Four years later

Alexa's POV

I run my fingers on the sparkly diamond necklace resting on my neck. It's a match to my outfit and my hairdo. My reflection in the mirror shows how radiant I look. 

The complete opposite of what I looked like four years ago. Back then, I was just a poor, Omega high schooler, who got unlucky in love and got pregnant too. 

I had a bleak future. The only thing I held onto was my will to survive and my Mother's love. And of course, my unborn baby. The bulging result of the passionate love I shared with Lucian.

Funny how four years later, I'm a radiant single mother, in one of the biggest Packs in the region, working as a personal assistant in a globally acknowledged company, under the direct supervision of the CEO. I own this mildly luxuriously furnished apartment. It's not huge. But it's very modern and comfy. 

My life has experienced a chaotic change and I can't stop considering how lucky I am. For not giving up. 

With a happy sigh, I grab my blazer and put it on, as a finishing touch of my outfit. Looking at the mirror one last time, I smile at my perfect work outfit. 

Grabbing my bag, I was ready to exit my room and go downstairs for breakfast. But my buzzing phone makes me delay. I fish it out, checking the message. 

An unsolicited smile sweeps through my face as I see that it's a text from Drake. In full, it's Alpha Drake Mckelly. The Alpha of Green Falls Pack, the present pack where I'm staying with my Mother and my baby boy. 

Drake is also the CEO of the company where I'm working. He's my direct boss. And also, the one man who's been relentlessly wooing me for the past two years. 

I click on the message. 

Drake — Good morning, Sunshine. Can't wait to see your pretty face at the office. 

So cheesy! I chuckle, leaving my room and taking the stairs, still grinning ear to ear as I punch in a quick reply. 

Me — Good morning to you too. And isn't it too early to flatter me?

I get to the dining room and it's just Mother serving breakfast. She joins me as we sit, ready to dig into our sumptuous breakfast. Richie, my four-year-old son, isn't here yet. He's probably still in his room. With his nanny. 

"Good morning, Mother." I greet, dropping my phone next to my plate. 

"Good morning, dear." She replies in a sickly voice, coughing a bit. 

That's right. She's sick. She went to see the doctor yesterday. But she's yet to tell me the outcome of her visit. 

"How are you feeling now, Mother?" I ask, rubbing her hand that's lying on the table. "What did the doctor say?"

"He recommended that I get admitted to the hospital today for a close examination. So I'm sorry, but I can't watch over Richie."

"No, it's fine. You should take care of your health first. Richie can stay here with his nanny."

"You know he doesn't like staying with her. He always wants to be with me or with you."

"That's true." I think for a while and shrug. "Then maybe he can come with me to the office."

"Are you sure? Won't your boss get offended?" 

Like on cue, my phone beeps again. "He won't," I reply, but not sparing her a glance. I take up my phone, grinning at my phone, reading Drake's reply to my message. 

Drake – It's been two years and you still think I'm flattering you. What do I gotta do to show you how much I truly love you?

I pale a bit, and my heart flips at the word 'love'. I always think about a certain someone whenever I come across that word. 

"Who is it?" Mother asks curiously, taking a sip of her tea. 

"My boss, Alpha Drake," I reply, finally looking at her, with a mixed smile. 

"Listen dear, I don't mean to intrude. But hasn't it been two years since he's been wooing you? Why don't you give him a chance?"

"Mother…" I drawl, not wanting to go into this conversation again. It never ends well.

"I know you had a lot of valid reasons for rejecting his proposal at the onset. But dear, those reasons don't matter anymore. You're stronger now. Healed too. Look at you, you're sparkling…"

I laugh at her words, feeling my eyes wet with tears. 

"... you're every man's dream now. And so far, the perfect man for you is Alpha Drake. So why not give him a chance?"

"You're right. He's amazing, but…"

"But you don't love him?"

"Well, I think I do. Or I might learn to."

"But you don't wanna give it a try. Because of Lucian?"

My smiles vanish, replaced with a sting in the hollow of my heart. I can't answer her question so I just stay silent. 

"You're still in love with him, right? And you're stubbornly holding on to that love and refusing to give any other good man out there a chance. And that's not fair."

"Mother, please. We promised not to mention his name here in the house. Because of Richie…"

"I know that. But…"

"Good morning, Mummy." Richie runs into the dining room and hugs me. Then he goes over to Mother and hugs her too. "Good morning, grandma."

"Good morning, sweetie." I quickly flash a radiant smile, regardless of the ache in my heart. 

Richie is a beautiful combination of my features and Lucian's. But it's a good thing he got my eyes. It kinda gives me an unexplainable sense of pride. 

"Good morning, sweetie," Mother replies, dishing out his breakfast. 

"Baby, your grandma will be getting admitted to the hospital today. So you're coming to the office with me." I inform him as we eat our breakfast.

"Yippee! I'd love to. I miss Uncle Drake so much. I wanna see him again."

"You will, baby." I chuckle.

"He promised to take me around the Pack in his new car. I hope he hasn't forgotten." 

"Well, you can remind him." I shrug. He has an impeccable bond with Drake. And if I ever consider accepting his proposal, it'd be more for my son's happiness than for mine. 

"I sure will. He also promised to become my Daddy. I'll remind him about that too. I'll go grab my stuff, Mummy. Thanks for the food!" Richie excitedly hops down his chair and races up the stairs. 

His words take turns spiraling in my head. Drake…. promised to be his Daddy? When did that happen? Why did he say that to him?

I look up to find Mother giving me a pointed look. I roll my eyes with a scoff.

"Don't say it, Mother." 

"What? I wasn't gonna say anything." She shrugs innocently. 

"Yes, you were. It's written all over your eyes." I stand, grabbing my bag. "Let me know when you get to the hospital."

"Alright, dear. Have fun at work." I go over and quickly hug her.

Minutes later, I arrived at the company with Richie. We both take the elevator to the third floor where Drake's office and mine are. 

I get to his secretary's desk and flash her a smile. "Morning."

"Good morning, Ma'am." She smiles back, bowing slightly. 

"Would you be so kind as to keep an eye on him for me?" I ruffle Richie's hair. "I need to have a quick talk with the boss first."

"Sure, Ma'am." She says, gesturing at Richie to come closer to her. 

"Stay here, son. I'll be out in a few minutes." 

"Okay, Mummy."

I head into Drake's office, shutting the door as I step inside. He's on a call, and laughing out loud. 

He sees me and waves. Then he says into the phone. "Alright, dude. I'm waiting. Get your ass here quickly."

Then he hangs up and tosses the phone on his messy table of files, a laptop, a glass of wine and what have you. 

"Good morning, boss." I smile, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. 

"It hurts me when you're formal with me and you know that." He chuckles, placing a hand on his chest. "But I'll overlook that cause I wanna tell you something."

"Sure, what is it?"

"My friend, who is also our low-key biggest shareholder, is on his way here. He's already in the building. I want you to meet him."

"Uh, sure." I chuckle nervously. "But is it like a business meeting? Because I brought Richie to work with me…"

"Richie's here?" His eyes beam. "Where? Haven't seen that little rascal in a while."

"He's outside. With your secretary."

"What? Why keep him outside?" He asks, already heading out. I follow behind him. "Where is he?"

"He's…" my words vanish as there's no sign of him. His secretary has her head bowed shakily. My heart drops in panic. "Where's…my son?"

"He…he was right here. And then I turned and he was gone. I don't know where he went."

"What?!"