Chapter 0458

Zachary stepped outside, a scarf masking the lower half of his face.

Soot and ash smudged his skin.

“I assumed you’d be with Charlotte.”

He tugged the scarf down, revealing a grim expression.

“Athena collected her. Her biological father walked away.”

His irritation was palpable. I understood completely. I could never abandon my sons like that.

Zachary glanced back at the damaged pack house. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

“Everyone survived. That’s what matters.”

“Do you know who’s responsible?”

“Yes. And it’s still hard to believe.”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“Liam.”

“The boy who attacked Lottie? That little brat?”

“Yes. I’m on my way to inform his father now.”

“I rarely agree with Luc, but that kid needed serious discipline long ago.”

“The issue is, he’s run off.”

Caleb opened the door, his eyes scanning behind me. Clearly expecting his son. “You’re alone?”

“We need to discuss Liam.”

“Was he caught in the explosion? I’d know, right?”

“It’s more serious. Perhaps I should come inside.”

He stepped back, allowing me entry. Seraphina sat at the table playing a game with Caleb’s youngest son, Noah. Her dark eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to the game.

“Noah, Seraphina, please go to your rooms,” Caleb requested.

“Actually, Seraphina should stay. She might provide useful insight.”

A flash of fear crossed her features. She tried to hide it, poorly.

“Is Zoe here?” I asked. Liam’s mother needed to know her son’s actions.

“She went into the city with others. Took the baby,” Caleb informed me.

I waited until Noah’s footsteps faded upstairs. “There’s no easy way to say this. Liam caused the explosion you heard.”

Caleb stared, speechless. His mouth opened and closed several times. Disbelief or shock, I couldn’t tell. No parent wants to hear their child is a terrorist.

“You locked him in the dungeon? He’s just a child.”

“No. He blew up the pack house and fled. Zachary and others are searching for him.”

“He blew up the pack house?” Seraphina interjected. “Is everyone alright?”

I was slightly surprised she showed concern for others. “Yes, no one was injured. Levi gave him the means to do it.”

“Levi reached him?”

“He told Athena that Levi promised him a better life. Made him an offer.”

“No.” Caleb muttered. “No, you’re wrong. He wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t fall for that.”

“Caleb, you found me outside his room because I feared he’d harm someone. You know something’s been troubling him,” Seraphina said softly.

“He’s a child,” Caleb frowned.

“So was I. But what he’s doing… it’s far worse than anything I ever did. I never destroyed a home.”

Caleb sank onto a wooden chair at the table. His hands clenched into fists. One fist slammed down on the table, making Seraphina jump.

“Where would he go?” I asked.

“He’s eight,” Caleb protested.

“He doesn’t have friends,” Seraphina murmured, staring at her hands. “He only goes to school or out with Zoe and Caleb. He must have met Levi somewhere.”

“I have to find him,” Caleb frowned. “I have to bring him back and make him understand.” He stood. “Zoe will be devastated if another child goes rogue.” His gaze briefly touched Seraphina.

“You won’t find him,” Seraphina whispered, still focused on her hands. “If Levi promised to help Liam, he’d be waiting. Levi never breaks promises. He drilled that into me repeatedly.”

“You think Levi was waiting for him?”

Seraphina nodded. “Liam did Levi’s dirty work. Levi will reward him. A prize, something Liam wants. It’ll make Liam feel justified, even though he knew it was wrong.”

Her eyes lifted to meet mine. “Think about it. Contracts provide satisfaction, Alexander. You offer something in return. Protection. Alliance. Whatever suits your needs. It’s probably the same for Liam. A sort of contract, but it doesn’t truly benefit my brother. It benefits Levi.”