Stepbrother Mine A Son For Alpha Zoren (Ciara) novel Chapter 26

26 bonding time

26: bonding time

Ciara

“Before we begin our game, I’d like us to stretch.” Soren began and Kai frowned, pouting.

“Why? Stretching is fun. Games are.”

“It might not be fun, but stretching makes us strong. Don’t you wanna grow as big and tall as me so you can be able to protect your mommy better?” Zoren pointed towards me as he spoke. I was perched on a bench now, and they were both a few feet away from me. It wasn’t so far, but the small distance was making the pain in my chest resurface. It was mild but still there and I hated it. Kai has a determined expression on as he nodded.

“I’d like to grow big and tall.”

“Then let’s stretch.”

After that, I watched as Zoren helped him stretch for about forty minutes. They did a lot of stretches, even the kind I didn’t understand. As they kept moving together, Kai kept apologizing every time his hand or leg mistakenly hits Zoren.

“Stop being so careful, Kai. I can handle it, I promise,” Zoren assured him. It was clear Kai was being careful so he doesn’t mistakenly hurt Zoren and make him dislike him. My chest ache in my chest as I washed Zoren assure and promise Kai that he has nothing to worry about because he wouldn’t mistakenly hurt Zoren no matter what.

After the stretch was finally over, their game finally began. They were throwing a throw ball, one that seemed like it carry a lot of weight. As Kai threw the ball at Zoren with so much force, it soared through the air with a wheezing sound, and it looked like it would hurt if Zoren didn’t dodge it. I stiffened, anxious as I watched Zoren catch the spinning ball with ease.

That made Kai’s face split with so much joy and he bounced happily, rushing towards me, his eyes wide with awe. “Mommy, did you see that?? It didn’t hurt him, he was able to catch my throw!” He gushed happily and I nodded as I brushed his hair out of his face, too choked with emotions to speak.

After he ran back, I watched as their game resumed. Kai was so happy as he played, he wasn’t holding back at all, and the throws Zoren were directing at him were powerful enough for his level of strength, making him feel like he was playing with an opponent that matched him in strength for the first time. It was clear this whole time, Kai didn’t know something like this exited. But he didn’t know that Zoren was even holding back with him, because to Zoren, he was a normal kid. Not a weird, unusual overpowered kid, but a normal kid.

I haven’t seen my son this happy in ages. For the first time, he wasn’t holding back. For the first time, he was genuinely having fun while playing games without having to always hold back and be worried about his opponent getting hurt. That seemed like a concept Kai still couldn’t believe was true because he keeps rushing towards me every few minutes, asking me if I saw this or that.

“Mommy, he doesn’t think I’m a freak!” He gushed out quietly into my ear when he rushed towards me at some point, his face glowing with happiness.

I felt this strong urge to embrace him so I did just that. As I hugged him, my conversation with zoren resurfaced in my mind. I really should have come to find Zoren sooner. I let my son suffer too much in the midst of people making him feel and believe that he was a freak.

“You’re not a freak, baby. You’ll never be one. You’re my normal baby, my son. My Kai.” I told him after pulling away and he smiled at me happily, his hand squeezing around mine before he hurried back to Zoren so they could resume playing.

As they played, by their conversation, it was clear Zoren was using this moment to get to know Kai. I really couldn’t be happier as I watched the two of them. They weren’t even acting like strangers anymore. I’ve never seen Kai get this comfortable fast around a stranger before. Kai didn’t know that he was a werewolf yet and I wonder how he’ll react to that, but I don’t have to worry about that too much, cause now his father is in his life Successfully unlocked!

1/3

26 bonding time

and that way, he’ll definitely not feel alone on finding out.

After what felt like hours, the two of them were seated on the grass, breathing hard and chugging some water brought by Sarah, the delta, a while ago. She brought some snacks as well, which Kai was munching on, clearly still happy as hell.

“You’re the only one who’s ever played with me like this, zoren. Now, I like you even more.” Kai tell Zoren who looked pleased but also surprised.

“Really? No any adult has ever played with you like this?” He asked and Kai shook his head.

“Not even your mommy’s boyfriends?” Zoren asked and I stiffened, my face already flaming.

Kai huffed. “My mommy hasn’t had a lot of boyfriends like my friend Ezra’s mom does.” He began, the lack of judgment in his voice obvious, showing that he was just merely pointing a face out and I stiffened even more as he continued.

“But no, they don’t play with me. Nico is her current boyfriend and he don’t like me.” He revealed, now frowning. My mouth opened and closed with no sound coming out.

“That’s not true, Kai. He likes you.” I argued weakly but now, Zoren was already glaring at me and I just know I’ Il get questioned about what Kai just revealed later.

“This Nico… does he hurt you?” Zoren asked Kai who shook his head.

