Chapter 67
Ashton’s POV.
I spent the rest of the day in my office, writing the tests Josie sent to my email.
It’s quite a difficult one but I managed to get through it. After that, I take my time in writing the review which I’ll send to her
company
It’s already weekend, so by Monday she’ll get to see my review. I truly hope it’ll boost her ratings at work.
I reserve the copy, reminding myself to forward it to her company afterward.
Then I make my way downstairs and into the Kitchen where I ask the head chef to brew a cup of coffee for me.
While I’m taking the coffee at the breakfast bar, I hear several footfalls before Dane appears with his conquests from last night.
As if noticing my glare, he turns and flashes me a smile and winks before escorting those women outside.
I keep wondering how that dude manages to lure women this much. That’s some crazy shit, for real.
I remember being like that but hell, that’s all because I want Josie to take interest in me. , I wanted her to notice me.
Shoving thoughts about Dane’s promiscuous life aside, I get my phone and call Heath
“Will you still be ready!” I ask him over the phone.
“Yeah, sure I will be. Wanna see her?” He asks.
See heri
The thoughts of that send dread spiraling through me.
I rarely see her because seeing her reminds me of that night.
Heath is the only one who came close to knowing the truth about that night..and that’s because he started working at the rehabilitation center in Lake Tahoe as an occupational therapist.
But I’ve not brought myself to tell him the whole truth about how I came to know the girl I left under his care.
Vixenda, the girl who nearly lost her life just like I nearly did mine on that fateful night.
But her mother chose to sacrifice her life for us both.
But since then…Vixenda hadn’t recovered mentally.
The pain of what happened on that night is what keeps me from going to see her often.
I only go once in four months.
Even as I think about it, images of our cars clashing and sparking fire fill my mind. I shake my head, wanting to ward off the images but it’s stuck in my mind.
The enchanter had asked me to take care of her… Vixenda. She had also mentioned having another daughter somewhere but
I didn’t get to ask about that daughter of hers before the enchanter died, leaving me with an unconscious Vixenda.
It hurts to remember. Sometimes I wonder how I can find that daughter the enchanter was talking about.
Who is she?
Where could she be?
On the east coast? The north?
, I don’t know. But I desperately wish to know.
Again, I keep wondering who were they running from that night.
“Why shaking your head, alpha?” Dane’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
Bringing my eyes up, 1 meet his smug face.
Was just wondering how you keep managing several women at the same time.”
He chuckles, heavily “Men are endowed with strength for that, Ashton. Don’t pretend like you don’t know.”
“I may have forgotten.” I wriggle my brows.
“Then you should regain that…”
Before he finishes, I’m already on my feet.
“Nah, my friend. I’ve given up on that life.” I pat his shoulder, gesturing for him to follow.
In the next moments. Dane and I are already driving to the pub where I decided to meet and talk things out with him and
Heath.
The bullets are still stuck in my pocket, heavy.
Josie’s POV.
I stand hopefully outside Tessa’s apartment door before ringing the bell.
It’s barely seven in the morning. I just wanted to be here when my daughter wakes up.
I know she must be missing me a whole lot.
And yes, I made her favorite tortillas and parfait. I know she’s going to love them.
“Coming!” Tessa’s voice rings from the inside before I hear the clicking of the lock.
She pulls the door open and I smile her way. “Tada!”
“Rose!” She says, obviously surprised. “Come on in, girl. You got me waiting and worried last night..” She babbles as we both hug each other.
“I’m sorry. I was out with my colleagues
“Colleagues from Almac?” She asks, interrupting me.
“Not at all. From the hospital. One of them held a birthday party.” I rattle off as I wander into the Kitchen and there they are.
Jane and Kendra,
“Girls!!” I chirp as I flush myself in Kendra’s arms. Then Jane.
Chapter (7
“So you thought it wise to leave Aria alone on her first night settling in?” Jane chides.
“Apparently, our friend here went for a party.” Tessa chimes in.
I look at her, pleading with my eyes she keeps her mouth shut.
“Don’t give me that look. Honestly, Factually thought something happened to you but Diego called and let us know y you’re safe.” Tessa says as she heads over to the fridge.
