CHAPTER 89
As soon as he took my hand, my heart began to race. There was something about the way he silently led me away from the house that made me both nervous and excited. The evening air was cool against my skin, and the faint glow of moonlight filtered through the trees.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice filled with curiosity
He glanced over his shoulder, his expression calm yet amused. “It’s a surprise. Just trust me.”
I nodded, letting him guide me down a winding path that seemed to lead into the forest. My breath hitched as I noticed candles lining the pathway, their soft glow casting flickering shadows on the ground. The further we walked, the more magical it felt. Finally, we reached a clearing, and my eyes
Land out in the middle of the space was a picnic mat surrounded by lanterns. Plates of food were neatly arranged alongside a small bottle of wine and two glasses. The sight stole my breath, and I blinked back sudden tears.
“What what is this?” I whispered, my voice breaking slightly,
He turned to me, his gaze warm and steady. “I wanted to make you feel better,” he said softly.
“You did.” I replied, my voice trembling with emotion,
He led me to the mat, helping me sit down before selling across from me. He opened one of the containers, revealing perfectly prepared pasta with ja creamy sauce and sautéed vegetables.
“You made this?” I asked, incredulous, as I took the plate he offered.
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “I thought you might like it.”
I took a bite and closed my eyes, savoring the flavors. “It’s delicious,” I said, genuinely impressed. “You cook this well and didn’t think to mention it earlier?”
He chuckled. “I don’t usually get the time, but for you, I always make time.”
His words sent a warm flutter through my chest, and I found myself smiling despite the heaviness that had been clouding my thoughts earlier.
He poured wine into both our glasses and handed me one before leaning back slightly. His gaze swept over me, and I suddenly became self–conscious.
“What?” I asked, taking a sip of the wine.
is is still good.”
He shrugged, a teasing glint in his eye. “I was hoping you’d wear that red dress Leah picked out, but this
I laughed, glancing down at the simple blouse and jeans I had on “Sorry to disappoint but girls don’t usually wear their shopping outfit home,”
“You could never disappoint me,” he said, his voice dropping to a softer tone.
Heat crept up my neck, and I looked away, focusing on the food instead. I knew what he was doing, he was taking things slow.
I didn’t ask for it but I appreciated it still Leah and I talked about this at length, I discovered I didn’t know what I wanted with Aragon. The bond was there and we were never escaping it but the distance did us good.
I was willing to give him a chance to make things right between us. He was good with Charlie and he wanted us to be a family again. I wanted that 100, at least I want that sometimes.
“How dal Charlie behave today?“
“You know he is a good boy, he was a pleasure to be with. I am glad you had fun today.”
“Me too, apart from what happened at the shoe store, I had fun.”
“but something I need to handle! I know Leah mentioned that you handled it.”
The genuine concern on his face touched me, “I landed |..”
He mumbled to himself and smiled at me.
“I am curious about something, where is haact I haven’t seen him since I got here”
He rolled his eyes. “I would disregard the fact that you are asking after him. I sent him to track the rogues that have been causing problems here.”
My forehead furrowed, “Is it serious?”
“I wouldn’t say it is serious but they have been pausing major problems.”
Thats bar, what is your theory”
What theory!”
“You kno
the reason they might be causing problems for you” I told him.
He looked like he was thinking about it, I mean, I haven’t done anything wrong to them. It’s pretty much obvious that someone is pulling their strings. Its always been like that, anyunur that wants to attack a park goes through the rogues because they are lawless and care about nobody “
“So you thank they are coming after you because someone told them to?”
CHAPTER 9
I could see how stressed he was about this but he still managed to smile. I wish there was someway I could help him
It was only when he brought up my father that the mood shifted.
“Do you think your father might’ve had some sort of allegiance with the rogues?” he asked, his voice careful, as though he didn’t want to upset me
I fraze mid–bite, the question taking me by surprise. “L. I don’t know,” I admitted after a moment. “He never involved me in pack matters, especially not the important ones
He frowned slightly. “That’s unusual. You’re his daughter you would’ve been the natural heir if things had been different.”
I shrugged. pushing a piece of pasta around on my plate. “He never saw me that way. My role was always more. decorative, I guess. He hated me,
remember!”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he reached across the mat and placed his hand over mine. “You’re so much more than that You know that right?”
I nodded, though a part of me wasn’t entirely convinced. It was something I grew up with and I had made peace with it. My father wasn’t a good man and I knew first hand what he was capable of..
I wouldn’t be surprised if he indeed made allegiance with the rogues in question but what for?
“What about your mother?” he asked gently.
1 froze. My mother was a sore subject for me, her existence alone was the main reason I was punished. Her death caused me pain because my father hated the mere sight of me.
His death gave me nothing but relief because my worst nightmare was gone. I was immensely grateful to Aragon for killing him even though it was
meant to hurt me.
“You should know, she died when I was little,” I said, my voice quiet. “I don’t remember much about her, just bits and pieces. My father never talked about her. I know he killed her. He lied to me about her death, to make me less suspicious of him or more afraid of him, I have no idea”
“He is a monster, I am glad I killed him.”
