Chapter 2 Lethia

Lethia's POV

Silence hung in the air. The clinic felt increasingly quiet.

I stared intently at Talitha and held her small hand.

Talitha kept smiling.

I was pretty sure the questions she hadn't asked me in a long time, because I never answered them, were crossing her mind again.

The virus that had infected all the children in this clinic only affected the children of the leaders of the rogue clans.

It wasn't just Alpha Castiel who asked who Talitha's father was.

“I’m sorry.” Alpha Castiel’s voice was full of regret. He looked at Talitha and me awkwardly. “I’m truly sorry.”

“It’s okay, Alpha.” I stood up, releasing Talitha’s hand.

My heart pounded as I stared into those obsidian-black eyes.

My mind was racing, debating whether I should tell him.

At that time, all he knew was that I was infertile.

Talitha's gaze told me she wasn't sad. It was me who wanted to cry now.

My chest tightened. My hands clenched unconsciously.

She had the right to know who her father was, but what if her father refused to acknowledge her?

"I'll take Talitha to her room," Hector said. He stroked her cheek affectionately. "Do you still want me to read you fairy tales about witches?"

"Yes! I want to know about witches!" Talitha cheered happily.

Hector's back disappeared from sight as he slowly pushed Talitha's wheelchair around the corner.

I glanced at Alpha Castiel, who was staring straight ahead with his brows knitted together.

Alpha Castiel and I walked to another ward and showed him the various medications we had tried, but none of them had been able to heal those children.

Alpha Castiel wasn't much of a talker, but he didn't engage me in conversation after his personal question to me.

I found myself quietly wondering if he was guessing who Talitha’s father might be, and whose face and name appeared in his thoughts.

Alpha Castiel left the clinic before heavy rain was expected in the area.

I froze where I stood.

I never thought to tell Alpha Castiel because I was sure there was no chance we would ever meet. Neither he nor I would seek each other out.

“Thank you so much, Dr. Lethia.” Lisa smiled broadly at me, relieved. “You know Alpha Castiel is very cold to women, but you seem to be able to melt that ice statue.”

I smiled faintly and blushed at the compliment.

“We’re both being professional,” I said. “He talked to me because he wanted to know more about this virus.”

Throughout the rest of my shift, I forced myself to ignore the whispers about me and the inquisitive, searching looks.

I didn’t know who had overheard my conversation with Alpha Castiel until they knew the sensitive question he had asked me.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I watched Talitha sleep soundly, hugging her teddy bear.

I squeezed my chest, which ached as if it were being pinched.

She'd fallen asleep before I visited her. Clearly, she was holding back from discussing something so important to her with me.

The forest beside the clinic has always been my favorite place, where I can think while staring up at the star-filled night sky.

“You can’t hide from me.” Hector sat next to me, smiling as he handed me a strawberry ice cream cone. “Don’t daydream. I’m here.”

I chuckled and thanked him.

"Sweet.” I savored the ice cream cone as I leaned against the tree and gazed up at the bright moon.

“Do you know why he asked that?” Hector was cautious in his choice of words.

“Of course.” I nodded without looking at him.

“He must think I’m Talitha’s father,” Hector whispered, afraid someone would hear him, “but since I’m not the leader, he’s confused.”

“There’s no way he’d think that.”

“Have you forgotten how jealous he used to be when you were with me?”

Hector cleared his throat and scratched his head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

I had long ago stopped revisiting the past, and no desire remained to turn back time.

“Will he ever come back?”

“I don’t know.”

A second later, I received a message from the group. Lisa informed us that Alpha Castiel would be coming with Luna Laura tomorrow.

“Mm, he won’t be coming alone tomorrow.” Hector nodded twice. He hurriedly raised his hands. “I accidentally read that message.”

I snorted.

“Don’t skip work tomorrow,” Hector said, trying to provoke me. He stepped away just in time, before I could toss the grass at him. “That snake woman needs to see the woman you’ve become.”

“I’m not hiding.” I shook my head.

I gripped my phone tightly, imagining what would happen tomorrow, and subconsciously muttered, “She’s changed, hasn’t she? Alpha Castiel is already hers.”

“How can a snake turn into a rabbit?” Hector raised one eyebrow. “You really never keep up with the news.”