Page 34 of Alpha's Redemption

As quickly as I can, I change into my work clothes; I want to try to speak to him before he leaves, but Valarian is animatedly telling him about something while he eats his Cocoa Krispies. Valen watches me as I walk into the kitchen before sliding a cup of tea and my breakfast in front of me. I scrunch my face up at the tea. I hate tea. What I really want is coffee, yet when I go to look for it, he clears his throat.

“I tossed it out. You shouldn't drink so much caffeine. Also, there are prenatal vitamins above the microwave. Make sure you take them. And you have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 2 p.m. and an ultrasound,” he says, and I nod, wanting to speak to him, but he turns his attention to Valarian.

“Why is Mom going to the doctor's?” Valarian asks, looking at me.

“Because Mommy is having a baby,” Valen tells him, kissing his head and grabbing his suit jacket. “Behave for your mother. I’ll see you in the morning,” he tells him before walking off.

“Wait, you're not picking me up from school?” Valarian asks, twisting in his seat to look at his father.

“No, I’m going with Pop and won't be back until late tonight.”

“Where are you going?” I ask him.

“To pick up that part with Dad. I have to go; I need to pick him up because you have his car,” Valen tells me.

I turn around to retrieve his father’s keys out of my bag, but by the time I do, Valen has already left. I sigh before pouring the tea down the sink; I can't wait to get to work to make some coffee, though honestly, I’m not sure my belly will handle it with how my stomach has been lately. The smell alone has made me sick a few times, yet I still crave my morning hit of caffeine.

The day goes by slowly, time really dragging out. I spent all morning at the hotel talking to contractors—they’re slowly getting everything done, but it will be a few months before we’ll be able to reopen—so after lunch, I go to the homeless shelter and continue painting my mural. It’s coming along nicely, and I meet with the sign manufacturer to approve the final sign design before picking Valarian up from school. I wanted Valen to come with me to see the sign, but I suppose he’ll see it when it’s set atop the old school.

Pulling up in front of the school, I receive a text message from him.

‘Don’t forget to pick up Valarian from school.’

‘I’m outside the school already. Roughly what time will you be home?’

He doesn’t reply.

With a sigh, I toss my phone into my handbag and wait for the bell. Everything is very routine; once home, I cook dinner while Valarian does his homework, then he has a bath, I shower, then put Valarian to bed. Once he’s tucked in bed, I make a coffee—I managed to sneak a small jar home from the hotel, hiding it in the back of the pantry—intending to wait up for Valen. I go over the hotel accounts and pay some of the bills that are outstanding, watching our funds slowly dwindle away. But we’ll grow again, that much I’m certain of. When I finish, I message my father.

‘Can you send me the pack’s accounting details, and the accounts and assets inventory?’

‘If you want, I can meet you for lunch tomorrow and go over everything. I will have to sign the deed to the pack house over to you.’

‘No, keep it in your name. I am not taking your house. Just make sure you leave it to Ava in yours and Mom’s last will and testament.’

‘You’re not kicking us out?’

‘No, of course not. It’s your home. You’re still my parents and part of my pack now. I just need to clean up the pack finances, you can still run things on your end.’

‘Where do you want to meet tomorrow?’

‘Can you meet me at the homeless shelter? I’ll be there most of the day.’

‘Can you bring Valarian? Your mother and I would like to see him?’

His message shocks me, and I chew my lip, debating what to reply.

‘If Valen says it’s ok.’

‘Okay. I’m sorry he found out the way he did. Hope you are both doing well, we haven't spoken to the media or told them. See you tomorrow.’

‘Night dad.’

‘Goodnight, Evie. See you tomorrow. I will text when I am on my way.’

Well, that went better than I thought. Dad and I managed to have a civil conversation, something I wasn’t expecting after the challenge.

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