Erase 82

“How old are you again?” James asked, and Arthur giggled.

“I’m six,” he said, puffing his chest proudly.

James gave him a doubtful look, shaking his head. “You sound like you’re forty–two.”

Arthur burst into laughter, and James joined in.

“So, do we have a deal?” Arthur asked, stretching his tiny fist forward.

65 vouchers

“Yeah, we do… but it’s our little secret. No one else must ever find out,” James said as he knocked his fist gently against Arthur’s.

Arthur grinned, relief flooding his small face. “Good. So, what are we going to do today since I’m with you the whole day?”

“Maybe the park. Or the game station,” James said, ruffling his hair. “But not yet. Let’s wait until your mom leaves.”

Arthur nodded happily.

Just then, the front door opened. Aiden walked in, his steps steady, his eyes instantly finding the sound of laughter at the dining table.

He saw James and Arthur talking, their laughter filling the space, and something in his chest softened. His gaze lingered on the boy, that same strange, magnetic pull. Whenever he looked at Arthur, peace washed over him, but also an ache, as though something was missing inside him.

Arthur turned his head and spotted him. His face lit up. “Alpha Aiden!” he giggled, scrambling down from his

chair.

Before James could react, Arthur had run straight into Aiden’s arms. Aiden bent and scooped him up chuckle, his lips curving into a genuine smile as he ruffled the boy’s hair.

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“How was your night?” Aiden asked softly. He hadn’t meant his voice to sound so tender, but it came out that

way.

“It was fine,” Arthur beamed. “All thanks to you. Thank you for saving my mommy and me.”

Aiden froze. The boy’s words pierced him deeper than he expected. He swallowed hard, his throat tightening as Cassia’s bitter voice from the night before echoed in his head: I lost the child.

He forced a smile, though sadness pooled in his eyes. “Anytime. I’ll always be here for you and your mommy,” he whispered, his gaze drinking in every line of Arthur’s little face. The brown eyes, the curve of his mouth, it was like staring into a mirror of his younger self.

James noticed the unspoken bond between them, the quiet recognition in Aiden’s eyes. He wanted to tell him the truth right there, that Arthur wasn’t Damien’s son but his. But it wasn’t his place. Only Cassia could reveal that.

15:30 Sun, Oct 19 M…

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“Where’s your mommy?” Aiden asked, scanning the room as though her presence might appear if he wished hard enough.

“She’s getting dressed for work… oh, look, here she is!” Arthur said, pointing toward the stairs.

All three heads turned.

Cassia descended gracefully, her phone pressed to her ear. She hadn’t noticed them yet. The green gown she wore hugged her figure, her dark curls cascading loosely over her shoulders. Her lips curved in a faint smile as she spoke on the phone, her every step radiating elegance.

Aiden’s lips parted slightly. His chest tightened. Seven years… and she looked even more breathtaking than the night he first fell for her. The kind of beauty that made him ache. He wondered how he had ever let it slip through his fingers.

How did I fumble this? His heart thundered, yearning clawing at his chest.

Arthur tilted his head up at him. mischievous eyes sparkling. “She’s beautiful, right?”

Aiden blinked, dragged from his trance. He looked down at the boy, a small, helpless smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah… she’s beautiful.”

When Cassia finally lifted her gaze, her eyes collided with Aiden’s. She froze mid–step. Arthur nestled in his arms, the resemblance between them was undeniable. Same hair falling into their faces, same lips, same, piercing eyes.

Cassia’s stomach knotted. Her breath caught. She forced herself to end the call quickly, but the way Aiden was staring at her made her skin prickle.

“Mommy!” Arthur called as Aiden set him down. The boy ran to her side, hugging her leg.

“You look so beautiful,” Arthur whispered. Then, with all the innocence of a child, he leaned closer and added loudly, “Alpha Aiden said you look beautiful too.”

Cassia stiffened. Her heart pounded faster, traitorous. She clenched her fist to fight the strange fluttering inside her chest.

She bent down, kissing Arthur’s forehead, and straightened up. “Arthur, stay with James, alright? I’m late for work.”

She turned sharply, avoiding Aiden’s gaze, her steps brisk as she headed for the door.

Aiden’s smile collapsed. His chest hollowed, as though she’d just taken all the air with her. He stood frozen, watching her retreat, his body aching to follow.

Arthur tugged on his sleeve, eyes twinkling knowingly. “Go after her, Alpha Aiden. If you want to talk to her, go. She’s probably outside searching for her car keys right now.”

Aiden blinked at him in surprise. The boy’s words hit him like a push he didn’t know he needed. After a beat, he nodded, his chest rising and falling heavily.

15:30 Sun, Oct 19 M.

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He stepped outside and, just as Arthur said, Cassia stood by her car, rifling through her bag searching for her car keys. frustration written all over her face.

Aiden stilled, drinking in the sight of her. Even in her annoyance, she was flawless, radiant, the kind of beauty that could shatter a man and remake him in the same breath.

Cassia raised her head. Their eyes met across the space. Sparks shot through him, raw and undeniable, as if fate itself refused to let him look away.

His fingers clenched at his side, his wolf clawing to the surface, desperate to hold her, desperate to remind her that once, she was his.

TBC

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