Chapter 49
Forty-Nine
Alpha Blake
“What the hell are you doing? Go back to her!” Gunner roared in my head. But I kept walking towards the pack house. I needed time to think. After everything that had happened, I knew I wanted Ryley to stay here. The thought of her leaving in five weeks is making me anxious.
“Then why are you leaving her? Go back and tell her how you feel.” Gunner scoffed.
‘And I will, just not tonight. She’s been through enough.” I retorted.
“You could just hold her.” He suggested.
“We aren’t there yet. And she has enough to worry about. This is something we have to take slow, as much as I don’t want to. I don’t want to overstep and have her completely shut me out.” I sighed. I wanted this to work so badly. I didn’t want to go back to an empty floor. I would much rather have us all under one roof. But I know Ryley has been through a lot. And this is to prove to her that I still trust her with Aspen.
The next morning, Luca was waiting for me at my office door. My lack of sleep did not put me in a good mood and I just wanted to get through this day as painlessly as possible.
“Wow, you look like s*it. Did something happen?” Luca pointed out as I approached him.
“Thanks,” I grumbled, unlocking my office door. I stepped inside and
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Chader Forty Fire
1288 Nouchers
Luca followed me, closing the door behind him.
I sat down behind my desk and turned on my computer while he took one of the chairs in front.
“What?” I grumbled out when he didn’t say anything.
“You’re very grumpy for someone who just got laid by the hot little blonde down the hall?” He scoffed.
“F*ck off,” I growled and he chuckled. A growl rumbled from my chest. and he held up his hands in surrender.
“Fine, don’t tell me. Aspen will fill me in later.” He said shaking his head.
“There’s nothing to tell. She was feeling guilty about putting Aspen in danger.” I sighed.
“Why do I feel like you aren’t telling me everything?” He c**ked his eyebrow.
“I wanted something to happen. It seemed she was lowering her walls but then this happened and she clammed back up again. And I don’t know what to say,” I shrugged.
“You could just ask her out?”
“And if she says no, then what? It would make whatever our relationship is now, awkward.” I huffed.
“I don’t know how to help you, Blake. If you want to move forward with Ryley, you are going to have to take a chance.” He shrugged and I sighed. He’s right but I’m not sure how to proceed. I always had Mia, or I didn’t care. I care about Ryley and her son. There is more to lose if I f*ck this up.
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J
11:54
Forty Nine
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“I’ll figure it out. Now, what’s up?” I asked him.
“I know your parents are arriving this afternoon but Alpha Dorian Woods from the Evergreen Pack is asking for your assistance with rogue attacks,” Luca explained.
“And why ask me for help?” I questioned. Alpha Dorian has a fairly large pack. It’s my understanding he joined packs with the Aurora Mountian pack.
“He said the rogue attacks are escalating and more calculating than normal attacks. And he’s hoping a second set of eyes will help eradicate the problem.”
“Fine. Tell him I’ll meet with him tomorrow afternoon.” I breathed out. It must be bad if a strong alpha like Dorian is asking for help. Luca
gave me a nod, before standing up from his seat.
“Before you go, can you change the menu for tonight’s dinner? Ryley and Channing are coming to have dinner with us.” I asked him, as I signed into my computer. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was wearing a smirk.
“You got it,” he said before I heard the door close. I leaned back and let out a breath. Now I just have to handle my mother this evening. No pressure. Dating is hard. The mate bond makes this so much easier.
I was buried in my work when the door to my office was thrown open. I didn’t have to look up to know it was my mother. I love her but she is very demanding and over the top. She’s an alpha’s daughter and you can tell.
“Son, this is not the greeting I was expecting,” She scoffed and I sighed.
“Sorry, Mom, but I do have work to get done,” I said as she came
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Forty Nine
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around the desk.
“Fine, just give me a hug and I’ll forgive you,” She demanded. I closed my eyes before rolling them. I didn’t need her to see that. I stood up and hugged her. My father had taken a seat in a chair in front of my desk. He was holding in a snicker.
“Dad, good to see you,” I said after my mother let me go.
“Enough small talk. I want to hear all about this woman, Aspen has been telling us all about,” She said and she sat in my father’s lap. Even being a grown man, this is still awkward.
“There’s nothing to tell. Aspen is friends with her son. And she is working on the pack accounts.” I answered, sitting back down.
“And she is single?” My mother questioned.
“She is.”
“And you two are together?” She pushed. My mother was anything but subtle.
“We are friends.”
My father interrupted her before she could ask me any more questions about Ryley.
“And what is this business with the Shadow Moon pack?”
“That’s handled. But how the hell did you find out about that?” I asked him, confused.
“I was alpha, son. Alpha Phil’s father, Alpha Mel called him. He didn’t want whatever happened to start a war.” My father explained.
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Chat Forty-Nine
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“Well, there isn’t going to be a war unless someone from the pack hurts Ryley or Channing.”
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