Page 57 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

“Didn't you say that you trusted me today at the pool? You said that you trusted me with Grayson,” I pointed out.

Her eyes softened just a fraction of an inch.

“I do trust you with our son,” she said. “I know that you would never let anything bad happen to him. I can tell that your love for Grayson is unconditional.”

“So is my love for you.”

Summer twisted the handle, opening the door wide.

“Well, when you broke our Mating bond to ‘protect me’, it didn’t feel unconditional,” Summer said and stepped out into the hallway.

I opened my mouth, but no words would come out.

“Goodnight, Gabriel.” She closed the door quietly, leaving me with a broken computer monitor and a shattered heart.

***

I walked into my kitchen, looking for something quick to eat for dinner. It was the day after I kissed Summer in my office, and we hadn't spoken since. She merely shook her head this morning when I asked if she still wanted to join the strategy video conference call. During the meeting, the boxing maneuver strategy Summer had come up with was approved by everyone. I wished my Mate could have been there to hear all the support her idea was given.

After the meeting, Grayson asked if he and I could take Goose for a walk. Summer said yes while looking at our son and avoiding my eyes.

It was great to get to know my son even more on our walk. He told me more about his life on the farm, but I wished Summer would have come with us. I wanted to start earning her trust back.

When Grayson and I came home after our walk, I did a two-hour workout in my home gym. Then, for the rest of the day, I’d been in my office attending video conference calls.

A whining sound startled me out of my thoughts. Goose was scratching at the back slider door and whimpering.

“Do you have to go out, buddy?” I asked and slid open the door without looking outside.

When I stepped onto the back patio, I was met with three pairs of eyes. Summer, her aunt, and Grayson were sitting at the table, seemingly in the middle of dinner.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I was just…” I gestured toward Goose, who was begging for food.

“Goose conned you with those big eyes of his,” Mia said and patted the dog’s head. “We put him inside because he already ate three pieces of bacon.”

“Give you one guess as to who gave him those pieces of bacon,” Summer said and glanced at our son.

“He was hungry!” Grayson protested.

My Mate and I shared a smile, and a jolt went down my spine.

“Dad! Come sit!” Grayson said. “We’re having breakfast for dinner. I’ve changed my mind about my favorite food. It’s not Mom’s potato salad anymore. It’s her pancakes.”

I glanced at Summer, and when she nodded, my heart lifted slightly.

“Of course, buddy. Thanks for the invitation,” I said, and ruffled my son’s hair affectionately. “Your mom’s cooking is the best.”

“Yeah, it is,” Grayson agreed. “And these are chocolate chip pancakes! So they’re even better than normal pancakes.” He took another large bite.

“Those are my favorite kind,” I said and sat down next to Grayson, across the table from Summer.

“Mine, too!” my son agreed.

With gusto, I loaded up my plate with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and pancakes.

“These are amazing,” I told Summer after my first bite of pancakes topped with syrup and butter.

A quick grin flashed across her face.

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