Three years later

"Mama, look what I drew!"Golden's excited voice pulled me from the kitchen as he burst through the door, his preschool drawing clutched in his tiny hands.

My heart clenched the way it always did when I looked at him.Three years old and already so much like his father; the He's going to start asking questions soon."same wheat-colored hair, the same stubborn chin, and those eyes.

God, those eyes were exactly like Zeke's, molten gold that seemed to see right through you.

"Let me see, swee

"I swore a lot of things."theart."I set down the kettle and lifted him onto my lap, studying his crayon masterpiece."Is this our house?"

"Uh-huh!And that's you, and that's me, and that's Aunty Fatima!"He pointed to each stick figure with pride."Miss Sarah says I'm the best drawer in class."

"You absolutely are."I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in his sweet scent."Why don't you go show Aunty Fatima?She's in the back counting today's catch."

Golden scrambled down and raced toward the storage room, his little feet pounding against the wooden floors.I smiled as watched him go, my chest tight with so much love for him.Love for this perfect little boy who'd become my entire world.

"Your boy's got too much energy," Fatima grumbled as he emerged from the back room, Golden clinging to her weathered hand. "Reminds me of my children at that age.Always into something.Never staying at ne place.""Speaking of which," I glanced at the clock, "I should get him ready for lunch soon.You know how it is a hassle to strip him of his clothes so that I can bath him."

As soon as Golden heard the word 'bath' he ran into the backroom, and me and Fatima chuckled.

Fatima helped me lay out the dining for the dishes.

"Where are your children?"I asked her."Aren't they supposed to be back from school?"

"I let them play by the shore," "Is that safe Fatima?"my voice grew worried.She smiled brightly at me."They all know how to swim."

I set some vegetables to boil, and I sat down by the dining, Fatima slipped in beside me. ."Cecelia, I've been meaning to ask.You ever think about... well, about Golden's father?He's going to start asking questions soon."

I sat up straighter, alarmed by the sentence.."There's nothing to discuss.Golden has everything he needs right here."

"I'm not trying to pry, but-" "Mama!"Golden's scream cut through the air like a blade."Mama, help!"

I spun around, but he was gone.The back door hung open, creaking in the harbor breeze.

"Golden!"I sprinted outside, Fatima close behind me."Golden, where are you?"

Golden!"We both yelled

simultaneously. we were greeted with deafening silence.

The only noise was the cry of seagulls and the lapping of waves against the dock."Check the boat slips," Fatima shouted and I could hear the tremor in her voice.She walked toward the market."I'll take the street."

My wolf senses kicked in as panic flooded my system.I could smell Golden's scent, faint but growing fainter, leading toward the tree line behind the Fishermen's warehouse.My heart hammered as I followed the trail, calling his name until my voice went hoarse.

Nothing.My baby was gone.

By evening, we had alerted the pack, and half the pack was

searching.Fatima organized search parties while the men combed every inch of Seacreek territory.I sat in the pack house, staring at Golden's drawing, my hands shaking so violently I could barely hold it.

"We'll find him," Fatima said softly, placing a warm cup of tea in my hands."These things happen sometimes.Kids wander off-"

"He didn't wander off."My voice came out flat, like all my life have been stolen from me "Someone took him.I can feel it."

Fatima squeezed my shoulder."The Seacreek pack isn't large, but we're thorough.We've searched everywhere twice.If he's in our territory-"

"He's not."I stood abruptly, the cup clattering to the floor."Whoever took him is long gone by now."

"Cecelia, you need to rest.You can't help Golden if you collapse from exhaustion."

Rest?How could I rest when my son; my golden boy was out there somewhere, probably scared and crying for his mama?

I looked outside and it was past sunset.If he had indeed wandered off, he would hav eocme home.He knew his way home.Somebody would have seen him.Somebody would have brought him back to me.

I closed my eyes, and suddenly I could see Zeke's face as clearly as if he were standing in front of me.Zeke, with his resources and connections.Zeke, who commanded respect and fear across multiple territories.Zeke, who could find anyone, anywhere.

The thought made me sick, butwhat choice did I have?

"I know someone who can help," I whispered, hating myself for the words."Someone with the resources to search beyond Seacreek."

Fatima looked up from the tea she was sadly spooning. "Who is that?"

"You will not know him but he used to leave in the pack where I came from?"

