Chapter 2
Elena's POV
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I sorted through the stack of exam papers on my desk. Two years of teaching experience had trained me to grade efficiently, but my mind kept wandering today.
After that night, I brought my children to Wolf Creek, a remote town. A large forest surrounded the area. Unlike the bustling city where he lived, this place was quiet, but I liked it. We'd been living here for six years now. Though the beginning was difficult, the children and I made it through. Our life was relatively happy, but I still couldn't let go of thoughts about my other child. I wondered if Richard was taking good care of her.
"Elena," Morgan's voice broke through my thoughts. She was leaning against the doorframe of my classroom. "I've been standing here for a full minute watching you stare at that paper."
I smiled, setting down my red pen. "Sorry. Just one of those days where my brain refuses to focus."
She stepped into the room, glancing at her watch. "I came to pick up Sarah, but I'm early. Want to grab a coffee?"
"Always," I replied, grateful for the distraction.
We went to the school cafeteria and ordered two cappuccinos. Morgan filled me in on her day at the clinic. Since I arrived with my children six years ago, we had become friends. Her wolf pack didn't drive me away but accepted me. She never asked too many questions about my past—a kindness I still appreciated.
"We got a new patient last night," she said, lowering her voice. "A real handful. Calm during the day, but when night falls..." She shook her head. "He gets agitated, starts transforming uncontrollably, destroying everything around him."
"Which pack is he from?" I grew curious.
"Not sure, just know he's from Moonhaven. And he's a powerful Alpha," she said quietly. "He's already visited dozens of werewolf clinics, but no one could solve his condition."
Moonhaven? Could it be Richard?
"Listen, I should go get Sarah," Morgan said, checking her watch again. "You're picking up the twins soon, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, their last class ends in twenty minutes."
"See you tomorrow then."
After Morgan left, I leaned against the counter, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. It's not him. It can't be him.
The playground bustled with activity as I made my way through the throng of parents and children. I spotted Lily first—her purple dress and twin braids bouncing as she raced toward me.
"Mommy!" She crashed into my legs, wrapping her arms around my knees. "You're late today!"
I knelt down, brushing a smudge of dirt from her cheek. "I'm sorry, baby. Did you wait long?"
She shook her head, brown eyes bright with excitement. "It's okay. Max just gave me some cookies."
I smoothed her chestnut hair. "That was nice of your brother. Where is he?"
"He's helping the teacher with something." Lily pointed toward the classroom.
As if on cue, the teacher emerged with Max in tow. She smiled warmly as they approached.
"Ms. Winter, your son is quite the little genius," she said. "Our projector and network had issues, and Max fixed everything in under ten minutes."
I glanced at Max, who shrugged with feigned modesty, though I could see the pride in his eyes.
"He has a gift with electronics," I said, both proud and slightly concerned. At six years old, Max's abilities with technology already rivaled most adults. "I hope he wasn't disrupting class."
"On the contrary, he saved us from the inconvenience of having to lecture verbally." The teacher squeezed Max's shoulder. "We're lucky to have him."
When the teacher walked away, Max beamed up at me. "Did you hear that, Mom? I used the trick I learned from that YouTube video."
I ruffled his hair. "My little genius. How did your test go?"
He unzipped his backpack and pulled out a paper with a perfect score at the top. "The teacher said I used a solving method she never taught us."
"That's amazing, Max." I hugged him tight, my chest swelling with pride. I can see his father in Max. The thought came unbidden, and I quickly pushed it away.
Back home, I moved around our small kitchen, preparing dinner while Max and Lily sat at the table doing homework. Our cottage wasn't fancy, but it was warm and cozy.
"Mom," Lily said suddenly, looking up from her coloring book, "there's a new girl in my class today. She looks just like me!"
I nearly dropped the wooden spoon I was holding. "What?"
"She has the same hair and eyes as me. The teacher thought we were sisters!" Lily giggled. "But she doesn't smile much. She looks sad all the time."
Max nodded, not looking up from his homework. "I saw her too, when I was fixing the projector. There was a lady picking her up—I don't think it was her mom. She didn't seem nice."
My heart twinged, and a thought I hardly believed myself crossed my mind, but then I shook my head.
"This town is pretty small," I said, my voice carefully steady. "It's probably just a coincidence."
"Maybe," Max said, his tone suggesting he didn't quite believe it.
My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. Morgan's name flashed on the screen.
"Elena," she said urgently, "I need you to come to the clinic. That patient I mentioned—his condition is worsening. I've tried everything, but..." She lowered her voice. "We need your abilities."
"Morgan. The kids..."
"I'll watch Lily," Max interrupted, clearly eavesdropping. "I'm old enough. We'll be fine."
I covered the phone. "Max, I can't leave you two alone."
He squared his shoulders. "Mom, if someone's hurt and you can help, you should go. I'll protect Lily."
After a moment's hesitation, I agreed to meet Morgan at her clinic thirty minutes later.
Morgan met me at the back entrance, her face drawn with worry.
"Thank God you're here," she whispered, leading me down a dimly lit hallway. "He's getting worse. The sedatives aren't working anymore."
Morgan and I quickly arrived outside the hospital room. Through the window, I saw him—the man I had resented for so long.