Chapter Seven

Aubrey's POV

I nodded at the greetings the hospital staff threw my way.

“You are late!” Layla stated the obvious, causing me to chuckle, but she added, “Well, Hayden and the shareholders are in the boardroom and have been waiting for you.”

“He didn't call me though and why!, I thought he claimed he wasn't coming home soon?” I protested while fastening our steps into the boardroom.

“The first thing he should have done was call me”, this time I couldn't hide the outrage from my voice, causing Layla to start her usual teasing.

They both learned someone had hurt me from my past, and felt there was a tendency I remembered my past but chose not to pester me.

Layla believed my past was the reason I seemed less trusting and found it challenging to express my heart to another.

Hayden was the perfect guy for me. She would always sing and make sure she notes how much he loves and cares for my kids.

She was human, nevertheless, so I don't blame her for thinking that I could just open my heart to another even though I knew who my soul was made for.

My wolf stirred at my thoughts but said nothing. Not having found my mate yet caused her pain.

When I clocked 20, she had urged me to go back home to find my mate, but my mind wasn't ready.

What if I would get rejected and humiliated in a much worse version than before? I had kids now, and they were my only priority?

Getting my revenge on Aiden no longer mattered to me.

He had given me the greatest gift anyone could ask for.

“Earth to you, baby girl. What are you thinking about that had you looking like that?” I heard Layla say, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“It's nothing!”

“Uh, someone is annoyed, or should I say jealousy?” She teased.

“Bothered…maybe, I mean he didn't tell me he was coming, and we spoke last night, but jealous? Nah!”.

“I knew it. It's all just a matter of time before you fall for Hayden.”

“Does he pay you for your matchmaking attempts?” I asked as we entered my office to drop my papers and get the prospects.

“No, but I love you, anyway he isn't back and there isn't any board meeting ongoing,” she said and bolted out before I could lash out at her.

Just as though work had been waiting for me, as soon as I sat down on the seat, the workers began bombarding me and Layla. My supposed assistant was nowhere to be found.

Throughout the day, I got no calls from Hayden, which has me worried.

Layla was no help because I knew relating my worry was asking her to tease me.

“I'll be heading home now,” Layla popped in and said.

“And yes, I didn't forget, I'd pick up the triplets first and take them for ice cream” she added before leaving, knowing I was about to protest.

“Run all you like but no ice creams until Ice cream Thursday,” I threw at her, but she yelled back, “I can't hear you!”.

I didn't know how long I stayed glued to my seat and reviewing the submitted files that lay on my table, but his scent filled the room, pulling me out of my trance.

“You are back?” I mumbled with a warm smile that had spread across my face in delight.

“Well, you seem happy to see me.”

With a slight stretch, I stood up and joined him on the couch where he sat with his arms crossed.

Plopping against his laps, I tiredly asked, “how long have you been watching me?”.

“Just a few minutes ago, you looked so interested in your work, so I didn't have to wait until your nose fished me out,” he teased, pulling me closer.

“How do you always do that?” He sought, and I want to tell him I am a part wolf that had sharpened all round senses.

“Well, your perfume has stuck in my nostrils that they tinge whenever you are near,” he laughed.

“Can we go now?,” 

Home?

The sound of home made me smile, but upon remembering the amount of activity that lay in wait for me, I responded, “I have work, and it's sad to say that I'm not almost done”.

“You carry out too much for a mom,” he whispered before carrying me up and inducing a scream to escape my lips.

“I'm taking you out. It's been long since we had time to ourselves,” he said suggestively, making me smack his arms.

“What about my stuff?” I argued, finding a way to leave his tight hold.

“Would you believe it if I told you it's already in the car?”

He was right and I really didn't know how he did it, but it was there.

“And maybe when we get home, you could help me massage my joints. The house has been so stressful without you.”

“My pleasure. I earlier saw the triplets though as I dropped them off alongside Layla at Layla's house,” he stated as though he knew I was about to bring them up.

“So, is this like a date?” I asked as I got comfortable in his arms.

“Whatever you say it is, beautiful,” he replied and considering it I made him smile, “It's a date then”.

He told me all about the business trip he had taken to the south. They were working on a new drug that was reported to help cure paralysis.

One thing about Hayden was his communication skills. He wasted no time in telling me anything.

Just as the car pulled over, feeling someone's eyes being on me filled me with dread.

My eyes navigated the pack as the scent seemed so oddly familiar.

Just in the far end of the cinema walls, just by the corner stood Aiden.

In the shadows just underneath the light, his built figure stood out while his ocean blue eyes shone and those jet black hair I had remembered shoving my hands through.

Aiden!

My eyes widened in shock and I blinked to be sure that I wasn't hallucinating, only to find him gone.

We headed in and no matter how hard I tried leading my thoughts from the possibility of me seeing Aiden, my mind constantly wandered to the person I had just seen or at least I thought I saw. 

Hayden held my hand, pulling me back to the present and at that moment I decided to forget all about it. 

It wasn't worth the emotional stress and after everything, I didn't deserve it either.

It had taken me almost a year to heal my mind, and I wasn't about to go through that again.

All was going well for me. 

It was safe to say I had it all, a supportive best friend and ex-boyfriend, two supportive girlfriends and my children, so I didn't want my mind to wander back to the past because there is nothing waiting for me there. 

Luckily for me, the familiar figure didn't resurface throughout the night.

The next morning, Hayden had granted me the day off, and I was grateful until my three brats thought it's best to wake me up.

“Shannon, isn't the TV on or don't you have toys to play with?” I pleaded , causing her to giggle.

“Stop being a naughty mummy, the door has been ringing. "

Doorbell?

Just then it rang, and they all ran towards the door.

“Don't you dare…”

“Mummy Jay Jay is toying with the door!” Rory complained.

As quiet as Jay was, I knew how mischievous he could be every so often.

“Auntie Layla!” I heard Jay say in defense.

“No, not Auntie Layla, so don't do it baby, mummy is coming!” I yelled as I hurriedly put on clothes.

Fear kept in my heart as I picked up a freak, I didn't want him to open the door to a random person.

With a gasp, I let out a scream upon seeing them stare at whoever was at the door and, as if he knew what he had done wasn't okay with me, he ran.

I chased after the youngster and started reprimanding him about how unsafe it was to open the door to strangers, forgetting that the door was still opened by him. 

I reached out to drag him away, but he scurried away before I had the last say. 

Just then, I felt my wolf stir before leaping out in joy.

Not now!

In awe, I felt the mate bond being tugged on, and she whispered with a happy dance, “MATES.”

My eyes widened in confusion only to get stunned as I raised my head to see not one but two Aiden's looking up at me.