She stood up."If you're going to your former pack, then I am coming with you."I placed my hands on her shoulders."You don't have to."Her eyes held confusion.I swallowed."It's something I have to do alone."

Fatima's eyes widened with understanding."Cecelia, no.You swore you'd never-"

"I swore a lot of things."I picked up Golden's drawing, folding it carefully and tucking it into my pocket."But my son's life is worth more than my pride."

"No, Cecelia."She grabbed onto me as I made to turn away."It's best you inform the Alpha and have the Alpha meet Zeke on your behalf."

"And where will that have me be?"My Voice cracked with tears."Sitting around here, when I can be helping instead."

I met her gaze, seeing my own desperation reflected in her eyes."But who would have taken him?Why?"

I shook my head, the tears threatening to spill on my cheeks.And now I was going to see the one person I hoped I'd never have to face again.

The Brooke Pack territory looked like entirely different from what I had known it to be from three years ago.It was beautiful, impressive, and completely foreign to the place I'd once called home.

My hands trembled as I approached the main gates, every instinct screaming at me to run.The last time I was here, somebody attempted to murder me, and for all I know,

the person could still want me dead.Now I was walking back into the zeke's

mansion, and neither he nor Layla knew I was alive."State your business," the guard said, his voice bored but professional.

"I need to see Alpha Zeke," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded.

"It's urgent."

The guard's eyes swept over me dismissively."Yeah, you and half the unmated females in the territory.The Alpha doesn't take walk-in appointments, especially not

from-" He paused, his nostrils flaring as he caught my scent.His face went white.

"What's your name?"His eyebrows arched in confusion.

"Cecelia Mayers."The name felt strange on my tongue after three years of just being 'Cecelia' or 'Golden's mama.'

The second guard stepped forward, his hand moving to his weapon."That's impossible.Cecelia Mayer is dead.We buried her three years ago."

"Clearly, reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."I kept my voice level

despite the panic clawing at my chest."I need to see Zeke.My son; our son has been taken."

Both guards exchanged glances, and I could practically see the wheels turning in their heads.Dead Luna shows up claiming to have the Alpha's child?This was either the truth or the most elaborate con in pack history.

"You're lying," the first guard spat."Luna Cecelia died in the sea.The Alpha led her funeral himself.You're just some desperate she-wolf trying to-"

"Trying to what?"I snapped, the composure I was trying so hard to keep cracking.

"Get myself killed?Because that's exactly what walking back here will accomplish if I am lying.I need to see Zeke."

My voice broke on the last words, and I hated myself for the weakness.But the truthwas, I was terrified.Terrified of seeing him again, terrified of what he'd do

when he realized I was alive, terrified that he'd refuse to help find Golden out of spite.

I remember Layla was pregnant for him before I was pushed out to sea.He must have his own child now.I doubt he'd be any willing to help me.He might not even believe that Golden is his child.

For that reason, I carried a picture of Golden in my bag.He was a carbon copy of Zeke and hopefully,that was enough proof."Please," I whispered, all my pride crumbling."My little boy is missing.He's only

three years old, and he's scared and alone, and I'll do anything to get him back."

The guards stared at me, stunned.

Finally, the second one spoke.

"Wait here."He disappeared into the guard house, and I could hear him making frantic phone calls.The minutes stretched like hours.I wrapped my arms around myself,trying to ward off the

memories that threatened to drown me.The last time I'd stood on these grounds,

Zeke had rejected me.I could still feel the excruciating pain that came with

that experience, and even when I tried to be alone to clear my thoughts, my sister came to insult me-adding salt to injury- and throw me over a cliff.The sound of approaching footsteps snapped me back to the present.A whole contingent of

guards was marching toward the gate, their faces grim.My wolf instincts kicked in, screaming at me to run, but I forced myself to stand my ground.

"Luna?"The head guard's voice was uncertain.."I'm just a mother trying to find her son."

"The Alpha... he'll want to see you immediately."The guard's face was pale."But I have to warn you, he's not the same man he was three years ago.The grief... it changed him."

Grief?I almost laughed at the irony.He'd grieved for the woman he'd rejected?

What kind of twisted psychology was that?

"I can handle Zeke," I lied smoothly."I just need five minutes to explain about Golden."

As we walked to the palace, everybody stopped whatever they were doing to look at me in something like reverent awe.I heard whispers of "I thought she is dead?""We

attended her funeral."The throne room doors loomed ahead of me, and my handssweated in anticipation of seeing Layla and Zeke again.I'd walked through them

countless times as Luna, but never like this; never as a stranger, never as someone who'd risen from the dead.

