Chapter 102 102
Xavier's pov
I got home before sunset.
The park gates opened slowly. As the car rolled in I saw a crowd of wolves gathered near the courtyard. At first I frowned, wondering what was happening. Then someone spotted my car.
"Alpha Xavier is back!"
Immediately everyone turned to look, conversations stopped and then one by one people started clapping. It started softly then grew. By the time I stepped out of the car the whole courtyard was clapping.
"Congratulations, Alpha Xavier!"
"We heard you won the case!"
"You got your company back!"
I smiled, even though I didn't really feel like it. The attention felt overwhelming. At the same time something inside me felt proud.
"Thank you " I said, nodding at my people.
An older man shook my hand enthusiastically. "You did the thing Alpha. I'm glad Chloe wasn't around to cause trouble."
A woman beside him scoffed. "Yeah she always looked too quiet to me. She's like Maisie."
Another person quickly shook his head. "No, that's not fair. Maisie wasn't bad. She was actually kind."
"Yeah. At least Maisie is better than Chloe " another person added. "She didn't try to steal anything."
People agreed with each other.
"That's true."
"I always liked Maisie."
"I heard she's back in town."
That caught my attention.
"She's back?" someone asked.
"Yes, " the woman from before replied. "That's what I heard this morning."
I felt happy. Maisie was back in town?
Without saying another word I excused myself. Walked away from the crowd ignoring their congratulations. My thoughts were racing as I made my way to my office.
Inside I closed the door behind me and immediately pulled out my phone.
I scrolled through my contacts until I found her number. I hesitated at first. Then I dialed it. The line rang once and then I heard it :
"The number you have dialed does not exist."
I frowned. "That's weird."
I checked the number again. Dialed once more. It was the response.
I lowered the phone slowly wondering why her number did not exist? I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Something wasn't right.
I rushed to my feet. I walked out of the office. “Rayes!”
"Sir!" Rayes responded away.
"Prepare the car. We're going to the Alpha Roman's pack."
Rayes hesitated a bit. “Sir… it's already late. Wouldn't it be better to go tomorrow morning?"
I exhaled slowly. Rayes wasn't wrong. This could wait till tomorrow and besides I was tired from the court hearing.
"Fine,” I muttered. "Tomorrow morning then."
Then a servant approached. "Alpha, dinner is ready."
"I'll have it in my room." I told her. Walking upstairs quietly, my mind was still occupied.
A moment after entering my room there was a knock.
"Come in." I said, thinking it was the maid. No. It was Kylie.
She stepped inside wearing a short lavender nightgown.
"I heard you won, " she said softly.
"Yup."
She walked closer studying me. "You don't talk to me anymore."
"I'm busy."
"Busy?" She frowned. "Or avoiding me?"
She stepped closer, placing her hand on my chest. "You used to look at me " Then she leaned in. Brushed her lips against my neck.
At first I let her. I let her hands slide around my shoulders pulling me closer. I let her kiss me. I didn't get the chance to kiss her back.
A memory flashed in my mind. I froze.
It was Chloe. She was smiling at me.
I pushed Kylie away. “Don't touch me.”
She stared at me stunned. "What the fuck, Xavier?!”
“I'm not in the mood so leave!” I said, already turning away.
"Xavier!" She stomped her foot on the floor like a child. I ignored her and walked out to the balcony.
Muttering under her breath she picked up her shoes and left the room but not before slamming the door behind her.
I closed my eyes and ihaled deeply trying to calm down. I'd gotten everything back but it felt like something was still missing.
"Dad?"
I found Howard standing in the doorway. He must've seen how angry Kylie was and came to see what happened.
“Did you have a fight with mommy?” he asked.
“No, kiddo. Mommy just needs to go to bed. She's tired. Come on." I smiled.
Howard walked closer leaning against the railing.
"Tell me about your day.” I said, making space for him next to me.
Howard sniffled. "My classmates were mean today.”
I frowned. "What happened?”
He looked at me with tears in his eyes. "They said you're not my father."
“They're wrong, " I told him. "You hear me?"
Howard. Looked up at me. "Thanks, dad. Will you spend time with me tomorrow?”
I opened my mouth to reply. The words got stuck in my throat.
Aria’s voice echoed in my mind. "Dad, can we spend time together?”
I had ignored her and then she was gone.
Guilt tightened my chest as I brushed the memory away. "Yeah. Let's go to the amusement park tomorrow.”
Howard smiled.
The morning I woke to Howard jumping on my bed.
"Morning daddy. It's time!" he said, jumping on the bed.
I laughed as I picked him up. "Morning man.”
After breakfast we drove to the amusement park. It was the one Maisie and Aria had visited before she passed away. I tried not to think about it as I navigated Howard towards the playground. There were a lot of memories I wished I could forget. They kept coming back.
Howard found a spot and ran ahead excitedly.
"Be careful!" I called behind him and smiled when I heard his excited giggles.
I went to the ice cream spot to get ice cream in case he got hungry. After purchasing his ice cream cones I heard him calling for me.
"Daddy!"
The cones dropped to the floor. I ran to the sound of his voice. Don't tell me he lost his footing and fell or worse being bullied.
I arrived at the scene. Found him. There wasn't a scratch on him.
A sigh of relief escaped me. "Thank heavens you're okay, otherwise your mom will kill me.”
His reply surprised me. "Dad… isn't that Maisie?”
“What?"
I looked up, my eyes zeroing in on her blonde hair, red gown and … him.
Maisie sat on a picnic mat, her hands covering her mouth while Roman knelt before her holding a ring. Cheers erupted out of nowhere. Soon people began to surround them.
I felt angry. How dare that bastard take Maisie away from me?!
I pushed forward to get to them. I couldn't reach them. The crowd was too much.
Howard tugged my hand. Pulled me back. "Let's go home dad.”
His eyes were puffy. His lips were quivering. He'd been crying. I ruined another day.
I told him I'd make it up to him. He let go of my hand and ran to the car.
Damn it!
At home Howard ran to Kylie crying.
"Woah, " Kylie smiled. "How was today, honey? Didn't you have fun?”
I already knew his answer before he opened his mouth.
“Daddy changed his mind… he wasn't happy because Maisie was there."
Kylie glared at me. "Seriously? You're still thinking about her?"
I frowned. "That's enough.”
I forgot that Kylie doesn't listen when she's upset.
“You left Chloe! How are you still stuck with Maisie!" She snapped and I snapped back. Before I could stop myself, I slapped her.
Kylie didn't react. She just held her cheek and glared at me. "You'll die alone, you prick!”
Then she walked out, dragging Howard behind her.
“Dammit!" I sank into my chair. At the time my phone rang. It was Alpha Shakan calling.
What now?!
I answered with a sigh. "Yes?
“The wristbands. I've waited enough."
“We'll start soon." I replied with another sigh.
“You'd better keep your promise this time." He ended the call. No congratulations on getting my company even a thank you.
Ugh!
I rose to my feet. Dialled Clyde’s number. Chloe was in charge of making the Healers wristband so she might have left some notes for me. He told me she didn't.
Panicked, I dialled Alpha Roman. Asked about Maisie's whereabouts. She created the formula for the wristbands so she might help me out.
“Maisie and I left the pack this morning and no she doesn't have any information about your wristband. Goodnight, Xavier." Roman said, putting an end to the call.
Rayes came up behind me. "Xavier what did he say?”
My response was ramming my fist into my desk, breaking it to pieces.