C07
It was hard to ignore the pull of Zephyr’s pack, especially with the way he looked at me–like he actually saw me for who I was. But I hesitated. After everything with Xavier, trust didn’t come easy. My heart still ached, and I wasn’t about to throw myself into another mess.
For the first few days in town, I kept to myself. Sorting through the wreckage of my old life took enough energy, and starting over felt… safe. The quiet rhythm of the town suited me. No big expectations. No more lies. Just simple, manageable days.
But Zephyr? He was impossible to ignore. He didn’t push, didn’t rush–just this steady, calm presence. And his eyes… there was a kindness there I hadn’t seen in a long time. It chipped away at the walls I’d built, whether I wanted
it to or not.
Then there’s Lilith.
She started coming to the library with fruit baskets and little trinkets. At first, it was just a visit here and there, but soon it became every day. She’d hand me books or some wildflowers she’d picked, her dark eyes sparkling, waiting for me to tell her stories. She was quiet, serious for a kid, but sharp as a tack. She reminded me of her dad.
One day, she came in with a scraped arms. It wasn’t bad, but her lip trembled like it was the end of the world. Without thinking, I touched the bruise, letting my healing power do its thing. The second it disappeared, her face lit
- up.
“Thank you, Mommy,” she said.
Mommy.
I froze. The word hit me like a punch. I hadn’t expected it. But as Hooked at her, something inside me shifted. She’d worked her way into my heart without me noticing. I missed my unborn child every day, but Lilith… she made me feel like I could be a mom again, like I could belong somewhere.
“I’m not your mommy, sweetie,” I said softly, trying to smile.
She shook her head stubbornly. “You are. You help me. You’re nice. You make me feel better.” She reached up, her tiny hand on my cheek, and I felt the weight of her words settle deep in my chest.
She was Zephyr’s daughter, and the thought of getting that close terrified me. But I couldn’t stop myself from caring about her.
Then one afternoon, she burst into the library, waving an envelope.
“Mommy! Look! Daddy says I’m having a party!”
She shoved the invitation into my hands, practically vibrating with excitement.
J
12:38 PM
Banghod and Breaved But She Waked Agar–And Rejected Men
‘You’re invited to Lilith’s 6th birthday party.
The simple words hit me hard. A child’s birthday–a celebration of life. It was beautiful and bittersweet all at
once.
“You want me to come?”
She nodded, bouncing on her toes. “Please, My! Daddy says you have to come!”
I laughed, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’ll be there, sweetie.”
I didn’t know what my future looked like. But in that moment, holding Lilith’s invitation and seeing her grin, I realized maybe I didn’t need to know. Maybe I just needed to be part of something good, one step at a time.
The day of Lilith’s birthday party arrived, and I found myself nervously clutching the small gift I’d bought for her. It was a beautifully illustrated storybook–one I thought she’d enjoy. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the pack or the party, but I knew one thing: I couldn’t let Lilith down.
When I arrived at the pack’s grounds, I was greeted with warmth I hadn’t felt in years. The pack members smiled as they saw me, some even waving as if I were an old friend. A few children ran up to me with garlands of fresh flowers, giggling as they placed them around my neck.
“You’re so pretty!” one little girl said, beaming up at me.
I laughed softly, touched by their kindness. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Lilith appeared from the crowd, her face lighting up the moment she spotted me. She ran over and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the group of children. “Everyone, this is my mommy!” she announced proudly.
My breath hitched, and I froze for a moment. I glanced around at the other kids, half–expecting confusion or awkwardness, but they all just nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
*Your mommy is so nice!” one of them chirped, handing me another flower.
I didn’t have the heart to correct Lilith, not when she looked so happy. And honestly, a part of me didn’t want to argue. If this little girl saw me as her mother, who was I to take that away from her?
The pack seemed to share her sentiment. No one questioned it, no one whispered behind my back. Instead, they welcomed me as if I had always been part of their family. The warmth in their eyes and the genuine smiles on their faces were almost overwhelming.
As the party started, the laughter of children filled the air. Lilith held my hand the entire time, making sure I was included in every little game and moment. Her joy was infectious, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt…
happy.
Zephyr approached me as the festivities were in full swing, holding a plate of food and a drink. “For you.”
I hesitated for a moment before taking them, offering him a small smile. “Thank you.”
He sat beside me, his presence comforting rather than overwhelming. “It means a lot to Lilith that you’re here,” he said quietly. “And to me.”
I looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. “She’s a wonderful child. It’s easy to see why everyone
adores her.”
He smiled, his eyes softening as he glanced toward Lilith, who was busy showing her friends the storyboo given her. “She’s taken a real liking to you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this happy.”
His words made my heart ache in the best way possible. For so long, I had felt like I didn’t belong anywhere, like I was nothing more than a burden. But here, surrounded by this kind and accepting pack, I felt something I hadn’t felt
in years–peace
