Chapter 0450

Brianna

I collapsed onto the sofa.

All three children were napping simultaneously.

It felt like a miracle.

Exhaustion washed over me.

Maybe I could rest too.

I closed my eyes.

A strange noise came from upstairs.

Not a cry.

More like a gurgled groan.

Almost a growl.

Only the boys and I were home.

Sebastian had left to handle an emergency.

I crept upstairs silently.

Checked my bedroom first.

Then moved to Luca's room where the twins slept.

Luca and Logan were deep in sleep.

But in Evrin's travel cot sat a tiny Lycan.

Bright blue eyes stared back at me.

Athena had warned me.

Even with warning, it shocked me.

I'd never seen such a small Lycan.

"Your mother did warn me," I whispered.

I leaned over to grab his torn vest and diaper.

"What do we do with you now?"

He stared up at me.

Slowly, his eyes closed.

He shuffled down onto the mattress.

He could shift but experienced newborn Lycan fatigue.

I slipped out quietly.

Left the door slightly ajar.

Headed back downstairs.

On autopilot, I made tea.

Took it outside to the front porch.

So much better than my old stone porch.

I took a sip.

Saw Caleb and Seraphina marching across the grounds.

They were heading straight toward me.

No question about it.

"Is the Beta around?" Caleb asked.

"Sebastian or Zachary?"

"Either."

I glanced at Seraphina.

Her eyes stayed down.

Hands buried in her hoodie pockets.

"Zachary's working with Alexander. Sebastian's handling a situation at the packhouse. Can I help?"

Caleb glanced at Seraphina.

"Can you watch her for me?"

"Not a good idea."

Mostly because I wanted her dead.

Also because I had three children inside.

Two weren't even mine.

"Won't take more than ten minutes," Caleb muttered.

"Just need to speak to someone with authority."

"This about her?" I gestured to Seraphina.

"Yes, but not what you think. She did the right thing this time."

Her brown eyes flickered up briefly.

Surprised by Caleb's acknowledgment.

"Ten minutes," I muttered.

Turned to Seraphina.

"You sit there." I pointed to a small chair.

"Don't move until Caleb returns. Understood?"

She nodded.

Shuffled to the chair.

Several minutes passed.

Curiosity got the better of me.

"What did you do?"

"Not supposed to say," she replied.

"You know the Beta is my mate."

She frowned.

"What would the Alphas do if they found a child causing trouble?"

"Liam?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't say that."

"But that's who you mean. Obvious, especially with only three siblings around. And there's already been problems with him."

"Something happened last night."

"Anyone hurt?" I asked.

"No, but I feel someone was close to getting hurt."

"By a child?"

"He's different. Compared to Noah, he has this dark streak."

She looked around as if expecting him to appear.

"Trying to tell me he's already Rogue?"

"Don't know anymore. Impossible to tell at his age. I used to always sniff them out, read the warnings. But now... Last night I slept outside his room to ensure he didn't harm anyone. He got up while I was drinking water. Started ranting about everyone being stupid. Made a strange comment too. 'He told him I was stupid, that I needed punishment.'"

"Levi?"

"Don't know. How would he reach him? He's just a child. Either at school or home with his mother. He's seven. Technically eight. I was bratty at his age, but not like this. He's a devil child."