Alec’s

It has been a really stressful day, to say the least, and I can't wait to go to sleep and just forget about everything, even if it's for a while.

After our talk, Raven left to research more about the confinement spell. She hoped that she could ask around among the witches she knew. Hoped she could find something that could help us severe the tether between the spell and the pack without having to completely undo the spell.

On the other hand, I had gone outside to continue practicing my teleportation. Given this new development, I know that I need to become stronger. Nyx always told me to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. In our case, that is whoever has been imprisoned getting out.

I lean against the wall and allow the hot water to wash over me. My entire body was tense. I need to let loose and just relax. I need to stop thinking because, at this rate, I'll end up constantly having a migraine. I wish I could take a long bath. Soak my body in the bathtub, but I couldn't. I am so tired that I'd probably end up falling asleep and then drowning in the bathtub. How tragic would that be?

I turn off the shower and get out of the cubicle. Wrapping the towel around my body, I step into the bedroom. It's only as I am looking for something to wear that I realize I forgot my tradition tonight. I forgot to look at my scars in the mirror.

Shrugging it off, I put on my clothes before getting under the covers. Aspen wasn't asleep yet, so I pull her into my arms. Her warmth and her scent calm me in a way that nobody else can.

"Which story do you want me to read for you today?" I ask as she snuggles deeper into my heat.

I wasn't able to spend time with her today, but I wouldn't miss story time for anything in the world.

When she doesn't answer, I look down at her. Her lips were turned down, and her brows were pinched in a frown.

"Aspen, baby, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly, not liking that she wasn't happy right now.

Aspen is usually chill. She's the kind of child who doesn't really take anything to heart. She doesn't stay mad or upset for long. Honestly, she just doesn't let it bother her. She's happy in her little world, and she rarely allows anything to upset that little bubble.

"Did something happen to you? Was someone mean to you?" I continue pushing when she doesn't say a word.

"No, mommy," she whispers before her curious eyes lock on to mine. "It's the sad man."

"What sad man?" I pretend I don't know what she's talking about.

The last thing I want and need is my three-year-old daughter asking about her father. A man she has no idea is her father.

"The one in the field," she whispers. "He-he-he❞This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

She fumbles with the words, then stops. The frown between her brows deepens. It's like she's having a hard time formulating her thoughts into words. "Baby?"

"He was sad. I didn't like it," she says in a soft voice, almost as if her heart was breaking at the thought of Alec being sad.

My heart rate starts speeding up as the realization of what is happening starts to sink in. Fuck. I was too tired to deal with this, but I had no other option.

"You didn't like that he was sad?" I ask, squeezing her body into mine as if that will ward off what's happening.

"Hmm," comes her slow answer. "I wanted to hug him. Make it better, like you do for me. Hugs make everything better."

I stupidly nod my head, not really knowing what to say to her. I could warn her to stay away from Alec, but isn't that just cruel? But then again, I can't really let her get close to him.

"It feels weird in my heart, mommy," she says, rubbing her chest, probably trying to ease the ache there.

Instead of answering, I sit up and lean against the headboard before pulling her on top of me. I kiss her forehead and just hold her in my arms.

I know what's happening. I know why she feels 'weird' as she puts it. It's the bond between her and Alec setting into place. It's the familial bond taking root.