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26: The Wrong Choices
Last Updated:
2024-12-21 21:02:47
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Alpha 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 : 2024-12-23Alpha Aidan's Rejection 29: A Fair Warning
AIDANWhatever device was placed under my car had a lifeline, and however long that was, it had started counting down already.Beads of sweat formed across my head, but I didn’t dare release my hands from my deathly grip on the steering wheel in an attempt to wipe it off as I sat frozen on the spot.“Think, Aidan, think!” I bit out, racking my brain.The steady beep kept going, and the seconds kept counting down.Taking deep breaths to calm myself, I put two and two together.It was most likely an explosive, and disabling it was out of the question. I couldn’t exactly call for help as I didn’t know how much time I had, and for my safety, I had to assume that the slightest movement would trigger the explosive to go off.I looked around me and exhaled a small breath when I realized that the area where I had parked was farther away from where people walked through.It boiled down to this.“No one else is close by, so nobody else can get hurt. I just have to find a way out of here fast en
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Alpha Aidan's Rejection 30: Pretty Like Us
TARA“So…?”“So, what, Jenna?” I asked over the phone as I made sure that everything we needed was packed into the bag. Nadia and I were spending the rest of our day at the park.“Tell me what the heck you’ve been up to. You sped off right after the party, and I haven't heard from you since then.”I sighed before I spoke again. “I could ask you the same thing, Jenna. I called your supposed duty stand, and they said you never turned in for your shift. Where did you go, huh?”Even though I couldn’t see Jenna, I could feel her shrugging. “Oh, just somewhere totally uninteresting. But I see what you’re trying to do Tara, and I won’t let you. Talk to me, girl. Have you been engaging with him?”It was my turn to shrug. “It was only drinks, and don’t forget it was in a public space.”“Well,” Jenna said. “It was bound to happen at some point. I do not support him, what he did to you, or how he left you both to get here on your own, but you will have to figure things out soon for yourselves an
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Alpha Aidan's Rejection 31: It's Not Safe
TARANadia looked between the two of us with expectant eyes, and a fearful thought crossed my mind.I still didn’t completely know why Aidan chose to leave me all those years ago, but now that he was here, Nadia was head over heels for him, and it had just been weeks.What if he left us again?What if things became tough and he decided to break our hearts again? What if he didn’t really want us?The what-ifs multiplied in my mind until Aidan’s voice cut through.“I want to,” he said, responding to my last question, but there was this little voice at the back of my head that didn’t believe that it spanned to all the other what-ifs.As if he was reading my mind, Aidan spoke again. “I want everything. If you would let me.”“Mommy?” Nadia called sweetly, asking for my permission.I couldn’t complain about Aidan being dressed formally because his outfit was casual, yet spoke volumes.“Well, you will have to leave your car because we’re strolling to the park. Can’t ruin all the fun,” I argu
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Alpha Aidan's Rejection 32: More Under His Sleeves
AIDANI quickly made my way back to the hotel suite after receiving the call from Jace, and my anger was visible. I wasn’t ready to leave Nadia and Tara just yet, and when Nadia started grumbling about me leaving, I almost said screw whatever Jace needed to tell me.The little time I got to spend with her was unarguably one of the best times of my life. Truth be told, my eight-year-old daughter already had me wrapped around her finger.And spending time in Tara’s presence was something I wanted to continue doing for the rest of my life.Aside from that, Tara also said she had something to tell me, but when she saw the urgency in my movement after the call, she said that it could wait.Whatever Jace had to say had better be so important that the earth would freeze over if he didn’t tell me.Giving the lady at the reception a curt nod, I made my way up to my floor.The elevator ride was quick, and when I stepped into the suite, Jace was there, gulping down the entire content of a glass
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Alpha Aidan's Rejection 36: Saying Goodbye
TARAChallenge?What the heck!?How did it get to this?“Say no, please, say no,” I pleaded under my breath, ignoring the uproar from the pack members who were present and currently tearing the place apart.This was exactly what Collin wanted, and he was hoping that Aidan would take the bait and fight him. All for what?“Aidan,” my voice came out shaky, but this time it was louder. Loud enough for Aidan to hear so he could turn around to face me.My heart hammered in my chest, and at some point, it felt like the organ was going to give in.I shook my head once, willing Aidan to say no, but somewhere within me, I already knew that Aidan wouldn’t.I knew that he had this compelling need to protect me and Nadia, and maybe he saw this as his opportunity to do so. I knew that Aidan saw that this young girl was in danger, and he felt the need to protect her too.Like a true Alpha.But Collin was challenging Aidan for Attica pack! That was Aidan’s life’s work. Collin wouldn’t fight fair. He
Last Updated : 2024-12-28Alpha Aidan's Rejection 33: Stand Trial
AIDAN After I found the cleared path that led me away from the city and to the woods, I made sure I didn’t rush my pace and be left with no expanse of land to run when I finally shifted, so I kept my feet light on the ground. Thankfully, Vermont pack had a really large uncharted portion of land that looked like it was reserved for mainly shifting and running. After walking for a few more minutes, I recalled that I was so tense and angry earlier, that I forgot to take a change of clothes along with me. So instead of just letting my wolf out immediately, I took note of the surroundings that I was in and noted how many trees were around me and in what direction they pointed so that I could easily find this spot when I was done running. When I was satisfied that I wouldn’t get lost or misled by my scent that would be all over the place when I finished, I took off my shirt and tucked it behind a tree. My shoes and socks came off next, followed by my accessories. I was left with jus
Last Updated : 2024-12-28
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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
