Page 44 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

I stood up abruptly and staggered back. My head spun. This was the same dizzying feeling I’d experienced when I smashed through the window headfirst.

Why?

Why wouldn’t she tell Grayson the truth? Wouldn’t it be confusing for our son when he found out that I was his dad?

Check yourself, dude.

My subconscious was right. I did break mine and Summer’s Mating bond before she could tell me she was pregnant. Because of that, she didn’t trust me.

Regret for sending Summer away was always with me. It was like a scar on my heart that would never fade away.

But did that horrible mistake mean I’d never get a chance to have a relationship with my son?

With terror, I realized she might never tell Grayson I was his father.

That thought hit me like a physical blow.

I couldn't give up, though. All hope wasn't lost. I would make amends for breaking mine and Summer's bond. I would show her that she could count on me.

Summer straightened with a resolved look on her face. She laid a hand on Grayson’s shoulder and looked back at her aunt and mom.

“Come on, guys!” Summer called. “Gabriel is going to show us around.”

My Mate’s message was clear when her aunt and mother stood by her side. The three women who raised my son were standing in a line with Grayson in front of them. Her mom laid a hand on Summer’s arm, and her aunt took Grayson’s hand.

I was the outsider. I hadn't been there for my son’s first steps. I hadn’t heard his first words. With a jolt, I realized I didn’t even know his middle name.

The only connection I had to Grayson was the blood running through his veins. He was my son, but I wasn’t his parent—not in the way I wanted to be.

I swallowed and tried to flash them a smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.

“Thank you for letting us stay here, Gabriel,” Summer’s aunt said.

“Of course,” I said briskly. “Please, follow me.”

Mechanically, I walked up my front lawn, the three women, one little boy, and a dog named Goose following after me.

“Wow,” Summer whispered.

I looked up at my house.

There was a three-tiered marble fountain happily shooting out water next to the stone walkway that led to my wrought iron double front doors. The outside of my house was made of mostly white stone with wood trimmings.

I led them up the stairs onto the porch. This was my favorite place to think. There were wooden rocking chairs lined up along the wooden surface, rocking gently with the wind. When you sat down, there was a view of the wide front lawn and the tall sugar maple trees that lined my driveway. Most mornings, I came out here with a cup of coffee.

I opened the front doors for them, and Goose shot inside first. Grayson ran after his dog.

Summer groaned.

“We have to catch those two before they destroy everything,” she said.

“Let them,” I said, waving my hand.

I moved to step inside, but I stopped.

I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t go through the motions of being a happy host until I talked with Summer and found out why she didn’t tell Grayson I was his father. We needed to have open communication if I wanted her to trust me again.

I lowered my voice and stepped closer to her.

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