He denounced it in the past. Besides, I hate him too much to care about the mate bond. None of that matters. He made his choice.
“Leave,Tyler!” I instruct firmly, pointing at the door. “I will not stand here and listen to you pick at my life and my choices. I'm not the same girl I was in the past. My son and I will gladly go to my old cottage if this is too much for you. You wanted this.”
Tyler nods his head slowly, as if digesting my statement word for word, realization shining in his blue eyes.
“That won't be necessary,” he finally says as he begins to back away. “I will leave you alone.”
I nod firmly and maintain my composure until Tyler closes the door behind him. When he's gone, I sink back to the bed, lifting my hand and staring at my palm as it continues to pulse as if I'm still touching his warm skin.
That's when the tears spill over with the weight of everything overwhelming me, and I have to remind myself that I hate him.
He doesn't deserve my sympathy or the truth about Noah.
Chapter 8 - Tyler
Desperately needing something to let loose, I pick up my cell phone and send a text to Dominic Rivera. I can only hope that he's there in my time of need, just as I was during a time when he needed to be reminded not to ruin what he felt for his true mate.
I've already ruined things with mine, and there's no going back. She made sure to remind me of that last night when she slapped me.
Truthfully, I don't know what came over me, except a flicker of jealousy when I thought about her with another man again.
I need to stop doing that, and that's why I've decided to keep my distance. Even if she's living in my house now, I can avoid her.
That's why I took my work to my father's office when he announced this morning that he and my mother were going away for a holiday. It's the first time since Tyson's passing that they feel free enough to leave Portland and visit Greece, like my father always promised my mother.
I sigh as I drop my forehead on a bound folder, mulling over staying in my parents’ home while they're gone. I haven't told them that an ex, widowed member of Moonshine, returned, with a child, and is living in my house with her son.
It's better that way, since I don't need to be questioned about my motives. But soon, everyone in Moonshine will hear about it, and my only excuse is that her old cottage needs to be sorted before it's rendered livable.
As if you need to answer to anyone…
I lift my head with a frown, shaking off my trepidations with the reminder that I am the alpha now.
I don’t have to answer to anyone, and I especially don't need to give Arianna any sort of space in my own house.
It's ridiculous!
Squaring my shoulders, I open my folder and sign the alliance contract that's been sent over by Bloodclaw. The newly formed alliance with the current alpha will come in handy when my friend, Hunter, completes his trials. I don't doubt that he will, since I've seen what he's capable of while we were in the black ops squad together.
But I also saw what I was capable of. How am I going to let a she-wolf get in my head and turn me insane?
Not happening!
As I scoff, I send a mind link to my beta to let him know that the alliance has been signed, and he's to take the contract back to Concord.
My instructions are firm, void of any pleasantries, because they’re not necessary.
Just as avoiding Arianna in my own home isn't necessary. I just need to get through this day and face her, and give her no indication that I'm fazed by how she moved on without me.
All that matters is that she's back now, and I can protect her—something my inner wolf requires to be at ease. Even if I can't make her my mate, she's safe.
***
I walk into my house after a busy day of making calls, signing updated agreements, and trading with neighboring packs, half-expecting to be greeted by Arianna when I get home.
Sighing heavily, I realize that I shouldn't be expecting much. Not only is it late at night, but Arianna is nothing more than a fellow pack member, one who returned to Portland seeking refuge from the dangers I've witnessed out there, for her and her son.
I can't be angry with her, and I can't throw her out when it was my idea for them to move in. I can't go back on my word, either, even if my collar feels too tight when I remember that she didn't return alone, but with a child.
