All Chapters of Aaliyah’s Return : Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

It’s a few hours before the Onyx Moon Ball, and my house and Brandon’s are in utter chaos! Every nook and cranny holds one person or the other, trying to adjust their tie or looking for their box of cufflinks.I huff , “Noah, can you please be still? I want to adjust your tie,” trying to be stern but failing as he shifts in his chair while I tie his knot once more.“Mummy, not too tight please, it will itch my neck,” he complains, his small hands going to his neck.“Okay, Noah.” I adjust it a bit, leaving him some breathing space. It’s an all-day event, and I wouldn’t want him to be uncomfortable.Brandon joins us teasing “Noah, sometimes fashion equals uncomfortable, but I see that your mum has found a way to loosen it a bit for you,” looking dashing in a matching tux. He adjusts his cufflinks and stands proudly by Noah.I look at them both for a moment. They look so identical it’s like Brandon standing with his younger self. Uncanny. I step back to admire my handiwork as Brandon ad

The trip is over much too soon, and the limo drives into the large gates of the Onyx Pack. A shiver of both excitement and fear races through me as I press my forehead to the window. As we drive up the driveway and park in front of the town hall, I can see the decorations and balloons lining the entrance and the welcoming rug starting from the doorway all in the pack’s robust colors, maroon and gold. The banner flying high softly reads, “Welcome to the Onyx Moon Ball.” “Ohh yayyy, Daddy, we’re here!” Noah says, jumping to his father’s window to look out. The men laugh, while Brandon answers softly, “Yes, Noah, we are here.” I take a deep breath and sit back, facing the men. Brandon adjusts his tie as the driver switches off the ignition. The door is opened by the standing guards as flickering camera lights dance like stars on the carpet. Brandon looks at me, then at Desmond and Shawn, and asks, “Are you all ready?” “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I whisper. “Ready when you are,”

I watch tentatively as Brandon’s parents start walking towards our table with a striking older dressed lovely in matching Black and white outfits . The couple look familiar, but I can’t pinpoint where I could know them from. When they reach our table Luna Carlista leans over Brandon’s shoulder, smiling.“Brandon, we came to say congratulations.”I give them a brief smile and bow slightly “Good evening Alpha Jack, Luna Carlista “ they give me a polite nod before returning their attention to Brandon. Brandon stiffens as he exchanges a look first with his mum, then the couple behind her. My gaze moves to Desmond, hoping he will give me some insight into who the couple are and why Brandon is so tense about their arrival at our table, but he shrugs.Brandon’s jaw tightens as finally he stands up and addresses his mother. “Why, thank you, Mother. Good evening, Mr. Jeromy and Margerie Winthrope. Welcome back to the pack. I know you have been overseas on holiday.” Immediately it clicks

We drive into the gates of Sharkfin just before dawn. Everyone is quiet and too tired to talk. Noah is sleeping soundly on my laps as I pull his hair away from his face. Sighing, I look out the window as we drive into Wisteria Lane, fatigue filling my body .Once the car stops, Brandon steps out first, carrying Noah and heading for the door, meeting Gabe there as Gabe opens the house.“Come on, I know you’re tired. Let’s get you tucked in,” Desmond offers me his hand as he steps out. I take it gratefully, yawning as I step out of the car, with Shawn coming out after me. They walk me into the house before making their excuses and heading home.Standing in the foyer, I take my shoes off and sigh in relief.“That feels amazing,” I mutter, padding into the living room shoeless to find Brandon, Gabe, and Amanda seated. I slip into Brandon’s arms.“Where is Noah?” I ask softly as I curl into his chest.“I put him into his bed, boss,” Gabe answers.“Thank you,” I whisper from Brandon’s chest.

Later on in the day, the men are all in my office to have a meeting with the Winthropes about their wayward daughter. I sit patiently with Noah and Amanda in the living room, watching some cartoons as my eyes keeps drifting to the slightly ajar office door. “What is taking them so long?” Hissing under my breath, I force myself to focus on the TV again but I fail miserably.Amanda catches sight of me and chuckles. “Boss, you can join them if you want. I’ll watch Noah.” I turn to her, considering it, then shaking my head. “If they want me there, he would’ve invited me too,” I pout, leaning back in the chair. My mind wanders, trying to come up with a suitable punishment for Brandon for keeping me out of the loop. No kissing for a week? I shiver at the thought. No, I don’t think I can survive that. “Boss, just go. They will not drive you,” Amanda cut into my inner thoughts, laughing. “Yeah, okay… I’ll go.” She gives me a thumbs up as I get up and head toward the door. As I ease it op