Hero

**Angel:**

"Come on, Lowrence, you need to take a bath," I said, laughing at my son's playful behavior.

He was excited because he had just won the imaginary soccer game he was playing. I had to hide the pain I felt in my neck and jaw every time I moved my head. Even speaking was difficult, but I knew better than to show weakness in front of my son. It was one of the disadvantages of being a mother—not showing your child that you were in pain.

He chose to run away from me again, making me laugh before I picked him up, holding him over my shoulder. He laughed loudly, and I shook my head at him, reminded of my brother, Luke. Luke used to tease our mom like that when we were kids too.

"Okay, let's make a deal. You take a bath and eat dinner, and I'll tell you a long bedtime story. That way, you get extra waking hours and a long story." I said, and his eyes lit up.

"Can it be about the hero who left his family?" He asked, and my eyes softened. "We stopped at the part where he saw his family for the first time."

I had to hold back the tears that almost formed in my eyes. It was the story I always told him about Dimitri, that he was the hero who left his family on a mission. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that Dimitri chose to throw me out to stay with his mistress at the time.

"Alright, deal," I said, looking at the door as I caught Dimitri's scent and heard his racing heart. I didn't react; he didn't deserve it. I wrapped my arms around my boy and took him to the bathroom, where the tub was filled with bubbles and warm water. "So, which character do you want to be in the bath today? The sailor or the diver?"

"Can I be both?" He asked, and I nodded, running my finger over his cheek as I looked at him, my wolf and his baby connecting in a way that bonded the two of them forever. It was a special bond between a wolf and his child, especially as an Alpha born, and I knew he would grow into a strong wolf. One I would be proud of.

"As long as mommy is by your side, you can be anything you want. All you need to do is ask..."

I left the room, grateful that Lowrence had managed to close his eyes.

He was asleep halfway through the story, as I expected, and I couldn't help but smile at the contentment he was in.

Two maids were by his side as I wandered the house, needing some fresh air and alone time. It was painful for me to be here, in the place I once called home.

The number of meetings and galas we held in this place were a reminder of how bright this house was. And even though it was an arranged marriage, I always made sure we were seen as lovers.

**Flashback:**

"I'm amazed at how you two are holding up like you are. It's almost like you're inseparable!" said a woman, looking at Dimitri and me. Dimitri had his arm wrapped around my waist, and I placed my hand on his chest, kissing his cheek before looking at the woman as he smiled. "Look at these lovebirds, why can't we have the same relationship?"

Another woman, who was sitting by the bar, took a sip of her cocktail before getting up from her chair.

"None of us would have their relationship. These two, without kids, seem to have a stronger bond than most of us, and we're mothers." She said, looking at the other woman. Their husbands nodded, and I couldn't help but blush when Dimitri lowered his hand to my butt, giving it a gentle squeeze. It was one of our good days, which made me forget that there had been another woman in his life during our engagement. Then again, by that time, we had moved past that dark phase in our lives.

"Your relationship flourishes here before us, and we end up having more problems than we can handle at home. You know, Dimitri, it's time for you to teach us how you do it." One of the men said, and Dimitri laughed. "At least you would spare us the noise whenever we go home, wouldn't you agree?"

**End of Flashback.**

"The story Lowrence was referring to..." Dimitri's voice broke through my thoughts, catching me off guard and making me jump. I turned to face the man whose expression was calm, almost content too. "It was about us, wasn't it?"

"Not everything revolves around you, Alpha Dimitri." I said, choosing to lie. The man's eyes hardened, and I nodded toward the front door. "I'm going to the garden. Do you have any rules against me getting some fresh air on your grounds? Or are you going to choke me again?"

"You called my daughter a bastard. Did you expect me to let you get away with it?" He asked, and I raised an amused eyebrow.

"I didn't tell her she was. I spoke to her mother, and the woman knows very well that she is. If you want to admit it, then that's up to you; but that doesn't change the facts, Alpha." I said, and he growled.

"Watch your tongue..."

"Then don't come near me if you can't handle what my tongue would say. Because I will only speak the truth, and judging by your behavior, you can't handle it." I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "But I'll simplify it; I came home, pregnant, with another man's child while engaged to you. I gave birth to that child, and years later, I come home with my mate and tell him that this baby is his. Please, accept my child who was raised as another man's and who will stay with..."

"Antonia was never raised by another man. Haizel never had anyone in her life after us..."

"And you really believe that, Dimitri?" I asked, letting out an amused laugh. "You, of all people, know what your mate is like. Anyway, I'm not going to argue with you anymore. If you don't mind, I need some air. But I think you need to investigate the woman you call your wife. Because you clearly don't know what kind of person she is, or maybe you do and are too arrogant to want to admit it..."