Six

Lucien's POV

I’m tongue-tied as I stare at her. All the memories come rushing in like a flood. Every single moment I spent with her, “Alexa?” My voice is barely above a whisper, so no one hears me.

“Trevor,” she calls out to him lovingly, clutching him tightly to her chest, “Why do you always make me worry?”

I remember that voice, heck, I would remember it any time. I had slept to the sound of that voice, I had heard that voice multiple times in my dreams.

“Mommy...”

“I was worried sick,” she kisses him fervently all over, her eyes scanning his body for any injury.

“You don’t have to worry, mama. This uncle helped me...” he gestured at me with his fingers.

All their attention turns towards me, and now I’m staring into those bluish-grey eyes. It’s like standing beside the ocean, it was mesmerizing. They were the most beautiful pair of eyes I had ever seen, eyes I would never forget. Her beautiful blonde hair was tied atop her head in a messy ponytail. There was a flash of recognition in those pretty eyes, but then it was quickly masked.

I could hear her heart beating loudly in her chest from across the room as I stared into her eyes. It was like time had stopped for a moment, and it was only the two of us and no one else.

“Lucien!” Drake calls out to me, pulling me out of my reverie.

“Drake,” I flash him a wide smile as I take his hands and shake it.

“I almost didn’t hear you coming, we were worried sick for the little one. I almost forgot we were expecting you,” he explains to me.

I nod in understanding, “Well, these little ones are always trying to give us a heart attack, aren’t they?” I ask and chuckle.

“Yes indeed, we’ve been searching for him for...”

I drown out his voice and steal a glance in her direction. It was only her reaction I care for. I want to see those pretty blue eyes light up just like they did all those years. I want to see her beautiful lips curl into a smile when I look at her. I want more than anything for her to run across the room and throw her arms over my shoulders, pulling me into a warm hug. I want to wrap my arms around her, pressing her close, loving the feel of her skin against mine, sniffing her hair...

“Trevor here surely gives his mother a heart attack...” Drake was saying, but I wasn’t listening. My gaze had shifted back to her.

I did not see her smile or her eyes light up. Instead, when I look up at her, all I see is coldness. Her face was set in a deep frown. It was hard for me to admit that I’m the reason she lacked her glow and charm. It’s my very presence in this room. It’s almost like she doesn’t know me, like she doesn’t remember, but I know better.

I sighed in frustration. What was I expecting? I couldn’t possibly be expecting her to be the same woman I fell in love with, my mate, all those years back. Not after all I had done to her. My crime was unforgivable, the pain of being rejected by your mate was an almost unbearable pain. As if things weren’t bad enough, she had to leave her pack just to evade me. I couldn’t blame her, though. I wouldn’t be able to live with the thought of her mating with someone else, yet I had done exactly that. I feel shame in that moment as I stared at her, regret washed over me.

“Uncle here helped me find you, mama.”

I turn my attention to the little boy, he was tugging at her dress, trying to get her to look in my direction.

“Thank you for helping me find my son,” she says to me in a flat tone. Her voice is deep and raspy, like there was a lump in her throat, like she was fighting back tears.

I smile warmly at her, tears well up in my eyes. I can’t tell if it’s out of sheer excitement that she is talking to me, acknowledging my presence. It wasn’t much, but I would take it over the cold stare she had going on. I would take a simple glance in my direction. After everything I had done, I would take anything.

“I should leave...”

“Alexa,” Drake interjects, reaching forward and taking her hand in his. My gaze lingers on their intertwined fingers a little longer than I was proud to admit.

“I need to attend to Trevor, he has a bruise on his knee...”

“A tiny little bruise!” Trevor chirps in, in that high-pitched child voice.

“You should go on with your meeting, Drake,” she tells him with a smile.

Seeing her smile at him was like a direct punch to the heart. I wanted that.

He hesitantly lets go of her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. I see the emotions swirling in his eyes, and I know. I know instantly that he cares for her. Just how much and to what extent? Were they mated? Was Trevor...

I trailed off, the line of thought was infuriating. I couldn’t think of her with anyone else. I continue to stare at her, like a puppy hung up on its owner. I was hung up on her, married for years and yet not a day passed by when I didn’t think of her. “Alexa...” I try to talk to her, my voice trailed off when she walks past me, a cold look in her eyes. I knew I was in for a long ride.

“I need to tend to Trevor right now,” she explained with a polite smile. “And I feel somehow out of the weather, maybe some other time?”

I knew she was just being polite.

“What?” Drake’s eyes widen in surprise. “Are you unwell?” he asks, with worry in his voice.

“Just a little bit,” she gestures with her fingers. “Nothing for you to worry about. Have a lovely day!” and she walks out the door.

I turn my attention to him, walking up to him. “So, Alexa?” I try to hide the curiosity in my voice, but at this point, I’m desperate.

“She came into my life four years ago. She’s a ray of sunshine, I’m blessed to have her in my life,” he tells me. “I don’t know what I’d have done without her.

“And the little one, Trevor?” I pry. “Is she mated?”

He gives me a curious glance. “No, but luckily for me, I’m going to marry her.”