Wyatt

“How long did you know my mother for?” Freddy asks me. My son is looking at me like he’s seeing me for the first time and in a way, he is. This is fucked up and yet, I’m glad he knows. I felt like a weird stalker following him around the castle. I did learn that he is strong, good with a sword but fights like Jaxson. I can fix that. I know he’s smart, smarter than others seem to realise.

“I knew Demi my whole life. I always remember her being around, her human foster mother was my maid and she brought Demi with her to learn how to clean,” I tell Freddy. We stop talking when he sees a bench and sits down. I sit next to him and just look at him. He looks like me a little, but so much like Demi.

“So, she was your slave,” Freddy deduces.

“For a time but honestly, she was the worst one and just told me point blank to get over myself. Demi was real when the rest of my people were not. Most people were scared of me or wanted to get close because I would be king. Demi just wanted a friend and that’s what we were at the start,” I tell him. When he doesn’t respond, I keep talking.

“Then things changed one night. After that, we kept our relationship a secret. We didn’t have a choice and I wanted to get her out.”

“Why didn’t you just run away with her?” Freddy asks me.

“Part of me, back then, loved my father and I didn’t want to run away. I loved Demi but she wouldn’t ask me to do that,” I say. It’s true; I used to look up to him. I’m not sure why I did but when he had Demi killed that ended any feelings I had for him.

“Two months later, my father bragged about how he had the half-sister to the werewolf prince. I knew he meant Demi because she was the only wolf in the castle. I took her to Jaxson the next day. She wanted me to stay but I knew we could never work. It was better for her to have Jaxson look after her and find a wolf to have a life with.” I say.

“So, you walked away?” Freddy growls out.

“No. I stayed in town. I stayed close because I couldn’t walk away,” I tell him and he doesn’t look at me.

“Where were you when she died?” he asks and looks over at the castle.

“My father planned it all. He called me back to the castle, said it was urgent and I was needed. I shouldn’t have gone,” I admit to him, it was a stupid move.
“Why did you fall in love with my mother, when you knew Winter would come into your life?” Freddy asks, seeming older than he is.

“Falling in love is never a choice. It’s something that takes over you and knocks you on your ass when you least expect it. It happened to me both with Demi and Winter. Just because I’m with Winter, I haven’t forgotten your mum.” I tell him and place my hand on his shoulder. It’s the first time he has let me touch him, and I know it’s a big step when he doesn’t move.

“I wish I remembered her,” he says sadly.

“I always wish the same with my mother, too. I never had anyone around to tell what she was really like, only rumours. You have that with me; I will tell you anything you want about Demi,” I say and he looks over at me. One nod and then he stands up, and I move my hand away.

“Jaxson is a dad to me. Don’t expect me to start calling you dad, I don’t even call him that,” Freddy warns, making me smirk.

“No problem, son,” I lean back on the bench.

“You can’t call me that,” Freddy says and he crosses his arms and looking like me and like he wants to kill me. There’s my son.

“I’ll do whatever I want and you are my son. If you don’t want to call me dad, that’s fine but I am going to be a dad to you.” I tell him honestly. I’m not hiding him anymore; people are going to know that half-breeds exist and that Freddy is my heir. That makes him a prince, whether he likes it or not.

“I don’t want that,” he says angrily, his whole body shaking with anger.

“I know,” I reply and I watch as he storms off.

Drake and Alex walk over to me, coming out of the trees near the edge of the castle. Alex still has twigs in her hair and Drake has a big grin as he kisses her. Both of them are dressed for training, the camp we have set up is on the other side of the castle. It’s good for the werewolves and vampires to train together. Not that they do, but it’s progress that they aren’t trying to kill each other.

“I figured out what’s in Paris,” Drake says as he stops in front of me, his voice going stern and losing whatever happiness he had with Alex mere seconds ago. She clings onto his arm and I have a feeling it’s not going to be a good answer.

“Well?” I ask.

“Silver weapons. The biggest collection in the world is on display in a museum in Paris. He wants the people and the weapons.” Alex says, her voice high and panicked.

“That’s fucking perfect,” I gritted out. I stand up and run my fingers through my hair as I pace. How can we tell our people and Winter about this?

“There’s another thing we need to tell you about,” Alex adds in and I turn to meet her eyes but it’s Drake that replies.

“Humans are posting online about groups of demons walking around. They are always in groups of ten. Some are recognising them as the missing people that are in Paris. The government is struggling to keep this a secret.”

“Most of the humans just think they are strange people wearing odd makeup but I looked at the videos on YouTube, they are demons and the groups are everywhere. Not attacking, just walking from town to town. They don’t respond when people talk to them, they just keep walking.” Alex says.

“He’s sending out patrols to find us,” I cut her off. It’s smart.

“Why? Winter said he has been at this castle, he killed Elissa here so he knows where we are.” Alex says, reminding me of Winter’s dream.

“Maybe it’s hidden from him, I’m not sure.” I say.

“We need to be sure, we have so many young here,” Alex says and I nod at her.

“I am well aware of our issues, but don’t tell Winter about this. Not until she wins these fights, she doesn’t need any more worry.” I say and they both nod in agreement.
“Go and have the day off. I will train the men and women today,” I say, they both look happy at the idea. Drake picks Alex up and throws her over his shoulder as she squeals.
“Thank you, Prince,” Drake chuckles when Alex tries to wriggle free.

I want that peace with Winter one day, hopefully one day soon.