Chapter 187 With My Husband's Beta
"You really handled that situation well," Maddy praises, her eyes reflecting genuine surprise. "I wasn't expecting you to address them like that."
"They asked for it. It was never my intention to be mean," I respond, defending my actions.
"You weren't mean, you stood your ground as the Luna of this pack. You made yourself clear, and you've changed. I'm so proud of you," Maddy pulls me into a quick hug, leaving me slightly stunned. I can't help but wonder why she was so thrilled about what I just did.
After we pull away, I walk out of the hall with the guards following behind me, their obedience a result of Calhoun's orders.
As I step into the open, my heart flips in my chest when I spot Darcy, Theodore's sister. She is holding to her aid stick for support as she walks toward her chosen spot.
The melancholy etching across her face unsettles me. It's the first time I had seen her since Theodore's funeral. The palpable sense of loneliness she carries without her brother tugs at my emotions.
He was a monster to all but not her. I have to admit, if I were in her position, I'd probably feel the same way.
I don't turn away to find a different path. Instead, I remain in place, waiting patiently until she sidesteps me and my guards. That's when I can finally take a proper breath.
Out of nowhere, Bruce appears, looking flushed with his hair tousled on top of his head.
"Can I talk to you?" He asks with urgency.
"Why?" I frown.
"It's about your best friend," he blurts out after taking a gulp.
"Would saying her name make any difference?" I raise a questioning brow at my husband's beta.
"Fine. Sapphire." Bruce runs his hands through his hair again, his lips thinning as he looks at me.
"Go ahead," I grant him the permission.
"Excuse us," he orders the guards, and they immediately step back, giving us some
acy.
"So, what's on your mind about Sapphire, Bruce?" I throw my arms across my chest as I return my gaze to him.
"Calhoun wants me to meet and discuss with her, but it's tough. I've been thinking a lot since yesterday. I reflected on my actions last night. I was a jerk." He admits.
"A big one, Bruce," I add fuel to the fire without any
remorse.
"I couldn't control my emotions," Bruce continues, seemingly regretful.
"Sometimes, I wonder how you're Calhoun's Beta. You give him the wrong advice at times and make him make bad decisions," I look him right in the eye when I make this known to him.
"Christ, you don't need to throw that in my face. Nobody's perfect," Bruce retorts, looking offended.
"You should have known better before you started sleeping with my best friend," I continue with my gaze unwavering.
And this statement effectively silences Bruce.
"You're not going to cut me any slack, are you?" He
asks after letting a few seconds run by.
"Do you realize how much you hurt her when you humiliated her like that?" I ask, shooting him a death glare upon remembering Sapphire's tearful face and sobs last night.
"Damn, I'm truly sorry," Bruce stares at his feel in guilt.
"Save your apologies for her, not me," I say.
"It's not easy; I don't even know how to face her,"
Bruce admits, looking truly lost.
"Do you still doubt that you're the father of the
baby?" I inquire while examining his face.
"It's confusing; everything caught me off guard," Bruce explains himself after blinking for a couple of
seconds.
"Well, that's what happens when you have unprotected sex," I grit out because I am still upset.
"For a moment, damn! Can you lower your voice?" Bruce almost yells because I was loud enough to be heard by the guards.
However, I do not budge.
"I speak how I want, Bruce. You couldn't control your temper either," my voice is firm.
"This is different. How would you feel if Calhoun
shows up with another woman and claims she's pregnant for him, saying he's going to take her as a
second wife?" Bruce asks.
"Shut the heck up!" I yell, his words irking me. How dare he say such a thing?
"Gee, I'm talking nonsense. My apologies!" Bruce seals his lips with an invisible zipper, staring at me.
"Now, tell me what you have in mind because Sapphire is my best friend, and I'm affected if she's hurt," I shoot him an icy glare.
"A date. I'll make the arrangements, and then you'll
bring her over, lying that it's for you and Calhoun," Bruce looks away from me and scratches the back of
his head.
"What are you thinking, Bruce?" I ask, because it doesn't make so much sense to me.
"I'm not sure she'd want to meet me like this," he
confesses at last.
And I catch the drift.
Releasing a low breath, I study my husband's beta.
Despite his inappropriate behavior last night, the uncertainty in his eyes suggests he's clueless about handling this situation. He's never been told about pregnancy before, and it's evident he doesn't know how to navigate it. Still, he's attempting, likely after some guidance from Calhoun. I trust my husband.
"Fine, I'll help you," I reply.
"You will?" His eyes sparks with hope.
"On two conditions," I say, wetting my bottom lip
thoughtfully.
"Yes?" Bruce edges closer, his eyes lighting up with
curiosity.
"First, you'll have to offer a sincere apology," I state firmly.
"Okay?" Bruce nods eagerly.
"Second, you need to be on your best behavior. Don't
risk hurting her feelings again," I conclude, sending him a wordless warning through the intensity of my glare. "No need to worry about that; we've seen each other a
hundred times, so it should be easy," Bruce assures,1 me, his words causing a subtle unease because I know
he's referring to the times they've slept with each
other.
"When are you setting up the date?" I question him.
"Tonight, can't waste any more time," Bruce responds, his expression serious.
I give him a brisk nod.
"What's happening here?" Calhoun's voice cuts
through the air, and I turn to find him standing tall,
fully dressed in his office attire. On his right arm, he's carrying Aiden.
"Nothing," Bruce is the first to speak.
Calhoun shifts his gaze from me to Bruce and back to
me, a silent inquiry in his eyes.
"Are you hiding something?"
"No, he's trying to set up a date with Sapphire," I
admit straightforwardly.
Calhoun blinks.
"Oh, I was starting to think it was something else,"
he says, visibly relieved.
Bruce shoots me a grateful look before walking away, leaving just Calhoun, our son, and me.
"How are you doing?" Calhoun asks quietly as he
closes the distance between us. "Fine," I respond with a small smile, sensing his
concern stemming from my nightmare the previous night.
When Calhoun attempts to kiss me on the lips, Aiden intervenes, placing his head in the way and planting his whole mouth on my face as if he wants to swallow
me.
"What are you doing?" Calhoun appears amused.
"I think he's a little jealous, doesn't want you to kiss me," I bubble with laughter.
Chuckling, Calhoun gently pulls Aiden away. "Listen, buddy, I knew her way before you," Calhoun
addresses Aiden as if he's an adult, and Aiden seems to be listening. Although he has no idea of what he's being told by his father.
A smile creeps onto my face at their exchange. "How was the meeting?" Calhoun inquires after he looks up from Aiden to me.
"It went as smoothly as I expected," I tell him, and
it's not a comolete lie. However, I omit the part where some women tried to insult me because I know my husband's fiery temper, and he'd likely want to
address their disrespect, or punish them rather. Calhoun nods, his gaze lingering on me. "Is there anything else on your mind?" He asks, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Just the usual pack meeting with the women. Maddy
seems pleased with the way I handled things," I mention, downplaying the encounter. Calhoun smirks, "Well, I'm not surprised. You've
always had that assertiveness in you. It's one of the things I love about you."
I roll my eyes playfully, "Flattery won't get you out of diaper duty tonight."
He chuckles, "Fair enough. I'll handle it."
As we start walking towards our quarters, Aiden still
in Calhoun's arms, I can't shake the lingering tension from the meeting and the upcoming date for Bruce and Sapphire. And lastly, my nightmare of Theodore.