Chapter Fifty-Four
Ryley
I was on the verge of a panic attack when there was a quick knock on my office door. I didnât have time to answer before the former alpha walked in. I quickly got to my feet and wiped away my tears.
âAlpha Blair, Iâm sorry about my departure from dinner. I just needed a moment.â I rushed out.
âRyley, Iâm not here about dinner. I do apologize for my mate. She can get
a little excited over her sonâs love life.â He said and I chuckled, giving him a smile, which he returned.
âNow, come sit with me. Iâd like to speak to you,â He said, standing by the small couch in the sitting area. If this was a few weeks ago, we would be sitting on the floor.
I moved around my desk and sat down beside him. He turned his body towards mine and I did the same. Blake was the spitting image of his father. And Aspen was the baby version of the two of them. The only thing Blake has of his mother is her amber eyes. Which Aspen also has.
âI would like to apologize for ruining your family dinner. I didnât mean to intrude,â I said before he took my hands in his. I jumped not expecting his touch.
âI would never hurt you, my dear. I suspect you have had a hard life. And you donât have to tell me but I want you to know that I appreciate everything you are doing for my grandson. He has missed out on so much. And being close to anyone who he can view as a mother is one
0.00%
O
<
11:56
288 Vouchers
of those. Aspen doesnât trust easy but you seemed to have won his heart.â He said, squeezing my hands. Tears pr**ked my eyes again.
âAnd I also noticed the way you look at my son.â He added and I sighed.
âI love Aspen. He is such a good kid. Blake was right when he said I would lay down my life for his. But I canât be with your son.
â
âAspen sent me the video of your words with that wench. I havenât seen that level of love for a pack in a long time. And I donât know what happened between you and your sonâs father, but I do know my son is a good man. I understand you are leaving at the end of the summer?â He asked me.
âYes,â I nodded.
âIâm not saying you have to join the pack but I think you should give my son a chance to prove himself to you. Ryley, you have had to be independent for so long, you have forgotten how it feels to be loved and protected.â
âBut,â I stammered, trying to hold in my so*s. How can a man I just met, read me so well?
âDonât say no, Ryley. Just open yourself up to the experience, to the opportunity to be a part of a family. Take some time to think about it. And donât worry, Iâll make up an excuse for your absence.â He smiled at me and squeezed my hands. All I could do was nod. If I tried to speak, I knew I would burst into tears.
âI hope we can do this again, soon.â He said before he stood up. I reached out and grabbed his hand before he had a chance to leave.
âThank you,â I whispered. He smiled down at me before squeezing my hand. He then left my office, closing the door behind him.
25.38%
|||
11:56
<
Chapter Fifty-Four
298 Vouchers
âI can see how Blake turned out to be such a great man,â Lily chimed in. I didnât answer her, I knew she was right. Blake is a good man, but I donât know if I can be the good woman he needs. Him and his pack.
I was always told I would be a Luna. I had a pack but then everything was taken and I didnât know what else to do with my life. I felt completely lost without the path that was set for me. And itâs terrifying to think, it might happen. I would have to face my past and the council. And both could come after this pack, come after Blake and Aspen. And Channing. I would never forgive myself if something happened to any of them. I love Aspen and it was going to be hard to leave him at the end of the summer. But I donât know how else to protect them.
A soft knock on my office door caused me to jump out of my thoughts. Eyer since coming to this pack, Iâve become a very on-edge person. Before I could answer, Blake poked his head in. I was quick to wipe away my fallen tears.
âRyley, are you okay?â He asked as he entered the office, closing the door behind him. I cleared my throat before I answered him.
âYes,â I nodded, giving him a small smile. He came over and sat down beside me.
âIâm sorry about dinner. And I didnât mean to overstep with Aspen.â I told him, without looking at him. I know what I did was wrong but being Aspenâs parent just feels natural to me. But Iâm not and I need to remember that. Blake twisted his body towards me, the same way his father did just moments ago. Instead of taking ahold of my hands, he placed a hand on my thigh. I looked down at his hand before meeting his eyes.
âI should be apologizing to you. My mother was out of line with her questions. And Gwen with her statements. Aspen is my son, but I trust you with him and she has no right to question that.â He said. He let out
53.47%
11:56
Chapter Fifty-Four
288 Vouchers
a long breath before moving the hand on my thigh to my cheek. Blake leaned in close, our noses almost touching.
My heart was pounding against my chest and I knew he could hear it. Blakeâs touch had a way of calming me and lighting my body ablaze at the same time. I felt like I was panting as I waited for him to say something. My mind was in a haze and I couldnât think of anything but him.
I licked my dry lips, and I watched as Blakeâs eyes watched, shifting between his and his I bit my lower lip, trying to bring myself back to reality. But it failed miserably when Blakeâs thumb, pulled my lip from my punishing grip. I closed my eyes, enjoying his touch, when his lips brushed against mine.