Chapter 162

Hannah

5 years.

My entire heart plummeted into my stomach at her words. I wasn’t sure what to say in response. I half expected her to start laughing and tell me she was just playing a joke on me. But I knew from the sound of her voice she wasn’t joking. That also meant Wrenley would be 5 years old. I looked over at Sebastian whose curiosity turned into concern.

Liam had gone silent as well and was watching me with worry clear in his eyes. I couldn’t even form a sentence to tell them what was going on.

“Hannah?” Raya said into the mindlink. “Are you still there? Please tell me you’re still there.”

She was sobbing now; it was taking everything I had not to break down in front of my husband and Liam. I needed to remain strong. But how could I possibly?

“Wrenley…” I whispered to her; that was the only thing I was able to say.

“She’s safe,” she said softly. “She lives with us in Crescent Moon pack.”

Crescent moon pack? That was right outside of King’s pack. What could they possibly be doing in another pack? What has happened since we left?

“I’ll give you our address and you can come to see us, okay?” Raya said she was now trying to remain strong for me because she knew this was a lot to take in.

“Raya… I …” I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to say but thankfully she stopped me before more words came through.

“I know,” she breathed. “It will be okay. We will talk when you get here. Just please, get here soon. And please be careful. I can’t lose you again.”

She gave me her address before ending the mindlink.

I looked at Sebastian and I realized tears were flooding my eyes when my vision became blurry.

“What’s going on?” Sebastian asked, eyeing me carefully.

“Raya and Arnold are living in the Crescent Moon pack with Wren,” I said in barely a whisper.

He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Wait what…?” He asked. “How is that possible? Why would they move? We’ve only been gone for a day and a night.”

I stayed silent, but my eyes drifted over to Liam who was also staring at me.

“It hasn’t been a day and a night… has it?” Liam asked as if he was reading my thoughts. He knew something was wrong as soon as he woke up. This was only confirming his thoughts. He’s been in the underworld way longer than we have, which meant he knew Xander a bit better. He knew what Xander was capable of because he worked alongside him. He knew what Xander would do. “How long has it been, Hannah?” Liam asks hesitantly.

“5 years,” I whispered, looking back at Sebastian. “We’ve been gone for 5 years.”

…

Just as Raya had stated, her home with Arnold and Wren was in the Crescent moon pack. For the most part, everything looked the same. Except the streets were vacant; the crescent moon pack was known to be outgoing individuals and they enjoyed the outdoors. It was odd seeing the streets as vacant as they were; like they were afraid of coming outside.

Raya’s house was small and cute, but it was certainly not something I was expecting from those who used to live in the palace. Arnold is a beta; you’d think he’d have a bigger home. You’d think he’d still be living in the king’s pack at least.

However, if we’ve been gone for 5 years, would that mean that the kingdom was under a new control? Why didn’t Arnold take over in our absence? I had so many questions.

Raya was standing at the door when we arrived; as soon as she saw us approaching, she was running outside with tears springing from her eyes.

“Oh my goddess,” she cried as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in for a tight hug. I was getting soot and dirt all over her clean clothing.

Her hair was shorter, and she seemed a bit taller. I could see the age wrinkles under her eyes and along her mouth; her body was also thinner and maybe more fit. She wore clothing that hugged her body tightly as if she has just finished working out for the day. Her hair was put in a ponytail, and she had beads of sweat forming around the nape of her neck.

As she hugged me, I realized how much her body was trembling. Or maybe it was my body. I couldn’t tell.

“Come inside,” she said, pulling me toward the house. “There’s a lot to catch up on.”

“Who’s in charge?” Was the first thing Sebastian asked. “Where’s Arnold?”

“He’s in the city,” Raya said as we entered the house. “He’s working in the bank.”

“The central bank?” Sebastian asked. “What do you mean? He’s the beta. Who has been running the kingdom if it wasn’t Arnold?”

“You might want to sit down,” Raya said, motioning for her couch in the middle of the living room.

“I don’t need to sit, I need answers. Who is in charge?”

“Jack is,” she said quickly. “Your stepbrother and stepmother have taken over the kingdom in your absence.”

My breath got caught in my throat at her words, this couldn’t be real. She couldn’t be serious. I looked at Sebastian who had a look on his face that I didn’t recognize. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but I could practically hear the blood boiling from inside of him. He was furious.

“They’ve taken over everything,” Raya continued. “Including the palace. They kicked us out of the pack, and we were forced to live here. Alpha John was kind enough to allow us residency. This all happened within a year of you being gone. I kept holding onto hope that you would return to us and save us from this nightmare. But after 3 years of no word, hope was running thin.”

“Where’s Wrenley?” I asked.

“At school,” she said. “She’s in kindergarten now. Arnold is picking her up shortly on his way home. But there’s something going on with her. I think she’s hiding something…”

What could possibly be going on with Wrenley? I looked over at Sebastian again and he had a look of anger. A dark aura had crossed his features and I knew he was holding everything back.

“He wants to storm the palace,” Nora warned. “He wants to take down Jack.”

I knew my wolf was right. I held onto Sebastian’s arm, trying to bring him back to the present moment. He blinked a few times before adjusting his eyes to me.

“Mommy!” I heard a small child calling from down the hall.

I frowned and looked in the direction of the hall when I saw a small boy, no older than 2 running through the darkness and toward Raya. He looked like a mini version of Arnold.

“Arnie baby, why are you awake? I just put you down for a nap,” Raya said, scooping the small boy into her arms.

“I had a bad dream….”

“Arnie…” I whispered staring at the boy.

Raya met my eyes.

“I’d like you to meet my son. Arnold Jr.”