Chapter 26

The morning broke, bright and promising. I woke up feeling refreshed and excited.

The night before had been wonderful, and waking up next to Jekia brought a smile to my face. It was becoming a regular occurrence, him being the first thing I saw in the morning.

He had a habit of staying in bed until I woke up, saying he loved to see my face first thing in the morning.

Yes, he was still as charming as the day we met.

We both got up, freshened up, and got dressed. Then we crossed the hallway to wake up the boys.

Well, I say wake up, but we could already see a lump under the covers on Rin’s bed and hear muffled giggles.

Jekia put a finger to his lips, and I smiled back, knowing what was about to happen. The boys loved this game of hide and seek with him. They would hide, and he would pretend to look for them.

Of course, Jekia always found them, especially when they were hiding in such an obvious place. But he played along.

“Are you sure you put the boys to bed in here last night?” Jekia asked me, pretending not to see the lump under the covers.

“Of course. I remember tucking them in and kissing them goodnight. Maybe they woke up in the middle of the night and went exploring around the palace,” I replied, feigning confusion.

“Maybe.” Jekia looked around the room again, quietly stepping over to Rayne’s bed and pretending to search.

We heard the boys giggle again, and he twitched his ears. “That’s strange. I think I hear a weird noise.”

“I think I heard it too. What could it be?” I played along.

Jekia walked over to Rin’s bed, paused for a moment, and then swiftly pulled the blanket off. The boys burst into laughter as he scooped them up.

“Caught you again!” he teased.

“You only found us because we were laughing! We were hiding really well before!” Rin protested.

“You know I could find you anywhere. You~ are~ my sons,” Jekia reminded him.

“When did you get home last night? We missed you!” Rayne asked as Jekia set them down.

“Very late. I’m sorry I didn’t get to tuck you in, but I promise I will tonight,” Jekia replied.

He knelt down to their level. “Let’s get you dressed. We should have some breakfast. We have a busy day ahead.”

Rin tilted his head. “Are you doing something else?” he asked.

“Actually, your mother and I have been talking, and we decided that you can go to the festival today,” Jekia answered.

As expected, the boys cheered and hugged him. I watched this with a happy heart. I loved seeing how much Jekia adored his boys and how much they adored him.

I just wished he could spend more time with them. He had been too busy lately.

At breakfast, this topic came up again. While Rin was usually the more outspoken twin, this time it was Rayne who led the conversation.

“Why can’t you come with us, Father? Please, we want you to be there with us,” he pleaded.

“I already told you I can’t, even though I really want to. I have responsibilities, and I hope to join you as soon as I can,” Jekia explained.

“I know there are important matters to attend to, but couldn’t Vincent handle this on his own today? You’ve always worked well with him, and you’ve told me you trust his judgment,” I suggested.

Jekia shook his head. “I would, but I’m worried about the tensions involved, and I can’t leave him to deal with it all. Hopefully, things will wrap up early today and I’ll be able to spend time with you three. But I trust that you’ll be safe. Marcio and Lucia are always gracious hosts, and they’ve worked hard to ensure the safety of the glen.”

I looked down at the dirt path as his words echoed in my head. I hated to admit it, but I was feeling a bit uncertain about recent events.

It seemed like Jekia had been distant lately, at least during the day. He was often out until evening, dealing with various matters.

While I tried to understand that he had his duties, it had been feeling a bit extreme lately. In fact, I couldn’t remember him being away this much since we met.

Hadn’t he promised me back then that he would always make time for me, and now his family?

Rin and Rayne were holding my hands, both excited to be out with me. Emelio was with us, keeping his promise to escort us to the glen.

“I hope this isn’t too much to ask,” I said as we walked, trying to distract myself from my worries.

Emelio gave me his familiar smile. “Not at all, my lady. I must admit, it’s nice to get away from everything for a bit,” he assured me.

I smiled back. “Yes, I can understand that.”

We walked in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again. His words took me by surprise.

“You seem troubled lately, my dear. Is something bothering you?”

“Oh, well….”

I hesitated, not wanting to discuss my worries in front of the children. They were unaware of my feelings about their father’s recent behavior.

I admit, even the night before had been a futile attempt to persuade him to stay with us for the day.

“I understand if you don’t want to talk about it,” Emelio continued. “But I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. Lord Jekia just has to take care of these things, and I’m sure he’ll make more time for you and the boys soon.”

“Why does Father have to be away so much? Is it because he’s a ruler here?” Rin asked him.

“Yeah, your dad has a lot on his plate, even if it’s by his own choice,” Emelio replied.

“But he should have fun too. It’s not fair that we’re the only ones who get to enjoy ourselves,” Rayne argued.

I saw Rin glance down. “Sometimes it feels like Dad doesn’t really want to spend time with us,” he mumbled.

“That’s not true. He loves us,” Rayne shot back.

“He does,” I chimed in, my voice softer than I intended. “He loves both of you very much.”

But I didn’t include myself in that statement. I knew Jekia loved his kids, but I was starting to worry that maybe he didn’t love me as much as I’d thought.