"He's in a meeting," the guard said apologetically."But given the circumstances..."

"Just open the doors," I said, steel creeping into my voice."My son doesn't have time for Zeke's schedule."

The doors swung open, and I stepped into the room th

at had once been my second home.It

was different now, something about it felt colder, more detached.The room

erupted in gasps as I stepped in.And there, at the far end of the long table, sat the man who'd haunted my dreams for three years.Zeke.

He was exactly as I remembered and completely different all at once.He was still devastatingly handsome, still radiating that dangerous alpha energy that had

first drawn me to him.My eyes scanned around for Layla, but she wasn't here.I walked closer to him, the council elders chattering like a hive of bees.But he was deep in conversation with his Beta, papers spread across the massive desk.He hadn't seen me yet.

"Alpha," the guard called out."There's someone here to see you.Someone... important."

"I said no interruptions.Whatever it is can-"

He looked up.

Time stopped.

The color drained from his face so completely I thought he might faint.The papers in his

hands fluttered to the floor as he rose slowly from his chair, his eyes-those gold eyes that Golden had inherited-fixed on me in shock.

"Impossible," he breathed.

"Hello, Zeke."My voice came out steadier than I felt."We need to talk."

For a moment, neither of us moved.The air between us crackled with tension.

"Everyone out," he commanded, his voice hoarse."Now."

The room cleared instantly, leaving us alone with nothing but the sound of our thundering heartbeats."You're dead," he whispered, taking a step toward me."I buried you.I

mourned you.I-"

"Layla tried to kill me," I said simply."But I survived.And now I need your help."

"Cecelia..."

"My son has been taken," I continued, I couldnt help the tears pouring down my cheeks."You have to help him Zeke.He's also your son."

He stood up, alarmed."What do you mean, also my son?"

"I had him before Layla tried to kill him.He's three years old now."My tears must have really moved him because there was a concerned expression on his face."How can I help?"

"I need your resources, your connections, your pack's strength to find him."

"Your son?"He was still trying to grapple what I had said earlier..

I met his eyes directly, seeing my own pain reflected there."Our son, Zeke.His name is Golden, and he has your eyes."

CECELIAS POV

The silence in Zeke's office pressed against my ears like water.He stood behind his massive oak desk, the same one that had belonged to his father, studying the photograph I'd handed him.Golden's face smiled up at him from the glossy paper.My son's eyes, those unmistakable molten gold eyes, stared back at his father for the first time.

I watched Zeke's face carefully.His jaw tightened.His fingers gripped the edges of the photo until the paper crinkled slightly.Whatever he'd been expecting when the guards dragged me into his council meeting, it wasn't this.

"How old is he?"His voice came out rough, like he'd swallowed gravel.

"Three years and four months."

His eyes snapped up to mine.

I saw him doing the math, counting backward to that last month before I disappeared.Before Layla pushed me off that cliff and left me to drown.

"He looks exactly like you," I added,though it was obvious.Golden could have been Zeke's clone, right down to the stubborn set of his chin and the way his hair fell across his forehead.

Zeke set the photo down on his desk with deliberate care, like it might shatter if he wasn't gentle."When did he go missing?"

"Yesterday afternoon.He was at preschool in Seacreek Pack.When I went to pick him up, he was gone."

"Seacreek," Zeke repeated.He walked around his desk, moving closer.My body tensed

My voice cracked despite my best efforts.

automatically."That's where you've been all this time?Living in Seacreek?"

"Yes."

"And you never thought to send word that you were alive?"His tone stayed neutral, but I caught the edge underneath."Never thought to mention that I had a son?"

My hands curled into fists at my sides."Send word?To the man who rejected me?To the pack where my sister tried to murder me?"I forced myself to breathe slowly."I built a life there, Zeke.A safe life for my child.Away from all of this."

"My child," he corrected, his voice dropping lower."He's my child too."

"Only by biology."The words came out sharper than I intended."You weren't there when I was pregnant and alone.You weren't there when I gave birth with only Fatima to help me.You weren't there for his first word, his first step, his first anything."

Zeke's eyes flashed.For a moment I thought he might argue, might throw his Alpha authority at me like he used to.But instead, he nodded

once."You're right.I wasn't there.

Because I thought you were dead."He paused."We buried you, Cecelia.There was a body.A funeral.I stood over your grave and..."

