Adele's POV
When I finally returned home, the familiar scent of safety—warm wood, clean linen, and the faint sweetness of my children—hit me so hard it nearly buckled my knees.
Raphael was pacing the living room like a caged animal, his phone pressed to his ear as he barked orders into it, his voice sharp with barely restrained panic. The moment he saw me, he froze. The call ended mid-sentence, forgotten.
"Fleur."
My name left his mouth on a broken breath as he crossed the distance between us in two long strides and pulled me into his arms. He held me tightly, almost desperately, as though he feared I might vanish again if he loosened his grip.
"Thank God you're home," he murmured into my hair.
Then he pulled back, his eyes scanning my face, my bandaged arms, the faint bruises I couldn't fully hide.
"What happened to you?" His voice trembled between anger and fear. "Where were you? Your phone was dead—completely unreachable. I was really worried!"
"Raphael," I said softly, steadying myself. "First tell me where Chloe and Gabriel are."
"They're inside," Lea answered gently as she stepped out of the children's room, quietly closing the door behind her. "They're playing. They didn't see anything."
I met her eyes, my unspoken question heavy between us.
"They think you were at work," she added quickly, reading me far too well.
Relief rushed through me so sharply I had to exhale to keep from shaking.
"Now," Raphael said again, more firmly this time, "are you going to tell me what happened to you—and who did this?"
I forced myself to remain calm, even as my wolf curled protectively around my heart.
"I was in an accident," I said. "A minor one. My phone was damaged, and I couldn't contact anyone. Some people helped me get to the hospital. I was checked over and sent home. That's all."
It was a lie—thin, fragile—but it was all I could give them.
"Nothing happened?" Raphael frowned deeply. "Nothing, huh? You're covered in scratches, Fleur. Those don't look like road burns."
His gaze searched my eyes, probing, hunting for the truth.
I looked away.
"I was hit harder than I realized," I said quietly. "But I'm safe."
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then his hands came up to cradle my face, his touch warm and grounding.
"I thought I'd lost you," he said hoarsely. "Don't ever do that to me again."
Emotion swelled in my chest. No one—no one—had ever worried for me like this before.
"I'm here," I whispered, taking his hands in mine. "I'm safe."
Lea stepped forward, her eyes glistening. "You don't know how scared we were. Every phone call made my heart stop. Raphael had people searching everywhere."
Guilt settled heavy in my stomach.
"Lea," I said softly, managing a small smile, "we're home. No need to be formal."
She nodded—and then hugged me tightly. "I'm just glad you're alright."
"Thank you for taking care of Chloe and Gabriel," I said, meaning every word.
She waved it off. "They're my little angels. I'd protect them with my life."
Just then, small footsteps thundered across the floor.
"Mommy!"
Chloe and Gabriel burst from their room, launching themselves into my arms with all the reckless joy only children possessed. I dropped to my knees, holding them close, biting back a wince as pain flared beneath my ribs.
"What happened to you?" Chloe asked, cupping my face in her tiny hands, her eyes wide with concern.
"I slipped and fell," I said lightly, forcing a laugh as I kissed her fingers. "Mommy's just clumsy."
Gabriel frowned, his little brows drawing together in a way that made my heart twist.
"I told you to be careful," he scolded, his tone far too serious for a five-year-old. "You always walk and talk at the same time."
I smiled despite myself. "You're right, my brave Alpha. I'll be more careful."
He nodded solemnly, satisfied.
I watched him for a long second too long.
There it was again—the resemblance. The posture. The intensity. The unmistakable shadow of his father's bloodline written into his bones.
The spitting image.
"Alright," Lea said brightly, breaking the moment. "How about I make your favorite pasta for dinner?"
"Yes!" Chloe cheered.
"And I'll make you soup," Lea added, turning to me. "You need rest."
I nodded. "I'll be back in a minute."
As I entered my room, the door closing softly behind me, I caught my reflection in the mirror.
I was still wearing Caden Wayne's jacket.
The scent of him—pine, smoke, and something wild—clung to the fabric, wrapping around me like a memory I didn't want but couldn't shake. For a brief, traitorous second, I hugged it closer, drawing comfort from the lingering warmth.
Then I straightened.
My heart softened—but my resolve hardened.
No matter what fate tried to drag back into my life, I would protect my children.
Even from their own Alpha father.