Chapter 78
78 –He Promises To Protect Me
Madeline:
Thankfully, when I told Elgin I wanted to be left alone after all that talk, he walked out of my suite.
I needed rest. I needed time to think about everything that had happened.
Coming back home wasn’t at all how I’d imagined it would be.
The truth about my past, along with the alphas finally telling me their sides, had weighed heavily on me.
In the end, I realized it had been for the best that I left.
The alphas had still been wrong to start that night when none of them were willing to stand up to their families for me, at least not Graham or Elgin.
As for Baxter, we hadn’t had that conversation yet. All I knew was that he once had a crush on me, though I couldn’t say I believed it.
So far, he’d never given me a valid reason, or any reason at all, for the way he’d treated me back then.
Two days later, news broke that the great writer and researcher had attacked the alphas and been killed when they fought back.
Nobody seemed to care much.
People came forward saying he’d lost his mind, that he used to peek through windows and claim their young ones were special or cursed.
They said he caused panic, always wandering the woods, watching people transition so he could observe their wolves.
Now that he was gone, many in the comments said they finally felt safe in the woods and even in their homes.
They said it felt good knowing no one was watching them anymore.
But I didn’t feel the same. I was still left with no answers.
“What is this?” I asked Baxter as he walked into my suite holding a file.
My kids were playing in the living room, their laughter filling the space.
I was getting tired of hotel life.
Alpha Ron had called early that morning, hoping I’d accept his offer to stay in a house instead. I’d been packing since sunrise. 1
“These are the pages that writer Walter took from the library, the only book he ever published there. We found them in the basement and thought you should have them,” Baxter explained, holding out the file.
I grabbed it quickly, eager to read.
But before I could open it, I noticed him scratching his forehead and glancing toward the kids, who were too busy
to notice us.
“What is it?” I asked, closing the file. I decided to read it later when I was alone.
“ I wanted to invite you and the children to dinner,” he said.
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The moment he said it, I started shaking my head.
“ Don’t worry, I’m not asking you out on a date,” he added quickly.
I frowned at him. I knew that wasn’t his intention.
“It’s a family dinner,” he added.
The second he said that, I shot him a sharp look because I knew exactly who his family was.
“Don’t give me that look. I’m only saying this because I want my child to be part of my happiness,” Baxter complained when I rolled my eyes at him.
“It’s just a small dinner where I’ll announce the date of our engagement to the people I care about,” Baxter continued, making it clear that not only his parents but my so–called family would be there too.
“Baxter, how many times do I have to tell you? I have no problem with Bodhi being part of the ceremony. The problem is that I don’t feel safe around the people you call loved ones,” I told him, facing him with my arms folded across my chest.
My eyes searched his face for a sign of empathy, for any expression that showed he understood.
He needed to realize how hard it was for me to return to a place where I’d once felt threatened.
My children wouldn’t be safe there.
“I understand, Madeline, and I completely empathize with you,” he said, his hands resting on his waist, fingers brushing his belt nervously.
His body language showed that this conversation wasn’t easy for him either.
“Do you really understand?” I asked sharply, taunting him, because if he did, he wouldn’t be asking me to go to that dinner.
“ I’ll be there,” he replied.
The moment he said that, I lifted my eyes to him, judging him silently.
“Don’t act like I’ve never been there to protect you,” he grunted when he noticed the skeptical look I gave him.
“Well, you weren’t there, so what’s the point?” I replied dryly, thinking about the night he ran off and never came
back.
He gave me a blunt look, then relaxed his shoulders.
“ I promise you, everything will be fine. And if anybody tries to be sneaky, they’ll have to go through me.” 1
I rolled my eyes, but then something occurred to me.
To learn more about my wolf, I needed to be in that family house, to talk to people, to get information, especially from my father and stepmother.
With that in mind, I made my decision.
“Fine, I’ll be there. But I’ll only bring Bodhi,” I said, already thinking of ways to convince the others to stay
behind.
Watching one child would be easier than keeping up with all of them and losing my mind in the process.
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“No.” Baxter shook his head. “I don’t want the others to feel left out. They’re the same to me as Bodhi p>
He almost mumbled those words, his eyes darting away from mine.
What did he expect me to do, throw my heart at him for being generous?
“Besides, the others will be there too–Elgin and Graham. They can help take care of the kids. Come on, ” he urged.
I sighed and nodded.
“Fine then, but I’ll leave on my own terms. If I feel disrespected, I’ll take my kids and go p>
He placed a hand over his chest in mock sincerity and agreed.
So it was decided.
I was finally going to face my stepmother and that cruel father who had never seen me as his daughter who never even lifted a finger to stop my bullies.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.