Bygone Love For The Alpha

The Birth Of The Misunderstandings

At that moment, I found myself torn between concern for a frightened child and my own apprehension of potentially navigating a complicated and messy situation. In the kitchen with my parents, the air seemed thick with worry.

The contrast was stark out in the living room where Theo sat on the couch, a sense of calm settling over him as he savored the hot chocolate my mother had so lovingly prepared. She couldn't help but check on him repeatedly, making sure he was comfortable and at ease. Meanwhile, my father paced anxiously, his own concern mirroring mine. It was clear that we were all deeply affected by the unexpected turn of events.

My father's voice was laden with urgency, his concern etched on his face. "Jade, do you realize the trouble this could bring? That's Theo. Alpha Ezra's son. The little Alpha!" His words were a whispered plea, as if afraid the child outside might overhear. Panic was creeping into his voice, and I couldn't fault him for it. The gravity of the situation was unmistakable.

Perched on the petite round table in the cramped kitchen, I felt the tension in the room mount. Clutching my hair tightly in my fists, I tried to convey my determination. "Dad, I understand the risks. That's why I'm saying I'll be the one to take him back," I stated, my voice steady but laced with apprehension.

His immediate response was a vehement shake of his head. "Absolutely not! That's a disaster waiting to happen. You, of all the omegas, can't be the one to do it. They'll place the blame squarely on you. What if they accuse you of k********g him? They already have a bias against you. No, you can't go. I'll handle this," he insisted, his voice edged with a protective fervor. The worry in his eyes was palpable.

Standing up abruptly, the chair scraped noisily against the floor, a testament to the tension in the room. "And what exactly are you going to tell them?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a biting sarcasm. "Oh! Hello, Alpha. Your kid just happened to wander to my doorstep. Here, take him back. Goodbye," I added, unable to suppress my derision. My dad's disapproval was evident, but at that moment, my own fear eclipsed any concern for his feelings.

"Let me handle this, Dad. Theo came here looking for me. Even if you go, when he tells them his version, they'll involve me anyway," I reasoned, my tongue clicking in frustration at his relentless worry. The apprehension in his widened eyes was like a punch to my gut. It pained me to see him so anxious.

Approaching him, I placed a reassuring hand on his arm, my resolve unwavering. "Listen, I've had enough. I'm done with the hiding, the judgment. I can't take it anymore. I'm going to bring Theo back, tell them the truth, and then I'll leave. If they choose to believe it, great. If not, I'll leave the Pack and never come back," I declared, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air, leaving my parents stunned.

My mother's steps were determined, her brows drawn together in irritation. "What are you saying? Are you thinking of leaving us?" Her eyes carried a mix of concern and hurt.

I let out a heavy sigh, meeting her gaze with a tenderness I hoped would convey my feelings. Then, I turned to my father, who stood there in silence. His gaze bore into me, stern yet understanding. He might not agree with my choices, but at that moment, I could see that he comprehended them. He understood that this was the only course of action that felt right for him.

I swallowed hard, turning my gaze back to my mother. A weight settled on my chest, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. "Listen, I'll explain everything to you later, but right now, I need to go. The longer I take to return Theo, the more complications I might face. I'll stay in touch with both of you, alright? I'll drive him back to Alpha's house and do my best to sort this out. In the meantime, please, don't let anyone know what happened, okay?" My voice trembled with urgency and determination.

My mother's gaze fell, her fingers nervously threading through her hair. "Seth and his aunt will be here in an hour or so. Can you make it back before then?" she asked, her worry palpable.

I let out a weary sigh. "I'll do my best, Mom, but I can't make any promises," I replied, my own apprehension gnawing at me.

"But what if they ask where you are?" she pressed.

I shrugged, resignation settling in. "Lie to them." My words hung in the air, a harsh truth in the face of an impossible situation.

I cast a careful eye over the empty street, ensuring no prying eyes were nearby. With cautious tenderness, I took Theo's hand in mine, guiding him towards my waiting car. Opening the door for him, I helped him settle into the passenger seat. His face lit up with joy as he eagerly hopped in, and I carefully fastened the seatbelt around his small frame.

