Chapter 6

HANNAH

“Oh!” I exclaimed at the sight of baby Rob falling on his ass after trudging for a few steps. He was one year old and had just started walking. “It’s okay. You can get up and try again. Come on, Rob. Come to me.” I encouraged him to keep trying.

But baby Rob seemed to think this was enough for now as he only smiled at me, showing his rabbit teeth. I couldn’t help but giggle while shaking my head at his reaction. He was too adorable to resist.

That was what brought me back to him. I picked him up and then placed him on my lap. “So you’re tired, huh? It’s okay. We can try again later or tomorrow.”

Both baby Rob’s parents were my brother’s warriors, so they must leave him at the daycare center while they were training and working. By the way, this place was open twenty-four hours every day to accommodate all parents’ working hours, which, of course, the night would have fewer children.

Baby Rob clasped his hands together while mumbling something unclear. As his guardian, I could only try my best to decipher his mumble. And if I didn’t get it right, I would give him a big smile to look like I understood him.

And I was doing the latter. “Yes. You can sit on my lap as long as you want.”

He was giggling, then unexpectedly bumping his body toward mine. The scene was like playing in slow motion as my heart beat faster when he finally embraced me with his tiny arms. And I responded to that by snaking my arms around his small frame.

“Oh, you’re so cute, Rob. I hope I can hug you all day.”

He brushed his face on my chest before tilting it to the side and resting it on me.

“Why? Are you sleepy?” I stroke his thin hair while patting his back using my other hand.

He only stared straight ahead for a few seconds, then suddenly crawled out of my lap. He seemed interested in a nearby doll in a ball shape.

I could only smile at his adorable behavior, but deep down, I felt empty. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and instantly became emotional over that.

I used to be a future mom and carried a pup that would be as cute as baby Rob. The baby that wasn’t mine in my current life but was everything in my past one. The baby that I felt guilty for because I couldn’t protect and fight for it.

It was all because of Eliot and Casey. I hated them!

--

I intended to return to the pack house because I heard my stomach rumble low when lunchtime was approaching. I didn’t have a proper breakfast as I left the pack house after only a few bites. No wonder I felt so hungry.

But the thought of meeting Eliot made my appetite disappear. I didn’t want to see him, so I opted for another choice. I stayed at the daycare center to help the workers feed the pups.

I knew it would be messy everywhere, and I didn’t really like messy stuff. But I couldn’t contain my excitement at seeing the pups munching their food. It was beyond my expectation.

But then my body went rigid as soon as I felt Eliot’s aura. He was here.

Why was he doing that here, in the daycare center, when it wasn’t even his territory?

To find you.

I huffed at my own answer. Eliot never gave up if he was determined for something. And I knew it was to talk to me.

I let him stand there and watch me feeding pups with no intention of even glancing at him. My brain worked hard. How would I get away with this?

‘Just tell him to back off.’

I rolled my eyes at Fiona’s suggestion. She must have seen I yelled at him in the morning, yet he was still here. And I believed he would follow me all day until he got the answer, which I couldn’t possibly give him.

‘Let’s run tonight.’

I couldn’t help but smile enthusiastically at her sudden idea. This would be our first run together!

“Hannah, talk to me. What’s happening to you?”

But it turned one-eighty-degree as I walked past Eliot. “Who allowed you to grab my hand?”

He immediately removed his hand but still tried to interrogate me. “Talk to me.”

I continued treading my way to the road across the building. “Weren’t my words clear? If you’re here for my birthday, go home. If you’re here to meet my brother, go with your plan, and don’t ever come to me.”

I didn’t know where I should go. Should it be to the pack house? But I didn’t want to see Casey. I was sick to know I would be in the same building as her.

Then where could I hide with Eliot still following me around?

If it was before I was reborn, I would show my happiness by having him accompany me around.

“You know why I’m here.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Go back to your pack. I believe you have a lot of work.”

“Hannah.” His voice sounded begging.

“Go. Home.” I repeated my own words while emphasizing them. “Don’t make me say it twice.”

“Hannah.”

I couldn’t hold it anymore.

I halted my steps in annoyance but still had my back to him. “Okay. Fine. You can be here, but don’t try talking to me or even showing yourself in front of me.” I gritted at his stubbornness. Was an Alpha always like this? Didn’t know to obey others’ words?

I took one step forward, only to stop again when he spoke something.

“Give me a reason.”

And the memory of him accusing me of cheating on him, abusing me verbally, and the most painful one was his ordering me to abort our baby. Those all hurt me deeply and caused me to put my trust in him away.

“There must be a reason. You won’t change if nothing happens. Tell me. Maybe I can-“

“You are a monster.” I cut him off before he could finish his words.

Yeah, he was a monster, torturing me physically and mentally.