“It’s in the past. I don’t know anything about his dealings with rogues but if you have a hunch then you can explore it, I am sure you would find something good. If there is anyone who would make that kind of devious deal with rogues then it would be the nun that hated you so much”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful “Til look into it,” he said after a moment. “The rogues are getting bold, and we need to figure out why. If
there’s a connection, Ill find it.
“Do you think they’re planning something?” I asked, unable to keep the worry out of my voice.
“I don’t know yet.” he admitted. “But I’m not taking any chances. But either way, I need you to be careful. I don’t want anything happening to you or Charlie in my care.”
I nodded, a heavy silence settling between us. The thought of rogues threatening the pack, threatening Charlie, made my stomach chum.
He must ve sensed my unease because he shifted closer, his hand tightening around mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you or Charlie.” he said firmly. “I promise.”
His words were a balm to my frayed nerves, and I leaned into his strength, letting myself believe. if only for a moment, that everything would be
okay.
As the nigia deepened, we lay back on the mat, staring up at the stars. The forest around us was alive with the sound of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. It was peaceful in a way that felt rare and fleeting.
“Thank you for titis,” I said after a while, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned his head to look at me, his eyes reflecting the starlight. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “I always do whatever it takes to make you luppy. It’s what I was meant to do from the start but I didn’t but that’s going to change.”
I sided, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax, the weight of the world momentarily lifting off my shoulders.
Maybe this wasn’t bad at all.
CHAPTER 90
CHAPTER 90
Sapphire.
When I returned to my room, I sank onto the edge of my bed, my thoughts spiraling endlessly. His words replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t shake the unease they stirred in me.
Could my father have been working with rogues! On the surface, it felt implausible, yet something nagged at me, a sense that it wasn’t entirely
impossible.
My father had always been shrouded in secrets, never considering me important enough to share in his plans. To him, I was an afterthought, a piece, in a puzzle he didn’t care to complete.
I sighed, rubbing my temples as if that could somehow quiet the storm in my mind. Even if he had dealings with rogues, there had to be a reason, some logic behind it. My heart warred with my head, part of me wanting to condemn him outright, the other part hesitant to jump to conclusions
I didn’t care about him, neither was I defending him but my father was a meticulous planner, he wouldn’t consult with rogues unless it benefitted him gready.
Feeling restless, I stood up and paced the room. I couldn’t sit here and stew in these thoughts any longer. My gaze drifted to the clock on the wall, it was late, far past Charlie’s bedtime. A pang of guilt hit me. I hadn’t tucked him in and knowing my son, he was probably still awake, waiting for me.
I walked down the hall to Charlie’s room, his “big boy” domain, is he proudly called it. Ever since he found out that Daisy slept alone, he’d insisted -on having his own room too.
“I’m not a baby anymore, Mama,” he had declared, puffing out his tiny chest.
Smiling at the memory, I tapped softly on his door, careful not to wake him if he’d managed to fall asleep.
“Mama“” His small, sleepy voice called out from the other side.
I opened the door and peeked inside. He was sitting up in bed, his hair tousled and his eyes half–closed as he rubbed at them
“Why aren’t you asleep yet, baby?” I asked, stepping inside.
“I was waiting for you,” he mumbled.
I sat down beside hum, ruffling his hair affectionately. “You don’t need to wast for me, sweetheart. You should be atleep by now
“I missed you,” he said, leaning into me. His tiny arms wrapped around my waist, and I felt my heart melt
“I missed you too,” I replied, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Now, come on, lie down You need to rest
He shook his head, burrowing further into my side. “Stay with me till I fall asleep?”
I chuckled softly. “How can I say no to that?”
He smiled, his littie face lighting up even in his tired state. I adjusted the blankets around him, making sure he was warm and comfortable, then settled beside him. His head rested against my arm as his breathing began to even out
“Mama“” he murmured after a few moments of silence.
“Yes, Charlie“”
“Are we safe here!”
The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated before answering. “Of course we are, baby. Why do you ask?”
“I heard people talking,” he admitted. “They were talking about us. Daisy said I shouldn’t mind them”
I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Who was careless enough to discuss such things around a child? Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to remain calm for his sake.
“Don’t worry about that, Charlie,” I said gently. “That’s grown–up stuff. Your job is to have fun and be a kid, okay!
He nodded against my arin, but I could tell he wasn’t entirely convinced.
“I’ll protect you.“I added firmly. “No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”
Hi ladle fingers tightened around mine, and he finally closed his eyes, surrendering to sleep. I stayed with him until his soft snores filled the room, a sound that never failed to bring me prace.
Carefully, I tucked the blanket around him and kissed his forehead. “Goodnight, my little warrior,” I whispered before slipping out of the room.
ack to the pack meetings Id occasionally overhear as a child. My father would cluse me away because he didn’t want me hearing them.
at my door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in.” I called, assuming it was Leali.
Intral Aragon stepped inside.
ake,” he observed, his gaze softening as it landed on me.
“bounddn’t deep ladmitted. Too much on my
He round the room and koelt in front of me, taking my hands in hos. “You dont have in worry yourself to death,” he said quietly. “Whatever you’re
wydtues