My parents had joined us, their presence a reassuring comfort. They stood by the car, watching over us with a mix of concern and affection. Just before I closed the passenger's door, Theo beamed at my parents, his tiny hand waving in grateful acknowledgment. "I really loved the hot chocolate. Thank you!" His voice, brimming with genuine appreciation, warmed my heart. His infectious giggles worked their magic, even coaxing a smile from my typically stern father. Meanwhile, my mother, her eyes sparkling with adoration, waved back at him, completely charmed by this young visitor.

I exchanged a reassuring nod with my parents before sliding into the driver's seat. As I started the car, we embarked on a journey towards a house I hadn't set foot in for the past eight years. The weight of the past hung heavy in the air, mingling with my growing apprehension.

Driving Theo back to his home, my nerves were on edge. My hands clenched and unclenched around the steering wheel, my palms damp with a cold sweat. Each beat of my heart echoed loudly in my chest, a rhythm of anxiety. I stole glances at Theo, relieved to see that he appeared at ease now. Still, the weight of uncertainty settled over me. I fervently hoped that whatever awaited us wouldn't bring harm to my parents. I couldn't bear to see them in any trouble on my account. Their well-being was my priority above all else.

“Is this your real car?” Theo's tiny voice pulled my attention back to him. I summoned a smile and met his curious gaze, nodding in confirmation.

He giggled, his legs swinging freely, "I like it. It's small," he declared, eliciting a soft chuckle from me.

"Thanks," I murmured, my fingers tightly gripping the steering wheel. As we cruised down the streets, I noticed some passersby casting curious glances at my car. It wasn't lost on me that in this Pack, my choice of vehicle was considered unusual—a so-called 'human's car'. I paid them no mind, my focus fixed on the road ahead.

Soon, the familiar streets of Ezra's neighborhood came into view, and with every passing moment, my apprehension swelled. The closer we got to his house, the heavier the weight of uncertainty settled in my chest.

I drove on the road with the thick forests of the Red Moon Pack on each side. As I approached the gates of Ezra's house, my thoughts were consumed by what Theo had revealed to me earlier, back at my own doorstep. Frowning, I seized this rare moment of privacy with him. "Theo, can I talk to you about something?"

He eagerly nodded, a broad grin lighting up his face. "Sure!"

My voice was laced with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Can you tell me who the woman was who told you to come to me?" I inquired, my suspicion growing. It felt like another cruel jest, orchestrated to unsettle me. The notion that someone might harbor such animosity towards me, going to such lengths to set me up, weighed heavily on my mind.

Theo's response was nonchalant, his small shoulders lifting in a shrug. "I'm not sure, but she was really pretty. Not as pretty as you," he chimed in, a giggle bubbling up. His words caught me off guard; no one had ever called me pretty before. It was oddly touching, especially coming from a child known for their brutal honesty.

He went on, his voice filled with excitement, recounting the mysterious encounter. "She snapped her fingers, and a green light appeared above her. She told me to follow it. It would lead me to you, and it did! Was she telling me the truth? Will you be my best friend? Allen says I'm his best friend, but I don't like him," he rambled, a playful scrunching of his nose punctuating his words. Then, with a determined flourish, he declared, "I want you to be my best friend!" His earnestness was both endearing and heartwarming.

Without a moment to react, four werewolves leaped out of the forest, two from each side, leaving me wide-eyed and gasping in shock. My instincts kicked in, and I slammed the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. Theo let out a frightened shriek, and I acted swiftly, placing my hand protectively in front of him to keep him securely in his seat.

In an instant, Caleb emerged from the forest, his anger palpable. His gaze bore into me, but it quickly shifted to Theo. Dread washed over me. This was not going to end well.

Fury ignited in his eyes, transforming them into fiery orbs of anger. With a scornful sneer, he directed his rage squarely at me. His hand came down with a thunderous crash on the car's hood, leaving a massive, gouged dent in its wake. The impact was so forceful that wisps of smoke began to seep from the engine before it sputtered and died.

"Get out of the f*****g car, Jade!" His voice reverberated with such intensity that it sent shockwaves through me.

Panic surged through me. This was not going to end well.