Bygone Love For The Alpha

Little Alpha

Ezra and Caleb departed quietly, leaving me in peaceful solitude, a gesture that I secretly cherished. As we returned home, a mix of emotions churned within me. My mother had extended an invitation to Seth and his aunt for dinner, and he graciously accepted. It was crystal clear why she had orchestrated this gathering. Under normal circumstances, the idea of hosting guests on the day of Momo's funeral would have been unthinkable. Yet, she was hoping to k****e a connection between Seth and me.

Much to my surprise, even my father was supportive of this plan. Unfortunately for them, my heart wasn't in sync with their wishes. The moment we stepped through the door, I couldn't contain my feelings any longer and confronted them about their well-intentioned but misguided scheme. A surge of frustration and vulnerability coursed through me as I voiced my discontent.

“What do you think you guys are doing?” I asked as soon as we got home. Fury surged through me, propelling me to fling the black scarf onto the couch. I couldn't contain my exasperation any longer.

My mother feigned innocence, her facade grating on my already frayed nerves. "What on earth do you mean?" She feigned nonchalance, an act that further fueled my irritation. "I simply invited someone over for dinner. What's got you so worked up?"

I fixed her with a steely glare, my eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Mom, don't play coy. You know exactly what you're doing! If you think you can orchestrate some grand romantic scheme for me with Seth, you're sorely mistaken. It's not going to happen. And what on earth made you assume he's single or even remotely interested in me? God, Mom!" I burst out, my frustration boiling over in a torrent of words.

My mother dropped the pretense, her scoff tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Oh, sweetie, I may not be an expert in many things, but I can certainly read a person. It was written all over his face! He's intrigued by you, darling." I regarded her with a firm gaze, my skepticism unwavering.

With a sigh, she closed the distance between us, her hands finding their place on my shoulders. "Sweetie, what's the harm in giving it a shot, huh? Even if he's not single, or maybe he's not as interested, which I think he is," she conceded, pausing as my eyes involuntarily rolled. "Alright, fine, even if that's the case – what's the downside to having them over for dinner? Maybe you two will hit it off, and if not, well, so be it. We'll dust off our hands and move forward," she reasoned, attempting to inject some logic into my stubborn resolve. Her words hung in the air, a plea for me to open my heart to the possibility.

Silent but resolute, I held her gaze, my expression a testament to my disapproval. Another sigh escaped her lips, laden with a hint of longing. I observed the nervous gulp that betrayed her inner turmoil. Her shoulders slumped, a physical manifestation of her worry, as she tenderly tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. Then, with a motherly touch, she cradled my face in her warm embrace.

"I love you more than words can express, my precious," her voice was a gentle murmur, laced with a profound understanding. "I know the fear of opening your heart again is daunting, my love. But, darling, sometimes you have to take that chance. If it doesn't work out, well, that's alright. But if it does, oh, it can be something truly beautiful," she whispered, her words a delicate reassurance. She leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss onto my forehead, a promise of love and support that hung in the air.

As her comforting words washed over me, a wave of vulnerability crashed through my defenses. My lower lip quivered, a telltale sign that her motherly wisdom had reached the depths of my wounded heart. The sting of unshed tears prickled at my eyes, threatening to spill over.

She saw it all, of course. Those eyes, so full of maternal concern, knew the ache that still lingered, even in my attempts to move forward. With a resigned exhale, I surrendered the internal battle. I understood, deep down, that she was acting out of love and concern for my well-being. Trying to articulate the depth of my resistance to love felt like an impossible task. To voice it would only cause her more pain, and that was something I couldn't bear.

So, at that moment, I chose silence. I yielded to her gentle persuasion, acknowledging that a simple dinner wouldn't shatter the walls I'd built around my heart. It was a concession, a small step towards easing my mother's worries. For her peace of mind, and for the parents who have already shouldered so much of my burden, I would allow this. I swallowed back the rising emotions, determined to lift the weight from my chest. With a quiet, almost imperceptible nod, I conveyed my reluctant agreement.

