3

Adrian

I dropped his toy train and walked over to meet Steven, the pack doctor, who was now gathering up his equipment. 

“Steven” I turned around to look at Milo, to make sure he couldn't hear me “What do you think? When do you think he would be able to talk?" 

From his expression alone, I already knew what he wanted to say and it wasn't good news. 

He simply shook his head, not wanting to add salt to the injury. Disappointment washed through me as I walked him out. Every time he paid a visit, I had always hoped that he would give me good news, that he would talk real soon. 

Ever since Asher, my former Beta and his father passed on, he had been like this.

Milo was his father's son and the only thing Asher held dearest to his heart. Their bond was so strong that when Milo realized that his father wasn't coming back from the war like other men, he fell ill. 

To make matters worse, Hailey, his mother, left him because she wasn't able to cope with his illness.

Milo had no one to care for him so I took him in as my son. Not just because he was alone, but because Asher was my best friend and confidant. This was the least I could do for him so he could rest in peace. 

By the time I got back to the room, Milo was already in bed so I crawled in with him and patted him to sleep. That was all he ever did. He played with his toys a bit but most times, he just slept. 

It bothered me because I didn't want him to grow up alone. I may not be there all the time and I wanted him to have people around him to be there for him. 

The door opened and Nora stood in the doorway with her hand over her mouth. She signaled for me to come outside and I shooed her away. Slowly crawling out of Milo’s bed, I made sure he was asleep before shutting the door behind me. 

“What is it?” I met up with her in the drawing room upstairs.

She crossed her hands against her chest and pushed herself off the wall. She gave me a once over and I already knew there was something in her mind. I just couldn’t guess what.

“You haven't given me an answer to my question.” 

I racked my brain but couldn't seem to even remember what the question was.

Nora wasn’t my beta officially, but she does everything a beta would. And she did it good.

“You said you were going to think about what I said." She sounded exasperated. 

It still didn't ring a bell. 

“You. Getting married. Again.” 

I rolled my eyes and held the door handle.

“I was never married before. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be doing something important." 

“Okay, wait.” She grabbed my hand. “This time around, it's not just for me. Listen, things aren't looking good with the wolves from the Red Moon Pack. If we want them to actually sign the treaty, then we need a Luna.” 

“Red Moon doesn't have a Luna." I wanted to roll my eyes. 

“But at least, the Alpha has been married. Listen, just think about it and this time, try to do something about it.” 

Deep down, she knew that I wasn't going to do anything about it. Not now, not ever. 

“Adrian, you-”

“I’ll think about it, on one condition.” Her smile fell. “How about you find your mate first?" 

She burst out laughing.

“I'm not like you, Adrian. We're not in the same situation. Besides, men are trouble. I'm fine the way I am."

We both laughed and as she walked away, I actually put some thought into what she said. 

Maybe Milo needs a motherly figure to finally talk. 

“Finally, you're speaking a language I can relate to.”

Of course, it would take a topic like this that would get Allister to finally show his ugly face. 

He is family, and like every family, he is the most annoying of all.

He had been one of the supporters of Nora's campaign to get me another mate but no matter what they did or planned to do, their plans won't work. 

“Forget it, it's not going to happen.” 

Right now, my primary and only focus was Milo. The only thing that would make me so happy was to see him talking, nothing else. 

“But just think about it. If you find a new mate, you'll be happier. Milo would have a motherly figure which every child needs and you'll be able to sign the treaty with Red Moon." 

I ignored him because it was the only thing to do. The moment he started his rant, he would never shut up. I had never met a wolf that talked so much. 

“Adrian, just-”

“Forget it, Allister. Just drop it. How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not interested in being with someone else? Have you forgotten so quickly what Emily did or have you forgotten what Hailey did to Milo? The way she abandoned Milo just like that? You can't possibly expect me to forget all that and move on!"

The memories were still very fresh in my head. The pain, the way I felt when Emily left me, the countless days that I tried begging her to come back. The horrible days after she left, how hard it had been for me to pull myself from that darkness. No, I couldn't possibly move on.

Just the mention of her name made me feel a pang in my chest, but I quickly shoved it away. I was over this, over her.

I had promised myself after everything that I wouldn’t waste my time with women ever again. I would never marry, or claim a mate. And this little plan they have to push me to do it isn’t going to make me change my mind.

“Adrian, I didn't mean-” Allister started but up I cut him off sharply.

“Forget it." My tone was final.

He got the message that I wasn’t in the mood. They both didn’t try to speak again.

I still wasn’t back to normal, after the unnecessary reminder of Emily and what happened with her.

I couldn't concentrate so I walked out of his room and went back to mine before changing my course and heading towards the door.

A run in the woods was the perfect thing to take my mind off all this talk that was annoying me. 

Quickly changing out of my formal wear, I put on normal clothes and slipped into the dark woods.