The Visit–1
Kane’s POV
When I heard from a fellow inmate that Thea had been shot, I felt like my heart had been split in two with a fucking sledgehammer. The second he told me he didn’t have more details, just prison rumors suggesting she might be dead, my entire world collapsed. Silver bullets. Nobody survives that kind of attack. Add to that the silence from everyone connected to her, no official statements released…
I loved Thea, and I loved our unborn child even more. The thought that they might not have made it nearly drove me insane.
For an entire day, my heart was stuck in my throat, waiting for my parents to contact me with the devastating news. When night fell and I still hadn’t heard anything, I became convinced the rumors must be true. Otherwise, why would they wait so long to reach out?
I barely slept that night. Anxiety and worry followed me like a shadow, pushing me to the edge of a breakdown, my mind filled with nothing but painful images.
At some point, I even prayed to the Moon Goddess, begging her to create a miracle. I’d never been one for that spiritual shit, but in that moment, I was willing to believe in any power that could tell me they were both still alive.
My cellmate, the guards, and other inmates all looked at me with pity in their eyes. I felt like shit, looked like shit, and I was pretty fucking sure I was slowly dying inside.
When morning came, I could hardly swallow my breakfast. The image of an adult–sized coffin and a small one kept flashing through my mind, and it was all I could think about,
all I could see.
When I was called to the warden’s office, my heart skipped a beat. Seeing my father’s Beta standing there, I couldn’t speak a single word.
When he told me I was being temporarily released for a few hours, a tiny spark of hope ignited inside me. Then, on the way to the hospital, he told me that both Thea and the baby were still alive but in intensive care, and that spark blossomed into something bigger.
I thanked whatever power had made this possible. They were alive, and that was what
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mattered most.
“Kane, are you alright?” My mother’s voice pulled me back to reality.
I stared at her, unable to believe how fucking lucky I was. Any she–wolf in her position would have kicked me out of their lives, but she hadn’t. Neither had my father.
My gaze searched for my father, finally finding him standing a few steps away, his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder.
Sebastian looked like he was ready to kill me, hatred burning in his eyes. I couldn’t give a shit. The feeling was fucking mutual, considering how he’d treated Thea in the past.
I watched as he turned and followed a nurse with Leo.
“I’m just relieved, Mother,” I told her, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.
I was so fucking happy. I hadn’t lost them. There was still hope for them.
“I love you, Kane,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
I hated seeing her cry. I hated seeing her heartbroken. I could see it in her eyes. The possibility of losing Thea was destroying her.
I pulled her into my arms since they’d removed my handcuffs.
“I love you too, Mom,” I breathed out. “Don’t worry. Thea and the pup will be fine. You’ll
see.”
“You have a daughter,” my father said as Mom and I separated.
“What?” I stammered.
They both gave me a bright smile. “You have a daughter. Her name is Phoenix.”
The tears I’d been holding back? Yeah, they freely flowed down my face now.
“Who named her?” It was a beautiful name, but I worried Thea would be angry if they named our child without her consent.
“Leo,” Mom answered. “Apparently they were discussing names one day, and if it was a
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The Visit–1
girl, it would be Phoenix, and if it was a boy, Orion.”
My breath caught in my lungs, and my parents noticed.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like the name?” Dad asked.
“It’s not that, Phoenix is a beautiful name. It’s just that I once mentioned to her that I liked the name Orion.”
The Visit–2
Mom gave me a teary smile, and Dad patted my shoulder.
It was during a day when we were still together. I had just casually mentioned it to Thea. I told her if I ever had a son, I’d name him Orion. The fact that she had considered my thoughts and would have been willing to give him a name I liked if it had been a boy meant the whole fucking world to me.
Before any of us could say anything else, a nurse called for me.
“We arranged it. You’re her father, you should see her,” Mom said.
I nodded to her and followed the nurse. After they fitted me with protective gear, she led
me into a room and directly to my daughter.
Seeing her so small with tubes attached to her body made my knees weak.
“Is she going to be okay?” I choked out.
I didn’t know I could love someone so deeply that I felt so completely consumed by it, but
I was wrong. In that moment, Phoenix became my world. I doubted anyone could ever be as important to me as she was.
“Yes. She’s recovering well so far, and we believe she’ll be fine,” the nurse answered with a
kind smile.
I know every father probably thinks this, but damn, Phoenix was beautiful.
I touched her tiny face, unable to believe that Thea had created such a perfect life. She meant everything to me, and she now had my heart.
I thanked Thea because if she hadn’t told me she was pregnant, I would have missed out
on the best gift anyone could ever give me.
Although I might still be in prison for the next few years, I would do everything in my power to protect her, and because of her, I would be on my best behavior just to get paroled.
I stayed with her for a few more minutes before the head nurse told me it was time to
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leave.
Leaving my daughter broke my heart, but I had no choice. Those few minutes I could spend with her were the best moments of my life.
Next, I went to see Thea. Fuck, I loved her so much. Seeing her like this caused me pain beyond words. I would forever regret ruining my chance with her, but I was starting to realize that everything happens for a reason. It might not make sense, maybe never will, but there was a reason behind it all.
I was holding her hand when Mom came in to tell me my time was up. I sighed but nodded.
“I will always love you, Thea. I hope you know that.” I told her motionless body.
Leaving took all my willpower, but I remembered my promise to Phoenix to get out early.
Leaving her room, I went to hug my parents. The guards were getting ready to put the handcuffs back on me when Iris’s voice came from behind.
“Kane?”
I turned to face her. During my time with Thea, we’d become friends. She was like the
sister I never had.
“I’m still mad at you, but I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you.”
“It’s fine, Iris, I understand.”
“Can I hug you? I miss my friend.”
I nodded, and she came rushing into my arms. I held her tight, feeling almost complete, but not quite.
“Take care,” I whispered.
“You too, Kane,” she whispered back. “When things settle down, I’ll come visit you.”
“I’ll look forward to that day.”
I let her go only to see Roman glaring at me. I glared right back. I hated him too, because
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The Visit 2
he hadn’t treated Thea well either. I just never understood why Iris was still with him.
I hugged my parents one last time, then let the guards put the handcuffs back on me.
As they led me back to prison, I found myself praying for another miracle – one where Thea would wake up and Phoenix would thrive.
This time, I actually believed the Moon Goddess might be listening.
