Page 50 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“Galen, where’s your phone?” I ask suddenly. “I need to talk to Nico.”

“Of course,” he says, handing it to me. His green eyes are dark, much darker than usual, and I can see the anxiety on his face.

He really is worried about me. I’m scared to trust him, but maybe everything he told me is true… and he never stopped loving me.

I push that thought away and quickly tap out Winnie’s number. She answers right away, and her voice is high and bouncy, a sharp contrast to my mood.

“Hey, Galen!” she says.

“Actually, it’s me,” I reply. “How’s Nico?”

“He’s great! Here, kiddo, do you want to talk to your mom?”

I hear Nico eagerly say yes and a faint crackle as the phone changes hands.

“Mom!”

“Hi, little man,” I reply with a smile, relief rushing through my chest. “How have you been?”

“Great! I helped Winnie in the kitchen to make biscuits, then Jerry took me out to play ball in the gardens. Grandma showed me some really boring old books, and now Winnie and I are playing ping pong in the games room.”

“That’s great, honey. You’re feeling okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” he answers, his tone getting serious. “I haven’t felt anything strange or tried to shift. We’ll call you guys right away if anything happens.”

“You’re a good boy, Nico,” I say softly. It breaks my heart that he’s this mature and self-aware enough to understand the situation and have to monitor himself, but it makes me proud as well.

“Thanks, Mom,” he says, then laughs a little. “When I’m not causing mass destruction of property, I’m an angel, right?”

Galen and I both laugh. “It’s not your fault, kiddo, and we’re going to help you. I promise,” I say a bit forcefully.

“I believe you,” Nico says.

I grip the phone a bit tighter as I hear the tone of his voice, so full of trust and love.

He’s really growing up. This move has changed him, and we’ve been so lucky that nothing happened when we were out in the world. We’re protected here.

“Well, I just wanted to let you know that we’ll be home tomorrow, probably in the afternoon,” I say. “Are you okay there?”

“I’m fine,” he answers. “Winnie’s not. I’ve kicked her ass like three times.”

“How dare you!” Winnie yells, roaring with laughter. “I’ve been letting you win.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Nico laughs. “I heard that apparently, the only reason you have a perfect score is because Jerry always lets you win.”

“Ahh!” Winnie yells. “You swine! How dare you spread such rumors about me!”

We hear a brief wrestle, and Winnie comes back on the line. I can hear Nico laughing in the background.

“You don’t need to worry about your child,” Winnie says. “But I may be suing for damages when this is over.”

“I’ll see you well-compensated,” Galen laughs.

“You’d better. Get on with it, then, you two. I expect full explanations when you get back.”

“Can do,” Galen says. “Good night, Winnie, and thank you.”

“Gratitude is cheap, brother. I want actual compensation.”

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