Captured By The Dragon
Episode 48

Patara

The driver dropped me off right in front of the cafe. I smoothed out my dress before I went inside where I knew Malcom would be waiting for me. My mother almost fainted when I told her that Malcom wanted to meet for coffee. It was easier to let her believe what she wanted— especially since it convinced her to let me leave the house for the first time by myself.

I wanted to tell her that this was not a date. It would never turn into a date—but I held my tongue. Of course by doing so. she squeezed me in a pretty dress that I normally would never reach for on casual occasions like this.

But here I was, pretty yellow dress and all. It should’ve felt like a bigger deal to be here, but I only felt hollow as I took the steps up to the doors. I hadn’t left the house to do something normal like this since before I was taken to the shifter world and now it felt… strange in a way I couldn’t explain.

With a taste of freedom, it meant my driver would keep an eye on every step I made. I was to be picked up the second I stepped foot out of the cafe. No wandering for me—even if I wanted to.

Malcom stood once he saw entered through the wooden doors. He smoothed out his hair and cleared his throat as I approached him.

“Patara—hey. You look beautiful. Your mother texted me your favorite drink, I hope you don’t mind I got it already.” Malcom said as he pulled out my chair.

“Thank you.” I dropped my bag to the floor and sat. He took the chair across at me and smiled as he took in my appearance. I wanted to hide behind my hair but I simply smiled back.

There was a long, awkward pause as I took in our surroundings. I used to come to this cafe when I was younger with my sister after school. It was old fashioned with hints of modern appeal but they always had the best lattes and desserts.

Only now, I didn’t feel much like eating.

The cafe was empty for the most part. I picked this one because they always played music and I knew it wouldn’t leave us in complete silence. And perhaps might leave it less likely for others to overhear our conversation.

“I’m glad you decided to join me today, Patara. I’ve been thinking about you a lot—“

“Malcom.” I leaned forward a little. “You know why I agreed to come. You said you would tell me what you had if we met in person. Did you learn anything new?”

Malcom scratched the side of his neck and I tried not to feel guilty for being so rude. I knew what he wanted from me and I wasn’t about to start leading him on just because I needed something. It wouldn’t be fair.

“Right.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I went to the hospital and asked around. The nurses there seemed a little nervous when I brought up your name.”

My hand tightened around the warm glass of tea in my grasp. “They were? What did they say?”

“They didn’t say much. They said you had a complicated delivery but I noticed the way they kept evading the question the more I tried to dive in. Then they shut me down and said they had to get back to work even though it was empty.”

“I knew it. I knew my child wasn’t dead! I would have felt it.” I kept my voice down but my eyes were locked with his.

“I don’t want you to jump to conclusions. They might have been nervous for other reasons. We get reports of shady hospitals doing deals under the table for drugs and such, it isn’t uncommon.”

“Were they acting nervous before you asked about me? Or after?”

Malcom looked along the ceiling as if it would give him the answer. “No. They seemed composed when I first walked up. I believe they only got nervous when I started to ask them questions. That’s the only reason why I think I have to dive deeper and see what happened.”

It felt like a relief to hear him say that. I was starting to think that I would be alone in this. I knew there was no way I could get to Dylan for his help—and it might even be foolish to consider asking for it. He was deadly. He showed me time and time again that he never let people cross him and I didn’t want anyone to die over this.

I just wanted my baby back.

“I’m going to go in tonight a push some of the night nurses that were working when you gave birth.” Malcom sighed and leaned forward. “Patara. I want you to know that if they did do something to the baby, that child is long gone. I’ve seen cases where the baby was stolen by a nurse and sold to another family and there was no way to get the child back.”

My b***d froze in my veins. “There would be no way to get him back?”

“I’m not saying that, I’m saying it’s possible that you might never see the baby again even if it is alive.”

“Knowing he is alive and safe is all I care about right now.” I said quickly before my mind started to go into dark territory.

“I understand. I’m going in tonight to do a bit of investigating.” Malcom took a long drink of his coffee and gazed at me over the rim. I nervously brushed my hair behind my ear. My stomach was too sick to take a sip of my own drink.

“Let me come with you.” I blurted out. His eyes grew wide as he placed his cup back down on the table, almost spilling all the liquid over his hands.

“Patara, I can’t allow you to do that—“

“I promise I won’t get involved!” I said quickly. “I can go under cover or wait in the car—I just have to know.”

“Patara—“ He said in a warning tone.

“I think my mother had something to do with it and I just have to be sure.” I blurted.

Malcom leaned back in his chair with a shocked expression on his face. “Patara, why would you say something like that?”

“She’s been against it since the moment I found out about it. I know she would have rather I’d gotten rid of it, but I didn’t. And ever since she found out about what happened, she’s been quiet and—I don’t know. I have a bad feeling about it and I just want to make sure that i’m wrong.”

Malcom sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fine. Can you sneak out tonight to meet me?”

“I—yes! Yes I can—“

“I will let you come under one condition.”

“Anything!”

“You promise to stay out of sight.”