My life

Forgotten family

MICAS POV

We were eating, talking quietly, the kind of calm that still felt fragile like it might shatter if anyone breathed too hard. Genevieve was finally relaxed enough to take small bites, her shoulders no longer pulled up around her ears. I was watching her more than my food, always watching her, when something changed.

She froze.

Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth. Her breathing hitched so sharply I felt it through the bond before I even saw her face. When I looked up, her eyes were wide, glassy, locked on something behind me. Fear poured off her in waves raw, panicked, familiar fear.

I turned.

And my blood went cold.

They were staring at us. A family. Too close. Too focused. The moment I saw the man at the center of them, something dark and furious surged inside me. Jack rose instantly, teeth bared in my chest. I didn't need the bond to tell me who they were.

They started walking toward us.

Before I could move, the smallest one broke free. A little girl too young to understand what she was walking into ran straight toward Genevieve, skidding to a stop beside her chair.

"Gg!" she squealed. "We missed you! Why aren't you at home anymore?"

Genevieve flinched at the name like she'd been struck.

The girl kept talking, innocent and cruel without meaning to be. "Daddy's mad. He says you ran away to work the streets. Why do you want to work the streets?"

My hands curled into fists so hard my knuckles burned.

The girl had the same energy as Mia loud, bright, curious but the words she'd been taught to repeat twisted my stomach. Lies. Poison. Abuse disguised as truth.

Then the father arrived.

He loomed over the table, his presence loud and aggressive. I saw his arm lift saw the muscle tighten, the intention clear and I was on my feet instantly, stepping between him and Genevieve before his hand could even move.

He started yelling. Quiet at first, venomous. Calling her names no father should ever say to a child. Slut. Whore. Worthless.

I felt Genevieve crumble behind me.

"She's coming home with us," he snapped.

I felt her shift, felt her body respond the way it had been trained to. She started to stand, tears spilling freely now, her whole body shaking. My heart clenched violently.

"No."

The word came out low. Commanding. Absolute.

She stopped.

I turned just enough to look at her, meeting her eyes. "You do not have to go with him," I said firmly. "Sit down."

She hesitated then obeyed. Sat back down like she'd been given permission to breathe again. Mia moved instantly, wrapping her arms around Genevieve and pulling her close as she sobbed into her chest.

I turned back to the man.

"She is not going anywhere with you," I said, my voice deadly calm. "After everything you've done, you are lucky you're still standing here breathing. I suggest you leave. Now."

He scoffed, puffing himself up like he wasn't standing in front of an Alpha who could tear him apart without effort.

"She is my daughter," he shouted. "She is a minor. You don't get to decide this. She's coming home with her family. I don't know who you think you are, but kidnapping is illegal."

Every word out of his mouth poured gasoline on the fire inside me.

I leaned in slightly, letting my presence press down on him. Letting him feel it. Letting him understand that he was no longer the most dangerous thing in the room.

"You lost the right to call yourself her family," I said quietly. "You lost every claim the moment you laid a hand on her. You will not raise your voice. You will not step closer. And you will not touch her again."

People around us were watching now. Phones out. Murmurs spreading. Good. Let them see.

"You will turn around," I continued, my tone cold and final, "and you will leave this place. If you ever come near her again if I so much as catch your scent on her I will end you. And no one will stop me."

His face went pale.

I turned to Mia. "Take Genevieve to the car. Now."

She didn't question it. She gathered Genevieve gently, whispering reassurance as she guided her away. I waited until they were out of sight.

Then I dealt with him.

---

MIAS POV

I didn't ask questions. The look in my brother's eyes told me everything I needed to know. I took Gen straight to the car. She was shaking so hard I thought she might pass out. She cried the whole way, clutching my sleeve like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

We got to the car and climbed in. Gen sat in the front seat, staring at the doors like she was waiting for him to appear again. I tried to talk to her, but she just kept whispering my brother's name.

About twenty minutes later, I saw Mica coming toward us.

Before I could stop her, Genevieve threw the door open and ran.

She ran straight into his arms.

He caught her instantly, holding her like he'd been waiting for that moment his whole life. She clung to him, sobbing into his chest, and he wrapped himself around her completely solid, unmovable, protective.

My heart swelled painfully.

My brother had finally found his mate.

And for the first time in her life, she was truly safe.