Renee’s POVAndrew's words hang in the air, the silence growing more uncomfortable. I open my mouth to protest or at least act confused but it’s Mia’s voice who comes out instead.“What are you talking about? Annie has been dead for five years.” I try not to brash at her statement. I find myself looking at Eric to see how he reacts and I’m surprised to see that his eyes are casting a warning look at Mia.Mia’s shoulders droop ever so slightly as though Eric‘s words physically knocked her down. “My name is Renee,” I say, hoping my introduction squanders Andrew’s claim of who I really am.This time Eric brings his eyes to me and I feel myself flush, and I can only hope I don’t look as hot as I feel. “Yes, Renee, my name is Eric I wanted to discuss your résumé and your dress entry for our design competition.”Eric shakes my hand and when he does it is as if those five years of not touching one another haven’t happened.I smile politely and nod, forcing myself to relax. However, when Eric
Renee’s POVI unlock the front door to my house. Before I turn the handle, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to shake off today’s encounter. I can’t help but feel that I got away just by the skin of my teeth.I push open the door, just wanting to be inside and shut off the rest of the world.“Mommy!” Debbie comes running down the hall and wraps her arms around my thighs, almost knocking me over despite her size. I swear sometimes the love inside her is even bigger than she is.“Hi girly,” I say and kiss the top of her head. Just then Margaux comes walking out the kitchen.“Thank you,” I tell her for watching Debbie. “How was she?”“Good, of course. You know that,” Margaux says with a grandmotherly smile. “I must go though, it’s bingo night!” I laugh and open the door for Margaux. Honestly, Margaux has been a better partner than Eric ever has.She’s great with Debbie and actually appreciates that she’s frail since Margaux herself isn’t her once youthful self, she says and s
Renee’s POVA whirring noise sounds overhead and then the lights begin to flicker back on and just as quickly as they do, I let go of Eric‘s very expensive suit. Though he can afford a new dress shirt, I know that my cold sweat is going to leave a stain on his imported silky fabric.I murmur an apology and smooth out my own dress, trying to avoid Eric’s questioning gaze. He suddenly grabs my arm, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. Too stunned to reply, I look at him with shock.“What was that about?” Eric asks with a hint of accusation in his tone.My gut is screaming at me, telling me that he’s only asking because he knows about my condition, or rather Annie’s condition. “I’m just afraid of the dark,” I tell him as coolly as possible despite my very uncool reaction.Eric narrows his eyes, searching for a tail that I’m lying. Before he can question me any further, I try to yank my arm free without any success. “Are you mistaking me for someone else again? Who do you think I
Renee’s POVEric’s admission startles me. Our eyes meet, only briefly but it’s enough to recognize that sadness in them that I thought I saw before.“I’m surprised an Alpha like yourself is having a reaction to such a rejection,” Jasper says, only meaning it to sound medically impressive still it’s enough to pull a reaction out of Eric who starts to square his shoulders“Shut up,” Eric barks. Unaffected by Erics outburst Jasper take out a lined notepad from his pocket and begins to scribble on it.“I’ll prescribe you this medication,” Jasper says nonchalantly and then lifts his eyes to his eyebrows to look up at Eric. “And some rest,” with that Jasper rips the paper clean off the pad and hands it to Eric who snatches it out of his hand.“You got it, Doc.” Eric says waving Jasper off, shoving the piece of paper into his pocket.“We’ll just have to have more family time,” Mia says with an air of satisfaction.I force my face to remain straight as I look over at Debbie toying with the lol
Eric’s POVI know I’m making her uncomfortable, but does she even think about how she makes me feel? She looks a bit ridiculous sitting in that big leather swivel chair practically engulfing her.If she just sat up straight and even pretended she had an ounce of power, she would look more natural. If she were my fated-mate then all this would be hers. No. Stop. These are the very thoughts I detest and that drove me towards being cold to Annie to the point of her leaving.Besides I’ve worked too hard to just have some woman come and take it. That’s all women are after anyways. It always has been.I squint at Renee and let out a frustrated sigh. Renee tenses at this and I’m fully aware I’m pushing her away despite my impulse to draw her near- if only to get a whiff of her all too familiar scent.Annie’s face formulates in my mind, it’s the last clear image from memory I have of her. Since her pronounced death the images of her are fading, becoming dull and fuzz around the edges. It’s sur
Renee’s POVThe sudden force of the door bursting open causes me to jump out of my seat, which I only too soon after realize makes it appear that something suspicious was going on. I resist the urge to blurt out that nothing was actually going on. I bite my tongue, knowing that would only make matters worse.Eric glares at Mia. “What are you doing here?” Mia looks momentarily hurt by his question. “You suddenly asked me to go home. I was worried that something was wrong.” Mia practically whines. It’s the most sincere I’ve ever heard her be and I’m surprised to find myself actually empathizing with her.I would be worried if the father of my son rushed me home so that I could go back to work only to find him in a room with someone who looked similar to his ex-wife. The irony dawns on me that I might be the other woman in this situation just as Mia was all those years ago.I save the file and excuse myself, wanting to leave and not become any more entangled in this relationship. Eric fl
Renee’s POV I expect the principal to sort this out right as this would be an excellent opportunity for him to exemplify his credentials, but to my horror he rushes over to Nilo with great concern.He wraps Nilo into a hug, fawning over him, checking his body for scrapes and bruises. “What happened?”“She has a toy that I asked to play with and she said no. She wasn’t sharing!” Nilo tattles.Robert looks down at Debbie. “That is not the kind of behavior we adhere to at Young Paws Prep,” Robert declares, not withholding the shame in his voice. Robert doesn’t see it but Nilo smirks at Debbie.I go over to Debbie and check to make sure she’s okay, and prevent her from launching herself at Nilo because she looks ready to attack. And this doesn’t need to get any worse than it already is.“Is that the whole story?” I ask Debbie, wanting her to have a chance to explain the situation herself.Debbie picks herself up from the ground and brushes the tiny black-top rocks off from her knees. I kn
Annie’s POV“You’re pregnant,” the doctor says.“I’m pregnant,” I whisper in awe more so to myself than the doctor. I instinctively bring my hand to my belly."Yes, you are. Congratulations." He hands me the B-Ultrasound picture. I study the small black blob on the granny photo and I can’t help but let the tears fall from my eyes. The picture indicates so much more than a baby. They are my future and past staring back at me; my future with Eric and the pack, and my past as his unrequited lover.My throat struggles to form the necessary sounds to tell the doctor that I has waited for this moment since Eric’s cold, careless eyes stared deep into mine and chose me. “Thank you,” I manage in a breathy whisper. The doctor is quite handsome—, not like Eric, but close enough.I wonders briefly what our child would look like. I hope he or she would have Eric’s eyes, so beautiful and green they hurt to look at. I carefully place the photo in my bag and am ready to surprise him at our anniversary