The glen was alive with activity when we reached the gates. Rin and Rayne’s faces lit up with excitement at the sight.

From past festivals, I remembered the vibrant decorations, the music, and the diverse crowd of creatures milling about.

Fairies were dancing and running their stalls and shops, all sharing in the joy of the occasion.

Seeing this brought me a small measure of relief. At least this seemed normal.

Emelio turned to me as we stood there. “Will you be okay on your own for a few hours, my lady?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine, and I’ll call you if I need anything,” I assured him.

He nodded, vanished in a puff of smoke, and I led the boys into the village.

The next couple of hours were spent with them, mingling with the familiar crowd and soaking up the festival atmosphere.

Rin and Rayne quickly made friends with some of the fairy and animal children there and went off to play in the nearby area set up with toys and games for the kids.

As for me, I sat at a nearby table, watching them play and trying to relax. I hoped Jekia would join us soon. That would make me feel a lot better.

I barely noticed when a chair was pulled out next to me.

“Good afternoon, my lady. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you,” Lucia’s voice came.

“Oh.” I turned to see her sitting next to me, a warm smile on her face. She looked as beautiful as ever, and she was right.

I hadn’t seen her in almost six months, what with how busy we’d been with our own lives. “Hello, Lucia. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. I see the boys are doing well too. They’ve grown so much, haven’t they?” Lucia remarked, glancing at where Rin and Rayne were playing.

“They have. I’m so happy to see them enjoying themselves here. They needed this chance to explore more of these lands and to play with other kids,” I said.

“Yes, it’s very good for them. It’ll help shape them as they grow,” Lucia agreed.

“I’m a bit surprised though. It doesn’t seem like Lord Jekia has been keen on taking them out much since they were born, and I would’ve thought he’d be here with you.”

I shook my head. “No, he couldn’t make it today. He’s been dealing with a lot of issues lately, and we haven’t seen much of him either.”

Lucia looked puzzled. “What do you mean? I wasn’t aware there were any issues in our lands.

“Things have been pretty calm for the past few years. I would’ve thought he’d have plenty of free time.”

I fought the urge to tense up at her words. The familiar ache returned to my chest, along with the suspicions I’d been trying to suppress.

“Are you sure? I heard there were problems at the southern border, and Jekia’s been there for a while trying to sort them out.

“There were also issues in some of the villages that needed his attention over the past few months,” I told her.

“That’s strange,” Lucia replied, looking confused.

“I hear a lot about what’s happening in these lands through friends, and none of them mentioned any of this. I would’ve expected them to if it required Lord Jekia’s attention.”

“Maybe it slipped through the cracks,” I suggested. “But Lord Jekia couldn’t come with us today because of those issues down south. But he did promise to come later if he could.”

Lucia stiffened a bit at this, and she leaned closer to me. Her words shook me.

“That’s not what I saw. Lord Jekia was already here, and I thought he was just mingling on his own.

“But I did find it odd that he went into the tavern, especially with that one woman.”

I didn’t know what to say to this. If he was there, then he’d lied to me. Had he been lying to me all this time? The thought was almost too much to bear. I had to know the truth.

“Could you…watch the boys for a bit? There’s something I need to do,” I asked quietly as I stood up.

I didn’t wait for Lucia’s response, I just pushed through the crowd. My mind was spinning, my pace quickening without me realizing it.

It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t have lied to me like this.

Jekia was my husband, the only one I had left after Sage was gone. He wouldn’t have been deceiving me to see other women like Lucia suggested.

The inn finally came into view. It was a large building, nestled on the edge of the village near the surrounding trees.

I stood near the entrance, unsure whether to go in. Could I handle what I might find? What would I do if I did find it?

The music and laughter around me faded into the distance, and before I knew it, my feet were moving.

No, Lucia wouldn’t have lied about something like this, and I didn’t believe she could be mistaken.

I had to see the truth for myself. Then I could decide what to do.

The wooden door was heavy as I pushed it open. I was surprised to find the lobby of the inn was empty.

I stepped in, looking around cautiously, listening. No, it didn’t seem like anyone was there at the moment.

~Maybe she was mistaken~, I thought, a glimmer of hope flickering within me. ~Maybe she confused Jekia with another creature.~

Just as I was about to turn and leave, I heard what sounded like footsteps from the second floor.

I decided to investigate, to put my mind at ease. The boys would be safe with Lucia, and this wouldn't take long.

The wooden stairs groaned under my weight as I ascended, and the hallway on the second floor was narrow. Six doors lined the hallway, all but the last one slightly ajar.

The open rooms were empty, untouched. It was clear no one was staying there.

Finally, I reached the last door, the only one that was closed. I hesitated, unsure of what to do next. I wanted to knock and see who answered, but anxiety gnawed at me.

What if he was in there with another woman? What would I do? What ~could~ I do?

The sound of a woman’s laughter broke my train of thought. It was a soft giggle, flirtatious, and I could swear I heard the murmur of voices behind the door.

