Page 37 of My Possessive Alpha

Easily recalling it, I chuckled and nodded. “I do. I remember Zoe running back to the house frantically shouting for Mom, but I was the only one there. What started that anyway?”

Lydia cracked a fond smile. “Zoe and I were messing around and trying to hunt frogs, thinking we’d be better hunters for it, when I slipped on a wet rock, fell, and got my hair caught in a bur bush.”

“That’s right,” I murmured with a laugh. “I had to go down and help cut you out of it.”

“I was mortified when you showed up. I was soaked, stuck sitting at the edge of the water while you helped, and it was all for such a silly reason. Plus, my haircut was atrocious for weeks until it grew back in again.”

We smiled as we recalled the memory together, and the day's stressors ebbed away easily.

“I guess I could’ve been a little more careful about what strands I cut.”

Lydia snickered as she leaned closer, warming me with her presence and infectious reminiscence. “I couldn’t be too mad at you, though; at least you helped. It’s strange but nice to know how far we’ve come since then. I never would’ve guessed I’d be here.”

Softening at the thought, I reached over and wrapped an arm around her to anchor her against my side. I took pride in how she relaxed into the contact. “A lot has changed, but we havea good foundation now. Regardless of what happens, I know we’ll always be together.”

With a pleasant smile, Lydia placed her head against my chest and let go of a content breath as we both took in the calm forest around us, making me feel undeniably at home with her. “I’m glad it has always been you.”

My heart squeezed with her tender words, taking in just how right it felt.

Even if the situation overall was uncertain, our bond and mutual loyalty to one another were constants we could depend on. I knew that no matter what or who tried to come between us, it would be fruitless.

As mates, we were cut from the same cloth, and not even her parents or Jack could snuff out that tangible connection.

Chapter 22 - Lydia

The grounds were quieter than usual as I left the house and began walking towards the main strip, where I would meet Zoe.

I was surprised that she didn’t swing by the house first since Sebastian had been adamant about ensuring I was always protected, but it was nice not to feel like someone was always hovering.

The gentle breeze was suitable company as I walked. I felt called to take a different path so I could appreciate the warm sun a little longer.

Even though my stomach swelled only faintly, given how early my pregnancy was, I placed a thoughtful hand against the beginning of my belly as I went, losing myself to tender thoughts of the future.

I was looking forward to meeting the little one, and despite not knowing anything about my child yet, I felt so immediately connected to them.

Despite everything else going on around me, I made a conscious effort to appreciate the pregnancy. I knew it was special, and I was beyond lucky to be blessed with it so soon. Even if the tensions with Jack and his pack were still looming overhead, I didn’t want to let it distract from the pure moments unraveling right in front of me.

Thankfully, Sebastian remained positive throughout it all, helping me stay focused on the good things.

My steps halted as I walked along the trees, bristling as I sensed someone nearby. Someone who wasn’t supposed to be there.

Glancing over into the trees in the distance, I froze. My entire body tensed defensively as my mind reeled with the realization.

They were out of sight within the woods but close enough for my heart to hammer in my chest as the reminders of their lies hit me like a wave. Their saddened faces looked back at me, and once they saw I noticed, Mom cracked the faintest hopeful smile.

That alarm rippled through my entire system, urging me to run. Go as fast as I could and find Sebastian, even if he was preoccupied with work. I wanted the comfort of his security and the shield he offered me against their brainwashing.

At the very least, I wanted to go find Zoe.

But as much as I wanted to run, my legs didn’t follow through. Instead, I stood there almost helplessly as I looked at them, at a complete loss. I sucked in a shaky breath and struggled between my choices.

“Honey, we just want to talk,” Mom said, voice traveling between the distance as she waved me over. “Please. We miss our daughter.”

Looking between them, there was no denying the pain in their eyes. I knew they were telling the truth, but I couldn’t shake how they hurt me.

They hurt me. Their own daughter—the one they claimed to miss.

They lied to me to maintain that control over me and ensure I didn’t stray from the path they laid out for me. They convinced me my mate was a monster when that was far from the truth. They kept me from my best friend, all for an alpha they wanted to set me up with.

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