Chapter 1; Ephemeral

Nathan couldn't quite recall when he had drifted off to sleep, but as he slowly came, he found himself lying on a soft, comfortable bed. To his surprise, Rebekah was lying next to him; her eyes closed in peaceful slumber. As his senses slowly woke up, his stomach grumbled with hunger, and Rebekah seemed to have heard it too. As she opened her eyes, Nathan couldn't help but admire the beauty of her baby blue irises, which sparkled with a hint of curiosity.

Rebekah's warm and gentle voice sounded like a lullaby to Nathan's ears as he slowly opened his eyes. Her motherly instincts were fully displayed as she noticed his stomach rumbling with hunger. Nathan watched in awe as Rebekah quickly prepared some milk for him, her movements were efficient and precise, as if she had done this a thousand times before. As Rebekah handed him the bottle, Nathan eagerly latched on, feeling the warm and nourishing liquid fill his stomach—the feeling of being fed and cared for filled him with comfort and security.

After Nathan had finished his milk, Rebekah carefully scooped him up with a tender touch. He could feel the softness of her embrace as she held him close, and he couldn't help but snuggle deeper into her warmth. He felt safe and protected in her arms.

Rebekah carried Nathan to the bathroom, cradling him gently in her arms. As she filled the small tub with warm water, she noticed the dirt and grime that coated his delicate skin, a clear sign that he had been on his own for some time. Rebekah's heart ached at the thought of a young baby wandering the streets alone, and she was determined to give him the care and attention he deserved.

As she began bathing him, her eyes drifted to his shoulder, and she noticed a strange mark that caught her attention. It was a tiny crescent moon, a symbol she recognized all too well. The spot belonged to Hayley and the pack in New Orleans, a place Rebekah had spent time in not too long ago. She couldn't help but wonder how this little infant had ended up so far from home and what circumstances had led to him being found in New York.

Rebekah's thoughts swirled around in her mind as she gently washed Nathan's tiny body, making extra careful around the crescent moon on his shoulder. She felt a sense of protectiveness and responsibility towards this innocent child and knew she had to learn more about his story.

After Nathan's bath, Rebekah wrapped him up in a soft towel and held him close to her chest. Looking at him in the mirror, she noticed his small size and delicate features. He was only about 6-7 months old, with soft, chocolate-colored skin that looked like velvet. His eyes were the brightest shade of green she had ever seen, and they seemed to glow with a sense of wonder and innocence.

As Nathan turned his head and looked at himself in the mirror, Rebekah couldn't help but smile at the sight. He was a beautiful child,

Feeling the warmth of his little body against her own. She knew she couldn't keep him forever, but for now, she was content to hold him and offer him comfort.

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