Alpha Aidan's Rejection Chapter 13

TARA

　　My mind took a trip down memory lane to eight years ago, right after I put to bed. I was so scared, thinking that Aidan found us, or worse, Kayla, or Aidan's father.

　　Shortly after I was able to return to the pack, Alpha Collin showed up at the house to congratulate me, and when I brought up the topic, as well as my concerns about being found by the people who caused me to leave Pack Attica, my previous pack, Collin proceeded to confirm that he was the one who cleared my bills.

　　It didn't take a mathematician to put it together that Collin was into me, but I couldn't settle for a relationship after what I'd been through. I also couldn't ignore the fact that I didn't see him that way, mostly because my heart belonged to another, even after such betrayal.

　　Collin was kind to me and patient, and we later finally came to a conclusion to put a label on our relationship.

　　The dynamic of our relationship was one of a kind. Nadia and I were his companions, and he stepped in as a supporter for us. But that was until things went left.

　　He became toxic, crossed boundaries, belittled me, and almost hurt Nadia. That was a story for another time.

　　So, putting myself and my child first, I cut off all ties with him. He has since maintained his distance, but it seemed today wasn't one of those days.

　　"Alpha," I said calmly to him. "How can I help you?"

　　I shook his hand off my shoulder because I didn't want him touching me. I also didn't want him to be anywhere Nadia's face, so I needed to end the conversation quickly.

　　He smiled slyly before replying. "I saw you in that pretty dress from way over there, and I thought to say hi. We don't get to see each other as often anymore."

　　"And you know exactly why that is," I replied sternly, trying to maintain my tone. "Listen, Alpha Collin, we're just here for the welcome party and don't want any trouble. I also don't want Nadia to be upset, so I would like to get back to her. Have a good evening," I said, hoping to end the conversation with that.

　　Thankfully, Collin got the memo. "Alright," he said. "I do have Alpha duties to get to. You know, with being the host of the decade. I've got a welcome party to head, but I'll see you around, Tara."

　　And there he went with the big ego.

　　With his last words, he left to join a group of men a distance away.

　　I shook off the effects of talking to Collin from my body, refusing to allow it to get to me. Anytime I thought about Collin, all I remembered was how many times he made me feel like I wasn't good enough, emotionally, physically, and otherwise.

　　"This evening is going to be lit," Jenna said, pulling me from my thoughts. "I've counted more than twenty Alphas, and there's more that I'm sure I haven't seen yet." She turned to Nadia. "Are you excited? They planned something for the kids too, you know?"

　　"I'm super super excited," Nadia responded, making me smile.

　　Me, Jenna, Esme, and Nadia fell into an easy conversation as the setups for the evening were getting finalized.

　　"Look, Mommy! It's Aidan," Nadia beamed, pointing at the crowd opposite us, and my heart missed a beat as my head snapped in his direction.

　　A wide arena separated our rows of seats from where Aidan was standing, but that didn't stop my heart from racing like it was competing in a marathon.

　　"Who?" Esme asked, following Nadia's pointed hand.

　　Jenna went on to explain how Aidan showed up at the diner with flowers for me and Nadia, and I just sat there frozen. I couldn't have found my voice if I tried.

　　I turned to Esme for a second, and she was also staring at Aidan.

　　"Do you know him?" I asked Esme, because I needed to shift my focus away from his face, or I risked burning up from this heat.

　　Esme shook her head once. "His face or name doesn't ring a bell," she added, before turning to face the other way.

　　My eyes betrayed me by looking over in Aidan's direction one more time, and like a moth to a flame, I was glued.

　　Hot.

　　That was the word to describe Aidan.

　　Unlike the other times that I'd seen him since his arrival, his outfit for the evening was casual, giving his thirty-four-year-old frame a more boyish look.

　　"Why the hell am I keeping track of his age?" I asked myself.

　　"Maybe because you want to jump his bones and get pregnant with his baby," Jenna joked, laughing away, and oblivious to how I just tensed up.

　　If only she knew.

　　I ignored Jenna and focused back on the man meters away from me.

　　Aidan had on a plain white round-neck shirt, paired with loose sweat shorts, exposing his muscular legs and arms. Tattoos covered his exposed biceps, and I inched to have a closer look or a bite.

　　I cautioned myself against any filthy thoughts, but my wolf only purred in defiance.

　　He completed his dressing with white sneakers and a pair of socks that were a little above the ankles. A single chain was on his neck, finishing off his dressing.

　　He looked freaking handsome, hence the females that were currently dropping their panties in his direction. My wolf growled possessively against them.

　　As if on cue, Aidan's head turned in my direction, and I quickly averted my eyes hoping that he wouldn't notice us.

　　"Please stay away," I said silently. "Please stay away."

　　Raising my head to see if my prayer was answered, I cursed silently as I watched him walk through the wide arena, easily dominating the entire gathering.

　　"Tara," Aidan said with a small nod when he finally approached us. "Nadia," he called, and a smile lit up both his face and Nadia's.

　　Aidan silently greeted the other two people with us, but I couldn't hear any of it with the way my heart was thrashing wildly in my ears.

　　He turned to me again before speaking. "Tara, I was hoping we could talk. Is that okay?"

　　I swallowed, trying to find my voice.