Chapter 17 Eiden
Eiden's POV
I really wanted to spend time with Liam, but I couldn't leave my work.
Yeah, who would I even complain to? No one would stop me if I delayed my work, but I refused to be the kind of leader who slacks off.
I never really had days off. Something always happened the moment I looked away from the pack.
It felt like a curse, probably because I’d wasted my youth on meaningless things.
Luckily, nothing bad happened in the pack today. So I could leave earlier than usual. That’s why I didn’t accept anyone who wanted to meet me today.
“Alpha.” Beta Serena stepped into my office just as I was getting ready to go home. “You’re really excited to spend time with Liam, huh?”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Liam’s nice and fun. Maybe it’s because of his mom and stepdad.” Beta Serena grinned widely when I gave her a straight look. “I didn’t say anything. Why are you offended?” She raised both hands.
I snorted as I shut my laptop. “Please leave if you’re only here to say pointless things.”
“Am I only allowed to talk about work with you? Aren’t you bored?” Beta Serena tilted her head, still grinning. “We will get closer if we talk about other things besides the pack.”
I ignored her, organized the documents on my desk and tossed the dried-out pen into the trash can.
“Celeste is beautiful, gentle, and kind.” My body tensed at that. I had expected Beta Serena to bring that up. “I don’t know what she was like before, but looking at her now, I’m sure many men are attracted to her.”
'Did you hear that, Eiden?' My wolf smiled lopsidedly. 'You were such a fool back then.' He was so happy to have someone on his side.
'Celeste is no different now than she was then, but she’s much prettier now because her second mate is better than you.' My wolf took the chance to badmouth me.
I’m not the type who regrets things. If I keep dwelling on what my wolf says, I’m afraid I’ll end up mocking my past self.
“My advice is you focus on finding your mate,” I told Beta Serena, giving her a crooked smile at her scowl. “At least you have a partner.”
“Why would you say that?” Beta Serena shot me a glare. “You’ll get a second mate eventually. You’ve changed.” Her brows drew together as doubt crept in. “Right? Are you planning on dating a woman?”
“I don’t know.” I stood up, straightening my clothes, and shrugged. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
“Okay.” Beta Serena nodded. “You don’t have to think about anything else. Just spend time with Liam. Build that father-and-son bond with him.”
“Sure.” I smiled broadly to encourage myself.
I’ve written down things I’m going to do with Liam, but I don’t know if we’ll be able to do them all.
I only get to be alone with him at night because he’s with Levi all day. Then tomorrow afternoon they will go back to their house.
It’s okay. It’s not a big deal. I’m already grateful that Liam wants to stay at my house.
I got out of the car and stared at the main door of my house, my heart pounding. This was the first time I'd ever felt nervous about entering my own home.
When I left for work, Liam gave me a hesitant little wave. It made me curious: how would he react when I came home?
Celeste was the first person I saw when I opened the door. She was sitting on the living room couch, reading the newspaper.
“You’re home from work.” Celeste smiled at me. I froze. Not just because of her smile, but because no one had ever said that to me before.
'She’s like your wife waiting for you to come home, isn’t she?' my wolf teased. 'What would you even say if she asked how work was?' He chuckled. Too bad I couldn’t punch him.
“Yeah.” I scratched my cheek and smiled faintly at Celeste. “I’ll be home early.” I walked toward the living room, occasionally glancing around for the kids.
“I see.” Celeste nodded. “You'd better get some rest before you go see them. Their energy is endless.”
I chuckled. Then I gasped in surprise and quickly looked away. This was so weird. I spontaneously ruined my cool image with laughter.
“I’m just wondering whether I’ll have enough energy to keep up with them,” I said as I left the living room and headed toward the noise in the playroom.
I caught a glimpse of Celeste raising an eyebrow. I wondered what she was thinking of me.
“Hey, Liam, Levi.” I entered the playroom to see the mess they’d created. Oh, Moon Goddess. They’re like this every day, and Celeste can handle it without complaining.
“Hey, Alpha Eiden,” they replied in unison. My chest tightened at the thought that my son still couldn’t call me dad.
“I’m sorry I can’t take you guys outside for a walk,” I said regretfully. I didn’t want them to think I was locking them away.
“We’re fine,” Liam said. “We know why we can’t be outside. We… like being inside.”
I was relieved they were understanding kids.
After taking off my suit and tie, I joined them. The first few minutes were awkward, but slowly, we eased into it, like ice melting into warm water.
Celeste was right. It was tiring playing with them, but I enjoyed it. It felt like I was back in my childhood before people hurt me one by one and left me.
We stopped playing when the head omega told us that dinner was waiting.
Liam and Levi approached Celeste, who was standing next to the head warrior with longing eyes. They were very close to their mother.
For the first time in decades, almost every chair in the dining room was filled.
That unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. I’d remember this moment, because it wasn’t something that happened every day.
There’s no telling if Liam will want to stay at my house every Saturday and Sunday. And I still had Celeste and Levi to think about.
I stifled a snort as my wolf mocked me for getting sentimental.
Liam and Levi returned to the playroom after dinner. I didn't immediately follow them.
I turned to ask Celeste, who had just come out of the dining room. "When do they go to bed?"
"They usually go to bed around 9," Celeste replied, glancing at her watch, then her gaze returned to me.
I froze, trying to dig through my memories, but nothing surfaced. She was gone from my mind completely. Was it because we only spent one night together?
"They like to play," I commented with a faint smile.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything.” Celeste’s words made me raise an eyebrow. “Liam’s always with Levi. I wasn’t sure if you’d get a chance to talk to him alone.”
“I’m fine.” I waved my hand, indicating it wasn’t bothering me. “I want Liam to get used to me first.”
Celeste nodded in understanding.
I'd been thinking about things I wanted to do with Liam, but then I realized I couldn't force him to be close to me. I actually lacked confidence because I'd never been around a child before.