Chapter 157 Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Seven

Chapter 157 Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Seven
THREE MONTHS LATER 

"Simeon will be here today" Xander announced and my shoulders stiffened.

The day had come. Leo would be leaving and he wouldn't be back until he had better control over his beast. I had no idea how long that would be.

"The dinner is tonight" I said finally and Xander frowned.

"He cannot stay"

"Don't you think that's unfair? The children will have questions. This is the last time we'll sit together as a family in a very long time"

"I don't want things to be like this either but we can't help it. You saw what happened yesterday. And the week before. Leo is like a ticking time bomb. The longer we let him stay...."

"How can you speak with no emotions. He's our son"

"That's why I'm doing this. You accepted he was going to leave Anna"

Don't mean that it wasn't hard for me to see it happening. I wasn't ready to see him go and I didn't think I'd ever be ready. 

"He can stay for dinner tonight. But after that, he's leaving with Simeon" I don't say anything as I stand up and walk out of Xander's office. He didn't try to stop me from coming after me.

The children were out for their classes, including Leo. The last few months have been hard in a way.

Freya had nightmares from the kidnapping but she was slowly getting better. Salem had completely come out of her shell. She was always with the girls, smiling more.

I was glad she was integrating into the family and everyone was doing well. But Leo's departure bothered me.

I walked to his door and it opened just as I came.

"Mama" he said gruffly as I stepped in.

"Simeon is coming today" I mumbled.

"I know. I asked father to move up the date"

"You did what?"

"I think it's best if it doesn't wait anymore. The earlier I leave, the faster I'll be able to come back"

"But..."

"I want to do this, Mama. And seeing you so upset about it doesn't make it easy for me. I want you to know that I'll be fine. I'm not a child anymore and someday, I'll be alpha. If I don't get my shit in order..."

"Language" I scolded and he laughed.

"Don't worry about me too much"

"How can you ask that of me?"

"Because I hate seeing you worried. Everything is going to work out"

"I'll visit as much as I can"

"You'll make it harder"

"It sounds like you just want to cut us out of your lives" I snapped.

"I don't. But it's best if none of you visit. For the first year at least. But I'll send letters to you. I'll write as often as I can and I'll tell you everything" I sniffled as I nodded. 

"Now let's prepare for that dinner"

"I'll miss you Leo" I sobbed and he threw his arms around me.

"I'll miss you more. I love you mama"

"I love you too"

I didn't leave when we were done talking. I hung out with Leo a little longer until it was time to get ready for dinner. 

I returned to my bedroom and Xander was waiting.

"Spent all day with Leo?"

"Mhmm"

Xander exhaled loudly and walked towards me. I didn't resist when he wrapped his arms around my middle.

"You know why we have to do this" he mumbled against my neck.

"Why didn't you tell me he was the one who wanted to leave today"

"I didn't want you to think he couldn't wait to leave"

"He explained. And it's hard for me but I understand why he has to. I just want the dinner to go well. It'd be the last one in a long time" Xander hummed as he peppered kisses over my neck.

"And I can't wait to have you in my arms all night" I swatted his hands away and moved away from him.

"I'm going to have another baby at this rate"

Xander shrugged. 

"I don't mind"

"I do. We have enough on our hands with the ones we have"

"Come on. Just one more and we're done"

"You said that for Zayn. Get dressed or we'll be late to our own dinner"

Xander called me but I ignored him as I disappeared into the bathroom.

An hour later and we were dressed. Hand in hand, we climbed down the stairs to the dining room. 

Loud laughter reached my ears as we stepped into the dining room and saw the children hanging around Xavier.

“Finally decided to join us?” He teased as he straightened up and came towards us.

“It’s so good to see you again” I hugged him and Xander pulled me away.

“Your mate misses me too much” Xander growled and I rolled my eyes.

“Let’s get seated” I urged and we filled our seats. I looked around the table, smiling at Gabriel and Mia, his intended mate. She was such a sweet woman. My eyes landed on Xavier and the strange woman beside him.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” Gabriel took the words right out of my mouth.

Xander rolled his eyes. 

“This is Naya, my mate” An awkward silence descended on the table and I was the first to recover.

“T-That’s very nice. It’s so nice to meet you Naya”

“You too. I’ve heard so much about all of you and it’s good to finally meet you. I hope we can all get along” a snort came from the other end of the table and we all looked at Gabriel who kept his eye focused on his plate.

“Uh…” I looked back at Naya who had a confused look on her face. 

“You’ll have such a wonderful time here” I smiled and her face relaxed. 

“Let’s eat” Xander spoke and our dinner began. Laughter flowed freely around the table as we shared tales. Leo laughed, Salem giggled, Freya and Sage wanted to speak and Zayn stuck to me like glue.

A feeling of genuine peace thrummed through me. I felt complete and even with the little worries, I knew it’d all work out in the end.

As dinner came to an end, the table emptied. Leo and the others were seated in the living room. I excused myself for a bathroom break and then I heard it. Loud voices arguing. 

I approached cautiously and then I spotted them. 

Gabriel and Xavier were having a heated exchange. I’d always known there was tension between them but things looked intense right now. 

I took a step forward and then arms wrapped around me.

“Where are you going” 

“They’re arguing”

“It’s none of our business”

“But…”

“I told you I wanted you wrapped around me at the end of the night” he whispered as his tongue trailed a line upwards.

“But…”

Xander lifted me off the ground and my legs wrapped around his waist.

“I’m clearly not getting it right if you’re thinking about other men” he growled and then he slammed his lips against mine.