Alpha Aidan's Rejection Chapter 102

TARA

　　For the days that came after that, I couldn't go past a few minutes without thinking about all the unholy things Aidain did to and with my body in his room that night, and neither could I stop my body from shuddering whenever I recalled how dark and heated his voice had gone when he commanded me, owned me, and treated me like his property.

　　By the time we were done, both spent, and many hours after I had put Nadia to bed, the side of Aidan that I'd come to know and love returned to me, stroking my scars, reassuring me with his words, taking care of my body, and cleaning me up, minutes before I drifted into absolute bliss.

　　This was our new routine, only that we added so many dates to the list…and the flowers as well as the shopping supplies.

　　What could I say? A girl was getting spoiled, and she wasn't complaining.

　　Aidan went through with his promise to get me at least ten other flowers before I could choose a favorite, even going overboard because I truly lost count of how many flowers I received in the following weeks, but they were enough for me to have a few favorites of my own.

　　I was skeptical when Aidan first brought me a bouquet with black petals…roses, mostly because they looked like they were meant for darker situations like divorces, but when he explained that the end of our past and start of a new journey together signified the rose's essence, I became drawn to it, always seeing me and Aidan's tumultuous but worthwhile ride whenever the flower came to my mind.

　　The case was much different than when he gifted me a bouquet of stunning creamy white peonies on one of our dates at a small restaurant by the pack's lake, the bright colors contrasting that of the roses, and I instantly fell in love with it, and with Aidan even more than I had within the last few months.

　　We were on another one of our dates today, but to a very fancy restaurant at a side of Vermont Pack that I hadn't been to in all my years of staying here. Apart from the soft chatter going on behind us, the occasional distractions from Aidan's eyes darting to familiar faces behind us, packmates who were acknowledging him, and the incessant buzzing of his phone beside us which he didn't regard, the evening was perfect.

　　"Do you think Nadia is going to forgive us for doing this without her? These chocolate fondue have been her favorite treats lately, I feel bad," Aidan said, referring to the mini tray of dessert on the table, brows furrowed in guilt.

　　"I think she's good with Jenna," I said with a chuckle through my response, dipping my last piece of strawberry into the chocolate pot since I was stuffed already. I went on. "It's been weeks since Nadia has been to Jenna's, same thing with me, so when she got the news, they were both thrilled. We could get her some leftovers though," I supplied, watching a dashing Aidan nod. "She'll be pleased with that."

　　"Alright then," Aidan said. "So that means it's been a while since you've hung out with her too? Jenna?" He asked, and my eyes shot up, heart, warming at the thought that Aidan cared about my relationship with my friend, even when Jenna wasn't the most accommodating to Aidan.

　　I nodded, leaving my thoughts behind. "It's been a busy few weeks. The diner has been growing with more customers, even some from outside of here, and I've been spending time with you too," I shrugged. "She'll probably kill me for that last part."

　　Aidan laughed, eyes darting behind us for a second before settling on me again. I itched to turn around and see what he was looking at, but I didn't.

　　"We'll have to plan something so we can see soon and catch up. We could both use the time since she too has been up to some things," I said, placing my fork down, and reaching for my water.

　　"Be careful when you do that though. It is getting a little dangerous out in the streets," Aidan said, exhaling a tired breath as he ran a hand through his hair, done with his dessert too now. 

　　Right.

　　"I heard about the Stonewolves," I said in a small voice, feeling more for Aidan than the pack now. "I sometimes forget that you're Alpha, and the whole weight of making sure everyone in the pack is comfortable and safe rests on you. You didn't sign up for this, Aidan, I'm sorry."

　　Aidan's tiredness fell from his features and in its place, a brow raised in question, and a smile hinted at his lips. "Why would you apologize for that now, Tara?"

　　I shrugged, responding with as much truth as I could gather. 

　　"If I hadn't brought my baggage here, coming into this pack to raise Nadia under the eyes of someone who hates your pack for no reason, you wouldn't have been compelled to accept a challenge from Collin with your packs on the line. Beating him came with this mess of a pack, and it's stressing you out, especially now that it's beginning to get unsafe."

　　Aidan shook his head now, voice dropping quiet. "I don't like to say this, but you're wrong about many of those things, okay? That challenge was meant to happen, so it did. And it's not Attica pack that Collin hates. It's just me."

　　"Why?"

　　"I have no freaking idea, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're here together as a family, and whatever else is happening will sort itself out. Collin doesn't deserve to ruin our date," Aidan said, his hand coming through the side of the table to where our legs were out touching each other's, resting on my thigh, and causing memories and promises to flare to life.

　　I swallowed. "You're right." But I spoke again soon enough. "Last thought before I drop it?" 

　　"Of course," Aidan nodded, drawing small circles on the exposed part of my outer thigh through the slit of my dress, causing eruptions to spark through my body, and I cleared my throat for some control over my brain. "Could it be Collin who is sending the Stonewolves to attack us? As payback for taking his pack? Because he left willingly, right?"

　　Aidan nodded once and I went on. 

　　"He left with a handful of people, so it could be them." That was the only thing that made sense when I thought about it.

　　Aidan though, didn't. "The chances of that are slim. Stonewolves aren't creatures that can be reasoned with or controlled, especially by someone whose emotions got the best of him. This is something else, but do not unnerve yourself about it. Me, Jace, and the others will solve it soon, and it'll be as safe as it was before."

　　I nodded, hoping that Aidan was right. It wasn't a pleasant feeling to fear for you or your daughter's safety by something as dangerous as Stonewolves in a place that should have been your haven.

　　The sour topic receded to the back of our minds, we got back to our date.

　　It was mostly with me yapping about every small detail that came to my mind since Aidan was more than willing to hear me speak. He didn't interrupt me once, listening with rapt attention as I spoke about the diner, as well as pack gossip.

　　"Riley also got a new girlfriend, and they've been all PDA since…"

　　My words got cut off as Aidan's features shifted from an interest in what I was speaking about to something else. Something dark and alarming.

　　His eyes trained on something…or someone behind us, face hardening into stone, fist clenching on the table, and the other around my thigh, causing me to tense up.

　　What the…

　　Aidan's words could pass for pissed-off growls on their own, venom spitting from his mouth without care. 

　　"What the heck is she doing here?" he growled, and my attention snapped to whoever got Aidan this rattled within seconds.

　　Right there in the restaurant, standing right by the entrance door, and less than ten feet away from us, was Kayla, smiling charmingly with all teeth, waving to me and Aidan.

　　No.

　　This wasn't right.

　　"Kayla?" I muttered in disbelief, jaw hanging, but most of all, a whirlwind of emotions slamming me at once. Panic, alert, but mainly, resentment.

　　This was Vermont Pack. How the hell was Kayla here? Why was she here?

　　As soon as Aidan shot to his feet, snarling, and moving in Kayla's direction, she dashed through the door, leaving just as she came.

　　She knew exactly what she was doing.

　　Kayla was in Vermont Pack, and she came here to announce herself.

　　But why?

　　And mostly. "What the hell just happened?"