Elena’s POV


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    The old breeze of the night howled low as we drove through the outskirts of the ckridge, the headlights of Deacon’s car slicing through the darkness. Behind us was another car, where Tyson and the other warrior he had brought with him were riding.


    When we arrived at the border, we passed by a forest along the border. With the darkness, the gleam of the moon, and the cold breeze, I felt even more foreboding. But despite that chill creeping beneath my skin, my heart remained steady, and I was looking forward to the meeting with my nephew.


    A few minutes after passing the border, we made a stop at a small abandoned resting area at the edge of the woods, as cars were no longer fit to drive through inside.


    Tyson and the rest stayed behind, giving us space and also to survey the perimeter.


    Deacon was confident that the boy he believed was to be my nephew hadn’t gone far yet.


    His scent trail had been faint but fresh, and Deacon’s instincts rarely failed him.


    “I can feel he’s nearby,” Deacon spoke in a low voice, scanning the darkness with sharp eyes.


    His hand slid to mine and gave it aforting squeeze. “Are you ready?”


    I nodded, swallowing down the nerves that twisted in my stomach. “Let’s find him.”


    With that, we walked forward, stepping carefully beneath the crooked trees, moving slowly so we wouldn’t scare him off again.


    After a while, we heard a rustling sounding from the east, and Deacon halted me with a hand on my shoulder. We shared a knowing look and surveyed the premises with keen eyes.


    “There,” he said, tilting his chin forward.


    Half–hidden behind the gigantic tree, a small figure was craoched down, hands tightly holding the side of the tree as he tried to hide his small frame as much as possible.


    I barely saw his face, but I recognised him immediately. It’s the boy from Deacon’s description. Wild hair, hollow cheeks, and the tattered remains of a once–decent shirt hanging from his bony shoulders.


    “Rafael…” My voice broke before I could stop it.


    Being this close to him now, I’m finally able to take a proper whiff of his scent, and I couldn’t go wrong. Besides, the thumping of my pounding heart said that Deacon had guessed it right.


    The kid’s head snapped up, and he slowly stepped out of his hiding ce.


    Those fierce, guarded eyes red at us from the shadows. Like a wounded animal, he pressed his back harder against the tree.


    Despite showing himself to see who we were, it still looked like he wanted to disappear any moment now.


    “Stay back!” His small fists clenched as he raised them in a fighting stance. His jaws were clenched, and his eyes were sending a re our way, but his trembling failed to hide his obvious fear. “Don’t touch me! I


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    know what you are! You’re one of them!”


    One of them?


    Confusion filled me, prompting many questions to arise in my mind.


    Not wanting to rm him more than he already was, I took a slow, careful step forward. “Rafael, it’s me. It’s Aunt Elena.”


    He hesitated, blinking through the grime on his face. His chest rose and fell rapidly from his heavy breathing.


    And I could only imagine how his young heart must be pounding hard in terror right now. “You… You’re not with them?”


    “With whom, sweetheart?” I asked softly.


    “The ones like him!” he hissed, ring and pointing at Deacon with raw distrust. “Big men. Scary. Always shouting. Hitting. They said people like you belong to them now.”


    I felt Deacon stiffen beside me. He understood immediately, as I did.


    The boy… my nephew… Rafael… had been running from more than just hunger.


    Deacon took a cautious step back, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. “I won’te closer. I’m not here to hurt you, Rafael.”


    Rafael’s lip wobbled.


    He nced at me again, doubt and confusion twisting in his dirt–smudged face. “But… you… You got married already. To… to that other man.”


    My breath caught.


    Bryson…


    That was thest he remembered. That was the reality he’d clung to while surviving alone in fear. No wonder he’d been so determined to protect me, even from Deacon.


    “Oh, my dear boy.” My heart broke all over again. And that’s all I could say at that moment.


    Taking a deep breath, I thinked deeply before exining it to him in a must subtle and kid–friendly manner. “That marriage… It’s over. A long time ago. I’m with Deacon now. He’s not like them. He’s my fiancé… He’s family.”


    Rafael’s gaze darted between us, distrust battling with fragile hope in his young eyes. “Family?” “Yes,” Deacon said quietly. “And family means no more running. No more hiding. You’re safe now.”


    Still uncertain, Rafael crept a little closer but in slowly steps and only toward me. When I knelt down and offered him my opened my arms, he hesitated just a heartbeat longer before he finally threw himself into <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    “You’re safe now,” I whispered gently but with firmness as I wrapped my arms around his small, trembling frame. “I’ve got you now.”


    Behind me, Deacon stood silent, giving us the space we needed.


    I knew he could hear Rafael’s quiet sobs muffled against his shoulder.


    At first, let us deal with our emotions ourselves. But after a while, he knelt slowly, lowering himself to Rafael’s height but still keeping his distance.


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    “I know I look scary,” Deacon said, his tone softer than I’d ever heard. “But I’m here to protect Elena. And you.”


    Rafael peeked up from my shoulder, still wary but less frightened now than he was earlier.


    “You… You won’t send me away?” his voice was low and almost sounded like he was begging, making my heart break to pieces.


    “Never,” I spoke immediately, determination radiating off my voice. “You’re family. My nephew. My brother’s son. I’ll never… We’ll never let anyone take you away from us.”


    Myst kin…


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    Deacon nodded in agreement. “And any family of Elena’s is under my protection, too.”


    Slowly, Rafael wiped his nose and tears with the back of his sleeve. “I guess… you’re not so scary when you’re not shouting.”


    Deacon chuckled at that. “Fair enough.”


    I smiled for the first time that night. Beneath the heavy shadows of the trees, something fragile but precious was beginning to mend.


    And it’s our hearts that are slowly filling with hope and love.


    I just hope it willst a lifetime. Everything’s getting better now… “Let’s go home,” I said, standing with Rafael clinging to my hand. For the first time in years, the word ‘home‘ didn’t feel like a lie.


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    Sara Lili


    Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.