Page 36 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

Footsteps in the hall interrupt our conversation, rescuing me from the uncomfortable topic. Nico enters with Mother, holding her hand and smiling up at her.

“Did you have a good time, honey?” Clara asks Nico, getting up to hug him.

“Yeah!” he chirps happily. “I saw a suit of armor! And some cool old-fashioned weapons, and paintings—”

“Okay,” Clara laughs. “I think we should settle you down and get you home to bed.”

“I concur,” Mother says. “It’s been a long day for you, Nico. We’ll see each other again soon.”

“Bye, Grandma,” Nico says, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her. “I’m so happy to have met you.”

“Me too, Nico,” Mother says, stroking his hair. “Goodnight, young man. Clara, Galen, I’ll be in touch.”

Macy heads up the stairs while we get Nico into the car and start the drive home. I can’t stop looking over at Clara every chance I get, and it’s not just her beauty or spirit that’s attracting me now.

She stood up for me. No one has ever done that for me before.

As the son of the alpha, I was expected to be bulletproof. Anything that happened at school or with the pack was on me to handle, no matter how rough it was. After Father died, the situation only got worse.

Mother worked me harder than anyone else. She didn’t want me to let Father down, especially after how I ended things with him. As if making an effort after his death could impress him in the afterlife.

The ugly thoughts crowd my brain, but they don’t have the same power over me that they used to. I don’t feel lonely and exposed anymore, like I’m doomed to fight alone.

I finally feel like I have someone on my side.

“What are you thinking about?” Clara asks. “You’re very quiet.”

“Well, I’m thinking about you, actually.”

“Oh,” she mutters, her cheeks getting red. “What exactly are you thinking?”

“That it was very sweet of you to stand up for me,” I say seriously. “My relationship with Mother hasn’t been great, but after everything we’ve gone through, I could never speak out against her. It was nice to have someone care enough about me to defend me.”

“I just wanted her to know that you’re not at fault,” Clara answers. “There’s blame all over the place here, and you’ve done wonders for Nico already.”

We pull into the driveway, and Clara gets Nico out of the car. The poor little guy is so sleepy, he can barely walk, so I pick him up and carry him inside. While he gets himself ready for bed, I join Clara in the kitchen.

“Don’t ever blame yourself,” I say, her previous words weighing heavily on me. “You had to leave, and I know it was impossible for you to come back. My parents made it hard enough on me. I wouldn’t want you to be subjected to it as well.”

“This is exactly what I’m talking about,” she says. “I’m starting to feel bad that I left you alone. I never imagined that it was so hard for you.”

“I might be starting to feel slightly inadequate,” I answer in a lighter tone. “Are you going to stand up and protect me all the time now?”

“If that’s what it takes,” she says, tilting her head. “I know what a softie you really are, underneath it all.”

Emotions stir in me, and I feel like it might be my turn to blush. Clara sees my grin and reaches up to lightly pinch my cheek.

“I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” she whispers, and her eyes darken with intensity. Something changes between us, and I can suddenly feel the heat rising from her body.

“Mom, I’m ready for bed,” Nico says from the doorway.

We break apart, a bit too suddenly. Clara goes to Nico, leading him down the hall to his room. I follow behind them, feeling excited about being so close to Clara, but rattled by the emotions raging inside me.

I don’t deserve another chance with her. Any kindness from her is a gift. Don’t read too much into this.

I watch Clara tuck Nico into bed, struck by the sweetness of the scene, but still tantalized by the energy that has been rising between us.

When she comes into the hall, closing the door behind her, the heat is still rising from her skin. Her scent is thick, surrounding her in waves that almost make me dizzy.

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