Page 54 of The Alpha's Forbidden Secret Baby

She fingered the necklace that adorned her neck, adding to the glow that already graced her skin as a result of a wonderful night with Xander. A smile spread across her lips as she stared into the mirror by the vanity; however, her eyes told the story of her fears and worries.

She clutched the necklace tight. She had been touched by Xander’s speech last night. He had made it clear that he would continue to protect her and Abel, and that they did not need to be afraid anymore. But how could she put an end to that fear when danger still lurked for the werewolf community?

Rayla jumped as her phone buzzed, pulling her away from her heavy thoughts. Dread filled her as she picked it up. She had come to associate that sound with messages from her blackmailer and so far, she hadn’t been proven wrong.

“Don’t forget about our date, Rayla. I don’t need to remind you of what’s at stake.”

She released a sound that was a mix of a gasp and a groan as her eyes scanned the text over and over again, as though it would provide her the leeway she needed to get away from her situation and keep her son safe without involving Xander.

She was tempted to give in to her frustrations and chuck her phone at the wall, but that would solve nothing. It would only exacerbate the situation when he tried to reach her but couldn’t. The last thing she needed was to upset him and have him leak the video to the web.

What am I going to do?

The three days of grace that he had given her were up, gone so fast that they might as well not have occurred, and yet, she was no closer to getting the money she needed to ensure Ralph’s silence and a complete erasure of the video.

“Ah!” she screamed, a guttural sound that betrayed her frustration.

Tears stung at her eyes as she looked everywhere for a solution. She made to stand up when a gasp escaped her as her reflection caught her attention in the mirror.

Rayla huddled forward and sat in front of the vanity as another gasp escaped her. She allowed the tears to flow now.

A solution at last!

She would be rid of Ralph once and for all.

She carefully peeled the necklace from her neck, trying not to stare at it as she hurried into the bathroom. It meant so much to her since it was given to her by Xander. It was a symbol of her status in the werewolf world.

No longer did she have no place to call home. She had been accepted, and yet, she was about to let go of the only symbol she had of her acceptance.

What will I tell him if he asks?

Despite her best efforts, her thoughts continued to stray to Xander as she lathered her hair with the rose-scented shampoo.

“This is for the safety of all.”

Rayla did not know if she was trying to convince herself or if she truly believed that, but for now, she would think nothing of it until she had seen to her son’s safety.

***

Rayla stared up at the sign that read “Dynasty Pawnshop” as she fingered the diamond necklace that she placed carefully in her bag.

“Come on, Rayla. You can do this. It’s time to go in,” she willed herself, although her legs refused to cooperate with her.

“You’re doing this for Abel and for the werewolves. No one has to get hurt because of your mistake,” she psyched herself up and closed her eyes, letting out a tense breath before walking up to the door.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she pushed the door open and stepped. The cool air from the air conditioner greeted her as she looked around, grabbing onto her bag tensely.

“Hello, are you here to pawn something or look through what we have?” a voice asked, pulling her out of her internal dilemma.

“Oh, uh, hi. I… I’m here to pawn something.”

The words broke her heart as she uttered them but there was no going back now.

“Wonderful. Follow me, please,” the woman said, offering her a smile.

She followed after her, looking at the wide space housing different tables and glass cases behind the counter.

“If you’ll wait here, I’ll get someone for you.”

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