The boy stirred faintly, his lashes fluttering before settling again. Damien’s gaze traced his features – the curve of his cheek, every line that seemed achingly familiar.

“And after this is over, Sofia… you will answer to me."

“How old is he, Sofia?”

“Damien…” she breathed, relief and hesitation tangled in her voice.

I led him forward without a word, my steps fast and panicked. The moment we entered Sofia’s room, she looked up from the bedside, her face pale and drawn.

Damien’s jaw flexed, and I saw his nostrils flare again as he drew in a long, slow breath, like he was forcing himself to keep his composure. His thumb brushed the boy’s hand one last time before he let go.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low, rough, and dangerous in its restraint.

Without a word, he straightened to his full height, his dominating presence suddenly filling the small room.

His wolf had recognized the little boy.

His wolf had claimed the boy in an instant – his blood, his kin.

“Don’t,” he cut her off, his eyes never leaving the boy. “Don’t lie to me.”

“He… he needs a bone marrow transplant. The doctors say he won’t last much longer without it. They… they believe you are his match.”

Slowly, Damien approached the little boy, his eyes fixed on him. I stared at Sofia and saw the unease in her… she was so terrified.

He didn’t need anyone to tell him.

“Damien… this isn’t–”

Sofia’s eyes darted to mine, filled with panic and something else… shame. She hesitated, her chest rising and falling in sharp bursts, before she gave the smallest, trembling nod.

Her breathing hitched, and I could feel the tension in the room tighten like a wire about to snap.

“Olivia?” he said slowly, as though unsure if I was real. “How the hell–”

We appeared in the hallway outside the children’s ward, and Damien’s head snapped toward the sudden sounds of nurses moving, quiet beeps from heart monitors.

Damien’s nostrils flared as he took in her confession, his gaze flicking back to the boy. His hand remained on the child’s, but his grip had softened, his thumb brushing lightly over the small fingers.

She twisted the bedsheet in her fist. “I found out the truth about us – about our bloodlines. That we were… related, even if distant. And with the enmity between our families… I panicked.” Her eyes glistened, guilt thick in every word. “I thought if I stayed, it would destroy both of us. So I left. And I couldn’t tell you about the pregnancy… I was afraid you’d try to keep me there, that you’d force me to choose between my safety and…” Her voice trailed off, trembling. “…and him.”

I found myself standing in the middle of Damien’s office, my heart pounding. I didn’t even know how I’d gotten here – all I had done was think about him, and the next moment, I’d teleported.

“How… how is this possible?” He finally turned toward Sofia, the storm in his gaze impossible to read. “The healers told me years ago I couldn’t get any woman pregnant. It wasn’t until a few months ago I was told I was healed.” His words were sharp, like each one scraped against him as it left his mouth. “So tell me, Sofia – how?”

Damien’s jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists at his sides. His gaze stayed fixed on the boy, his eyes filled with a million emotions. Sofia’s grip on the bedsheet tightened, and for a moment, no one moved or spoke.

The beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence again.

Damien’s steps were slow, almost predatory, as if each movement was controlled to keep his wolf from pushing forward. He stopped at the edge of the bed, his shadow falling over the small, fragile body.

I noticed Alpha Damien inhaled deeply before he asked, “What is wrong with him?”

I shook my head. “I can’t explain here. Just trust me and come.”

He turned toward the door, but paused, glancing back at Sofia. His voice dropped to a low growl.

“You should have told me,” he said finally, his voice quieter but heavier, as if it carried the weight of years lost.

“Olivia–”

Sofia’s lips parted, but no sound came out. Her knuckles were white where she clutched the blanket.

Something in my tone must have convinced him, because he set the papers aside and moved toward me without another word. I reached for his arm, the power thrumming in my veins again, and the next second, we were gone.

“I’m going to see the doctor,” he said, his tone clipped and cold, every syllable brimming with command. “We’re getting this operation done immediately.”

Sofia’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. For a moment, she couldn’t seem to speak, her eyes darting from Damien’s face to the little boy lying between them.

Damien’s jaw worked, but he didn’t interrupt.

Sofia’s breath hitched, and I saw the faintest tremor in her hands. She knew exactly what Damien’s fury meant, and that there would be no escaping it once their son was safe.

Damien didn’t wait for permission beyond that. He moved closer, lowering himself into the chair beside the bed. His large hand hovered above the boy’s small one for a long moment, as though afraid to touch. Then, gently, his fingers closed around the child’s.

Olivia’s POV

Damien’s hand tightened around the boy’s, his eyes never leaving the small face before him. His voice came out low, thick with disbelief.

He hesitated, still looking like he was trying to process my sudden appearance.

His brows knitted together, confusion flashing across his face. “Sofia? What happened?”

He froze for half a heartbeat, his gaze locking on her. Worry flared in his eyes, the kind that came from deep, old ties. But then… his attention dropped to the small figure lying in the bed. His pupils widened, locking on the boy’s face as though the rest of the room had vanished.

Sofia’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I know.”

“There’s no time for questions,” I cut in, my tone sharp. “Sofia needs your help. Now.”

Sofia swallowed hard, her voice small but steady enough to answer.

“Damien!” I snapped, my voice raising with impatience. “This isn’t a request.”

The threat wasn’t shouted – it didn’t have to be. It was a promise, one she clearly understood.

“I…” Her voice cracked, and she had to start again. “I was a few weeks pregnant when I left.”

I stepped closer to Sofia, my voice calm but firm. “You’ll lose him if you don’t let Damien help. Whatever your fears are – they won’t matter if he’s gone.”

He was mid-sentence with someone, a stack of papers in his hand, when he froze. His eyes widened in disbelief.