I quietly excused myself and retreated to the sanctuary of my room. Meanwhile, my mother bustled happily in the kitchen, laying the groundwork for the evening's meal. Her suggestion that I dress up for the occasion earned a reflexive eye roll from me, to which she responded with an affectionate chuckle. With a gentle click, I closed the door behind me and sank down to the floor, my back pressed against the reassuring solidity of the door.

A heavy sigh escaped me as I reflected on the events of the day. Ezra's presence wouldn't have been such a prickling thorn if it weren't for the ghosts of my past feelings for him. Every glance, every interaction, dredged up the old embarrassment of how I fumbled with my emotions back then. I longed for the power to erase those memories, to make everyone forget the naive version of myself that I once was.

I nibbled on my lower lip, determined to push those thoughts aside. In just a day or two, I'll be leaving, perhaps for an extended period. I couldn't afford to squander the precious time I had with my parents by dwelling on a love that was never returned. Rising from my spot, I resolved to shake off the weight of the past.

A refreshing shower and a change into something cozy seemed like the perfect remedy. Gathering the essentials – a fluffy towel, a pair of comfortable blue jeans, and a plain grey hoodie – I made my way to the bathroom, intent on rejuvenating both body and spirit.

The warm water cascaded over me, a soothing balm for both body and soul. When I emerged, my hair clung to the towel, tendrils of steam rising around me. The world beyond my window had slipped into darkness, the sun having surrendered its reign to the night.

With a nonchalant stride, I approached the window, its sill a familiar perch. As I gazed out, my breath hitched in astonishment. A gasp escaped me as my eyes fell upon a child, standing solitary and small, right at the threshold of my home, gazing upward toward my window. Leaning in for a closer look, my heart pounded in my chest, for the face was eerily familiar. A surge of recognition swept over me, my eyes widening in disbelief. It was someone I knew, someone I hadn't expected to find standing here.

"Oh no," I breathed, the words escaping in a hushed exhale. My heart constricted at the sight below. It was Ezra's son, Theo, his tiny figure standing there, his eyes brimming with tears, his lower lip quivering as if on the brink of a sob. His cheeks bore the marks of his distress, red and streaked with dirt, his small form adorned in clothes caked with mud.

Without a second thought, adrenaline surged through me, propelling me into action. I dashed from my room, the urgency of the moment overriding any other considerations, and bolted from the house toward Theo.

The instant Theo caught sight of me hurtling toward him, his distress escalated into a full-fledged sob. Without hesitation, he surged forward, seeking solace in my presence, his small form enveloping my legs. I felt a sudden rush of uncertainty, frozen in the face of this unexpected embrace. Children were a realm I'd never quite navigated comfortably, and it seemed unlikely I ever would. I typically kept my distance, especially from Theo. Not out of any ill will, but more out of a sense of self-preservation. His innocent proximity could potentially lead to complications I preferred to avoid.

My concerns were twofold: a blend of apprehension about the potential repercussions, combined with a genuine worry about the three-year-old Alpha's child appearing unattended on my doorstep.

I looked around the empty street. There was no one in sight. I gently put my hand on Theo's head and softly patted it. I didn't know what else to do. Theo kept on crying. I felt really sad for him. He was just a little kid, all alone in the dark, far from his home. I couldn't imagine what he must have been through to end up like this. I slowly crouched down in front of him.

Bending down to his level, I sought to console him. "Hey, it's alright. I'm here with you," I murmured, cradling his small face in my hands. He trembled, each shiver resonating with an ache that seemed to echo within my own chest.

"Sweetie, hi," I murmured, offering a soft smile to let him know he was safe. His eyes, wide and innocent, welled up with tears, and a strange warmth swelled within me. I had an overwhelming urge to pull him close, to promise him protection. It was a flood of emotions that caught me off guard, leaving me a bit unsettled.

"It's going to be okay. You're safe now," I reassured him, my voice steady and comforting. Gradually, his sobs subsided.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice gentle. "How did you end up here, sweetheart?" I probed softly.

"Where's your dad?" I inquired.

"Home," he answered meekly.

"And how did you get here?"

"The lady in the forest told me to follow the green light. She said you would be my friend forever," the boy replied with the utmost innocence. His words sent a shiver of apprehension down my spine, freezing me momentarily.