Arya’s POV
I stared at my watch for the umpteenth time. It was 8pm. I sighed. I gazed down at my lap. The once Agile son of mine is now in a deep sleep. It was his bed time and exactly way past any kind of picnic.
“Come on Kelsi let’s go inside” I said as cried my son and began leaving the beach.
“Wait Arya-”
“Angus I don’t want to hear any of those excuses for your boss” I snapped at him. Kelsi looked sad. The both of them. I began to feel guilty for the way I had spoken to them.
“I’m sorry guys” I muttered. Kelsi came around and engulfedme in a bear hug.
“I understand baby” she mumbled. When she released me, I stared into her eyes recalling how crazy I was last night. She had sat through all my ranting’s. Talking about how Chase didn’t like me anymore and what not. She told me that it was all in my head. As Chase was still crazy for me. Then he asked me out on a picnic date. I was ecstatic. Over the moon. Only for him to stand me up.
Slowly I stood up from the mat. “Help me” I said to Angus, who immediately took my son in his hands.
I stared down at my items on the beach. I recalled that by 4pm, I was very positive that he would come. I kept making excuses for him in my head.
I recalled adjusting the blanket for the third time, smoothing out every wrinkle until it was strained against the sift sand. I recalled the air smelled like dandelions and sunlight, and the occasional breeze carried the sound of kids laughing in the distance. A perfect day-exactly the kind of day I’d envisioned when I planned this picnic yesterday.
The bamboo basket had sat beside me, heavy with sandwiches, sliced fruit, and chocolate chip cookies, burgers, I’d stayed up late helping the chef make. Everything was just perfect. Except he wasn’t here.
Chamberlin had fallen asleep on the edge of the blanket, his small body curled up with his favorite toy car clutched in one hand. He had been asking of Chase and he stopped because he feared I had no answers. I tried calling him bit his line was switched off.
I thought about all the other times he wasn’t there for Chamberlin-the missed dinners, the forgotten birthdays, and the countless nights I’d sat up waiting for him to sleep after he had cried. I had endured all those because I had no idea who his father was. Now Cham knew, he still wasn’t present in his life. I felt so bad. Like a horrible mother, who had no idea on how to choose a father for her child?
“Come on guys, let’s go, he’s not going to come” I said, my hand hanging low. “Kelsi come on, help me pack all these into the basket”
Kelsi sighed. She squatted on the sand and began to pack them all. After we were through, we got into the car and headed for the palace.
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“Thank you Angus” he dropped my son on the bed and covered him up. Just as we were cleaning his room, I overheard a conversation that made me pissed.
“The alpha is not around” a voice said.
“Where did he go to then?”
“He went to the mating ceremony of the Drix pack”
That hurt as hell. My hands trembled and I dumped the bag and I was holding and my son’s clothes fell to the floor. Here I was hoping Chase would adhere to our mate bond but he was outside looking for a new mate. Then why stir my hopes up? Why make me feel like a stupid person today?
Kelsi began top pick the clothes and someone burst into the room. I didn’t raise my head to look. I knew it was him. I knew his scent.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I got held up, and then there was traffic, and my phone died…”
I held up a hand, cutting him off. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
“Babes I need to check on some new clothes with Angus” and that was how they disappeared, living I and Chase alone.
Chase tried to touch me but I withdrew. He flinched, guilt written all over his face. “I… I messed up. I know I did. But I’m here now.”
“You’re late,” I said, my voice firm “Do you have any idea how long we waited? How many times I had to tell Chamberlin you were coming? Do you know how hard it is to keep pretending you care when you keep proving that you don’t?”
“That’s not true,” he said quickly, stepping closer. “I do care. I care about you and Chamberlin more than anything. I just… I’m trying, okay? I’m trying to get it together.”
I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. “Trying isn’t enough. Not anymore. You can’t just show up when it’s convenient for you and expect everything to be okay. Chamberlin deserves better. I deserve better.” I recalled what the maids had said and my blood boiled. The word fool kept ringing in my head.
Chamberlin moved then, letting out a small sigh but not waking up. His little face was serene, his long lashes resting against his cheeks. I watched him for a moment, my heart breaking all over again for him.
He glanced at Chamberlin, his expression softening. “I’m sorry I missed this. I’ll make it up to him. To you I promise.” I stared athim deadpanned and crossed my arms.
“There you go again” I drawled “always making promises but keeping none”
“Can we talk outside?” Chase asked.
I took a deep breath, and nodded. I didn’t want to wake my son up.
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I listened to his excuse of being called to his uncle’s pack but I didn’t believe any of it. “So you want to say you care for I and my son-”
“Our son” Chase corrected. My nostril flared.
“You have no right” I said in gritted teeth. “You make me come down from where I was and make me think I am your mate only to try to get someone else? Do you think I am stupid? Huh?”
Chase hasn’t said a word. He just stood in the darkness listening to me. It got me more infuriated that he hadn’t said a world.
“I don’t know why I bother” I muttered and began walking into the woods.
“Where are you going?” Chase accused.
“Like you care “I ran and he ran after me.
“Where are you going?!” I heard him shout in that Baritone that I have grown to love. I didn’t answer him as I increased my pace. He grabbed me and I pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me” I glared at him but didn’t seem to faze him.