right behind me while one hand occasionally touched my back like she needed to know I was still there. Through the trees I could see the first building coming into view.

It was even more run down than the pictures showed while parts of the

roof had caved in and windows were all broken. But there were fresh tire tracks in the dirt leading to the back which meant someone had been here recently.

I held up my fist to signal everyone to stop while we took positions around the building. Marcus's voice came through my earpiece. "West side in position."

"East side ready," Finn reported.

"On my count," I said quietly while my heart was beating hard. "Three, two, one, breach."

My team moved forward while two

warriors hit the main door with a battering ram. The old wood splintered easily while we poured inside with weapons ready. The space was dark and smelled like mold and old wood while dust floated in the air from us coming in.

"Clear," someone called from the right side.

"Clear," another voice echoed from the left.

We moved deeper into the building while checking every room and corner. Cecelia stayed pressed close to my back while I felt her

breathing fast through our bond. The first floor was empty except for old equipment covered in rust and dirt.

"Stairs to second floor," one of my warriors said while pointing.

"Carefully," I ordered while those stairs didn't look safe. "Test each step before putting full weight."

We climbed slowly while the wood creaked and groaned under us. The second floor was more of the same while empty rooms full of nothing but trash and broken furniture. My stomach was starting to sink

because this place looked abandoned for real.

Then Cecelia gasped behind me. "Zeke, look."