She brings out a gallon of milk and Cheerios. Setting a plate on the breakfast bar, she helps herself with the cereal and milk.
“And Aria kept rattling our cars off.” Jane chirps.
“Hell. I knew she’s gonna miss me. But I know keeping her here is the best.”
I spent a moment with them before going to my baby’s room.
She’s sharing a bunk bed with Tessa’s twins. Seeing her wild brown hair sprawling on the bed, my heart fills with warmth.
I scoot over and slide into the bed with her, kissing her forehead and petting her sleepy form.
Aria mumbles something incoherent in her sleep and I find myself smiling.
Staying this close and smelling her scent. I remember my time with her father last night.
Remembering the fact that I almost let myself lose. Ashton nearly had his way with me. I search for the regret but I find none. Only guilt but not guilty enough that I didn’t crave his touch while sleeping last night.
Even now, I still smell his scent on me.
“Ahem!” A voice cuts through my reverie and I look up to find Tessa perching on the doorframe.
“Hey.” I wink, smiling.
She struts into the room and takes a seat on the overstuffed sofa
“Rose were you really at the party last night?” She gives me a quizzical look.
I blink rapidly, overly conscious under the weight of her gaze.
“Why do ask? Of course, I was there” I ramble out.
“You smell not so you. I noticed from the moment I hugged you.”
I blush suddenly,
knowing it’s because of Ashton’s scent lingering on my body.
“I was..” I murmur.
“But the story is not complete. And I’m sure that person wasn’t Diego.”
My heart jumps in my chest, making guilt rush back inside me.
“Girl he only saved me last night.” I blurt.
“You mean, your baby’s daddy?”
I nod. Tessa only looks at me for a while before she says. “If that’s the case, I won’t blame you. But you should know that you’ve already moved on from him, Rose. You should know that you already have another man in your life and that’s Diego.”
“I know. Tess. Thank you.”
Our little chatter gets interrupted when I feel Aria holding my hands.
“Mommy?”
I turn to my girl and watch her gray eyes staring at me longingly and the weight of it reminds me of her father’s
“Darling “1 tickle her and she laughs before I scoop her into her arms. “How’s mommy’s girl doing huh?”
“I missed you. Ms. Beth brought me here yesterday like you told me but I was waiting for you to come and you didn’t.”
“Honey, believe me, I missed it too. Mommy got stuck at work last night. But I promise to spend the night with you here today, okay?”
She nods enthusiastically before spreading her arms around me again.
“I love you. Mommy” she says and 1 kiss her hair.
After spending the day with Aria, Ms. Beth came alongside Tessa’s nanny.
That gave us the opportunity to head to the nearest pub for our Taco night. Literally, the one I missed.
The girls said a re–do would be better.
We march into the pub that’s buzzing with music and chatter.
Then we find ourselves in a booth….
“Do we order?” I ask, smiling at them.
“Nah. I’ll pass,” Kendra says.
Sharply, we all turn and stare at her. Then chorus….
“Why?”
Kendra blushes quickly. She wants to hide but that’s impossible. Not when Tessa and Jane are here.
“Start spilling it! C’mon “Jane utters, glaring at Kendra.
The way she finds it difficult to talk shows she’s hiding something.
“Guys. I’m…I’m…” She stutters, making dread to pool in our guts.
“Guys. I guess I’m pregnant.”
Mouths gaped open, and Tessa, Jane, and I stared at each other in shock.
“Really? For Kai?” Jane says excitedlyand Kendra nods.
Immediately, we begin hugging her in earnest.
Kendra told us how Kai, the man she rocked during our dare game months ago is her fated mate.
She’s human but it’s still possible for her to mate with a wolf.
In that spirit of excitement, I tell the girls I’ll head over to the bar and get our drinks.
Adjusting my flimsy gown, I saunter my way to the bar.
Just as I’m about to tilt on the counter, I bump my head with someone’s.
“Oh, no!” I scream at the pain shooting through me.
“Shit!” I hear the person curse.
Holding my aching forehead, I rear my head backward to know who that is.
“I’m so sorry…” I try to say but on seeing those dark, menacing eyes, my body paled.
Oh, no, it can’t be him…
TBC…
