Page 103 of The Alpha’s Heir

I shook my head as I looked over the mess on Katrina’s normally spotless counters. “What’s going on here?”

There was a shuffle as Stephen moved to block the door leading to the staff quarters. Katrina came through, smoothing her aprons, but not before I caught the stronger whiff of magic again.

They’re hiding something.

Katrina smiled. The bruises on her face seemed better, but they were still a stark reminder that she’d suffered because of me. “Good to see you back, Miss Meg. Apologies for the mess. We’re trying to figure out what foods we can salvage from the refrigerator with the power out.”

“Shouldn’t you both be home with your own families?” My brow furrowed when they shared a look, purposefully not glancing at the closed door Katrina had come from.

At least one of those extra scents made sense.

Katrina must’ve read the expression on my face. “It’s only temporary. The roads are barricaded and the districts are all on lockdown with curfew regulations. I couldn’t get childcare, and the councilwoman told us we needed to stay here until they get the power turned back on.”

If what Roman said was true, that wouldn’t be for a very long time. But I didn’t want to cause a panic.

“Please don’t mention this to anyone else,” Katrina whispered. I’d never seen the woman so flustered.

“I won’t say anything,” I assured her. “But why would Helen care if you brought your family here?”

Katrina’s lips pressed into a thin line. Stephen hurried over to the kitchen door, putting his ear against it.

“No one is listening,” I said. “I can hear when they move through the house.”

“That’s one good thing about the power being out.” Stephen pointed to the speaker box on the wall.

Katrina opened her mouth to say something, but was distracted when the door handle behind her turned.

“Mommy?”

She rushed to the child’s side. He couldn’t have been more than three years old, with chubby limbs, unruly curls, and a cherub face, all rosy cheeks and big eyes.

“Charles,” she scolded the boy. “I told you Mommy has to work. You stay with your colors and paper.”

“But I’m hungry,” he whined.

My nostrils flared as I studied the child.

Warlock, my wolf confirmed.

I got off my stool and crouched down to his level, sniffing again to make sure.

“He’s not old enough to register.” Katrina’s heart raced as she lied to me. “Helen doesn’t know he exists.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, not sure how to put this lightly. “Do you… know what he is?”

“He’s my son.” Katrina moved the boy behind her back. “And he’s perfect. I don’t need their tests to tell me I’m wrong.”

“He sure is.” I took a deep breath before I looked up at her. “He’s magic. My mom is like him. She came to us from the city. My sister and her mate are like him too. I know a lot of people who have his… special situation. I can take you both there, somewhere he—and you—will be safe.”

“I’m hungry.” Charles tugged on Katrina’s apron.

She backed up, taking him with her. “Let’s get you settled in the room, then I’ll fix you something to eat.”

Katrina refused to look at me.

The door closed, leaving me and Stephen alone again.

“What did I say wrong?” I asked the butler.