Dane shrugged. “Well, maybe you were too busy to notice he was sick.”

I narrowed my gaze at him. “Baby, I promise… if I had known he was sick, I would never have taken him out to train.”

Dane nodded and sat on the chair next to Tristan. He lifted Sera and placed her on his lap.

“Exactly what I’m saying–you were too occupied to notice he

wasn’t well.”

I rolled my eyes. “If I were really occupied, would I have had time to take him to train? You know I was just trying to let them have fun. It wasn’t meant to be a serious training session.”

Dane nodded. “Okay…” He was about to say more when the pak doctor walked in.

“Good morning, Luna,” the doctor greeted.

I nodded as he took a seat. “How old is he?”

“Twelve,” I answered. “Can you tell me what’s wrong with him?”

The doctor nodded. “He’s suffering from motion sickness. I

understand he traveled across the country yesterday?”

I nodded, gently patting Tristan’s head.

“He also has a cold and needs to stay indoors and warm for a

few days.”

The memory of Tristan running out into the cold came to mind -it had to be the reason he was sick. Tristan sneezed, and I reached for a tissue to hand to him, but Dane beat me to it and gave it to Tristan first.

“Thanks,” Tristan muttered, his eyes darting toward me. I could sense he had noticed how distant his father had been toward me.

I forced a smile and nodded at him.

The doctor handed me a bag containing medication. “Here are the herbs he needs. Use these to make tea for him, and give him these medications as prescribed. The instructions are in the bag.”

“Thank you, doctor.” I turned to Dane, who was watching met closely.

He locked eyes with me. “Can I take them inside?” I asked softly.

Dane stared for a moment before gently setting Sera down. “Darling, go with your mom. I’ll join you shortly.”

She nodded and walked over to me, taking my hand.

“Come on, Tristan,” Dane said, lifting him up effortlessly.

“Dad, I can walk on my own. I’m a big boy now,” Tristan protested, wincing slightly.

“You’ll always be my little champ, and I’ll carry you no matter how big you get,” Dane replied with a soft chuckle.

I couldn’t help but smile at their exchange as they walked past me. Dane carried Tristan to our room while I followed quietly

behind. noveldrama

He gently placed Tristan on the bed and tucked him under the duvet. “You’ll need to stay here for the rest of the day,” Dane said firmly.

Tristan frowned and turned to me. “How can I get better if I don’t move around a little?”

“Listen to your father, Tristan. You need to stay warm, and the weather is far too cold outside.”

“Fine,” he groaned, turning his face away.

“Good boy,” Dane said, brushing Tristan’s hair back. “I need to get dressed and check on things at the park. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

Tristan nodded silently. He had always been an active child, and I knew staying in bed all day would feel like torture for him. But I resolved to do my best to make it less boring.

Sera let go of my hand and walked over to Tristan’s side. “How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice full of love and concern.

Tristan managed a small smile. “I’ll be fine, but-” His words were interrupted by a fit of coughing.

Dane reached for the herbal tea, but Sera was faster. She quickly picked up the cup, helped Tristan sit up, and held it for him as he drank slowly.

“Thanks,” Tristan said, smiling weakly as he relaxed back onto the pillow she had fluffed for him.

Dane stood beside me, watching them. “Adorable, aren’t they?” he whispered.

I nodded, taking his hand. “Yes, they are. I’m so glad they’re home. Now that the problem is dealt with, they can stay, right?”

Dane nodded firmly. “I don’t want to be far from them ever again.

I turned to him, and he squeezed my hand. “Can I talk to you outside?” he asked.

I hesitated, wondering if he was going to scold me again for taking the kids to train earlier. Was he going to blame me for Tristan’s illness?

“Can I?” Dane repeated, his tone gentler.

I pushed my thoughts aside and nodded. “Of course.”

“Luna Aurora.”

I turned to see Raven standing at the door. My heart skipped a beat. Lately, his visits had only brought news of trouble or war.

“Yes, Raven. Is everything okay?”

He hesitated, rummaging through the leather bag he carried. “Well…”

I swallowed hard and let go of Dane’s hand. “What is it?”

“Here, Luna.” He handed me a brown envelope.

Frowning, I took it from him. My hands shook as I started to break the seal, but then I paused and looked up at Dane. He gently took the envelope from me.

“Who sent this?” Dane asked, his voice sharp.

“A stranger at the border,” Raven replied.

“.. stranger at the border?” Dane’s tone rose with irritation. “And you brought it here?”

Fear crept into me as I glanced at my kids. They had just come home–I didn’t want any trouble now.

“Alpha,” Raven began cautiously, “I don’t know if she was a stranger. It was a woman in a cloak. She handed me the envelope and asked me to give it to Luna. I tried to see her face,

but before I could, she disappeared.”

Dane gritted his teeth. “We don’t need this,” he said, turning to me. “Not when the kids are here.”

I nodded in agreement, my heart pounding. Raven bowed slightly. “I’ll take my leave now, Luna, Alpha.” He turned and left.

Dane broke the seal and pulled out some photographs. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened as he leaned back.

“Let me see,” I said, snatching the photos from him. My heart stopped when I saw Warrick kissing Alina in the picture.

“What?!”

“Where are

adorable niece and nephew?” Evander’s cheerful

voice rang out as he strode into the room. Panicked, I quickly hid the photographs behind my back.

“Uncle, Tristan is sick,” Sera grumbled.

“What?!” Evander exclaimed, lowering his voice as he approached Tristan, who was now asleep.

“How did that happen?” Evander asked, his tone quieter.

“Motion sickness and a cold,” I explained, trying to stay calm.

“Poor kid,” he murmured sympathetically.

Evander’s eyes narrowed. “What are you hiding from me?” he asked, stepping closer.

“Nothing,” I replied quickly, but he wasn’t convinced.

He snatched the photographs from my hand, and his expression darkened as he looked at them. His knuckles turned white as he clenched the photos tightly.

“How dare he cheat on her? I’ll make him pay for this!” Evander growled, his voice low but seething with anger as he turned around and left the room.