Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 291

Leah's POV

The Miami sun burned through the penthouse windows, a ruthless glare that made the glass shimmer like a fever dream. Eight years had carved lines into my soul, but my stride was sharp, heels clicking like gunfire on the marble floor of Liam's sprawling office. The place reeked of money—polished wood, leather, and the faint musk of power. I stormed in, my black suit clinging to me like armor, the fabric whispering threats I didn't need to voice. Liam, CEO of the biggest conglomerate on the east coast, sat behind his fortress of a desk, looking like a kid caught sneaking cookies, his tie askew, his face flushed with that boyish guilt he never could hide from me.

I slammed my fist on the desk, the sound cracking through the room like a whip. "William Joseph Pintard, you son of..." My words caught in my throat as a small, angel-faced boy poked his head out from under the desk, his wide eyes locking onto mine before he shrank back like a startled pup. My rage faltered, snagged on the sight of him, but I wasn't here to play soft. I grabbed Liam by his overpriced lapels, shoving him back into his chair, his frame sinking under my grip. "Son of Carlos Pintard!" I hissed, my voice a blade, sharp and low.

Liam's eyes flicked to my lips, a hungry edge to his gaze, like he was half a second from leaning in to kiss me. Instead, he raised his hands in mock surrender, that infuriating smirk curling his mouth. "Mrs. Winters," he drawled, voice smooth as whiskey, "we haven't seen each other for a long time."

I wasn't in the mood for his charm. My blood was still boiling, my heart pounding with the kind of fury that could tear down walls. "Where is Darren?!" I snapped, leaning closer, my knuckles whitening against the edge of his desk.

Liam's smirk softened, but his eyes glinted with amusement. "Don't be so angry, Leah. Just because a kid skips kindergarten doesn't mean he doesn't love his mom."

I wasn't buying his smooth talk. My temper flared, and I let it loose, slamming my hand down again, the desk shuddering under my palm. "Don't you dare intercede for him, Liam! Darren Swanson Junior!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the glass walls. "If you don't come out right now, I'll beat Uncle Liam to a pulp, and none of his three-million-a-year bodyguards can save him! I'll take them all down!"

From the corner of my eye, I saw the bodyguards lingering at the office door, their hulking frames hesitating. One by one, they raised their hands like they were surrendering to a storm, backing away as if I'd already swung. Cowards. I almost smirked, but my focus snapped back as Darren crawled out from under the desk, his little hands raised high, mimicking Liam's gesture. His eyes, so much like his father's, shimmered with guilt and that cheeky spark I could never resist. "Mommy, I'm sorry," he said, his voice small but steady. "I won't skip kindergarten to play with Uncle Liam again. Promise."

I exhaled, my anger fraying at the edges, but I wasn't done. I grabbed him, hoisting him up like a wayward puppy, brushing the dust off his tiny blazer with quick, sharp movements. "Look at you, you little dusty pants!" I growled, narrowing my eyes. "Tell me, Darren - did Uncle Seth help you sneak out of kindergarten?"

His little hand shot up, a pleading gesture, his lips trembling as he tried to hold my gaze. "I'm sorry, Mommy, but Uncle Seth said not to tell you he helped me escape through the ceiling vent."

A crackle came from the small radio mic clipped to his shoulder, and Seth's voice groaned through, dripping with exasperation. "Oh, you little traitor! I'm never helping you out again, ever!"

I flicked the mic with a nail, leaning in close, my voice a low, dangerous purr. "Seth Devon Hanigan, you and I are having a long talk later."

Seth's voice crackled back, undeterred. "Oh, great. I'll show you Sharbo's babies - they're so adorable!"

"How come Sharbo has babies?! She doesn't even have a mate!"

"I don't know! Mother nature works in mysterious way. I'll Google it later. And by the way, when you come by, could you grab some jumbo seafood fried rice and two spring rolls?"

Liam snorted, barely stifling a laugh, his shoulders shaking as he leaned back in his chair. I shot him a glare that could've burned through steel, my eyes narrowing to slits. "I'll cook those shark babies and make you eat them, Seth," I growled into the mic, my grip tightening on Darren as I turned to storm out.

