Chapter 235
Chapter 237
**Alexander,” I sobbed, clutching at my chest where our mate bond had been violently severed. “Alexander, please p>
“Mommy? Who’s Alexander p>
I jolted awake, my heart racing, to find Aria standing beside my bed, her small face serious in the dim light filtering through the curtains. My daughter’s expression was curious, her head tilted slightly to one side just like her father did when he was trying to solve a problem.
“What?” I asked, still disoriented from the dream, pushing myself up against the headboard,
“You were saying that name in your sleep. Alexander.” She climbed onto the bed beside me, “You sounded sad p>
My throat tightened as I pulled her close. “Was I? I’m sorry if I woke you, honey p>
“Is he someone important?” She looked up at me with those eyes – his eyes–wide and questioning, “Is he why you cry sometimes when you think I’m sleeping p>
The innocent question cut straight to my heart. I hadn’t realized she’d noticed.
“Yes,” I admitted softly, knowing I couldn’t lie to her about this. “He’s someone very important to me. A friend I… lost a long time ago p>
“But you found him again?” Her small fingers played with the edge of the blanket. “Is that why we came here p>
I hesitated, unsure how much to tell her. “What makes you think that p>
Aria shrugged with the simple logic of a child. “You seem different since we got here. Like you’re looking for something, Or someone p>
My perceptive little girl. I hugged her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re too smart for your own good, you know that p>
She pizzled, snuggling against me. “Can I meet him? Your important friend p>
The question made my heart skip. If only she knew she was asking to meet her father. A father who had no idea she existed, who believed I was simply a human woman who had stumbled into his territory. A father who now thought I’d been married to someone else, had a child with another man.
“Maybe someday,” I whispered, unable to promise more. “When the time is right p>
“I’d like that,” she said simply, yawning, “I bet he’s nice if you like him so much p>
1 felt tears threatening again. “He is. He’s very kind and brave and smart p>
“Like me?” she asked with a sleepy smile.
I choked back a sob. “Exactly like you, baby. You’re so much like him p>
She drifted back to sleep in my arms, content with my answers for now. But I remained awake, my mind racing with possibilities and fears. How long could I keep this secret? How would Alexander react when he discovered
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Chapter 237
+25 BONUS
the truth? Would he ever forgive me for keeping his daughter from him all these years?
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Careful not to disturb Aria, I reached for it, expecting another message from Lyra about her condition. Instead, it was from a number I didn’t recognize.
*Plane arrives tomorrow at 1 PM. Terminal C. Be there p>
The cryptic message sent a chill down my spine. No signature, no explanation. Just a command.
I knew instantly who it was from. Lucien Cross, the dangerous Alpha I’d contacted for help. He was coming to town–a complication I didn’t need but couldn’t avoid.
I looked down at my sleeping daughter, so innocent and trusting. I’d done things–made deals, told lies–all to protect her. To keep her safe from Foster, from those who would use her to hurt me or control Alexander.
But now the web was getting tangled. Alexander, suspicious and hurt by what he perceived as my deception. Lucien, arriving with his own agenda and expecting my cooperation. And between them, Aria, the most precious thing in my world.
Tomorrow would bring Lucien Cross to our doorstep. And with him, complications that could expose every secret I’d fought to keep.
Chapter 238