Chapter153 Pretend to be a couple with Patrick
Aliya POV
The simple statement hit me like a punch to the gut. She was right. I did twist that ring when I was nervous or thinking. It had become such an unconscious habit that I hadn't even realized I was doing it.
"You're right, baby," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I do still have you."
As I started the car and began driving away from the building, my mind was racing. Nikolai was getting too close to the truth. He was asking too many questions, making too many connections. Soon he would figure out that Nova was his daughter, and then what would happen?
Would he try to take her away from me? Would he demand custody rights? Would he use his power as Alpha King to force me to share her?
The thought terrified me more than anything else in the world. Nova was everything to me. She was the only good thing that had come out of my relationship with Nikolai, and I would do anything to protect her.
I needed help.
I established a mind link with Patrick, hoping he would be available to talk.
"Patrick," I said through the mental connection. "You said before that if I ever had any problems, I could come to you for help. Does that offer still stand?"
"Of course it still stands," Patrick said through the mind link, his mental voice warm and reassuring. "You helped me expose Henry's identity fraud back then. You gave me the chance to become the true Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack. I owe you everything, Aliya."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Thank you, Patrick. I really need your help right now."
"What can I do for you?"
I took a deep breath, knowing how crazy my request was going to sound. "I need to ask you something personal first. Have you ever found your mate?"
There was a pause in the mind link, and when Patrick responded, I could sense his embarrassment. "Why are you suddenly asking about that kind of thing?"
"Have you never had anyone? Not even once?"
Another pause, longer this time. "There was someone I loved once," he admitted quietly. "But that person probably doesn't feel the same way about me. So I just keep those feelings buried deep inside where they can't hurt anyone."
My heart ached for him. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's fine," Patrick said, though I could hear the sadness underneath his words. "I've made my peace with it. But what does this have to do with why you need help?"
I steeled myself for his reaction. "I need you to pretend that Nova is your daughter."
The silence in the mind link stretched on for so long that I started to worry he'd cut the connection entirely.
"Patrick? Are you still there?"
"I'm here," he said finally. "Just... processing what you asked."
"I know how unfair this is to you," I said quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I know I have no right to ask something like this. But I'm desperate, Patrick. Nikolai is starting to suspect that Nova is his child. If he decides to get a DNA test, I won't be able to hide the truth anymore."
"You're afraid he'll try to take her away from you."
"Yes," I whispered, the admission feeling like a physical weight. "She's everything to me, Patrick. I can't lose her."
Another long pause. Then, to my surprise, Patrick's mental voice was gentle when he responded. "I'll do it."
"Really?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You'll help me?"
"Of course I will. You saved my life and my pack when you exposed Henry's lies. This is the least I can do to repay that debt."
I felt tears prick at the eyes with relief and gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Patrick."
"So starting tomorrow, we're going to be a couple?" There was a hint of shyness in his mental voice that made me smile despite everything.
"If that's okay with you. We need to make it look convincing, so people will believe Nova is yours instead of..." I trailed off, not wanting to say Nikolai's name.
"I understand. We need to sell the performance."
"Actually," I said, getting an idea, "I know you have that big Alpha meeting tomorrow, right? The one where Nikolai will be presiding?"
"Yes, it's a quarterly check-in with all the regional Alphas. Why?"
"What if I bring you lunch? Make a big show of being the devoted girlfriend? That way everyone will see us together, and word will spread fast."
Patrick was quiet for a moment, and I could sense his nervousness. "You want to make our fake relationship public right in front of Nikolai?"
"It's the perfect opportunity. All the important Alphas will be there, so the news will reach every pack by evening."
"Alright," Patrick agreed, though I could hear the apprehension in his voice. "If you think that's the best way to handle this."
"Trust me, it'll work. I'll make us some lunch and show up like the perfect supportive partner."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."
The next day, I spent extra time preparing a nice lunch for Patrick.
I packed everything in an elegant picnic basket that would look impressive to anyone watching.
As I drove to the meeting location, my stomach was churning with nerves. I knew Nikolai would be there, and after yesterday's confrontation about the ring, seeing him again was going to be incredibly difficult.
The meeting was being held at the prestigious Moonstone Conference Center, a neutral location that all the packs used for official gatherings. The parking lot was full of expensive cars belonging to various Alphas and their entourages.
I walked through the main entrance, clutching the picnic basket and trying to look like a woman excited to surprise her boyfriend with lunch. The receptionist directed me to Conference Room A, where the Alpha meeting was taking place.
When I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of at least a dozen powerful Alphas seated around a massive oval table. The room went quiet as all eyes turned to me, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.
At the head of the table sat Nikolai, looking devastatingly handsome in a charcoal gray suit. His blue eyes immediately locked onto mine, and I saw surprise flash across his features. Then his gaze dropped to the lunch basket in my hands, and his expression darkened considerably.
"What are you doing here?" Nikolai asked, his voice carefully controlled but with an edge that made me shiver.
Before I could answer, Patrick stood up from his seat and walked over to me with a warm smile. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around me in a gentle embrace that looked completely natural and affectionate.
"Honey, thank you for bringing me lunch," he said loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.