The doors swung open, and there was Lucas's car, a sleek black beast idling at the curb. Jorah opened the door with a giant puppy smile on his face. Rory looked back with admiration from the driver seat. Darren, still in my arms, wriggled like a caught fish, reaching out toward Lucas with a desperate, "Daddy, help me!"

Lucas, leaning against the car, his suit as sharp as his jawline, just chuckled, ruffling Darren's hair. "Junior, you got Mom mad all on your own. You gotta fix this one yourself. I don't dare to mess up with mommy. Have I ever told you that mommy used to strangle a grizzly bear by bare hands and beat the crap out of 15 giant werewolves in a pub?"

Darren, undeterred, scrambled toward Lyle, the smaller boy nestled in the backseat, his big eyes blinking up at me. "Lyle, help me," Darren pleaded, his voice a mix of charm and panic.

Lyle giggled, reaching out with chubby hands, his laughter bright enough to crack the storm cloud over my head. I looked at them - Lucas, Darren, Lyle - three boys in a row who owned every piece of my heart, sitting there side by side, and my anger melted like wax under a flame. I reached forward, straightening Darren's tiny black tie, my fingers lingering on the knot. "What day is it today?" I asked, my voice softer now, almost a whisper. "Do you remember?"

Darren's face lit up, his grin wide and bright. "I remember! Today's the day we go see Grandpa!"

The car hummed along the Miami streets, the city blurring past in a haze of glass and neon. We pulled up to the Royal Cemetery, the air heavy with salt and grief. Romulus and Remus, those massive direwolves, waited by the gates, their fur glinting under the sun. Darren and Lyle squealed, scrambling out to climb onto their backs, each boy riding a wolf like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Romulus said, "Werewolf babies are so cute. I want one."

Remus snorted, "Don't look at me like that and say it, you idiot. I'm your brother, not your wife!"

I walked ahead, Lucas at my side, the weight of the day pressing against my chest.

As we passed a weathered tombstone, Darren pointed, his small finger tracing the carved letters. "Mom, why does this guy have the same name as me?"

I froze, my breath catching. I looked at Lucas, his eyes steady, giving me a slight nod. My heart twisted, but I lifted Darren off Romulus's back, setting him down gently. "Because," I said, my voice thick, "he's your dad."

Lucas scooped Lyle off Remus, his lips brushing my cheek, then Darren's, before he stepped forward, giving me space. I stood there, holding Darren, the cold stone of the tombstone grounding me as the memories flooded back. Darren's small brow furrowed, his eyes searching mine. "Mom, isn't Lucas my dad?"

I swallowed, my throat tight. "Lucas is Lyle's dad," I said, my voice steady despite the ache. "Your dad was Darren."

He frowned, his little face scrunching up. "What kind of person was Darren's dad?"

I smiled, though it hurt, the memories sharp as claws. "He was a super handsome diplomat. Very charming. You've got his eyes," I said, my voice catching. "He loved riding his motorcycle, taking me to work, showing off with that big, sunny grin of his. And every time I was in trouble, he was there, right by my side, no questions asked."

Darren's small arms wrapped around me, tight and fierce. "I wanna protect you like Dad did," he said, his voice muffled against my shoulder.

I hugged him back, my eyes burning, and didn't see the stone step under my feet. I stumbled, my heart lurching, but my hand caught the edge of Darren's tombstone, steadying me. The memory hit like a wave - his voice, his laugh, that day we first met.

"Thank you, Darren," I whispered, my voice breaking, "for helping me find my balance."

In my mind, I saw him, leaning against his bike, that grin beaming like the sun.

"Leah, no matter what happens in the future, please remember my words. I had a lot of choices, but I chose to be here with you."

Then, he waved at me, jumped on his bike and drove off.

"Goodbye, Darren," I whispered in my mind and my son tighter. "Goodbye, my..."

I let the tears fall, silent and heavy, as the wolves howled softly in the distance.

[The End]