Page 71 of Alpha's Redemption

“I put your dinner in the microwave, and Valarian asked for you at bedtime.”

I nod while dumping my handbag on the hall stand.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling all afternoon. And you shoved me out of the mind-link,” he says, his tone clipped at the end.

“I was with my father and Ava. I helped her move back in with Dad,” I answer while moving to the kitchen. I put my dinner on to heat and finally sit down to wait. I’m exhausted, and even eating seems like a major task.

Valen strolls in and I eye the bottle in his hand. He quickly tips it up and drains it, then tosses it in the recycling. He catches me watching him when he turns around and arches an eyebrow.

“What?” he demands.

“You know how I feel about you drinking, and I definitely don’t want you drinking around Valarian,” I tell him, and he scoffs.

“Right. Because I’m an alcoholic?” He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. I lean back from the counter and fold my arms across my chest.

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Valen; I never said that. I just said I don’t like you drinking, but hey, if you say you are, you must be.” I sigh; I would rather not argue tonight. He growls but moves closer, his hands going to my bump as he caresses it.

“I only had one, and Valarian is asleep. I am not an alcoholic. Geez, Everly, I don’t obliterate myself,” he says, leaning closer. He dips his face closer, his lips brushing mine softly, before biting my bottom lip playfully. I roll my eyes, pushing on his shoulders, and he chuckles, stepping back and opening the microwave when it dings. He grabs the plate out, setting it on the kitchen counter.

“Did you sort out the finances for the hotel and find out how much is owed to the contractors?” he asks, and I nod.

“And you paid it?” he asks. I growl before walking over to my handbag and grabbing his card out. I hand it to him, but he pushes my hand away.

“Keep it,” he says, and I shake my head but place it back while he fetches me a knife and fork.

“The real estate agent called today. She said Alpha Daxon from Slasher pack wants to repurchase the land from behind his pack,” I tell him, and he nods.

“Yes, he wants to build some training grounds. He even mentioned wanting to train with our pack for a bit.”

“Sounds like a plan. Also I got a weird message from Carter today,” I admit. Valen points to the table, and I sit down while he brings my plate over, setting it in front of me.

“How did he get your number?” Valen asks, and I shrug. It wouldn’t be hard, probably from his father’s files.

“What did he want?”

“Asked if we had settled the debt. Carter said he found the paperwork and bank statements.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him the truth, then offered him the titles for the back of his pack, but he said no.”

“Yeah, his father wiped every cent from the pack's accounts. I’d say the pack will be dismantled if he doesn’t do something soon.”

“So, what should I do?”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow and handle it. From what the investigators said, we owe Carter nothing. As soon as Nixon’s found, he’ll stand before the council and probably be executed, anyway, and Carter isn’t a part of that agreement, so has no warrant to claim it.”

“Have they seen any sign of Nixon?” I ask, moaning as I spear a piece of ravioli and pop it into my mouth—the sauce tastes heavenly. Valen chuckles, leaning down and licking it off my lips.

“I have something you can moan around that tastes better.”

“Somehow, I think this tastes better,” I tease, spearing another piece. He laughs, pecking my lips before walking off into the bathroom. I hear the water turn on a few seconds later while I turn back to my food.

* * *

Everly

Several Weeks Later

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