Chapter 2

Sienna’s Point of View

Five Years Later

"Today is the day, baby. Your daddy is finally coming back home.”

I whisper as I kneel in front of Aiden, brushing a stubborn strand of blond hair off of his forehead.

My little boy beams up at me, his big brown eyes, so much like his father’s, full innocence. He didn’t exactly understand what today means, not the weight of it, not the years, not the quiet ache in my chest that I have carried since the day Asher left, but I had held onto this moment for both of us.

I smooth out the collar of the little button-up shirt that he is wearing, blue with tiny wolves printed along the collar. He looked perfect.

“Do I look like a baby Alpha?”

He asks with a serious face, puffing out his tiny chest.

I bite back a laugh and pinch his cheek.

“You look even better. You look like my little Alpha.”

I say, he beams and spins around once for dramatic effect.

“I think I should be in charge now.”

He says and I chuckle, brushing my hands over his hair.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there, baby.”

After straightening his sleeves, I stand and make my way to the mirror, just to check myself one last time.

I made sure to keep my makeup light, my hair falling in soft curls down my back, and the green dress I only wore once, the color that always made my eyes look brighter, and used to drive Asher crazy.

I hear the front door creak open before someone calls out.

"Si?"

My best friend's voice drifts down the hall.

"In my bedroom."

I call back, smoothing my dress down.

A low whistle cuts through the room.

“Damn, Si. Who are you trying to impress?”

I turn around, rolling my eyes as Ava steps into my room, her auburn curls piled into a messy bun and her usual smirk plastered on her face.

“No one.”

I say, though I can feel my cheeks turning red. Ava smirks at me, folding her arms in front of her chest.

“Uh huh. Sure. Just a totally normal day to get all dressed up and curl your hair.”

“Stop.”

I laugh lightly, shaking my head.

“He is really coming back, huh?”

She asks softly and I nod my head.

“Yeah... He is... He is finally coming back home, Ava. I just… I want to be there.”

I say softly and Ava’s teasing expression fades and something softer takes over her expression.

She tilts her head slightly, her eyes scanning me, thoughtful and gentle now.

“You look beautiful, Si. Seriously. And if that idiot doesn’t realize what he has the moment he lays his eyes on you...”

“You’ll punch the Alpha’s son?”

I finish for her with a small smile.

“Right in the jaw.”

She says without missing a beat. I laugh again and glance towards Aiden, who is trying to hop while putting on his shoes.

“Do you need some help over there, baby?”

“I got it.”

He grunts, his tongue sticking out as he fights with the velcro strap.

“My shoes are just being bad guys today.”

Ava snorts. “Clearly they didn’t get the memo. Today is a big day for the new baby Alpha.”

Aiden finishes and stands tall with a big smile.

“I’m ready now! Can I drive?”

He asks excitedly and I shake my head.

“No. Absolutely not. Besides, we are going to walk. It's not that far."

I say and he sighs.

“Fine. But when I am a real Alpha, I am buying a motorcycle.”

He says, his face serious. Ava grins and leans down, ruffling his hair.

“Make sure it has a baby seat for your mom.”

He puffs out his cheeks in mock frustration and stomps once.

“I’m almost five!”

We both laugh, and I scoop him up onto my hip, holding him close.

“Come on, let’s go. I want him to see his son, even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

Ava nods, her expression unreadable for a moment.

“You sure you are ready for this?”

I shrug.

“No… not really, but I need to do this anyway.”

I say and with that, we head out the door, hope burning quietly in my chest like the calm before a storm.

Together we make our way to the pack house grounds, weaving through the gathering crowd, pushing our way to the front.

The word spread fast: Asher Grey, the future Alpha, was finally coming home.

I hold Aiden close to my chest, my eyes scanning the driveway as cars pull in and park. My wolf suddenly stirs beneath my skin. I can feel her agitation as she begins pacing.

I frown.

'What is it Ally?'

I asked, confused about what has her so worked up.

'I don't know... I just feel like something is about to happen.'

She mumbles back.

Before I can respond, I see a black SUV coming up the hill.

And my breath catches in my throat.

“It’s him.”

I whisper excitedly, pulling Aiden closer to me.

The SVU stops, the doors clicking open.

I hold my breath, watching the SVU intently as I wait for him to step out of the car.

Then it happens the door opens and suddenly a delicious scent hits me like a shockwave.

'Mate.'

Ally howls in my head, wild and ecstatic. My knees almost give out, but I steady myself.

I can't believe it. He is my mate.

My heart swells and I take a step forward, a big smile breaking across my face.

He steps out slowly, his entire body tense. His gaze sweeps over the crowd, but Asher doesn’t even look at me.

She hesitates, slightly hurt and confused.

“Ash…”

I whisper under my breath.

I watch as he walks around the car and opens the passenger door.

A slender hand extends from inside the car, reaching out, and Asher takes it.

My smile fades away and my stomach drops.

My wolf whimpers in disbelief as a woman steps out of the SUV. Tall. Gorgeous. Long dark hair and glowing skin. And then, the final blow...

The woman turns slightly and rests her hand on her round, very pregnant stomach.

Everything around me starts to blur as I struggle to breathe. The crowd, the noise, even Ava’s hand gripping my arm tightly.

My mate, the boy who promised that he would love me forever and would come back for me, had returned…

… but he came back with someone else.