Page 60 of Rejected By My Stepbrother Alpha
“She changes the subject?” I guessed and chuckled.
“Yeah! That's exactly what she does.” Adrian nodded. “But I'm really good at racing my toy cars already, and I'll be safe cause I'll always wear my seatbelt, just like you said.”
“You're a good listener,” I said and grinned.
“That's what Ms. Chelsea said at daycare. She said I always have my listening ears on. Didn't she, Mom?” Adrian turned to Ivy. “Didn't she say that?”
When I glanced at Ivy, my heart felt like it was going to explode. She had such an awestruck look on her face as she gazed at her son. It made my heart slam behind my ribs.
I looked back at Adrian, who was still staring expectantly at his mom, waiting for her to corroborate his story.
Could this little boy sitting in front of me really be Ivy and Damian's child?
If Damian wasn't his father, who was?
Chapter 23
Side by Side
Ivy
My heart warmed, and my hands slightly shook as I gazed at Asher and Adrian interacting.
Father and son.
Now that I had a chance to study them side by side, their similarities were glaringly obvious. Not only was their hair the same light- brown color, but it had the same wavy texture. As they spoke, Asher pushed away a lock of hair that had fallen onto his forehead. Unconsciously, Adrian mirrored the gesture.
Although our son had inherited the same emerald green eyes as my brother and father, Adrian’s had the same gold flecks as Asher’s. Their faces were shaped almost identically. Even at such a young age, Adrian’s features were sharpening. Soon, his cheekbones would be as distinctive as Asher’s.
Seeing their resemblances made me lighter in a way that I didn’t want to examine closely.
As Adrian and Asher talked, a peacefulness settled over them. It was as if this conversation between them was long overdue. I washappy to see them bond, but felt guilty that I was the one who had kept them separated for six years.
“That's what Ms. Chelsea said at daycare. She said I always have my listening ears on. Didn't she, Mom?” Adrian's voice floated through my thoughts. “Didn't she say that?”
I cleared my throat and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. My stomach swooped when I felt Asher's gaze on me, but I kept my eyes on our son.
“She did,” I agreed and smiled. “She also said that you’re a natural-born leader.”
There was a flash of astonishment in Asher's eyes, and he appeared to be deep in thought. Was he realizing that there was a strong possibility that Adrian was his son?
Oh my Goddess.
Why in the hell would I say that? I hadn't decided whether or not I wanted to tell Asher that Adrian was his son.
But it was true that Adrian was a natural-born leader. He was like his father in that way.
Even more than their physical similarities were their…auras. Ever since he was three and started to develop his personality, Adrian had this Alpha quality about him that I’d always seen in Asher. Despite being younger than his cousin, Adrian usually took on the leadership role when he and Mateo played.
I hadn’t been a part of the BloodMoon Pack for long, but I watched Asher closely during my time there. His pack respected him, not out of fear, but because he had qualities that made him an excellent Alpha—honesty, consideration, innovation, and the rare talent of being able to bring out the best in others.
I saw those same traits in my son every day.
Adrian’s face shone with pride, and he beamed. “Other kids do come to me for advice in class, even some of the older ones. Ms. Chelsea said I'm good at, um, mom, what's that word called? What did Ms. Chelsea say I was good at when Jonas and Imogen had that fight over whose turn it was to race the red car?”
I grinnedat the memory.
“Ms. Chelsea said that you were a good mediator between your friends. She says that whenever your friends at daycare have a disagreement, you help them work through it,” I said. “That’s why she thinks you're a natural-born leader. Your friends look to you for advice on how to solve a problem.”
