Chapter 0137
Twenty–minutes later, I kissed my son’s cheek while the jet waited behind me.
“Be good, alright,” I whispered. “Listen to daddy. And don’t talk to strangers.”
He nodded.
“See you tomorrow.”
Nick watched me silently as I started to climb up the stairs. He seemed confused about what to say. The fact that I could now pick up these things evoked both joy and sadness in my
heart.
I kept my eyes ahead and away from him after waving at my son. The jet took off moments
later.
In about an hour, I was back in town and nervous about seeing my dad.
It was the middle of the day. The town was as busy as it should be at that hour. But it felt entirely new and different to me. And strange. Like I was only visiting. Twelve hours at the Reign mansion had messed with my reality.
“Would you like to go home or to your dad’s, Miss James,” Lindsey asked.
I immediately recalled that she was with me. I wanted to ask who was watching Alex. Then I remembered that he was with his father. Which was a million times safer than having a warrior keep an eye on him.
That I felt this way may have something to do with the Alpha’s mark.
“I’ll go see my dad,” I breathed finally.
It was better to deal with that first. Maybe it would help me settle properly into the reality I left behind.
“I’ll be close,” Lindsey replied, holding the door open for me.
Moments later, the car was speeding down the winding road while I sat rigid, wishing that the ride would never end. I arrived at my dad’s sooner than I wanted to.
He must’ve sensed me because he got out of his truck to stand outside as the driver pulled out of the road.
The moment I got out of the car, his brow furrowed. His eyes moved to my neck, which was well covered with the upturned collar of my new jacket.
1/4
Chapter 0137
+25 BONUS
“Seb, coffee,” Kelly said.
Great. The town’s talkative. Just my luck that she arrived at the same time I did. But on the bright side, she would delay the face–to–face with my dad.
“Oh, hey, Sara. How’re you doing? Woah, that’s a nice jacket. Looks expensive. Who borrowed it to you? Don’t tell me. It’s that rich, hot dude at that fancy ass resort, isn’t it?
I’ve seen him around your house a few times. That’s the daddy, I’m sure. Isn’t he? The resemblance is uncanny. You can’t be cagey about that, sweetheart. Everyone around here
sees it too.”
“Hello, Mrs. Noel,” I greeted.
“Hello, yourself. Gurl, you are glowing. You look good. Where you been?”
“I’ll get your coffee,” I ignored her chatter, proceeding into the truck.
My dad didn’t argue. He let me serve the gossipy woman as she carried on with her chattiness.
He knows, I thought. The jacket collar still hid the mark, but my dad could feel the change in
- me.
Mrs. Kelly Noel got her cup of coffee but waited to talk some more. Which bought me more time to brace myself.
A few other customers came and left, but soon, it was just me and Sebastian James in the
truck.
He reached gently for my collar and pushed it down. I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.
He blew out air and muttered,
“Should’ve just let him do it two nights ago. Why did I bother stopping him. What a waste of my time.”
“Daddy…” I pleaded.
“You don’t have to explain anything!”
“It’s temporary. He’ll undo it in a few days. Something happened to me,” I explained anyway.
“He’ll undo what? Do you hear yourself? No, he won’t, Sara. You belong to him now. Is that the kind of life you want? You know what, forget I asked. It’s your life. You’re a grown female. A
mother!”
2/4
Chapter 0137
+25 BONUS
His face was grim as he gripped the counter. Then, shaking his head in disappointment, he stomped out of the truck and left me there.
****
The day was painfully slow after that. I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself for the rest of the time. My ilfe felt empty, and I blamed Nick and his mother for it.
But when I replayed yesterday in my head, it was hard to imagine things playing out differently.
What would have happened if I had ended up in bed with Avery or any other male? I wondered
my
life would be easier today if Elise hadn’t kidnapped me.
if
My dad returned to the truck a half hour later but didn’t say another word to me.
At some point, I went back home to lock myself up in my room and think.
If only the full moon was tonight. I wanted to get this over with. I laid watching my ceiling till I fell asleep.
Two things woke me up at the same time. The sound of the door and my phone ringing.
When I looked at the time, it was past 6. My dad had returned home. Why was he early? I refused to face him, so I remained in my room. Then he came to knock.
“Sara.”
I didn’t respond. If I pretended I was asleep, he would leave.
“Avery came by. I’m sorry about earlier.”
The sadness in his voice made me rise to open the door.
“When you said something happened to you, I thought it was something to do with the Luna. Avery told me about the poison,” he said gently. “I am so sorry.”
“I’m fine now, dad,” I assured him.
He heaved a tired sigh before asking,
“So what will happen now?”
“I told you. Everything would go back to normal this Monday. He’ll do what he did four ago.”
years
3/4
