جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

Sienna’s Point of View By the time we get home, it’s late, but Ava and I throw something simple together foe dinner, grilled cheese and apple slices. “Mommy, can I have two sandwiches?” Aiden asks, bouncing in his chair. I arch an eyebrow at him “You willl eat one and then complain that you are too full, just like last time.” I reply, sliding his plate in front of him. “I won’t!” He says with full confidence, before taking a huge bite. Ava smirks, sipping her water. “Bet you five bucks of my rent, that he doesn’t finish it.” I arch a brow at her, laughing. “Five bucks off of your rent? You don’t even live here, Ava.” I say, shaking my head and she grins at me. “Fine. Bragging rights.” She shoots back. Aiden points his sandwich at her. “I’m going prove you wrong, Aunt Ava.” He says and she smile at him. "You're on." ‐--------------------------------------------------- Half a sandwich later, he is groaning dramatically about being “too full.”

Asher’s Point of View Luke squeals excitedly before racing back to the field, shouting over his shoulder.“Come on, Aiden!”Aiden grins up at me one last time, his eyes shining brightly, and then he runs after Luke. The other boys follow quickly, their laughter carrying across the playground.I stand there, rooted to the spot, as they start up their game. The ball rolls, sneakers pound the dirt, and shouts of “Pass it!” and “Goal!” echo in the air.Luke is fast, just like his father, quick feet darting past the others. But it is Aiden who makes the field his own. He is sharp, and fearless. He steals the ball from an older kid, twice his size and kicks it straight into their makeshift goal.He throws his hands in the air, shouting, “Yes!” before he high fives Luke. My wolf practically howls inside of me. 'Look at him. Ours. He is strong. He is perfect.'I can’t deny it, there is something in the way he moves, the stubborn determination in his stance. It feels like looking in a mirro

Derek’s POVI walk Asher around the side of the house towards the shed, away from the chatter and the kids’ voices. He follows me in silence, hands behind his back. He turns to me and I begin. His arms is folded, and he is looking at me like he is focused on my words, but I know he is distracted. I’m going over patrol schedules, but he keeps glancing past me again and again.At first, I think he might be looking at Siemna, but I turn ans follow his line of sight.Straight to the yard where the boys are playing. Straight to my nephew.Aiden is running circles around Luke, with a stick in hand, laughing so hard he can barely breathe. And Asher’s eyes are locked on him like he can’t look away.I frown slightly. “Is something wrong?”I asks and Asher’s head snaps towards me. “No. I'm just keeping an eye out and making sure that the boys don’t hurt themselves.”I let out a dry laugh. “They’re fine. Kids bounce.”I say shrugging but he doesn’t answer. His eyes stay locked on Aiden, I fro

Asher’s Point of View Something is wrong with Derek.I have known him long enough to recognize when he is keeping something from me. He has been colder this past week, with short, clipped answers during patrol reports, and he has been avoiding my eyes whenever we pass each other in the hall. When he does look at me, it is not the steady, loyal gaze of my Beta. It's sharp, almost accusing.And if there is one thing I can’t stand in my inner circle, it is division.So when our meeting wraps up that afternoon, me, Jake, Peter, and Derek all going over upcoming patrol rotations, I make my decision.“Jake, Peter, you are dismissed.”I say and they both nod their heads before gathering their papers. Jake throws me a quick look like he senses the tension brewing, but he doesn’t question me. When the door shuts behind them, it’s just me and Derek.He is standing stiffly, his arms folded in front of his chest, his eyes trained on the table and it is clear that he would rather be anywhere but

Asher’s Point of ViewI stare at the paperwork spread across my desk, the words blurring together into nothing. Patrol schedules, supply orders, proposals from neighboring packs, border reports, rogues sighted on the edge of neutral grounds.All of it should matter, all of it needs my attention, but my mind keeps drifting, back to Sienna, back to the boy.Aiden.I shove the thought away, growling under my breath as ai try to force myself to focus again.My pen scratches across the page, but a second later I sigh and toss it down on my desk. What the hell am I even doing?I lean back in my chair, dragging my hands over my face as the guilt starts to creep in.The memory of Bianca’s face when I cut her short earlier pricks at me. She looked so hurt, even though she tried to hide it. And I hate myself for it. None of this is her fault. She didn’t ask for my distraction, my restlessness, or the ghosts that won’t leave me alone.I have to find her and apologize. Sighing again I push away