“He’snotmy father,” I remind her cruelly of the mystery Alpha who left a piece of himself behind, never to be seen again. “And whatever is between you two and Evan is ayouproblem, not ameproblem. I never agreed to be sold. Never agreed to be a broodmare. Asher is my son—no one else’s.”
“How dare you! You ungrateful whore. Soon it won’t matter, though. Asher will be ours, and Evan will make sure we’re taken care of. Doting grandparents to a poor hockey prodigy with an unfit mother. We just need to testify against you.” Anger flashes in her eyes, and her arm raises, arching back once more. My scalp burns, my cheek throbs, and my instincts riot. Closing myeyes, I wait for pain to blossom, but tires screeching on the concrete makes her pause.
“Release her!” A loud Alpha bark cuts through the air. It’s strong enough to have my knees buckling, although it’s not directed at me. As a beta, it doesn’t affect my mother quite the same way, but the sheer dominance is enough that Linda releases my hair, and I sink gracelessly onto the ground.
“Touch my omega again, and I swear I’ll break my rule about hitting women.” Julius’s rough voice coats me in protection like honey slipping over a spoon. The tart scent of his anger projects a field of control that makes that cunt Linda quiver in fear. In no time at all, Julius is by my side, slipping his arms gently under mine and hauling me to my feet. His muscles are tight, ready to snap. Linda moves slightly, looking like she’s going to make a break for it when my Alpha releases an ominous growl that’s more beast than man.
Linda’s face pales, and her eyes become shockingly large; for a moment, she seems about to swoon. The two stare each other down until my mother’s knees shake so badly that it’s a wonder she remains standing.
“Whatever message you’re here to deliver, do so quickly and fuck off.”
She opens her mouth as if to speak, but nothing besides a garbled gasp comes out before she turns and flees to her car. I can’t help but hope it’s one of the last times I ever have to see the toxic bitch who gave birth to me.
Julius lifts me in his arms, his chest rumbling in a growl as she reverses and disappears. Snuggling my face tight against his neck, I allow his lemon scent to wipe away the world, narrowing it down until just he and I exist. Together, our hearts slow, letting the horror of these past few moments drain away.
“What are you doing here?” He should still be with the team. Julius’s big hand rubs my back in soothing circles as he carriesme to the elevator. Never once letting his grip slip, he pushes the button for it to descend. The elevator signals its arrival, and he steps into the quiet space.
“I was missing you, so I took an earlier flight.” He kisses me on the head, snuggling me close. “But when I landed, our locator app showed you at the apartment. I thought I would come and help you finish up the last bits of moving and packing. When I was about halfway here, my gut told me I needed to get to you—fast.”
“I’m so glad you did. I wasn’t expecting to find my mother in our parking lot. I was just coming to grab some clothes.” His proximity comforts me in a way nothing else can, sharing some of the strength those broad shoulders carry. Thoughts of what she claimed swirl through my head, and fear clutches in my gut at the idea of anyone taking Asher away. “They know about NightNudes… and she said that I’m a bad mother.”
The elevator lurches to a stop when it hits my floor, and Julius steps out. “Asher is loved beyond measure. Working at NightNudes doesn’t change anything. You’ve done nothing but love, care for, and sacrifice for your son. Any judge will see that.”
His words warm me from the inside out, but I still can’t help the worries that clamber through my mind. “But, Julius, what if I was wrong? What if Evan could’ve given Ash a better life all along? Meanwhile, he’s had to struggle his whole life.”
“Cruelty shines from that man’s eyes. Everything about him reminds me of my dad, and I can say with the utmost certainty that you are the best parent Asher could have. In his eleven years of life, Asher’s known nothing but love. Sure, sometimes you haven’t been able to afford the top line of things for him, but no amount of money can make up for the love that you’ve given him. He’s never had to worry about his home being secure and safe. He’s never been beaten or abused. Asher knows joy andlaughter. Happiness and home-cooked meals. If you ask me, he’s one lucky kid.”
Unwilling to put me down, Julius raps on the door with his boot, and Cassia flings it open with a smile lighting her face.
“That took you longer than I expected.” Her eyes narrow, her grin slipping when she notices Julius holding me. Then her gaze flickers to my cheek. “Oh, fuck, ouch! How did that happen? Let me get an ice pack.” Cassia rushes to the kitchen, where the sound of the freezer door opening rattles around the room.
“I swear, if you did that, mister, I’ll make you very, very dead.” She jogs back to me with an ice pack in hand and presses it to my cheek. Julius growls at her in warning, not liking another person touching me, but I elbow him in the ribs, and he cuts it off quickly.
“Calm down, big boy. She was mine long before she was yours,” Cassia sasses him, trying to shove my hockey god aside, but he refuses. A silent battle between them ensues, and since both refuse to give, they end up smashing against each other. Cassie grunts, attempting to elbow him. “Tell me what in the world is going on.”
A dull headache throbs behind my eyes, but she needs to know the details. “Well, you already know the sperm donor’s lawsuit, but Linda just accosted me in the parking lot. She seemed pretty certain they’ll win.” My throat is as dry as the Sahara, and I swallow hard around the lump that’s formed. The words alone make tears flow down my cheek, running over the ice Julius holds to my injured face.
Cassia does an amazing imitation of an Alpha growl, her hands instantly going to her hips. “Well, they’ll have to get through me first.” Her voice is lethal, but as her hand moves, a sparkle catches my eye. I know there’s a lot going on, but it looks a whole hell of a lot like an engagement ring to me.
“What in the world is on your finger?” I shout, throbbing face pain taking a back seat. When I reach for her hand, she blushes and slides it behind her back.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about; you have too much going on,” Cassia worries, chewing her bottom lip.
“Hey, best friend, did you get engaged and not tell me? Oh my God, the guy from the strip club?”Have I been so self-involved lately that I missed a monumental moment in her life?
Finally, Cassia nods her head, launching into an explanation. “It’s not an engagement, it’s a promise ring. He asked me to move in with him, offering this ring as a token of his commitment.”
Cassia glows with excitement, and it’s infectious. “Oh, Cass, I’m so thrilled for you. I guess that means you won’t be moving into the bungalow, huh?”
She giggles nervously and bites her lip.
“Maybe keep it open for me, just in case?” And there’s the best friend I know, cautious to a fault.
“Always.” Part of me can’t believe she’s not coming with us, but another knows that this is what’s best.
We’re entering a new era in our lives. And it’s pucking insane…
Chapter Forty-Three