I strained my ears, but could only distinguish a male and female voice.

A surge of determination welled up within me. If he was in there, I needed to confront him. He owed me the truth. I wouldn't be just a convenient wife and mother while he did as he pleased.

I reached for the doorknob, and to my surprise, it was unlocked. Had they forgotten to lock it, thinking they wouldn't be discovered?

“How foolish,” I muttered under my breath.

The door swung open as I pushed it, hitting the wall behind it with a loud thud. I rushed into the room, only to find it seemingly empty.

Had they hidden, or escaped through a window?

I checked each window, but they were all locked from the inside. Spotting a closet door, I took a deep breath and approached it.

“If you're in there, come out!” I demanded. “Don't be a coward, hiding behind my back!”

Receiving no response, I flung open the door. What I saw made my heart pound, and I instinctively stepped back.

It wasn't Jekia in there, nor was it a woman. A tall, menacing figure growled at me as he stepped forward, his gray ears flat against his head and his matching tail lashing behind him.

I backed away, bumping into the edge of the bed.

This wasn't my husband! This was a lycan!

A clapping sound echoed in the room, and I turned to see another lycan standing near the doorway. This one was female.

She was taller than me by a foot, strikingly beautiful with long, dark gray hair and matching ears and tail.

Her figure was curvaceous, accentuated by a revealing black dress, and her blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Bravo. You truly are an omega in every sense of the word.

“Even at the risk of finding your beloved husband in a compromising position with another woman, you came here to uncover the truth.

“Not many women would have the guts to do so,” she said.

“Who…who are you?!” I managed to whisper.

“You don't know?” the female lycan teased.

“Stop playing games!” I snapped. “I won't bow to…”

I was cut off as the male lycan grabbed my throat, his claws digging into my skin. I struggled to breathe, let alone speak, as I was pushed onto the bed and held down.

The female lycan chuckled. “As I said, you're quite the omega, and I suppose the shock has made you forget,” she said.

She moved closer, leaning over me as I was held down.

“Let me jog your memory, darling. Of course you know me. I'm Kamelle, the one your dear husband has been so desperately searching for.”

My eyes widened at her words. This was Kamelle?

The reality of the situation began to sink in. Lucia had lied to me. She had led me straight to this lycan!

“What should I do with her, my lady?” the male lycan asked, his grip on me unyielding.

“Well”—Kamelle's eyes twinkled with amusement—“while it would be entertaining to watch you have your way with her, I don't think we have much time.

“After all, our decoys for Jekia won't last forever, and we've been pushing our luck for the past year, haven't we?

“But then, leading that Luna Dog on wild goose chases has been fun, and using this fairy has proven quite useful.”

“Leave…leave my children…alone!” I choked out. “Don't…hurt…my children!”

Kamelle crossed her arms. “That's up for debate, isn't it? After all, only one of your little ones is a Luna Dog like that pathetic ruler here.

“We could spare your little fox. But then, he is the nine-tail’s kit, isn't he? Too bad he abandoned you and him when he'd had enough of you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought back. I wouldn't let myself be killed here, and I wouldn't let them touch my children.

Whatever was going on with Jekia, I would confront him later. For now, I needed to escape and survive.

I managed to lift my leg, aiming as best as I could, and kicked with all my might.

The lycan’s grip loosened as he doubled over in pain. My kick had landed squarely between his legs.

I rolled away from him, striking Kamelle before she could react, and dashed for the door.

My vision was blurry, and I was covered in blood, but somehow I managed to race down the stairs. I tried to call out to Emelio, but my voice failed me, choked by blood.

I reached the door, but was suddenly yanked back, landing hard on my right side.

I managed to lift my gaze just as Kamelle towered over me. She was growling, her anger palpable at my failed escape attempt.

“Did you really think you could just run away from me?” she spat out. “I’ve made sure you’re isolated here. No one’s coming to save you.”

The male lycan was there too, pinning me to the floor as he knelt beside her. His laughter echoed in my ears, a low, sinister sound that sent chills down my spine.

The heavy door nearby creaked open. I watched, my heart pounding in my chest, as Lucia walked in.

She was gripping Rin and Rayne by their wrists. Their eyes widened in fear as they took in the scene before them.

“Mommy?!” Rin cried out. He tried to move towards me, but Lucia’s grip held him back.

Rayne was sobbing, struggling to break free from Lucia’s hold, but to no avail.

Lucia yanked them both closer to her, her gaze darting to Kamelle. She looked scared, her eyes flicking nervously around the room.

“I’ve done what you asked!” she blurted out. “Now, please, give me back Marcio and my daughters!”

“Patience, fairy. First, make sure we’re not being followed,” Kamelle commanded.

“I’ve made sure of it! I even made sure the mage couldn’t contact her after he left! I swear!” Lucia pleaded.

Kamelle huffed, turning to the lycan beside her. “Knock her out and bring her. She and the kids will be enough,” she ordered quietly.

Those were the last words I heard, along with the terrified cries of my little boys, before everything went black.