Chapter 8 Rescuing His Daughter

• Caitlyn's POV:
• I sat by the wall outside Zephyr's financial building for a long time.
• The sunlight had shifted, and as the cold crept over me, my hands and feet went numb. Yet, I still couldn't find the courage to walk inside.
• Inside was the new branch of Zephyr's company.
• It wasn't until my phone buzzed with Lillian's angered voice on the other end, yelling, "Caitlyn, you b*tch! Stop messing around. I saw you on TV! If I don't hear from you in an hour, you'll regret it!"
• Of course, I knew what she meant.
• If I didn't follow her orders, she'd unleash her cruelty on my father and brother.
• After ending the call, I forced myself to my feet, pale and shaky. Just as I turned to leave, the faint sound of a child crying reached me.
• "Daddy, where are you? Yvette is scared. I want to go home ...
• "I want Daddy ... "
• From a distance, I spotted a small figure, wiping tears and pacing around the square in front of the building. The child was clearly lost.
• I hesitated, wondering if I should step in and help. But before I could move, a group of shady Rogues in caps approached the little girl.
• "Little girl, are you lost from your parents? Come with us, we'll help you find them," one of them coaxed.
• "We've got candy and a princess dress waiting for you in the car."
• I stood behind, listening as the girl's voice wavered through the air.
• "No! Daddy said not to trust strangers, especially ones with candy! You're bad guys!"
• Those Rogues froze for a second. Then, one of them sneered. "Smart kid, huh? Well, too bad for you—there's no way you're getting away from us now!"
• They were traffickers!
• Fear gripped my heart as I stumbled forward, shouting, "Leave her alone!"
• The Rogues stiffened, turning to face me.
• "Who are you? This is none of your business!"
• The girl had already collapsed, her limp body dangling in one of their arms. I recognized her face and clothes—it was Zephyr's daughter!
• No way could I let them take her!
• Despite the fear coursing through me, I clenched my fists and blurted out a lie, "Her name's Yvette, and I'm her mother! Let her go, and I'll forget this ever happened. If you don't ... "
• I glanced around quickly, then yelled, "Help! They're trying to steal my child!"
• Some nearby werewolves on patrol heard my cries and turned toward us.
• Several Rogues glanced at each other in panic, realizing the girl had mentioned her name earlier. With a glare, they tossed her at me and bolted.
• "D*mn it, bad luck today!"
• Instinctively, I caught the girl as she was thrown toward me.
• We tumbled to the ground, rolling a couple of times, but I held her tightly, protecting her head.
• The sudden motion seemed to wake her. She frowned, blinking her eyes open.
• Relieved, I whispered, "Sweetie, are you okay? Don't be afraid. Those bad guys are gone now ... "
• But the sight of my unfamiliar face made her cry even harder.
• Awkwardly, I tried to calm her down. "Don't be scared. I'm not one of them. I just ... "
• "Yvette!" A man's sharp voice cut through the air behind me.
• I froze.
• It was him. He had come. I was about to see him.
• Zephyr stormed toward us, his face a mixture of rage and worry. He grabbed my shoulder harshly. "Get your hands off her! Don't touch her!"
• The pain from his grip was sharp, but beyond that, my heart ached with overwhelming feelings for him.
• Tears welled up in my eyes as I cautiously glanced up at him.
• For a moment, time seemed to stop.
• But when I met his cold, unforgiving gaze, I felt my heart sink and was about to cry. He hated me.
• I could read it in his eyes—he hated me!
• "I ... " I wanted to explain, but the words wouldn't come. I couldn't even call his name.
• Zephyr's eyes stayed fixed on mine, filled with a storm of disbelief and fury like a vortex pulling me in.
• His voice was icy as he spat out, "Caitlyn Goldstein! It's you!"