Alpha Aidan's Rejection Chapter 20

TARA

　　If I had run into Alpha Collin a few hours before now, I would have given him a solid piece of my mind that would have left him questioning why we crossed paths.

　　My run-in with Aidan left me even more broken than I already was, so I didn't have it in me for whatever pettiness Collin brought along with him.

　　Sadly, he did not get the memo and was attempting to pry for information.

　　"I can't tonight, Collin," I said in a low voice as I tried to sidestep him. "I have to head home to Nadia. It's late."

　　"I'm sure we can have a little chat before you do that, Tara. A few minutes won't hurt," he said smiling like the snake that he was. "I just want you to tell me what your relationship with that devil's spawn is."

　　I scoffed internally. If anyone between Collin and Aidan was the devil or its spawn, Collin bore the crown.

　　"Who I talk to, and for what reason, is and will never be any of your business," I said sternly, trying to get away from him again but he wouldn't let me through.

　　"Is he bothering you?"

　　"No," I answered.

　　"So what does he want? Is he interested in you then?"

　　I sighed heavily. "Like I said, none of it is your business. And if anyone is interested in me, you are the last person I would care to share that with. Let me through before I do something you won't like," I said.

　　His voice took on a serious edge. "Listen, from what I can see, you want him out of this pack as much as I do, so a little collaboration won't hurt anyone, don't you think?" he asked with a shrug.

　　The heck?

　　"Collaboration? What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

　　He went on with a sinister smile. "All you have to do is attest to a few stories, and I will see to it that he and his bandwagon are escorted out of this pack and banned for life."

　　I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Stories of what, Collin?" I asked anyway.

　　"Harassment," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

　　"You are unbelievable," I said with a gasp. "You're asking me to lie about something as dire as that, just so you can satisfy your ego? Or have an upper hand in a petty quarrel?"

　　Collin gritted his teeth angrily, and I took that as my cue to get out of there.

　　"Don't bring this pathetic thought of yours anywhere near me again, understood?"

　　With that, I pushed him aside and put as much distance between us as my legs would allow me.

　　Throughout my journey home, my mind was in great conflict.

　　By the time I arrived, it felt like the weight of the entire world was on my neck, crushing me.

　　I unlocked the door as quietly as I could because it was late enough that Nadia could have already been asleep, and I didn't want to stir her awake.

　　Softly padding the tiled floor from the living room, I found myself at Nadia's door.

　　She was peacefully curled up on her bed, smiling in her sleep, and I sagged my weight on the door as I watched her.

　　My fears had been confirmed. Aidan was here, and he wanted the one thing that finally made sense in my life.

　　Collin was right. I wanted him far from us, but not like that. I knew firsthand what it felt like to be accused and punished for something I knew nothing of or had no control over, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone, let alone the father of my child.

　　I took a few steps into the small Disney-themed room, and I quietly knelt beside where Nadia lay.

　　"I really wish things were different, baby," I said with emotions loading my voice. "But I want what's best for you. For us."

　　I moved the strands of hair that had fallen down her face aside and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. My heart swelled with emotion. "I love you. And I won't let anyone hurt you," I said.

　　She must not have slept too deep because that stirred her awake, and her eyes fluttered open.

　　"Mommy," she drawled as her eyes lazily darted left and right.

　　"I'm home, baby. I came to say goodnight. You can go back to sleep, and I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

　　She nodded, but her eyes were already dropping back close. "I love you, Mommy," she whispered.

　　I kissed her once on the cheek, and on her forehead, and I spoke against the skin. "I love you too."

　　Knowing that I could spend the entire night by her bed, I tore myself away and went out of the room, making sure that the bright lights were turned off.

　　I closed the door and let my forehead rest on the wall, and being lost in thoughts, I didn't hear footsteps approach.

　　"You're back." It was Jenna, talking and yawning at the same time.

　　"Hey, Jenna. I am. Thank you so much. I'm sorry I couldn't make it earlier. It took a little longer than I anticipated."

　　She waved me away as the sleep cleared from her eyes. "Don't worry about it. Is everything okay?"

　　"Yeah, sure."

　　We both walked from the hallway down to the kitchen, and Jenna watched me cautiously.

　　"Then why do you look so stressed? It's unlike you, Tara."

　　I let out a long and heavy sigh. "Things have just been a little bit rough."

　　Jenna responded. "It can't be about the diner though. I've seen how busy it is there, and I know that even that's not enough to weigh on you like this. Does it have anything to do with what happened back at the welcome party?"

　　It had everything to do with it, but I shook my head to her question.

　　"I'll get over it." My smile was forced, but Jenna still nodded softly.

　　"I've known you for years, Tara," she said smiling like the bigger sister among us. "The last time you were this troubled was when we first met. And just like then, I'm a listening ear and a shoulder for you to lean on any time of the day, okay?"

　　Her expression and words were of nothing but understanding, making me wonder what I did to deserve Jenna's kindness.

　　"Yeah, okay. Thank you, Jenna."

　　"You're welcome," she said with a nod.

　　At this point, there was no need to keep it all to myself.

　　It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her everything, but I wouldn't even know where to begin. I needed some liquid courage for this, so I pulled the fridge open and came out with a bottle.

　　"This is going to be quite the story," I said, passing a glass to her which she accepted. "Are you sure you're ready to hear? Or rather, ready to see?" I asked quietly.