Chapter 5 As long as my child would be heir.

"Their names are Karen, blessed with the gift of fire. Olivia, blessed with air. And Noah, blessed with earth," I said, my voice filled with both love and longing.

Lucas's eyes widened with intrigue as he listened intently. "Tell me more about them, Mia. What are they like?"

A nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I began to paint a picture of our children's unique personalities. "Karen, our little fire starter, has always been fiercely independent. She has an unwavering determination that matches the intensity of her element. Olivia, with her free-spirited nature, is like a breath of fresh air in our lives. She brings joy and laughter wherever she goes. And Noah, our grounded and compassionate boy, has a connection with the earth that is truly remarkable."

As I spoke of their likes and dislikes, memories flooded back, creating a tapestry of cherished moments. "Karen adores books, especially fantasy novels that ignite her imagination. Olivia loves to dance, twirling and spinning as if she's effortlessly floating on air. And Noah... he's always had a fascination with plants and animals, spending hours exploring nature."

The atmosphere shifted as I delved into the strangeness that had preceded their disappearance. "But lately, something strange has been happening. They've been receiving mysterious gifts from strangers, sweets that appear seemingly out of nowhere. And before I could uncover the truth behind these peculiar offerings, the kids vanished without a trace."

Lucas's brow furrowed, a mixture of concern and curiosity crossing his face. "Do you think it's connected? The strange gifts and their disappearance?"

A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the words of our maid. "Perhaps. Our maid, she once told me that the children would talk to the mirror, as if they were having conversations with someone unseen. It sent chills down my spine. She even claimed they would sometimes become upset and frustrated, their innocent faces contorted with anger towards their own reflections. The maid was so unnerved by it that she destroyed the mirror, hoping to put an end to whatever dark presence lurked within."

A sense of foreboding settled in the room, the shadows seemingly growing darker around us. The mystery surrounding our children's disappearance deepened, and the realization that there was something sinister at play sent a chill down my spine.

"We need to find our children, Lucas," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of determination and fear. "We have to unravel the truth behind these strange events and bring them back home, safe and sound."

"And we will. Let's start with the maid," Lucas said with determination.

I nodded in agreement, the weight of suspicion settling in the air. "What about her?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. "She seems to know about the kids receiving strange gifts, but why didn't she ever stop them from eating it? Or warn them... why didn't you want them to, Mia?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I responded, my voice choked with emotion, "I did. I cautioned them whenever I was home about stranger danger."

Lucas's gaze intensified, his brows furrowing in deep thought. "But what if it wasn't a stranger?"

Confusion etched across my face as I looked at him. "You aren't suspecting Nanny May... are you?"

Before he could answer, the door swung open with a forceful slam, and Lucas's mother barged into the room, her eyes filled with concern and a touch of panic. Her entrance was a storm of emotions, as if a tempest had swept through the once calm space.

She took a moment to catch her breath before launching into a tirade. "Lucas! How dare you make Amelia cry when she's pregnant with your child? You should be taking care of her!"

Lucas's face contorted with frustration, his attempt to explain drowned out by his mother's accusations. "Mom, it's not what you think. I'm not the father of Amelia's child."

I stood at the side, observing the tumultuous scene unfold, the drama of Lucas's family dynamics playing out before me like a turbulent soap opera. It was moments like these that reminded me why I had distanced myself from this chaos. Amelia stood nearby, tears streaming down her face, her vulnerability evident. Unexpectedly, she lifted her head and met my gaze, a mischievous wink escaping her.

"You dare decline!" Lucas's mother exclaimed, her voice filled with righteous indignation.

"I never touched her, Mother," Lucas growled, his voice low and menacing. A flicker of his alpha nature emerged, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Amelia gasped, her voice quivering as she fell to her knees. "Lucas, I did something terribly wrong. I drugged you... I manipulated you so that I could conceive your child. I know it's unforgivable, but if you touch my stomach, feel the life growing inside, you'll see it's a boy, and he's yours."

Lucas's father growled in disbelief, his eyes narrowing with disapproval. "Son, you have disgraced us. You have a fiancée, and now you have left her to stoop so low because you refused to touch her."

Lucas crossed his arms. "It's not my fault that she is not appealing to the eyes"

I choked on my laughter but made sure to bite my lip from bringing it out.

Lucas father threw a glance at me that made me straighten my back and lower my head.

"Is it because of the triplets? I shall let you know that I will not accept them as my grandchildren"

A wave of tension rippled through the room as Lucas's words hung in the air, his family's expectations clashing with his newfound determination. With a resolute expression, Lucas met his father's disapproving gaze.

"I don't care about your acceptance, Father," Lucas stated firmly, his voice laced with determination. "Amelia can have her child, but I will find my triplets with Mia."

Silence descended, heavy and charged with unspoken resentment. The family dynamics that had once seemed unbreakable now hung by a thread. In that moment, Lucas made his choice, declaring his commitment to our shared mission of finding our missing children, regardless of the familial consequences.

Amelia's tears subsided, replaced by a triumphant smirk that danced upon her lips. It was a reflection of the intricate game she had played, a web of secrets and manipulation that had led us to this point. While her actions were deplorable, the undeniable truth remained that our children were missing, and our sole focus had to be their safe return.

The tension in the room escalated as Lucas's mother continued to voice her disapproval, her voice tinged with desperation. "Lucas, I forbid this . Who will take care of the pack? You have responsibilities, obligations to our lineage. Your role as alpha demands it."

Lucas's eyes flashed with defiance as he stood his ground. "The pack will survive, Mother. There are others who can step up in my absence. But right now, my priority is finding our missing children. Nothing else matters."

His father, a steadfast figure, interjected with a stern expression. "We can't let this chaos consume us. We must restore order, bring back the old law where the alpha's pregnant mate has the final say. That is how it has always been."

Lucas's face hardened, his voice resolute. "No, Father. Times have changed. We must adapt and evolve. The alpha's mate should have a voice, but it should not dictate our every move. Our focus needs to be on the safety and well-being of our children."

Amelia, her tears now replaced with a determined glare, stepped forward, her voice laced with a mixture of pain and resolve. "You can go and find your triplets, Lucas, but only if you promise me one thing. Our son, the child I carry, will be the future alpha of this pack. He will bring a new era of unity and understanding."

Lucas frowned, looked at me who stood by the corner and then back at Amelia and opened his mouth and said. "So be it"