Chapter 20 Eiden
Eiden's POV
I drove them. Celeste asked me to drop her and her two sons off at a hut in front of a rice paddy, quite far from the rogue clan's border gate.
They sat in the hut, waiting for someone to pick them up. I returned to the pack because Celeste didn't want anyone to see us.
I left them with a heavy heart. The hut had a lamp, but no streetlights, and it would get dark if the moon hid behind a bunch of clouds.
It was my fault. The next time they stay at my house, I won't let them go back to their group after dinner.
We had barely driven about ten feet when I saw a car stop in front of them, and they hurriedly got in.
“That’s the car that picks them up and drops them off at Liam’s kindergarten. I remember the license plate perfectly.”
I leaned back with a sigh of relief, knowing that their driver had picked them up.
A smile spread across my face. I touched my chest when I realized I immediately missed Liam. I shook my head, embarrassed by my feelings.
The ride to my pack went without a hitch. None of the gate guards stopped us. That was because I’d given them two boxes of chocolates.
I had never bribed anyone before, and I wasn't the generous type who liked sharing food. I only did it so they wouldn't notice that it wasn't just the warrior in the car and me.
I lay on the bed when I got home. My eyes were fixed on the ceiling, my arms outstretched. Only then did I realize how tired I was.
When I played with Liam and Levi, I didn’t feel tired at all; all I felt was excitement. Adrenaline and happiness had taken over me.
Now Liam and Levi had returned to their house. I was alone again. Loneliness and silence crept over me, knowing I wouldn't chase them away.
"They're adorable kids." I nodded. "I didn't know playing with kids was so much fun."
I reached for my phone, found Celeste's contact, and typed a message.
\[Did you get home safe? Did they fall asleep right away?\] Celeste didn't answer right away. I felt a little anxious, and I hoped nothing had happened to them.
They got into the car without being forced or threatened. I was sure Celeste wasn’t that stupid. My brow furrowed as I remembered that it was the car they always used.
"Okay, forget it." I sat on the edge of the bed. "Celeste's like that. She never answers my texts quickly." I looked down at my phone. "But I hope she doesn't keep me waiting for more than an hour."
My wolf didn't comment. He was asleep. He didn't care about my worry.
I went to the warrior camp to meet with Gamma Nolan and Delta Sophia.
I appreciated their hard work in keeping Celeste, Liam, and Levi safe while they were in the pack and in making sure no enemies sensed their presence in my home.
\[We're home. Liam and Levi went to the playroom. They miss their toys.\] Celeste answered me forty-two minutes later.
\[I'm relieved to hear that. They don't feel tired.\] I typed quickly with an amused smile on my face.
I was back in my room and put my phone on the nightstand.
I couldn't stay and chat with Gamma Nolan and Delta Sophia for long, or the enemies might think we were discussing war plans or something related to warriors and pack security.
I stared at the mattress, my heart pounding, and I considered many things.
“I’m sleepy, I need to recharge, but is sleep really what I need right now?”
'You didn't sleep yesterday. You were so worried about whether Liam would be comfortable sleeping at your house. It's no wonder you're so tired now. It's a good thing you didn't pass out while playing with them,' my wolf said, his eyes glared. He'd woken up just to lecture me.
I sighed heavily. Before my wolf took over my body and let me sleep inside it, I lay down on the bed.
I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced around anxiously. Sleep had been the thing I avoided the most these past two months. I was exhausted by the dreams.
"Huh? What's happening to me?" I sat up quickly, blinking. "I can't believe this."
I fell asleep last night. I remembered replaying my moments with Liam and Levi before everything went black.
‘Yes, you’re asleep,’ my wolf said. ‘Why are you shocked? You should be happy. You’re not even an insomniac, you just refuse to sleep because of those nightmares.'
I nodded with a sigh. Yes, my wolf was absolutely right.
I stretched my arms, feeling how rested my body was. It had been ages since I’d gotten enough sleep.
I was sure I’d fallen asleep without realizing it because Liam stayed over yesterday, and I was exhausted from playing with him and his little brother.
I texted Celeste, asking if Liam had already left for school. She sent me a video of him walking into school. I smiled as I watched it.
I worked with gusto.
I was so full of energy that I was confident I could beat Alpha Jackson's face into a pulp, but unfortunately, starting a fight with him meant I'd have to be prepared to fight him for a week. That guy was a lunatic.
“Hi, Alpha.” Beta Serena stepped into my office with a wide smile and a document in her hand.
“Hi.” I raised a hand and glanced at her briefly.
“You look refreshed,” Beta Serena said, placing the file on my desk. “I haven’t seen you like this in ages.” She made a little square with her fingers like she was taking my picture.
“I fell asleep,” I said. “I can’t believe it either.”
“Whoa, that’s great news.” Beta Serena clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling. “Is that because you’re excited to have Liam stay at your house?”
“I think so too.” I nodded with a smile. “It’s a shame he can only stay for two days.”
“Trust me. I can see the Alpha aura in him.” Beta Serena looked at me seriously. “I support him becoming Alpha.”
I was stunned. Liam was my first child with my ex-mate.
I hadn't known that Celeste was pregnant with my child, then that Liam had been born and was living with her in a rogue clan. He knew that I had rejected his mother badly. With all that, I doubted he would ever want to live with me or become my heir.
"I found out too late about Celeste's pregnancy. I'd completely forgotten about her." I shook my head. "I felt like I had no right to have Liam."
"Hey, you're not that late. Liam's only five," Beta Serana said, trying to comfort me.
"You're not wrong," Beta Serena said, patting my hand. "You never imagined your former mate to be pregnant with your child, and it's not a big deal that you forgot her face and name."
Then she gave me an annoyed look. "Yeah, but honestly, if I were Celeste, I'd hate you even more." She pursed her lips. "As a woman, I'm sure she never forgets you every time she looks at Liam, and then remembers the heartbreak you gave her."
"I know that." I lowered my head. Sometimes I don't understand what I was thinking at that moment. How could I reject my mate and choose my girlfriend?
"Do you know where Celeste and her two sons live?" Beta Serena changed the subject. She didn't want me to wallow in regret and blame myself for too long.
"I didn't ask that," I replied. I didn't even know which pack Celeste originally came from. "I don't want to get to know her any better."
Celeste had been very kind to let me get close to Liam. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by asking personal questions.