Aliona lifted her hand, and Jared was released immediately. The moment his feet touched the deck, he didn't hesitate—he ran straight into Elliot as if instinct alone pulled him there.
"Why are you tied up, Mr. Presgrave?" Jared cried, clutching him tightly. His voice shook with anger and fear. "I don't want you tied because of me. She's an evil woman!"
Even bound, Elliot lowered himself smoothly to the child's level. His posture didn't weaken. If anything, his presence sharpened—Alpha restraint holding every instinct in place while chaos pressed in from all sides.
"Jared," he said calmly, voice steady enough to anchor the storm around them, "go back to your mommy. I will be fine."
But Jared shook his head hard, refusing. "I don't want to leave you. Let's leave together. I don't want to go without you!"
