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<Chapter 33
Chapter 33
The sting of Astor’s kiss lingered on my lips, a warmth that felt more like a betrayal than a declaration. I pulled away sharply, my heart thudding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. “Don’t. Don’t ever do that again, Astor.” My voice was rough, laced with an indignation that surprised even myself.
He blinked, his handsome face momentarily clouded with confusion, then a flicker of something I recognized as guilt. “Faith, I…”
“No,” I cut him off, my gaze fixed on the spot where his lips had been, trying to erase the feeling. “I know why you did that. You did it for Alpha Kyle. You saw him watching, and you wanted to show off. You were jealous, weren’t you?” The words spilled out, raw and unvarnished. This wasn’t the way I wanted to be kissed, not for a show, not out of spite. My heart ached for something genuine, something earned, not stolen in a moment of alpha
arrogance.
A sigh escaped him, long and heavy. “Faith, it wasn’t just that. You know it
wasn’t.”
”
“Then what was it, Astor?” I challenged, my frustration bubbling over. Because it certainly wasn’t because you actually wanted to kiss me. It was a game, and I don’t play games.” I turned away, unable to bear his gaze any
longer.
I was embarrassed to even look back at alpha Kyle or the children before I left because I’m pretty sure he heard a whole conversation.
The familiar path back to our house suddenly felt miles long. I walked with a determined stride, each step a silent declaration of my annoyance.
Astor followed, his footsteps a soft echo behind me. I could feel his presence, a heavy weight in the air, but I refused to look back. I just wanted to be home, to be in my own space, away from his games and his displays.
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When I reached the familiar oak door of our house, I was ready to slam it shut and lock myself away. But as my hand touched the cool wood, I
hesitated.
And then I froze.
My parents. Standing in the middle of our living room, looking… expectant. My mother, with her had a worried frown etched deeper than usual, and my father, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
A cold dread washed over me, chasing away the lingering annoyance with Astor. “Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” My voice was barely a whisper, laced with an unwelcome surprise. I hadn’t expected to see them, not anytime soon. And if I was honest, not seeing them was precisely what I’d preferred.
My mother offered a strained smile. “Faith, darling. We… we decided to pay you a surprise visit.”
“A surprise visit?” I echoed, my mind reeling. “But… you didn’t call.” I looked from my mother to my father, then my eyes landed on Astor, who had entered the house behind me. His jaw was tight, his gaze fixed on my parents with an intensity that mirrored my own confusion and even
annoyance.
He stepped forward, his arm instinctively coming to rest on the small of my back, a possessive gesture that, for once, felt comforting. “You could have at least warned us,” he said, his voice low and even, but with an undercurrent of steel. He addressed my parents directly, his eyes flicking between them.” Faith and I… we don’t appreciate surprises like this. Especially when they clearly upset her.”
I’m glad he pointed it out because I would seem like a bad person if I told them directly that I never wanted to see them.
My mother’s smile faltered. “Astor, we meant no harm. We just wanted to see
Cheye
how you both were settling in.”
“You could have done that any other day” Astor retorted, his tone hardening.
“Without ambushing us. And to be frank, Alpha Connor and I have nothing
pack–related to discuss. So unless there’s a very pressing reason for your unexpected arrival, I suggest you explain yourselves.” His alpha authority
was a palpable force, filling the small space.
My father finally uncrossed his arms. “This isn’t about pack business, Astor.
It’s… personal.”
Personal. The word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Personal between whom? My parents and me? My parents and Astor? My stomach tightened. I hated this feeling of being in the dark, of not knowing what was coming. “Personal how?” I asked, stepping away from Astor’s embrace, needing the space to think, to process. “What could possibly be personal enough to warrant showing up unannounced and making us
uncomfortable?”
My mother wrung her hands. “Faith, we… we’ve been worried.” that is the craziest lie that they’ve ever said because there is no love lost between me and them and our last conversation solidified exactly that.
“Worried about what?” I pressed, my voice rising. “We’re fine. We’re happy. You have no reason to be worried.” I said it more to sound sarcastic because this is exactly what they wanted so I don’t understand why they are here because they are wish was for me to come back to Astor and it was fulfilled.
My father sighed, a resigned sound. “There are things you don’t know, Faith. Things we haven’t told you.”
Before I could demand an explanation, before my mother could utter another hesitant word, the front door of the house creaked open. Alice, her face pale and her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and exhilaration, stood there. She looked directly at Astor, her voice trembling as she spoke.
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“Astor,” she breathed, her gaze locked onto his, phone moment today I felt every part of me go cold and silent because I knew it was coming and I wasn’t ready for it. “I… I have something to tell you.” She took a shaky breath, her hand instinctively going to her abdomen. “I’m pregnant. And… it’s yours.”
The words hung in the air, a bombshell that detonated in the already charged silence, leaving me utterly breathless.
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Chapter 34
Chapter 34
