Chapter 54
Chapter 54: Lyd a’s. Ar
E
It takes me a minute to understand what must be happening. The only woman I’ve been near tonight, is
the stranger in the restroom. So if I smell like Lydia… that must have been her. It’s no wonder she
seemed so mysterious and sad. I feel for her immensely. I know what it’s like to try for years on end to
get pregnant with a partner, only for them to seed with someone else.
Of course, Sinir didn’t do to her what Mike did to me, they’d been in their struggle together- but it
must still hurt. In fact, my pregnancy probably proves the problems they had conceiving were with her,
which is devastating for any hopeful mother.
“There was a woman in the restroom.” I tell Sinir hesitantly. “She helped me, held back my hair.
“What did she look like?” He demands urgently.
“Dark hair, blue eyes, tall and willowy.” In fact she was my opposite in just about every way, right down
to her perfectly manicured nails and custom designer shoes.
Before I can say any more, Sinir turns and disappears into the crowd, scanning the feast for signs of
his ex. My heart falls, faster and harder than I could have believed possible. I can’t believe how painful
it is to see him running after her this way, obviously desperate to find her. One mention of Lydia and I
might as well not exist. I feel like
Chapter 54 – Lydia’s Retum
crumpling in on myself, though I don’t have any right to feel jilted. I’ve known the score from the
beginning – Sinir never pretended
otherwise. So why does it hurt so much?
“You should get off your feet.” Henry says kindly, urging me to take my seat. “You still look very pale.” I
follow his gesture obediently, not sure how much longer my legs will support me. Sinir is out of sight
now, no doubt chasing down his true mate to convince her toe back to him. I can’t seem to conjure
up any words or coherent
thoughts. I’m slowly being crushed beneath the weight of my disappointment. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.
I’m cursing myself for being so silly, for getting my hopes up when I knew better. It’s obvious now I’ve
been lying to myself about my
feelings for Sinir, or this wouldn’t be so agonizing. At the same time. It’s irrefutable proof that I was
right not to get involved with him. I was right to try and protect myself – even though I failed. I can’t
imagine how much worse this would be if I’d actually started a rtionship with him.
Stop this, the little voice in my head scolds. You’re overreacting, he just went after her, you have no
idea what he’s thinking. You’re a*suming the worst because you expect to be let down.
I expect it with good reason. I reply bitterly. I learned the hard way,
remember?
Sinir is different. She insists. He’s special and he cares about you.
He cares about the pup. I correct her. He’s protective of me for its sake
and he might be grateful to me for carrying it, but I’ll never be a she- wolf. I’ll never be in his league and
we both know it.
That’s your insecurity talking, not your brain. Think of the way hepliments you! You’re more than
just a surrogate to him. She
presses.
And the moment I deliver this baby. I guarantee I’ll cease to warrant his attention. I predict grimly. Just
you wait and see.
Before my conscience can reply there’s movement in my periphery, and a new voice joins the
conversation.
“I tried to warn you.” Roger appears as if from nowhere, but he obviously saw what happened. “I told
you she would alwayse first
to Dominic.”
“Roger, that isn’t fair.” Henry rumbles beside me, giving his eldest son a disapproving re.
“Oh hello, Father” Roger quips, turning his attention to the former Alpha. “It’s been too long – I’m
surprised you still remember my name.”
“That’s your own doing.” Henry answers fiercely. “I still call you every week though you never pick up
the phone. I’d be thrilled to see you any time you like.”
I feel a rush of sympathy for Sinir’s father. I might not be a parent yet, but I know that I already love
my baby more than I thought
possible. I hate to think of how badly being rejected by him would sting – no matter how old he gets.
Most parents would probably give up after a while, to save themselves the pain if nothing else. It
speaks. volumes that Henry has never stopped trying to be in his son’s life, and I’m d that Sinir
learned how to be a father from him. I might not ever have my feelings for Sinir returned, but I know
my baby will always have his father’s love and protection. That’s certainly more than I could have said
for Mike, and more than many women get from their
partners.
However Roger clearly doesn’t feel any sense of gratitude for his father’s dedication. Instead he turns
his nose up in disgust. “You clearly let that injury steal your dignity as well as your mobility. No true
Alpha would shamelessly chase after someone who clearly didn’t
want to be around them.”
“No true father would let a bitter child push him away without a fight either.” Henry growls back,
showing a glimmer of his former strength. “Like it or not, I will always be there for you even and
especially when you don’t want me to be.”
“That’s called smothering.” Rogerins, curling his lip.
“It’s called parenting” Henry counters co olly. “And if I didn’t teach you that well enough then I’m
relieved you don’t have pups of your own.”
– men are
“Please don’t fight.” I cut in. I hate disagreements, especially between men. That’s another lesson I
learned the hard way dangerous when they lose their tempers. In fact, it’s amazing that I’m not more
frightened of Sinir’s temper- given how intimidating he
Maybe it’s because he’s always so in control, but somehow I know in my heart that he wouldn’t ever
raise a hand against me. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can’t recall ever trusting
anyone the way I trust Sinir. That must be the pup’s influence too, he’s bonded with Sinir and
knows he isn’t a threat, so I don’t fear him
either.
“I’m sorry, E.” Henry proims swiftly. “You’re right, it’s the holidays, we shouldn’t be arguing like this,
especially not in front of
you.”
“I’m sorry too.” Roger concedes, though he doesn’t sound it. “I simply thought you might need a friendly
ear, what with Dom taking off on you.”
“He didn’t take off, he simply went to investigate.” Henry sighs, sounding as though he’d like to scold
his son some more and is holding back for my sake.
“Investigate what?” Roger scoffs. “He knows it was Lydia in the restroom with E, and he knows she
wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t still interested in him. If he went after her, it’s because he wants to see
her. He chose her over E, just like he always will.”
Henry, who doesn’t have the first clue that Dominic and I aren’t really mates, looks outraged in my
honor. “Why in the Goddess’s name would you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true.” Roger states simply. “I’m not going to lie to E like the rest of you. Dominic and
Lydia are fated, their bond is more
powerful than anything they’ll ever share with another.”
Henry shakes his head. “Then why did she leave? Why did Dominic let
her go?”
“Because she thought he couldn’t give her children and he believed it
too, he wanted better for her so he didn’t go after her. But now it’s clear he can father pups, they can try
again.” Roger surmises, gesturing
to my middle.
“They weren’t right for each other.” Henry argues. “And though you don’t want to hear it, she wasn’t
right for you either.”
“We were in love – every bit as in love as E and Dominic, but as soon as their bond kicked in, none
of that mattered.” Roger reminds the other man. “The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”
I want to protest, to correct him and attest that Sinir and I aren’t in love, or tell Henry that he doesn’t
have to defend me this way I want to scream that it’s all just a sham for the campaign – just to make
them stop talking about it. It’s no longer the disagreement I mind, I just can’t stand to be reminded of
how little I mean to Sinir over and over like
this.
I can see that Roger is biased, but I also feel for him. He lost his mother, he grew up in his younger
brother’s shadow and lost his birthright and his chosen mate to him. He was clearly scarred by those
experiences, and part of me agrees that Dominic shouldn’t have gotten involved with his brother’s ex-
fated or not. Maybe Roger is trying to manipte me, or maybe he really is trying to help either way, he
isn’t lying. Lydia and Sinir are bonded in a way I will never be with any man – least of all the father of
my child.
Before anyone can say another word, I turn on my heel and walk out.