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20: A Listening Ear
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 19:56:46
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Alpha Aidan's Rejection 21: Congratulations?
AIDANSince I got back from meeting Tara, I’d remained in one spot. I didn't think I would have ever used the word “hate” to describe myself, but after today, I didn’t see a more fit word.The bottle of vodka I brought out as soon as I stepped inside was already half gone. Another empty bottle of something just as strong was beside it, and it had only been hours.I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol, but it did nothing to chase away the feeling of being the most horrible person to have ever walked the planet.Her words played over and over in my head, and with each passing second, I realized that Tara would choose to be stuck in a room full of bears rather than with me.Was there any coming back from the things I put her and our daughter through?A knock pulled me from my haze, and without confining who it could be at such a late hour, I responded for the person to come in.Seconds later, Jace was standing before me with a shocked expression on his face.“Alpha Aidan. What
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Alpha Aidan's Rejection 22: Thankful For
TARAThe day for the moon goddess celebration came, reminding everyone that the multipack moon meet was coming to its end.If I were to describe what it felt like, a word for it would be bittersweet. I was so in tune with the week that the event had provided for the pack, and so grateful that I was a part of it.The last few days had been filled with activities upon activities, and when I wasn’t busy serving the customers at the diner or taking care of Nadia, I was fully immersed in one activity or the other.There were different parties, games for the different categories of people, competitions, a bonfire with history and storytelling sessions, and so much more.Now that we were coming to the end of it all, it was like I wanted it to last longer.‘Liar. The reason why you want it to last longer is because of him,’ A voice said in my head, and I shook it off.Since I went off on Aidan that night, we had not crossed paths again. He didn’t try to reach out to me, and when I caught a gl
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Alpha Aidan's Rejection 23: Sacrifice Of Motherhood
TARAAfter the rituals, the elders in charge led everyone in a round of singing and prayers, officially marking the end of the multipack moon meet, and I was nostalgic to the point where I shed a tear or two.The event of the decade had affected me in the most positive ways, and I was forever thankful for it.The sun was beginning to set, and the weather was cool and favorable, so the barbecue party was already being set up.Alphas and their packmates who had a longer journey than others, and wanted to make it early had already started retiring to their respective hotels and camps to pack up and hit the road.A larger number of people hung around the pack’s square, vibing to the music that had resumed playing or chatting with the new friends they had made, while others just lay around leisurely in their wolf form.Esme, Jenna, and I were with Nadia, enjoying each other's company with some drinks. We were listening to Nadia give us some tea about what was going on at school, and I foun
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Alpha Aidan's Rejection 24: Pinky Promise
AIDANThe one thing that I knew was that Tara got away from Attica pack and came into Vermont pack to have a clean slate. She had a new life that didn’t include my name, and as far as I could tell, she didn’t want me in that life.‘Yet,’ my wolf put in at the back of my mind.Right now, I was sure that not many people knew that I was Nadia’s father, despite the resemblances, but until Tara spelled it out that she wanted the case to be otherwise, I wasn’t going to blow her cover.There was also the fact that my pack and Vermont pack were still bitter enemies, and that implied that associates of mine could also be considered enemies to Vermont’s packmates.I wasn’t ready to put a tag on Tara’s and Nadia’s backs just so that I could satisfy my desire to be a part of their lives, and that was why I was currently being discreet and secluded from the many eyes of the public.My back was faced to most of the people in the barbecue party setting, and Nadia was talking my ears off, but honestl
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Alpha Aidan's Rejection 25: Come With Me
TARAI can’t say exactly why I blurted out that silly question asking Aidan if he wanted beers, but if I were asked, I guess I would say something along the lines of, “I wanted to redeem myself after chickening out when I saw him earlier.”We had been sitting together for close to thirty minutes now, and as time went on, the aroma of barbecue already filled the air, causing everyone around to salivate. The party was already in full swing.Aidan and I fell into an easy conversation about the multipack moon meet that had come to an end, and I was surprised that it wasn’t awkward in any way.I guess that even after all this time, conversations with Aidan still flowed easily.Nadia was playing a little distance away, casting mischievous little glances at us, and I couldn’t help but ask.“Care to share what it is that you both were gossiping about while I was absent? Because it seems to me that you two have something under your sleeves, or at least, just Nadia,” I said.Aidan put his bottl
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Alpha Aidan's Rejection 26: The Wrong Choices
