The kids were on the merry-go-round carousel along with two other friends. They were giggling and talking to one another. Upon laying my eyes on them, I was sure they were my children. However, I couldn't catch a whiff of their scent.
" They are our bloodline. This old woman can feel it even though their scents are masked," CC whispered, on the edge of tears. So, she also noted they had no scent. I smiled and wiped her tears. I kissed her forehead.
The little boy, Cayden, was the first to notice us. I could read his emotions. I could sense anger, relief, sadness, and so much. Was it okay to feel all this at that age?
" Have you met? It looks like he doesn't like you very much," Melody said.
" Alpha, I think those were the little twins we saw with Luis at the Aquarium weeks ago. The girl called you daddy," Jace, who I had forgotten was with me, said.
" They know you?" Grandmother whispered.
" He rejected them," Jace added. I heard collective gasps behind us from the servants that came with CC.
" How could you reject your kids, Ellis Carter," my grandmother growled. Her fist clenched, and her eyes flashed dangerously. I shook my head, backing away from her.
" No, they had paint on their faces, and their scent was masked like it is now," I was rumbling my words as I explained myself. The realization of what happened at the aquarium hit me hard. I had my kids in my presence and didn't recognize them. I felt like shit.
CC pointed her slender finger in my face,
" I'm very disappointed in you, Ellis."
We were so focused that we didn't see the girl fall off her toy horse. She was crying. Instincts kicked in, and I jumped over the small fence to go to her.
She was crying and holding her injured arm. Her brother was worried, consoling her.
" Lara, you'll be fine. The teacher is coming," his voice was gentle.
' ' They are our pups,' Lias said, finally. The air was knocked out of my lungs, and my breath shuddered.
I carried my daughter in my arms, and I couldn't help but hug her. I smelled her, but still no scent. Alphas could smell their kins miles away, but these kids had no lycan smell. That was why I couldn't recognize them at the aquarium. They didn't carry a scent, not even Love's. The girl cried louder in my arms, and her brother mistook it for me hurting her.
" Hey, don't hug my sister!" he fumed. I glanced at him, and he looked infuriated with me.
" I'm not hurting her," I told him gently. He nodded curtly
" We should take her to the clinic. It's close," Melody said, snapping me from the stare-down with my son. Two teachers joined us. They were frantic before they noticed us. They bowed.
" Alpha, you can give her to me. We'll take her to the clinic. Thank you for helping," One of the teachers said worriedly.
" No," I clutched her closer to me. I didn't want anyone taking her from me.
" Sir, school policy doesn't-"
" I said No," I growled at the woman. I was releasing my alpha aura towards her. She bowed and fell to her knees, shaking slightly. My aura had a powerful effect. Mere Lycans couldn't handle it.
My gaze went to my son. He was talking on the phone during this racket.
" It's fine, teachers. They are his children, my grandchildren," CC said proudly.
Five minutes later, we were in the children's clinic. We waited in the hall as the little princess was being treated in the emergency room. Cayden looked worried and was biting his lip, his fist clenched. His gaze didn't leave the emergency door. I could tell he was holding it together, but he wanted to cry. I wanted to hold him, but I was scared. He reacted badly to me.
Cayden.. Cayden, I repeated the name in my head.
" Hmm?" he answered, his sterling gray eyes looking at me expectantly. I unknowingly mind-linked him. It only confirmed he was my son. Only someone closely related to me would receive the mind link if they are not part of the pack or have gotten their inner counterpart yet. No words escaped me. I opened and closed my mouth like a fish, unable to speak. CC slightly bent over and caressed his face.
" Your sister will be fine, okay, sweetheart?" her tone was so delicate and motherly. Cayden nodded.
" What is your name?" she asked.
" Cayden ... Cayden Chasia Carter," He firmed.
" Cayden, you have such a wonderful and powerful last name," she said. CC was filled with so much emotion today. I haven't seen her like this in a long time.
" Thank you, Ma'am," he said.
" Was that your mother you were calling back there?"
" No," he answered, his eyes met mine for a second. I wanted to convey my feelings in any way to him - I really did. However, I was rendered speechless.
" Cay," a man called. Luis. There was worry in his voice, and he was frantic.
Luis scooped Cayden and hugged him. Cayden relaxed and rested his head on Luis' shoulder.
" Lara and I were playing on the carousel, and she fell. I - I heard the doctor say she broke her arm," He was hiccupping his every word. It broke my heart to see him cry. He tried to hold himself all along but cried when Luis carried him. He trusted Luis to be vulnerable. Luis comforted him in the most gentle ways, so fatherly. I was covetous. I was never one to be envious. It was a new feeling for me.
" Lara will be alright, and we'll go home and make loads of chocolate cookies," Luis patted his back.
" O- Okay," he sniffed.
" She'll get a cast, and we'll sign it. How cool is that?" Luis tried to smile, all while glaring at us with his eyes. Cayden faced him.
" Pretty cool,"
He put Cayden down and bowed most respectfully towards CC. Grandmother was confused as to what was going on but nodded in acknowledgment.
" What are you all doing here?" Luis' tone was indifferent, and it held anger.
" Who are you?" Melody asked.
" Who are you?" Luis retorted irritably.
" I'm a teacher. I was there when the accident happened," she said.
" And them?" he looked at us. My cousin was mute, and just then, Cayden started running down the hall. I felt her ... her scent. Love was coming. Cayden discerned his mother. His inner lycan must be strong for a five-year-old. I swallowed when Love appeared, cradling Cayden in her arms. She stopped walking and observed us. Her eyes scrutinized me and then CC before going to the others. Her gaze fell on Luis,
" Oh shit," she murmured.