Chapter 157: Chapter 157

Book Two Chapter Three

Luna Ryley

Time had come to a stop. My husband and our son had left over an hour ago and it has felt like a lifetime. My body hasn’t stopped trembling since they walked out the cabin door. Anxiety and fear twisted my stomach painfully as I try to drink this dam n tea.

“Mom, can I ask you a question?” Aspen broke the silence. We were both sitting on the couch watching the fire burn in the fireplace. Blake’s mother had gone to her room. I know it’s hard for her to be away from Blair.

“You can always ask me anything. No matter how embarrassing you think it might be.” I replied, resting my head on his shoulder.

“I met someone,” he breathed out. I tried not to let the bubble of excitement pop.

“Oh, and how are you feeling about that?” I asked instead, dying to know all the details of my son’s love life. He hasn’t had a good run at it so far. It would seem his brother is the go-to for the ladies. Channing is a handsome young man but so is Aspen.

“I met her last time I was home with Landon. We went to a party and she was there with a friend.” Landon is Lucas’ son who went off to Alpha training to learn more about being a beta.

“And what is your question, my love?” I wanted to know more but I could hear the hesitation. Love was hard for him. He is such a wonderful young man. Smart, charming, calm, but furiously protective. When he finds his mate, she is going to be the luckiest wolf alive.

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“When someone says they are busy, can they always be busy and not be avoiding you?”

“She could just be busy. I know I also was at your age. There was no way in hell I had the time to date, even if I wanted to.” I told him and he sighed.

“She texts, but I think I want more when she doesn’t.”

“Well, can you tell me more about her?” I asked, softly.

“She isn’t from our pack. Or hasn’t joined yet. I don’t know, she doesn’t like to talk about it. She works a lot, if what she is telling me is true. I don’t know, Mom. It just seems like I like her more than she likes me but she doesn’t want to tell me the truth. And I’ll be away for another six months, training.” My boy sounded so defeated, that I wanted to find her and punch her in the face for hurting my sweet Aspen.

“I think you should meet up with her when we get back and say to her what you told me. If she doesn’t want to be with you, there’s nothing you can do. I can see you like her but sometimes it isn’t enough.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulders before kissing his temple.

“But dad fought for you, how do I know when to give up?”

“I’m not saying

what you wou give up, I’m saying you tell her how you feel and

from this. And it wasn’t like I didn’t like your father from the first moment I met him. I was scared. Once I got to know him, I knew he could break me and I wasn’t going to be able to survive if he did.” I explained.

“I’ll try to talk to her,” he sighed.

“You are perfect, my sweet boy. Your mate is going to be the luckiest. wolf.” I kissed his head.

I jumped when there was a bang on the front door. Aspen immediately.

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stood up from the couch. He stalked towards the door. My heart was in my throat as I planned out a path to get to Evie if this was the council.

“Stormy, open up, it’s Dad,” my father called out.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Aspen turned and whispered to me. I stood up and inched closer to the door. He would never work for the council but maybe they threatened Mom.

“Stormy, Blake called me. I have men patrolling with Walter’s.” I inched towards the door, hesitating as my hand wrapped around the handle.

“He’s here, with Eli,” Aspen informed me. He was looking out the window.

I unlocked the door, opening it to find my father and my childhood best friend. A gust of window air blew in, cooling my hot skin..

My father ducked his head, his large frame filling the doorway, before he wrapped his strong arms around me.

“It’s okay, Stormy,” he mumbled, using my nickname. He was also a stormy since we shared the same gray eyes.

Eli stepped inside and Aspen quickly closed and locked the door.

‘Are you okay?” My father took hold of my cheeks so I would look up at him. My lip trembled and my eyes filled up with tears.

“Blake will be okay, baby girl,” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me over to the couch. I couldn’t speak as fear twisted. my stomach. I looked at my phone and still, there was nothing from

him.

“What the” Eli growled, he leaned forward and picked something off the floor. Whatever it was was blocked by the coffee table. He was

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seated in a chair and Aspen was sitting on the other couch.

“Are you pregnant?” he gasped and that’s when I noticed the box in his hand. It was the box I had gifted to Blake with the ultrasound picture of our newest addition.

“Stormy?” My father questioned. But I couldn’t take my eyes off Eli.

“I am. I surprised Blake with the news before Luca called.”

“And we are so excited to meet our new brother or sister,” Aspen exclaimed.

“That’s such good news,” my father squeezed me in for a hug. This wasn’t how I wanted to announce my pregnancy but these last few hours have thrown me. I’m exhausted from worry and my stomach has been churning since he said he was leaving. And it’s not just the baby’s protests.

“Congrats, Stormy. Alpha, I’m going to go check on the men,” Eli stood up and moved towards the door to leave.

“Wait,” I called after him. I stood up and rushed over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Thank you for coming.” I told him. He removed my hands from around his neck before stepping back.

“Lock the door behind me,” he demanded before he walked out the

front door.

Eighteen years of space did nothing but tear our friendship apart. I. wanted to go back to the way things were between us, but I knew it would kill Blake. It would kill me to see him friends with another woman. So, I fought back the tears and locked the door.