TARACollin was fuming, but heaven knows that he was just looking for a fight where there was none. Aidan must have realized that because now, he looked like he was for sure not going to engage.So, thankfully, I didn’t have to be the only sensible one among us three.Collin wasn’t having it though.“I said party time’s over. You should leave, seeing as Attica pack is a long way from here,” Collin said with his fists still planted on the table and smoke rising from his nostrils.Aidan spoke calmly. “Attica pack is at most a day's drive from here, Collin, and trust me, I don’t want to fight with you, so I’m asking you to please give me some breathing space. You are making a scene out of nothing.”That seemed to annoy Collin more.“A scene?” Collin fumed. “I tolerated your presence when I had to, and now that it’s time for you and your beta to leave, you expect me to allow you to sit around and worm your way into my pack?”“You twist my words and intentions, Collin,” Aidan warned.Colli
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Alpha Aidan's Rejection 27: The Elephant In The Room
TARAI didn’t know how long had passed since Aidan’s hand was over mine, but something finally snapped, disconnecting the tension between us, and I pulled my hands away, letting him have the bag.“I’ll get Nadia,” I said, ignoring the sudden dryness in my throat.Aidan shook his head, stopping me. “It’s not a hassle, Tara. Just get the doors and I’ll grab her without waking her up.”With my heart on the tip of my tongue, I watched as Aidan adjusted the bag containing our clothes and essentials on one arm, pulled Nadia out of the back seat, and hoisted her up on his shoulder with his free arm.Nadia snuggled herself up in the crook of Aidan’s neck, smiling to herself, and muttering unintelligible words as she did.Aidan chuckled at her movement, and I couldn’t help but stare at them as I thought.Aidan and Nadia looked perfect, and I would be a liar if I said I didn’t want this to be a norm for Nadia. It was hard being a single mother, and although it was something I could do well on
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Alpha Aidan's Rejection 28: An Olive Branch
AIDANThe next day, Jace and I were having an early morning briefing about pack matters before I was to go about my day. We were barely an hour in, but I was already exhausted. Thankfully, we were now rounding up.“The pack isn’t expecting you back till later this week, but he has been calling me nonstop since yesterday.” It was Jace speaking.I lifted my head from the desk that served as my workspace for the time being.“Who has?” I asked.“Your dad. He said he had called you multiple times already, and that was why he reached out to me instead. He said you should call him back.”“Did he now?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.Jace laughed. “It was more like a command,” he said, shrugging.I shook my head, wondering how on earth that man was my father.Having confirmed that Tara was very much alive and well, I knew that it was one of two options. It was either my father knew that Tara was alive but wanted me to think she wasn’t, or he was misinformed by his trusted sources. And knowing
Last Updated : 2024-12-23
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Alpha Aidan's Rejection 110: Feelings For Aidan
TARA The attack from the Stonewolves had become stale news. People freely went about their businesses now, so it was no hassle for me to go restocking Aidan’s kitchen with foodstuff one week after everything happened. I had to admit, it wasn’t easy feeding a man the size and stomach of Aidan, but what was a girl to do when he took care of her and their child with so much dedication? Aidan could as well eat portions meant for me and Nadia combined and doubled, and he still wouldn’t be satisfied. It was why the foodstuffs in his house never lasted more than two weeks without needing a restock. His love for food was what made me conclude that it was why Aidan could not only whip up meals that could pass for a chef’s standards, but could also make actual fancy meals! Back to shopping. I loved the activity’s semblance of serenity, so this was a win win. And since Nadia was with Esme for the Saturday afternoon, it was the perfect way for me to spend it. With the trolley in hand, I
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 109: Home Safe
TARA Everything Aidan said made sense. They were going to try to reverse the Stonewolves’ curse, and if anyone would have the resources to do so, it was going to be Aidan, whether in Vermont Pack or Attica. But if that didn’t turn out to be successful, we would have to stick to other means of protection, and that included our wolf sides. I wasn’t much of a shifter. I couldn’t even remember the last time I saw my wolf. After everything that happened all those years ago, I couldn’t help but feel more vulnerable than safe when I wasn’t in control of my physical body. Not after I’d been stabbed in the back, almost taken out at the hospital where I should have been recovering, and having to spend years trying to heal those wounds. I knew my wolf was capable of protecting me, but I just had to get to trust myself on that again. And I had to do it for Nadia too. If she was going to have a chance at being in tune with her wolf side, she had to actually experience her wolf side. No one was
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 108: Your Safety
AIDAN As soon as Tara and Nadia were out of sight, I did the first thing that came to mind. Made sure the multiple entrances to the house were well secured from intruders and activated the security alarm system around the house. I was back in my spot before Tara came back out, hoping that this plan I had in my mind worked. Having Stonewolves spring up where they both lived was a chance I wasn’t willing to keep taking. Not after the scared look on Tara’s face whenever they were mentioned, bringing back the trauma of her experience with them that prevented her from being able to close her eyes to sleep for months before now. “How badly was Jace hurt?” Tara asked, cutting through my thoughts with the sound of her voice, eyes trained on me from across the kitchen island as she picked on her cuticles, nervous about the welfare of her friend, Jenna, and Jace. I shook my head, voice low as I watched her advance. “He’s out cold.” The outline of her neck held in a gasp as she asked with
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 107: How Bad
