“Just out of the goodness of your heart? She gave consent while she was lucid? No money changed hands?” Using my height as leverage, I tower over the quivering older Alpha. The urge to throw him against the wall and watch his head crack open like an egg is impossibly strong.
“What happened between us is none of your business. You weren’t there, but I know Asher is mine.” His knowing Asher’s name and his school shows that he’s done some research, and he’s likely aware Nixie is unbonded.Something I hope to rectify soon.
My canines elongate, and I can already taste the desire to bond her, the way her blood would saturate my mouth and create an unshakable tie between us.
“Now, remove your hand before I decide to press charges,” Evan snarls, attempting to wrench himself from my iron grasp.
As I lift him off the ground one-handed, his face pales. “I’m not the one who needs to worry about the authorities. You are.”
He flails harmlessly as I march him toward the door. All my workouts have really paid off; my arm barely strains under his weight. Though we draw some curious looks, most turn their eyes away.
“Time for you to leave, asshole.” The automatic doors open, allowing the chilly air to cool my anger before I rethink ripping Evan’s head off. I drop him unceremoniously outside, his knee gives out, and he crumples to the concrete.
“Fine. I’ll leave this for you to give to her, then. Enjoy breaking the news to your omega.” From his spot on the ground, he throws a thick envelope at my feet before standing slowly. “You may think you’ve won, but I have deep pockets and that boy will be mine. I paid for an heir, and I’m going to take him away from you and that omega.”
Evan hobbles off, and I stare at the envelope like a cobra poised to strike.
With a sick sense of dread, I open the pouch to see our world crashing down around me. It’s a thick legal document. Words like “paternity,” “custody,” and “contracted surrogate” pop in front of my eyes, and I know our worst fears have come to pass.
Time to call Mr. Finch.
After swiping open my phone, I take a picture and text it to our lawyer. This is going to be a battle, but one I’m certain we’ll win. And if we don’t, Evan’s neck looked awfully frail. Just a quick twist away from being snapped in two, really…
Things are about to get messy, and though Vonn didn’t want me to tell Nixie about our lawyer’s recommendation to bond, she deserves to know. My little firebrand holds every piece of my heart and soul, but I want her to choose us out of love, not desperation. I’ll take her any way I can get her and be glad she’s mine.
Fight or flee; whatever she wants, I’ll be by her side through it all
Now I just have to break the bad news.Maybe I can get Vonn to do it.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Vonn
Me
Where did you go?
The text to Julius goes unread. I should probably follow him outside to figure out why he left so abruptly, but the deeply sour scent of raspberries keeps my ass firmly in the seat.
What’s going on?
With the tips of my fingers, I rub soothing circles along her arm, tucking her into my side as closely as I can with the fucking armrest in the way. I’ve never wanted to rip something out of the stadium as badly as I do this damn barrier keeping me from my omega.
“Mama, are you all right?” I check in with her as Asher dominates yet another skill. He’s putting on an amazing show. Any parent would be proud, yet Nixie’s miserable and shaken. My eyes scan the arena for anything out of place, but I can’t come up with a reason for her reaction. It’s like I’m missing too many pieces of the puzzle, and no one wants to fill me in.
“I’m fine,” she deadpans, but it’s complete and utter bullshit. As her Alpha I need to call her on it.
“I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s wrong, but your scent is giving you away. I promise I’ll destroy whatever’s getting you so worked up.” My threat of violence makes her smile tightly—not a huge win—but it snaps her from her bitter musings. Nixie refocuses on Asher flying down the ice, and her scent immediately lightens.
“Ash’s doing pretty good, yeah?” she deflects from whatever was causing her stress, and although I want to know, I don’t want to push for answers in public. Allowing her to enjoy this moment with her son is way more important.
“He’s doing incredible, honestly the best one out there, hands down.”
Julius reappears, walking down the stairs toward us wearing an overly bright smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.Fuck.Anxiety spirals within me so I pull my phone from my pocket.
Me
What’s going on?
