CHAPTER 5

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Inara had always been a calm and collected person, never one to lash out at anyone, let alone kids. But that's exactly what happened. At least that was what Hardin told me.

"It's not like her," he said, his voice low and concerned."Inara has always been great with kids, even the ones she's never known before."

"You mean to tell me that Inara lashed out at a kid? That's not like her at all," I asked.

"I know, that's why I'm so confused." He replied and I sighed

"I know, that's what's so strange about all of this," I replied, feeling frustrated and confused.

"Wait a minute," I said suddenly, a note of realization creeping into my voice. "What happened before she lashed out?"

“Her face drained of colour, the moment I told her that Jeremy was your son.” Hardin said and I sighed in confusion.

“There’s something we still haven’t figured out yet. We need to do that, else we won’t be able to understand the reason for her lashing out.” I said and Hardin sighed too.

“I knew it would be a bad idea to seek her out. I just didn’t know it would be this bad of an idea. Its like Venom seeps into her, when she hears your name. She was fucking mad, Declan.” Hardin said and I sighed.

“Who wouldn’t be? I kicked her out and treated like shit, just to save my ass and pack. Even though she thinks its for some other reason.” I said and he sighed.

“Let’s talk later, when I figure something out.” I said and reclined in my chair.

“She’s angry at you.” Larry, my wolf, said and I sighed. “You don’t need to tell me that, I am already aware. Stop rubbing it in my face.” I said exasperatedly, and he howled.

“I told you that it was going to be a bad idea o have chased out of the pack, like she was some common criminal. But you were too strong headed to listen to me,now this.” He said and I sighed.

“That can’t be the only reason why she is filled with so much venom towards me.” I said and I sighed.

I needed to hear from the horses mouth, why she hated me so much. I picked my phone and called him.

“Go to her home. And call me when you get there. It is high time I speak to her.” I said and he sighed.

“That is where I am.” He asked and I sighed.  “Great can I speak with her?” I asked and he went silent.

“Would that be good? She doesn’t look like she wants to speak to you, Declan.” He said and I groaned.

“For fuck’s sake, At this point I don’t care. I need to talk Inara, or I won’t be sane.” I said and he sighed. “Understood.” He said. “Declan would like to speak with you.” He said to Inara.

Silence.

"Hi Inara. It's me, Declan," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I know it's been a long time, but I really need to talk to you."

There's a long pause on the other end of the line, and I feared that she would hang up. But then she spoke up. "Fine," she said. "What do you want to talk about?"

I took a deep breath and spoke up. I tell her that I'm sorry for what happened between us, and that I want to make things right. I was a nervous wreck.

But Inara didn't respond with kindness. Instead, she was resistant and silent, barely saying anything at all.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke up. "Why are you even bothering to want to talk to me?" she asked. "You threw me out seven years ago, remember? You broke my heart, and then you sent your child with Jenna to me as if I could just slot into that role."

"I know," I said. "I know I messed up, and I can't change that. But I want to make things right between us. I want us to be able to at least talk to each other."

"I have nothing to say to you," Inara spat out. "You are just evil and stupid. You ruined everything, now you can live with the consequences."

I flinched at her words, feeling the hurt and anger pour through me. I had expected her to be upset, but her words were like a slap in the face.

"Inara, please," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I know I hurt you, but I'm trying to make it up to you. Can we-"

"Make it up to me?" Inara cut in. "Do you think that's possible? You tore my life apart and left me a shell of a person. Now you send me your son, wanting Revenge right? I apologised, listen I do not know why I am still speaking with you. I refuse to speak to you any further."

And with that, she hung up the phone, leaving me feeling more alone and hurt than ever before.

I sat there, staring at the phone in silence for a few minutes, my mind reeling with thoughts and memories. I remembered the good times that we shared, and I felt a pang of regret knowing how much I had destroyed back then. What if I had just kept my mouth shut? What if I had never met Jenna?

But it was too late to change those things now. I can only apologize and hope that one day Inara can forgive me.

Feeling defeated, I hung up the phone, my anxietytaking over me. I was right all along, i shouldn't have chased her out like that. Inara trusted me, alone, and i treated her badly.

And she somehow belived i hated her.

But what was this nasty gut feeling i ws feeling about something being off with Inara?

Something was not right.