Liam tugged gently on Alina's hand as Petra curled lazily beneath their feet, her tail flicking from side to side. He already knew she was going to leave him here, and the thought made his chest feel strangely tight.
Alina quickly lowered herself onto her heels the moment she noticed the uneasiness in her son's eyes. Alfred was a good caretaker and Liam liked him well enough, but for today it was better if he stayed with the Qinns so he wouldn't think she was trying to run away from him.
"Mama," he said softly, tears forming in his eyes before he quickly wiped them away with the back of his small hand. His father had always told him to be a strong man so that when he grew up, he would be able to protect his mother. So he wanted to live up to Damian's expectations, even if it was difficult.
Alina's heart broke at the sight of him, his lips wobbling slightly as he struggled to hold his tears back.
