I hurried through the bright corridor, not stopping to think, just following instinct. I knew his scent too well—soft, warm, comforting, like fresh bread right out of the oven. It pulled me straight toward the children’s ward.
But before I could reach it, two Winterfell warriors stepped in front of the door.
I stopped abruptly. “I need to get in. My son—he’s inside.”
They didn’t respond.
Instead, one of them raised a small board and held it up in front of me.
[Luna Elira is prohibited from entering.]
My chest tightened. “No… what do you mean prohibited? That’s my child!”
Their faces stayed blank.
[Alpha Adrian’s orders.]
My voice broke as I stepped closer. “Please, you don’t understand—he needs me. Ezra needs his mother. Let me see him.”
Still nothing.
The second guard lifted his hand and pointed firmly at the hallway behind me.
[Step away.]
When I tried to reach the door anyway, he shoved me back. Hard. My shoulder slammed against the wall and pain shot through me.
“Please!” My voice cracked under the pressure. “He’s just three years old! He’s sick—he must be scared out of his mind. I need to be with him. I’m begging you!”
They didn’t even look at me.
The first guard wrote again, slower this time.
[He is under medical care. Leave.]
“I’m his mother!” I choked, tears already spilling. “How can you stop a mother from seeing her own child?”
Silence.
I pressed my forehead against the cold wall, struggling not to fall apart. How did it come to this? How could this pack be so cruel… and Adrian even more so?
Footsteps suddenly echoed down the hall.
I turned sharply.
Alpha Adrian was there—with Mira beside him.
My breath caught.
“Please,” I said quickly, wiping my face. “Let me see him. Ezra is sick. He needs me. You can’t keep me out like this.”
Adrian didn’t look moved at all. He lifted his hands and signed slowly, deliberately.
[He requires doctors, Elira. Not you. Don’t interfere.]
I shook my head violently. “That’s ridiculous! He’s just a child! He needs comfort, not just medicine! He needs his mother!”
Mira gently slid her arm through his like she belonged there and glanced at me with a soft, fake pity.
“You’ll only upset things,” she said calmly. “Just wait.”
“I said I’m his mother!” My voice rose, breaking completely.
“Enough.” Adrian’s tone turned sharp. He signaled to the guards. “Keep her out. No exceptions.”
Then they walked in.
And the door shut in my face.
The lock clicked.