He didn't finish.I didn't want to know what he'd been about to say."The body wasn't me," I said flatly."Obviously."

"Obviously."He studied my face like he was trying to memorize it, comparing it to whatever memory he'd carried for three years."You look different."

"I am different."

"How did you survive the fall?"

"Does it matter right now?"My voice cracked despite my best efforts."My son is missing.Someone took him.I came here because you have resources that Seacreek doesn't.I came here because as much as I hate it, you're the only one who can help me find him."

The admission tasted like ash in my mouth.Coming back here, asking Zeke for anything, went against every instinct I'd developed over the past three years.But Golden was more important than my pride.

He was more important than anything.Zeke moved to the large window behind his desk, his hands clasped behind his back.The late afternoon sun cast his profile in sharp relief."I'll help you find him."

Relief flooded through me so suddenly my knees almost buckled."Thank you."

"But I have conditions."

Of course he did.I straightened my spine."What conditions?

He turned to face me fully."Youstay here at the palace during the search.I need you close in case we get leads that require your immediate input."

"Fine."

"And you submit to a healer's examination."

My stomach dropped."Why?"

"To confirm the child's paternity."His expression gave nothing away."You show up after three years claiming to have my son.I believe you, but my pack council will want proof.Medical proof."

Heat crawled up my neck."You think I'm lying?"

"I think I need documentation," he said evenly."Blood tests, genetic markers, whatever the healer requires to establish that Golden is biologically mine.It's not personal, Cecelia.It's protocol."

Everything with Zeke was protocol. Duty and protocol and the pack's needs before anything else.That's why he'd married me in the first place.That's why he'd never loved me.

"Fine," I bit out."Examine me.Test

my blood.Do whatever you need to do.Just find my son."

"Our son," he corrected again.

I said nothing.

Zeke pulled out his phone and made a call."Ryder, get in here."He ended it without waiting for a response.Within seconds, the door opened and a tall man with dark hair entered.I recognized him vaguely from before.Ryder had been one of Zeke's best trackers.

"Send a team to Seacreek Pack immediately," Zeke ordered."A three year old boy went missing yesterday afternoon.His name is Golden.I want our best trackers on this.Treat it as a priority alpha case."

Ryder's eyes flicked to me briefly, widening in recognition and shock, but he was too well trained to comment."Yes, Alpha.

What's the last known location?"

"Seacreek preschool," I supplied."He was supposed to be in the playground.When the teacher checked on the children, he was gone.""Any witnesses?"Ryder asked.

I shook my head."None that we could find.The Seacreek pack searched everywhere.We found nothing."

"We'll find something," Ryder promised.

He nodded to Zeke and left quickly.

The door had barely closed before it opened again.Layla swept in without knocking, her face flushed with anger.She looked exactly as I remembered, beautiful and perfect, except now there were lines around her eyes that hadn't been there before."Zeke, what is the meaning of this?"she demanded."The entire pack house is buzzing with rumors that Cecelia is alive and you're just entertaining this fantasy?"

I met her gaze directly.She froze mid step when she realized I was really standing there.Her face went white, then red, then white again.

"Hello, Layla," I said calmly.

She recovered faster than I expected.Her shock morphed into fury so quickly I almost missed the transition."How dare you show your face here?What kind of sick game are you playing?"

"No game," Zeke said sharply."She's alive.And she has information about my son."

"Your son?"Layla's voice went shrill.She gestured toward the doorway where a small blond boy stood partially hidden.Cameron."Your son is right there.That's your son.This woman is clearly lying to manipulate you."

Cameron peered around his mother's legs, his blue eyes wide and confused.He looked so much like Layla it hurt.Not a trace of Zeke in him that I could see.

"Cecelia has a child," Zeke said, his tone hard."A boy named Golden who is three years old.He's missing.I've agreed to help find him."

"Oh, how convenient."Layla's laugh was brittle."She disappears for three years, supposedly dead, and now suddenly reappears with a mystery child that she claims is yours?This is obviously a ploy to get back into your life."

"The child looks exactly like me," Zeke said quietly."So what?She could have found any blond child and coached him.She could have fabricated the entire story."Layla moved closer to Zeke's desk, her hand reaching out to touch his arm."Think about it rationally.Why would she wait three years to tell you about this supposed child?Why show up now, claiming he's been kidnapped?It's manipulation, Zeke.Pure manipulation."