TARA “I can’t ask you to come with me, Tara. Not when Nadia is all alone at her training,” Jenna said, the second we got outside the restaurant, her eyes still brimming red with unshed tears. It had been only months since Aidan and Jace first came into Vermont Pack, but I couldn’t blame Jenna for falling head over heels for Aidan’s beta in such a short time. I mean, the same thing happened with me and Aidan. As much as Jenna seldom talked about the dynamics of her relationship with him, I knew she cared deeply for him, but she still had other’s interests at heart, even when she was currently breaking with the news about Jace being hurt. “Jenna,” I breathed, scared shitless, and worried to my bones for both my friend and my daughter. “Will you be okay?” She shook her head once, her eyes full and almost spilling over. “I have to be. Be on the lookout, and avoid them as much as you can, okay? Get Nadia to safety and stay indoors till you hear it’s okay to come out.” I nodded, pulli
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 106: We Have To Go
TARA Someone else could have been fooled by Kayla acting as if she knew nothing about the text I received on my day off, but even if I hadn’t suspected her, it was still her number that sent me the message. “What text?” I repeated her last question out loud, chuckling lightly, already irritated at the fact that she was ruining my brunch with Jenna who was still fuming across the table, but trying her hardest to remain quiet, letting me handle my business. Beneath all that calm, I could see that Jenna was charged, ready to act if push came to shove with Kayla. Kayla shrugged at the question, and I shook my head. “Why are you in Vermont Pack right now, Kayla?” I asked, trying to look for any logical reasons why she would abandon the comfort of her pack to be where no one wanted her. I genuinely wondered. Was it because of Aidan? Or was it for the fact that she saw me after all these years, and found out that she failed in her plan to keep me and Aidan away or ruin our family. “
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 105: What Text?
TARA Jenna and I stood in front of the pack’s retreat complex on an already sunny Saturday morning, seeing Nadia off to her first day of football practice, and well, it was quite an interesting morning. Jenna was all smiles, encouraging Nadia to crush all her teammates even if it was just her first practice, and I was an entire other case. Nadia had suddenly picked up the interest the evening after we ran into Aidan here, and I wouldn’t have been as shocked if the new hobby interest was cheerleading or even football with a team of girls, but Nadia had stuck to her desire in playing football with all male kids team. I was not going to stop her from trying out what interested her, but it made me ask myself some questions, as most mothers would, seeing as this wasn’t the first time Nadia was choosing to do something that most young girls at her age wouldn’t be interested in. “Come on,” Jenna said, pulling me by my arm away from the complex entrance, and out of my thoughts. “We don’
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 104: Men Who Should Be Castrated
TARAAs soon as I crossed the entrance door to Jenna’s living room, her petite frame was the first thing I saw leaning by the door that connected her two rooms, and I halted, freezing like a teenager caught returning from a party she was forbidden from attending, intoxicated on all the wrong things.To make light of the situation, I teased her, saying. “Hi, Mom.”The lights were switched on now, and yeah, she looked everything like the angry mama in the sleepwear, red hair messily piled up on her head, while I looked like the rebellious daughter.Jenna only studied me for a few more seconds before her face scrunched up in disgust, only that I could see through it to know that it was faux, one hand coming to waft an imaginary smell away from her nose.“You. Reek. Of. Sex!” “Jeez, Jenna,” I bellowed, eyes wide in horror as I kicked my shoes off, crossing the room to where she stood. “Don’t say those words with Nadia in the next room hearing you,” I cautioned, and Jenna only waved me aw
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 103: Not Coming Home
TARAThe otherwise perfect date had been ruined by Kayla’s appearance, so me and Aidan called it a night early. Not that we couldn’t continue with our evening, pretending to not have noticed her, or choosing to ignore her outrightly, and not that I was worried Kayla would go and find Nadia, but my evening had already been soured with not just the topic of the dangerous Stonewolves wreaking their havoc now, but also with seeing Kayla’s face in Vermont Pack.I needed to go back to Jenna’s to be with Nadia and put her to bed, and Aidan understood this, as he drove me to her apartment, just fifteen minutes away from his inviting home.“I need to go over some more details with Jace before I call it a night, but call on me when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll come pick you guys up, okay?” Aidan spoke once we reached Jenna’s, and my mind broke away from the thoughts for a second, snapping back to the present.“There’s no need for that. We’ll call for a ride, Aidan. Handle your business,” I a
Alpha Aidan's Rejection 102: Announce Herself
TARAFor the days that came after that, I couldn’t go past a few minutes without thinking about all the unholy things Aidain did to and with my body in his room that night, and neither could I stop my body from shuddering whenever I recalled how dark and heated his voice had gone when he commanded me, owned me, and treated me like his property.By the time we were done, both spent, and many hours after I had put Nadia to bed, the side of Aidan that I’d come to know and love returned to me, stroking my scars, reassuring me with his words, taking care of my body, and cleaning me up, minutes before I drifted into absolute bliss.This was our new routine, only that we added so many dates to the list…and the flowers as well as the shopping supplies.What could I say? A girl was getting spoiled, and she wasn’t complaining.Aidan went through with his promise to get me at least ten other flowers before I could choose a favorite, even going overboard because I truly lost count of how many flo
