Aria “Mommy!” a small voice from my doorway calls. I look away from the phone. But not before I saw the look of surprise on Asher's face, mixed with joy. I put the phone face down. I couldn’t risk Asher seeing Eli, he would know immediately that Jasper was Eli’s dad. And with him being the Beta of Jaspers pack there was no way he wouldn’t immediately tell his Alpha. “Hey baby, what's wrong?” I asked, praying the panic would stay out of my voice. I hoped the cover was muffling the sound of his little voice. “Help?” he asked me as he indicated his jacket. I smiled, getting out of the bed. Not noticing the phone flipping face up, I zipped him up. Placing a kiss gently on his cheek. “We be back soon Mommy. We bring you pancakes. I love you mommy.” I smiled as I placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, “Baby, I love you so much. From your toes.” “To the Goddess’s nose.” He finished for me, smiling, giving me a big hug before walking back out the door. I smiled softly as I sat back
Jasper POV My eyes filled with tears as I watched my pup, I knew without a doubt he was mine, walking with Lorelei. I felt myself clutching Aria closer to me as I laid eyes on my son for the first time ever. A mixture of anger at the situation that kept me away from him for so long, and love shot through me. I could see even from a distance he was perfect. My wolf ached to come out and greet his pup. “Mine” Fierce longing shot through me, as I registered that I was holding Aria in my arms again. I grunted when I felt her elbow hit my stomach, but I was prepared this time and just pulled her closer to me. “Stop. Aria. Please. All we want is a chance to be in your life.” I say softly. A deep growl came from her throat, she twisted in my arms, reared back and slapped me hard across the face. I grabbed her hands and pulled her flush against my body. I lowered my lips to her ear, "I deserve to be in his life Aria, I never hurt you and I would die before I allowed anyone to hurt him
****Trigger Warning**** "Where do you want me to start?" She asked, her lips pursed. "Just about the days before you disappeared. Or what you feel comfortable telling me. But Aria, I’m going to be up front with you, you should know our father is in prison, life sentence. With Jasper and Linc’s help, we found evidence, video evidence." Asher stood up, pushing his hands into his pockets. “Dad apparently had cameras all over the house and had saved years’ worth of abuse on files in his office. His sentencing includes the attempted murder of you.” She fell back against the recliner like her spine had collapsed and couldn't hold her up any longer. She coughed and shook her head. I assumed she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Knowing she would need more than a few minutes to accept the truth. We all sat there quietly looking around her home. She sat there silently before pushing herself back up, she nodded, scratched the side of her nose before she started talking. "The morning be
Jasper I cleared my throat and looked directly at her, “I came to your house around eight thirty. I don’t know what time you got there or what all had happened. When I arrived, the door was open. No one was around so I went in. I found you at the bottom of the staircase in a puddle of blood.” My leg started bouncing and I forced myself to my feet, “I called nine one one and the ambulance was there fairly quickly. You never woke up. I had come to discuss something with you, and instead I thought I was the one who had found you, dead.” I turned toward a wall of photos and kept my eyes focused on a photo of Eli in a baby tub surrounded by bubbles with a huge smile on his face. “I arrived at the hospital at the same time you did because they refused to let me ride in the ambulance with you. I wasn’t family. I didn’t think to call Asher or your mom or dad. I was scared shitless. I didn’t know who did this, or why.” I pulled at my hair, “I honestly was scared I would have to kill Asher
Aria My eyes locked on Jasper's face as emotions flew across his face. I could identify joy, love, fear, and confusingly enough anger. I stepped forward, blocking Eli from his sight, turning my back to Jasper. I smiled down at my sweet boy. “Hey baby, did you have fun?” His brow furrowed in confusion, “Mommy, who that?” he asked, peering around me to the men in the room. “Who are they?” I corrected gently as I unbuttoned his coat. He nodded as he allowed me to pull his coat off. His eyes never leave the guys behind me. “They smell like me” His little voice says loudly. I sat in front of him and held his hands. I indicated Asher first, “This is mommies brother, Asher.” Asher stepped forward and waved. I looked over at him, I could see the longing in his eyes to give a hug but was respecting boundaries. It gave me hope that this could work, I clung to that hope. I indicated the two men with Asher, “These are Uncle Asher's friends, Linc and Jasper.” I watched Jaspers face fall
Aria I tried to ignore the imposing figure in the kitchen entrance as I started cleaning up the mess from breakfast. I started washing dishes by hand before I felt him come up behind me. He reached around me, his front against my back. He flicked off the water. Pressing his body against mine. I shuddered at the feel of his arousal against my back. My wolf screaming in my mind, “Mate, my mate.” "Aria." He said softly. I shook my head. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I don’t know if I can do this again. My wolf was insisting I belonged to him. But he had to be mad at me, right? For keeping his pup from him, and if what my wolf was saying was true, his fated mate. "Aria, I know he is mine. I am not mad. I am awed." He said softly, bringing his hands to my shoulders and rubbing gently. I couldn't help the shudder of desire that flowed through me at the gentle touch. He pressed closer to me bringing his lips to the back of my neck. His lips so close to where he would put his mar
Aria My breath caught in my throat and my pulse pounded. I felt so confused. He wasn’t with Rhea. Was us being apart all for nothing? Had I spent the last five years as a single parent because of a misunderstanding? I pulled free and stood up, pacing the living room. Trying to understand all that I had learned. My breaths coming out in angry pants. "So, you're not mated?" I asked. "Never." He said watching me closely. I nodded. Pursing my lips, "Engaged?" He looked up at me from under his lashes, his eyes flashing as he smirked, "Only woman I ever plan forever with will be you. I haven’t been with anyone since you." I jerked to a stop and narrowed my eyes, "This isn't the time to joke Jasper. You are basically telling me that the last five years have been for nothing. That my son has missed out on having a father for no reason. That I could have trusted you and never had to walk away." I look down at the floor unable to meet his eyes. "It's all my fault Eli doesn't know you. It
Jasper POV I stood up abruptly, my wolf snarling at the thought of me ever rejecting her. She was going to be my mate, my Luna, my everything. I pulled her back into my arms. “Not that it would ever happen, I could never not want you. You are my fated mate. You are my fated mate. However, if it did happen, Eli is my pup. Nothing will ever change the fact. The second I saw him I knew he was mine. Even if you and I never become anything more than what we are now, Eli will never doubt that he is loved and adored by his mother and father. Loving you doesn’t change or affect my love for that little boy. I’ve spent what thirty minutes in his presence, and I am head over heels for him. You raised our son to be an amazing little boy. I am honored that you are his mother. No one could have done half the job you have done, as a single parent. Just know from now on, you will never be alone in raising him to be a good human.” She reached up and wiped the tears from her e