Alethea
It’s as if the ground beneath me should open up and swallow me whole. I can’t face her. I can’t tell Kayla I have a son, and I definitely can’t let her know that the child is Asher’s.
The mere thought of Asher finding out sends a wave of fear crashing over me. If he knew, he would take my son away, wanting him to be part of the Redwood Pack.
Worse, Maya would become his stepmother, and I’m certain she would be cruel to him, knowing I’m his mother. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.
My mind races with these overwhelming thoughts, swirling emotions tightening their grip around me.
The idea of Asher discovering the truth and taking my son fills me with dread. My hands become clammy, and soon, beads of sweat cover my entire body as the anxiety rises within me.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t notice the world around me until I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.
Startled, I look up and meet Kayla’s concerned eyes, her gaze soft and full of worry.
“Are you okay? Did I make you uncomfortable with my question?” Kayla’s voice is gentle, but then she adds with certainty, “And that confirms it, Ally, even without you telling me-you have a son with Asher.”
I snap my head toward her, my face tense, but I hold my tongue. I don’t want to say anything to refute her claim, knowing it would be futile.
Kayla slowly smiled; her eyes didn’t leave mine. “Ally, I know it’s true. You may not know me well, but I’m with you in whatever decision you make, even if you want to keep it a secret.”
Her words take me off guard. I never expected it but I didn’t respond. I look into her eyes and see the hint of hurt, that I haven’t fully trusted her.
If I were the one in her shoes, I know I’d be hurt, maybe even furious. But I can’t help admiring the way she plays it cool, as if nothing could rattle her.
But I push it aside, focusing instead on my food. Kayla continues to watch me like a hawk, with an unrelenting gaze.
I know I shouldn’t let my emotions show, but how do I achieve that when I feel like I’m being watched? Her intense stare makes me squirm.
Unable to hold it in any longer, I snap at her, “What?” the words slip out just as the juice hovers at the tip of my mouth, barely keeping my composure intact.
“My brother must have made up for the lost years by banging you real hard,” she says casually as if she’s talking about the weather.
I nearly choke on my juice, her bluntness completely catching me off guard.
The juice in my mouth spills out in an instant, but Kayla isn’t fazed. She continues, “For you to be this hungry, judging by the way you’re eating that huge meal…”
Oh, my world. First, it was Amelia, and now Kayla. How do I keep ending up with friends who have no filter?
Kayla calmly gets up, grabs a napkin, and helps me wipe the juice off the table with a light-hearted expression.
I slowly shake my head, unable to come up with a good comeback for her blunt remark.
“Eat up, Ally. You need all the strength,” she says with a wink before sitting back down to continue her meal.
I push the plate away from me. “And now I’m not hungry anymore,” I mutter, feeling both embarrassed and amused by Kayla’s bluntness.
“Oh, Ally, I’m sorry,” Kayla says between laughs, moving closer to me. “I didn’t mean to spoil your appetite with my statement, but you know I’m right.” She smiles warmly and pats my back, her laughter softening into a gentle chuckle.
How can I stay mad at this beautiful soul for long? She’s been so cool, always lightening the mood, so I decided to play along with her statement about me needing all the strength.
“Kayla, it’s a two-way thing. Either Alpha Asher comes back to reject me again for the second time, or we make sweet love like you suggested.”
Kayla grins, raising her glass. “I think I’ll say Amen to the latter- to sweet love.”
I slowly shake my head, lifting my glass as well, and tilt it in the air. “To sweet love,” I echo, though the words feel heavy in my mouth. Deep down, I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.
We finally eat in silence, our conversation shifting to lighter topics. Kayla talks about many things, including how she hasn’t found her mate yet.
She mentions how Asher has never approved of any boyfriend she’s had.
“It’s frustrating,” she sighs, “the way he practically wants to decide everything for me, always acting like the big, bad alpha brother.”
“But you love him anyway,” I say with a pout, playfully wishing, “I wish I had a brother fussing over me like Asher.”
“Yes, I do,” she admits with a smile. “I’ll leave you now while I run some errands.” Kayla gets up, ready to head out.
I pout, my voice softening. “Oh, Kayla, please don’t go.”
“I have to go. I want to be at the daycare to take care of some things. When I’m done, I’ll come over. Don’t miss me too much,” Kayla says with a playful smile, blowing a kiss in the air.
I sigh in defeat, watching her leave, the room feels so quiet without her infectious energy.
Slumping on the couch, I pick up my laptop and dive back into the final phase of the app development project.
I’m grateful that in just a few days, this phase will be done, and the second team will take over. The thought of nearing the end gives me a sense of relief.
After a while, I close my laptop and stretch my arms in the air, feeling sleepy from the restless night. My body craves rest, but I need to use the restroom first.
I stand up and make my way to the restroom, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
As I reach for the shirt, I lift Alpha Asher’s shirt to do my business, the fabric feeling is oddly comforting against my skin.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, realizing I wasn’t wearing any panties as I quickly did my business. Feeling a bit disoriented, I finish up and step outside the bathroom.
I walk to the window, looking out at the pack land spread before me. The view is serene.
I take my time to look around, and to say the least, everything here is peaceful. The air is refreshing, carrying a sense of calm that momentarily soothes my restless mind.
I’m lost in my thoughts, enjoying the peace, when I slowly open my eyes and notice a familiar figure in the distance.
My brows furrow as I strain my eyes, wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me. This has to be the biggest joke of the century.
But as I focus, I realize I’m not mistaken. It’s Maya.
“Maya,” I whisper her name slowly, my voice barely audible. She’s not alone. She’s with a man, and my breath hitches in my throat when I recognize who he is.
Oh, goddess, this can’t be. I exclaim, the shock tightening my chest as I watch the two of them from afar, unable to believe what I’m seeing.