Denderick’s POV
Logan didn’t move immediately. He just stood there, his smile widening as if savoring some private joke. I could feel Aria tense beside me, her breath coming quicker as if she wanted to jump forward and tear the information of Edward’s whereabouts from Logan’s mouth. Her eyes were locked on Logan, filled with nothing but fury and fear.
Finally, Logan turned slightly, waving a hand as though summoning a servant. “Erinne,” he called lazily, not even bothering to raise his voice, “why don’t you come out and greet our guests?”
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the shadow of a figure emerged from behind the treehouse. Erinne stepped forward, but it was the bundle in her arms that sent my pulse racing.
Edward.
My son.
I barely heard Aria gasp beside me. My entire focus zeroed in on the small, blonde head poking out of the folds of the blanket. Edward’s bright eyes stared up at the sky, completely unaware of the danger surrounding him.
“There he is,” Logan said with a smug grin as if he were showing off a prized possession. “Your son, Denderick. As you can see, I didn’t lie. He is hale.”
The sight of him, alive and well, made my chest tighten. I felt a calming wave of relief, but it was immediately followed by a flood of rage. Logan and Erinne had taken him from us, lied about his death, and now they stood here, using him as a bargaining chip.
Aria took a shaky step forward, her eyes locked on Edward. Her voice cracked when she spoke, “Edward… he’s alive…”
Erinne smiled coldly, holding our son closer to her. “Did you think I’d kill a baby? You always underestimated me, Aria. It’s insulting.”
I balled my fists, my entire body humming with the urge to snatch Edward out of Erinne’s arms and end this madness right here. But we were in their territory, surrounded by God knows how many loyal to them. A rash move could end badly for all of us.
Logan crossed his arms slowly. “So, here’s the deal, Denderick. Do you want your son back? Then let’s talk. But don’t expect me to just hand him over without something in return.”
“You’re not in a position to negotiate, Logan.” I retorted. “Give me my son, and maybe I’ll consider letting you live.”
Logan laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. “You think you’re in control here? I’ve got your son. That means I hold the cards.”
For a split second, all I wanted to do was launch myself at him and tear him apart. But Aria’s soft gasp beside me grounded me, pulling me back from the edge.
“I want Edward back,” Aria whispered. “Please, Denderick…”
I looked at her, my heart aching at the pain in her eyes. She’d been through so much already, and seeing her son held hostage like this was tearing her apart. But I couldn’t afford to lose my focus. We had to play this smart.
Logan’s eyes flicked over to Aria, and for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something pass over his expression. Regret? No, that couldn’t be possible. Whatever humanity he had once possessed was long gone.
He turned back to me, his smile slipping slightly. “I’ll give you the boy back, but first, we’re going to discuss how you’re going to repay me for the trouble you’ve caused. And believe me, Denderick, it’s going to cost you.”
Logan shifted on his feet as he continued, “So, here’s the deal, Denderick. To make sure you don’t try anything… heroic, Erinne will take Edward into the treehouse. Meanwhile, you and I can talk this out, man to man.”
I tensed, watching Erinne carefully as she shifted the baby in her arms and started to turn towards the treehouse. A sense of dread surged through me as I imagined her walking off with my son, away from my protection. But before I could say a word, Aria suddenly stepped forward, her voice breaking the stillness of the clearing.
“No!” she shouted. “I’m going with her. If she’s holding my child, I have to be with him. I’m not letting Edward out of my sight, and I don’t trust Erinne not to do something crazy with my son.”
I turned to her in surprise. This wasn’t part of the plan. Aria’s, however, had eyes only for Edward. I knew that look-there was no arguing with her when she was like this. She would follow Erinne, no matter what the risk.
A heavy silence followed Aria’s declaration. Logan’s smile faltered for a moment as he considered her words. His eyes flicked between Aria and Edward, and for a heartbeat, I thought he would refuse. But then, with a casual shrug, he relented.
“Fine. Let her go,” he said, waving his hand dismissively as if she didn’t matter. “But if things go south, I’ll hold you responsible for what happens to your son.”
Aria didn’t wait for my approval. She strode after Erinne without a second glance, her shoulders stiff, her eyes never leaving Edward. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to stay close, to be careful, but the words caught in my throat. There was no stopping her now.
As the two women disappeared into the shadows of the treehouse, I faced Logan again.
Logan gave another smug smile as he turned his full attention back to me. “Now that we’re alone, let’s get down to business. I want my kingdom back, Denderick. You took everything from me-my pack, my lands, my power. It’s time to give it all back.”
I glared at him. “Don’t think you’ll ever get your kingdom back, Logan. You’re a danger to everyone under your command. I’m not just here to save my son; I’m here to protect the people of your pack from you. You think I don’t know what you did to those women? The ones you kept locked up in your dungeons for weeks, for months?”
Logan’s grin widened, but there was no humor in it. His eyes glinted with a twisted kind of pleasure as if my words only amused him. “Oh, Denderick, always the hero. But tell me, how far will that noble streak get you when your son is dead?”
My heart lurched painfully at his words. Logan’s grin turned wicked. “If you don’t give me what I want, consider Edward already dead. Erinne is just waiting for my signal. Five minutes, Denderick. You’ve got five minutes to agree to my terms or your son’s life is gone.”