“My mommy won’t let him, but I just know he doesn’t like me. One time, I overheard him talking on the phone and he called me a freak.” As those words left his mouth, I gasped in utter shock, cause Kai never told me that. I rushed towards him. “You never told me that, baby,” I told him as I crouched beside him and he jutted his bottom lip while shrugging.

“You said he made you happy, I didn’t want you to leave him like you left Jake.” He pointed out as he started at me and I felt more shock grip me.

“Wait, do you feel it’s your fault I left Jake?” I asked, too shocked to comprehend what I was hearing right now. Jake and I were together for six months and I left him when he dared to put his hands on Kai one time, claiming he was too this and that. When Kai looked away instead of responding, I realized that he was really feeling guilty this whole time.

To say I feel appalled is an understatement.

“Kai, that wasn’t your fault. Oh my God, I can’t believe you’ve been feeling this way this whole time!” I cried out and Kai looked guilty as he responded.

“I’m so sorry,”

I shook my head, feeling on the verge of tears as it hit me just now. Kai was always quick to apologize and it just dawned on me that it was because he was used to always being at fault in every damn problem.

Does my son need therapy? Did growing up in the midst of humans really damage him this much?

“Don’t apologize, okay? It’s not your fault, nothing is.” I tell him before catching Zoren’s eyes and I realized that I had kinda forgotten that he was here.

“We’ll talk about this later, hm? Why don’t you keep playing with Zoren?” I murmured as I rose to my full height and Kai nodded happily.

As I made to leave, Zoren caught my wrist in his hold, his intense eyes sweeping over me as he spoke. “You and I will have a talk later as well.”

I swallowed emptily as I nodded.

“Of course,”

When I returned back to my spot on the bench, I felt gripped with so much guilt, then I did nothing but watch as they resumed playing.

At some point, kai asked if he could play with Zoren everyday.

“Of course!” Zoren ageeed eagerly and Kai was over the moon.

2/3

26 bonding time

As the time went by, slowly, I felt myself grow drained, even though I did nothing but sit and watch. But I feel so tired and drained, like I needed a long sleep. At the same time, it dawned on me that the bite on my neck was starting to hurt a little. It was a dull feeling, but I was aware of it and it made me uncomfortable.

From the side of my eyes, I noticed Ethan approaching me and I offered him a smile before he got to my side and asked me of it was alright for him to sit beside me.

“Of course, and thank you for today,” I murmured, waving my bandaged hand at him. He huffed while waking me off, his eyes drifting to Zoren and Kai.

“Of course, you’re always welcomed. So, how are you feeling so far? Settling in well?” He asked and I shrugged. So far, it’d been better than I expected and I’d be greedy to ask for me if I was being honest.

“It’s been great so far. My happiness is that my kid is being treated like he deserves.” I breathed out and Ethan looked over at Kai and Zoren again, then he grinned softly.

“You know, I haven’t seen our alpha this happy before.” He revealed and my eyes widened in surprise.

“you haven’t?” I asked and he nodded.

“Yup. Look at how he’s literally glowing while playing with his kid. Who knows he’d ever be a father that happily spends time with his kid?” He huffed out as he laughed again.

It’s why I was so shocked that he was mad I kept Kai a secret. He never struck me as a parent kind, but I guess everyone is full of surprises.

“He’s also this way… this happy because of you, y’know?” Ethan continued, staring at me and a laugh bubbled from my throat. That was just too ridiculous.

“That’s impossible. He literally hates me,” I muttered and Ethan snorted.

“That’s what you think.”

As the silence stretched out between us, my mind reeled as I tried to wrap my head around what he just said.

When he got to his feet, I followed suit.

“If you ever need anything, just come to me, okay? I’m here for make you and our little Prince’s stay here as comfortable as possible.” He tell me and after I nodded and thanked him, he turned to leave. When I glanced back at the field, I noticed Zoren was helping Kai put his shoes on. They were clearly done with their games today.

As I approached them, I was aware that the tiredness within me was heightening even more and it still confused me so much. When I stopped in front of them, Zoren was already staring at me, his intense gaze making my knees almost buckle.

“Thank you for making his day today,” I breathed out as the pain that had been in my chest for the past hours while he and Kai played, fizzled out now that we were close to each other again.

“He’s my kid too, no need to thank me “he responded quietly, then looked over at Kai who was chasing around some butterflies, still so energetic after playing for hours.

“Are you hungry, Kai?”

He nodded eagerly as he faced us, then he neared Zoren as he spoke. “Will you eat with us this evening?”

I sighed, already about to ask Kai to stop, but Zoren was already nodding.

“We can all eat dinner together. We’ll have it in the dining room.” He tell him and Kai grinned, pleased as hell. I huffed, Kai was about to be spoilt as hell without realizing it yet. Zoren definitely wouldn’t be able to say no to him from the looks of things so far.