Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Xenois 

As we drove toward their home that was located in the less populated area of the town, Riley quickly fell asleep in the backseat, clearly suffering from jet lag.

"How is Ollie really doing?" Sophia asked quietly, once she was sure her son was asleep. "Any improvement?"

I fixed my eyes on the road unwilling to admit to her how little I knew about my own son's condition.

 "He seemed better this morning, actually. More energetic and bouncing off the walls."

"That's wonderful news!" She held my hand squeezing it gently as she added. "I've been so worried about him. About all of you."

I felt guilty. Sophia wasn't the villain in this story. 

She actually seemed to care about Luna and Ollie, and has never pushed for more than I was willing to give. My mistakes with my own marriage wasn't her fault.

"Luna's been... different today," I spoke surprising myself that I was bringing her up. Normally she was a taboo topic whenever I was with Sophia. 

"Something's changed. I can't put my finger on it."

Sophia studied me, looking thoughtful. "Different how?"

"Like she's... I don't know. Waiting for something." I shook my head, frustrated about what happened this morning, the quiet tension that Luna was acting unaware of. "Or like she knows something I don't."

"Could she have found out? About us?" Sophia sounded worried as I looked at her.

"No," I said quickly, then paused. "At least, I don't think so. But there's something..." I trailed off, not certain on how to speak of the odd feelings that had been disturbing me all day.

The conversation died down as I entered the private road leading to the Kingston estate. 

As I pulled up to the main house, I realized I still held Sophia's hand. I released it quickly, an action that didn't go unnoticed by her but she didn't say anything.

"I'll get Riley inside," she said softly. "Then perhaps we can talk? There are things I need to discuss with you. About the future."

"Of course," I agreed, though a part of me wanted nothing more than to leave immediately and focus on doing my mayoral duties and focusing on pack politics. 

As I laid him on his bed and removed his shoes, I couldn't help comparing him to my own son. Where Ollie was all vibrant energy and joyful noise, Riley was thoughtful and quiet, he kept to himself.

.They were as different as night and day, yet I found myself drawn to both of them in different ways.

Riley stirred as I pulled a light blanket over him. "Alpha Xen?" he murmured sleepily.

"I'm here," I said, brushing his dark hair from his face.

"Will you stay?" His eyes were already closing again. "At least until the bad dreams go away?"

"I'll stay for a while," I promised, settling into the chair beside his bed. "Bad dreams can't get you while I'm here."

He nodded. "That's what Mom says too. That you keep the monsters away."

I watched him as he slept, feeling a paternal feeling towards him. I promised him and I didn't want to ever break any of my promises that I made to Riley.

Unlike the promises I made to my own son, which I broke all the time.

I didn't hear Sophia enter until she spoke from the doorway.

"He only sleeps that deeply when you're near," she said quietly. "It's like his wolf recognizes yours as protection. Safety."

I stood, careful not to disturb the sleeping child. "He'll be fine now. The flight tired him out."

Sophia nodded her head as she led me to her study before pouring two glasses of bourbon from a crystal decanter, handing one to me before taking a seat on the small sofa.

"You seem distracted today," she observed, taking a sip of her drink. "Is everything alright with the pack?"

"The pack is fine," I said, sounding harsher than I intended. I sighed and softened my tone before adding.

"Just... a lot on my mind."

She nodded, accepting this without pushing for more. A quality that I wished Luna had.

"I wanted to talk to you about the winter solstice ceremony," she said after a moment. "The Boulder Creek pack has told me that Riley participate, as Marcus's heir. It would mean a lot to them... and to us."

"That's a significant step," I said slowly as I thought about it. That was one of the steps that heirs normally undergo to solidify their positions future Alpha. One that I was reluctant to let Ollie go through as well. "Is he ready?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you." She leaned forward, looking earnest than I have ever seen her.. 

"You've been more of a father to him these past months than anyone. You know his wolf, his capabilities and limits. Do you think he's strong enough?"

"I think he's stronger than anyone gives him credit for," I said after a moment, feeling that guilt rise up in me hearing the word Father.

"But the ceremony is intense. He'll need preparation and training." I hesitated. "I'd need to spend more time with him in the coming weeks. To get him ready."

Sophia smiled brightly looking relieved.

"That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say. You're the only one I trust with this, Xen."

She moved closer on the sofa, pressing her thigh against mine, as I took in a breath of her scent and it seemed to leave me feeling a bit high.

"You've become so important to us. I don't know what we would have done without you these past months."

She held my hand intertwining it with hers before placing a kiss on the back of my palm.

"Sophia," I began, not even sure what I wanted to say. Was I warning or encouraging her?

"I know," she said softly. "I know this is complicated. That you have responsibilities and commitments." She squeezed my hand. 

"But I also know what I see when you're with Riley. When you're with me. You're more yourself here than you are anywhere else."

Her words brought a cold realization to me as I realized that she might be speaking the truth. I felt horrible at this. Was my marriage with Luna that bad being with Sophia was a relief to me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the silent moment. I checked the screen—a text from Luna:

*Ollie's asking for you. He wants to show you his art project from school. Should I tell him you're not coming home tonight?*

I stood abruptly, pocketing my phone without responding.

"I have to go," I said, avoiding Sophia's questioning look. "Pack business."

She got up as well although she looked disappointed that I wasn't staying. 

"Of course. Will you still come for dinner? Around seven?"

I should say no. i should have told her that I would spend the night with my mate and son.

"Seven sounds good," I heard myself say instead. "I just need to handle something first."

She nodded her head slowly as she escorted me to the front door keeping her distance now that we were in the company of her household staff.

"Whatever's bothering you, I'm here if you need to talk. Please remember that."

The sincerity in her voice seemed to break me as I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her cheek that lingered just long enough to cross the boundary from friendly to intimate.

"Thank you," I murmured against her skin, before pulling away and heading for my car without looking back.