Page 47 of The Alpha's Forbidden Secret Baby

Rayla’s eyes glistened with tears. "It’s beautiful, Xander."

He pulled out a blanket and a picnic basket from a nearby tree. "I thought we could have a picnic."

She smiled through her tears. "You always were the romantic type."

They sat on the blanket which he spread out on the bench, the night wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. Xander watched her, the years of separation melting away.

Rayla's eyes lit up as she saw the spread. "You remembered all my favorites."

"Of course," he said, handing her a plate. "I wanted tonight to be special."

They ate and talked, the conversation flowing easily. Rayla noticed how worn the ground was, evidence that Xander had been here often. "You’ve been here a lot," she said softly.

"Yes," he replied. "I think about you all the time, Rayla."

Rayla looked around the clearing, noticing the well-worn path that led to the shrine. "You've been here a lot, haven't you?"

Xander nodded. "Whenever I needed to clear my head or feel close to you, I came here. This place has been my sanctuary."

She reached out and touched his hand, her eyes filled with emotion. "I had no idea you felt that way."

"It was the only way I could cope," he admitted. "Losing you was the hardest thing I've ever been through."

Her eyes filled with tears, and she reached out to touch his hand. "I’ve missed you, Xander."

"I’ve missed you too," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

As they ate and talked, Xander felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years. Rayla’s laughter filled the clearing, mingling with the sounds of the forest. He shared stories of his life, his pack, and the challenges he faced.

They continued to talk, sharing stories about their lives during the years they were apart. It was emotional, and Xander found himself opening up more than he had in a long time.

Rayla listened intently, her hand resting on his. "You’ve been through so much."

"So have you," Xander replied, his voice soft. "I’m sorry for everything, Rayla."

She shook her head. "Let’s not dwell on the past. We’re here now, and that’s what matters."

"But there's something I have to tell you before I can fully move on from the past," Xander said.

"Okay, talk to me." Rayla leaned back on the bench.

"I broke up with you because I was afraid," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was afraid of what the Elders said, that our children would be shiftless. They didn't think they would be able to inherit my abilities."

“I tried to fight for us, but I was forced to choose between you and the pack, which was no choice at all," he continued.

Rayla's tears flowed freely now. "You never told me about that terrible choice. You let me think it was because you didn’t want a future with me."

Xander took a deep breath, struggling to keep his own emotions in check. "I loved you, Rayla. I still do. But I thought I was doing the right thing."

"It hurt so much," she said, her voice breaking. "I thought I wasn’t good enough."

"You were always more than enough," he said, his heart aching for the pain he had caused her. "I’m so sorry, Rayla. I thought I was protecting you, but I was wrong."

"But you weren't," Rayla said, her voice breaking. "You hurt me more by keeping the truth from me."

"I know," Xander said, his voice filled with remorse. "And I've regretted it every day since."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared pain hanging in the air. Rayla wiped her tears away, her voice steadier. "Tell me about those years, Xander. What was it like for you?"

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