Calvin’s POV
There was a time when I had firmly believed that there was nothing I couldn’t do. But lately I’ve been reminded over and over again that I’m still a mere mortal, one who the moon goddess herself had to humble. This was one of those situations.
The bitter feeling of helplessness had become a common presence in my life of late. This wasn’t any other situation, this was my flesh and blood we were talking about. Every second that passed, my children were slipping further away.
Franklin paced in front of me, his boots crunching against the gravel. Lysaa sat stiffly on the hood of the car, arms wrapped around herself, her expression unreadable.
“What the hell are we supposed to do now?” Franklin finally spoke, his frustration evident. “Blue Bell doesn’t remember Kamrynn, and they sure as hell won’t just hand over the kids. We can’t fight them for this. So what’s the plan?”
I didn’t respond right away. My mind was working through every possible option, every path that could lead to my children. War wasn’t an option. It would destroy my pack. And even if we hunted Sherelle down and put an end to her, there was no telling if her death would break the spell she cast.
No.
I wasn’t going to waste time chasing ghosts when my children were out there, growing up in the arms of strangers.
“I’m not going after Sherelle,” I finally said, my voice calm but firm.
Lysaa tilted her head slightly, unseeing eyes curious. “Then what do we do?”
I took a deep breath and let the words fall from my lips.
“We take them.”
A thick silence settled over us.
Lysaa’s entire body tensed, and her head snapped toward me. “Excuse me?”
I met her expressionless gaze, unwavering. “We take them. I’m going to sneak into the palace and get my children out.”
The reaction was immediate. Lysaa shot to her feet so quickly that Franklin took a wary step back. “No,” she said, her voice sharp as a blade. “Absolutely not.”
I squared my shoulders. “I’m not asking for permission.”
Her lips curled with disbelief. “Do you have any idea how reckless that is?” she demanded. “Do you know what Alpha Orion will do if he catches you? He has every right to execute you for infiltration and trespassing!”
“I won’t get caught,” I said flatly.
“You can’t guarantee that!” she snapped. “This is a big pack, Calvin, a powerful one at that! The second something goes wrong, they’ll be on you like a damn bloodhound! I personally don’t give two shits about you but you’ve still got a ton of things to fix before you die.”
Franklin let out a deep sigh and ran a hand over his face. “Look,” he muttered, “I’m not saying I like this plan either.” He exhaled sharply, then met my eyes. “But it’s the only way.”
I nodded, my jaw tightening. “I have to do this, Franklin. I’ve been separated from my children for too damn long. I need to hold them. I need to be their father.”
Franklin stared at me for a long moment.
Then, finally, he gave a slow nod.
Lysaa groaned, rubbing her temples. “This is insane,” she grumbled. “The both of you are insane.”
I exhaled. “I know. But this is the only chance we have. And I won’t fail.”
Lysaa mumbled something under her breath before throwing her hands up in surrender. “Fine. I’ll help. But if you die, I swear I will personally find a way to bring you back just so I can kill you myself.”
A small smirk tugged at my lips. “Noted.”
Franklin cleared his throat. “Alright. So what’s the plan?”
I turned toward the palace in the distance, my mind sharpening. “We stay in town for now. We wait until it’s late-when most of the guards are stationed at the borders and the rest are either asleep or patrolling farther areas. Everyone in the palace will also be asleep so it’s the perfect chance. That’s when I’ll sneak in.”
“And us?” Franklin asked.
“You two wait nearby with the car,” I continued. “The second I come out with the kids, we leave. No hesitation.”
Franklin nodded.
Lysaa, however, remained unconvinced. “And how long do you think you have before they realize the kids are gone?” she asked flatly.
Franklin answered before I could. “Not long. The second the twins are discovered missing, Orion will use the Pack mind-link. Once that happens, the whole Pack will be on lockdown. If we’re still inside when that happens… game over.”
“I know,” I admit, my voice firm. “That’s why I won’t waste time. I get in, I get my kids, I get out.”
Lysaa scoffed. “Nothing about this is simple.”
“But it is doable,” I countered. “And it’s our only chance.”
Lysaa exhaled sharply. But after a long pause, she finally gave a reluctant nod.
Franklin let out a deep breath. “Alright. Then we do this tonight.”
I clenched my fists.
I wouldn’t fail.
I couldn’t fail.
***
We checked into a small inn near the outskirts of the town, a safe enough distance from the palace that we wouldn’t attract attention. The wait was agonizing. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity.
Franklin, ever the strategist, spent the time mapping out a possible entry route, using an old blueprint of the palace that he somehow managed to procure. Lysaa sat in silence the entire time, her gaze wistful as if recalling some distant memories. I can’t help but wonder what might be going through her mind at a time like this.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.
My heart was racing.
I had always considered myself a man of strategy. A man who thought things through, who never acted recklessly.
Except when it came to Kamrynn. And my children.
This was personal.
My children were out there, in the arms of strangers who didn’t even know who they really were.
That thought alone ignited something primal inside me.
I would bring them home.
Franklin cleared his throat, breaking me from my thoughts. “Are you really sure about this? Can we actually pull it off? From the info I’ve gathered from the locals, the palace is just as heavily guarded at night. Our only advantage is the cover of night.”
That certainly didn’t help our odds but I wasn’t about to give up.
“That’s enough for me, I’ll do whatever I have to. I’ll perform a miracle if that’s what it takes.”
Lysaa sighed and laid down instead. “I still can’t understand what Kamrynn saw in you. You have a knack for doing stupid things and you won’t listen to reason. You’ll have me praying the whole time.”
Franklin glanced at the clock. “It’s almost time.”
I exhaled slowly.
This was it.
There was no turning back now.
I was going to get my children.
No matter what.