Aiden’s POV
“Come to the estate tonight,” she finally said, standing up. “You can meet your son then.”
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the cafe, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor, leaving me to sit with the crushing reality of what I had lost. I knew I needed to be closer to Shenaya if I wanted to get forgiveness faster and I no longer wanted to miss any part of my son’s life. I need to talk to Ethan. I left and made my way to the pack house.
My heart raced as I stood outside the pack house, staring at the sprawling estate in the distance. My mind was buzzing with the whirlwind of revelations and emotions, a son I had never met, a woman I am still very much in love with, and the chaos my life had become since Skylar’s treachery. I shook my head, to clear my thoughts before walking into the pack house straight to Ethan’s office.
I didn’t bother to knock. I just burst the door open to see Ethan sitting in his chair looking through some files. He raised his head to acknowledge my presence.
“Alpha Aiden, here in Pars, people we knock before barging into another person’s space” Ethan’s deep voice came through, clearly unimpressed, “What do you want?”
“Good evening to you too, Alpha Ethan,” I said dryly, trying to hold back my irritation. “I was thinking of moving into the pack house for better training… and to see how things go.”
“Oh, were you now? And did you also think about asking for permission? I’m the Alpha here, Aiden. Just in case you forgot.” Ethan made a sarcastic comment.
“I know it’s your territory, Ethan. I’m just trying to suggest what’s best for the pack. We both know I need to be closer to the training ground.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” Ethan chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. “You and your chaos have been a real gift to this pack. But let’s get one thing straight. When you move into my pack house, you follow my command. This isn’t your show at all, Aiden.”
I almost rolled his eyes at him, I tried to resist the urge to snap back at him.
“I know it’s your command, Ethan. But this isn’t about power games. We are allies now.”
“And what makes you think I don’t know the main reason why you want to move into the pack house, pretending it’s because we are allies?” Ethan’s voice had a sharp edge now, his temper starting to flare.
“You’ve been absent for years, Aiden. Years. And now you want to waltz back into her life just like that?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
“I need her no more than ever. I’m trying to fix what was broken. My pack…., the betrayals… it all goes back to Skylar.”
“Ah yes, Skylar,” Ethan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Your mate, the one who bewitched you. The one who ruined everything. Remind me again why I should trust your judgment now?”
“Because I broke free from her,” I snapped, finally losing my patience. “I’ve been fighting for years to undo the damage Skylar did. I’ve been trying to find Shenaya too. She disappeared. Do you think I don’t want to fix this? Do you think I don’t want to fix… everything?”
There was silence for a moment before Ethan sighed, the tension easing slightly.
“Fine. You can move in, but remember, this isn’t your pack. You can’t come here trying to throw commands at people here. It’s enough that this pack is already being ruled by two Alphas. We don’t want a third Alpha. You play by our rules, Aiden, or you’re out.”
“Understood.” I released the breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
“And about your son… don’t screw this up, Aiden. He deserves better.” Ethan’s voice softened just slightly showing a hint of empathy.
“I know,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Later in the evening, I found myself standing at the estate’s entrance, I was so nervous. I don’t know what to expect. Of course, I am excited but there is also the weight of the unknown lying on my shoulders. I was about to meet my son… My son.
The door creaked open, and Shenaya appeared calm but guarded expression. She looked more beautiful than ever, her grace untouched by the years that had passed. Beside her stood a young boy with ocean-blue eyes just like mine and an air of quiet confidence. My heart leaped into my heart.
“Papa,” the little boy ran towards me and hugged my leg. My heart continued to melt, he recognized me as his father.
I took a tentative step toward him, holding my tears back.
“Leo…” My voice wavered slightly as he knelt, looking into my son’s eyes. “I’m your father.”
Leo tilted his head, studying Aiden with curiosity but no fear.
“Mama told us all about you,” he said simply, his voice clear and steady. “She said you are the strongest Alpha in Rome but you have been away for a long time.”
“I was and I’m here now.”
I wrapped him in a hug, my breath hitched as I held him for the first time. I closed my eyes to absorb the moment and the weight of all the years I had lost. “I’ve missed so much…” I whispered though I knew Leo couldn’t understand how deep it meant.
Just as I was savoring the moment, a little girl about the age of LEO maybe younger than him appeared beside Shenaya with wild curls and mischievous eyes. She looked familiar.
“And this,” Shenaya said, her voice suddenly tight with awkwardness, “is Zoey.”
I blinked, taken aback. Zoey? The little girl gave me a shy smile before clinging to Shenaya’s leg.
“Zoey you won’t meet your father?” Shenaya said to the little girl who looked shy but finally made her way towards me and hugged me.
My mind reeled. Daughter? I knew she wasn’t Mine because the math didn’t add up, but Shenaya’s calm, almost casual statement left me no room to argue.
I picked her up. “Princess, how have you been?”
Zoey giggled and wrapped her hands around my neck.
“You smell like Candy.” She whispered, which made me smile. Leo simply just watched.
I couldn’t shake the questions racing through my head. Had Shenaya moved on? Did she have another child with someone else? But… there was no ring on her finger. No obvious sign of another man. The mystery gnawed at me, but I wasn’t going to ask. Not yet.
As we walked toward the estate together, I forced myself to stay focused on the. I will find out more about Zoey later. I had to.