Chapter 60 Sixty

Chapter 60 Sixty

Howard.

"It's just for tomorrow night," I repeated to her, but she seemed deeply offended and infuriated by my request. I knew this confrontation was inevitable, and while I wanted to avoid it, my father's determination left me with little choice. 

When my father learned of Nora's pregnancy, he couldn't have been happier. However, the news was accompanied by my decision to avoid any involvement in the pregnancy. I had made it clear from the beginning that I didn't want a mate or a family, but my father perceived this as madness. He insisted I needed help, calling me sick and a psycho. I felt nothing but indifference to his accusations. To me, it was a choice of lifestyle, an unconventional path I had consciously chosen. But tradition and the pack's need for an heir weighed heavily on my father's mind.

He informed me that a party was organized to celebrate our first-year wedding anniversary and to announce Nora's pregnancy to the pack. I vehemently rejected the idea as ridiculous, but my father gave me an ultimatum: either comply and accept the baby, or be stripped of my Alpha title forever. Being the leader of Direwood meant everything to me, and losing it would be devastating. I wasn't agreeing to this just to hold onto power, but to take responsibility for the child and provide an heir for the pack.

Now I stood before Nora, requesting a favor. It turned out to be far more challenging than I had anticipated. I had hurt her deeply, and her revolting look was something I fully deserved.

"You're such an asshole, you know that?" Nora accused me with scorn. Her words stung, and I sighed, massaging the back of my neck in frustration.

"Look," I started, frustration evident in my tone, "it's only for tomorrow night. Afterward, we can go our separate ways. You can decide to stay and have the baby or leave..."

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Nora exclaimed, her chest heaving with anger. "Decide to stay or leave? What kind of sick nonsense is that? Are you out of your mind? I should be slapping you right now, you sicko. But I'm not as crazy as you are! I'm not as ill mannered as you are. I care about people's feelings and I'm not selfish. I seek help when I need it instead of pretending to be strong and stoic, and bring down the people that care about me just because I didn't want to seem vulnerable. I am just not as stupid as you are, you jerk!"

Her words stung, but I took a step back, trying to maintain my composure. This was my last chance, and I couldn't afford to lose my temper now.

"Nora," I called out, my voice softer, "fuck you, Howard," she mumbled bitterly as she brushed past me. Her scent lingered in the air, making my heart sink further, and I heard her slam the front door shut.

I closed my eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. I muttered to myself in frustration, realizing that I was in deep trouble. If Nora didn't show up tomorrow, it would be a disaster, and my father's expectations would be sorely disappointed. I had truly messed up, thanks to my lack of self-control and manners.

Now, all I could think of is failure because it seems I've managed to disappoint all those who care about me. Alex, my best friend, wasn't speaking to me despite attending our morning meeting. My father, the one who had forced me into this mess, was beyond furious. And I can't even begin to describe the turmoil I'm causing Nora. It's as if I'm a walking toxin, poisoning anyone who dares to get close to me. I'm tired of being the source of all this drama and chaos, but I'm also unsure how to begin making amends.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, and I turn my attention to the entrance, wondering who could be visiting. Part of me hopes it's Nora, but deep down, I know she's probably avoiding me for the time being. However, it isn't Nora who enters, and it isn't someone who should be knocking either. It's Marie, and the disappointment on her face mirrors my own.

Marie bears a box and a balloon reading "happy birthday." Her smile fades when she sees the state I'm in. I'm clearly not in the mood for celebrations.

"What's wrong?" she asks, concern lacing her voice.

I eye the box and balloon she's holding. "Nothing, what's this?" I reply, attempting to sound casual, although I'm acutely aware of how bad this looks.

Marie places the cake and balloon on a console stand and approaches me, her expression serious. She takes my hands, almost as if we were girlfriends comforting each other. "It's for Nora, for her 19th birthday," she answers with a warm smile. My stomach churns, and my throat tightens. I'd completely forgotten it was her birthday today. I swear I remembered last week, but maybe my current state of chaos allowed it to slip from my mind.

"You forgot?" Marie asks, disbelief evident in her tone. I don't blame her for her reaction, but I try to act as though it's not a big deal.

"I don't think she wants..."

"Oh, Howard," Marie interjects, cutting me off. Her words are surprisingly blunt and challenging. "She is carrying your child," she reminds me, as if I could ever forget that crucial detail. "She deserves every bit of happiness and good treatment you can offer."

She releases my hands, but her words weigh heavily on me. "It's her first birthday as your wife, and tomorrow is your wedding anniversary. You can make it up tomorrow, but I'm not happy that you forgot your wife's birthday," she tells me.

"I didn't forget," I mumble and sigh, unable to deny the lapse in my memory. I struggle to put my feelings into words, massaging the bridge of my nose as I pace back and forth. I can feel Marie's eyes on me, her patience seemingly endless.

"What do you actually expect me to do?" I finally ask. "Throw her a party when she..." My words trail off as I hold back the harsh truth, unsure of what Marie knows. If she's been informed of my complicated relationship with Nora. "You need to relax and think about what you want exactly," Marie advises, her words cutting through my inner turmoil. "Do you want to be with her, or do you want her out of your life? Which is it?"

Marie's words linger in the air, and her advice hits home. She approaches me again, her tone filled with concern, "because you're confusing the girl way too much, and you're confusing yourself as well. Help both of you and clear this chaos once and for all. I mean, she is your wife of one year and your pack's Luna. Are you just going to forget that and throw it all away? I'm not saying you shouldn't do what your heart desires, but there are some things worth sacrificing for."

Her words weigh heavily on my shoulders, and I watch her silently as she heads to the door, leaving me to contemplate the turmoil of my thoughts. Marie has a point, and she has a way of driving it home. I know that I've been leading Nora on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and the confusion extends to me as well. This situation is a knot of contradictions, and the more I struggle, the tighter it becomes.

I'm exhausted by this constant internal struggle, and I need clarity. My legs lead me to the living room, and I sink into a chair. I've always been someone who prefers to keep my emotions and decisions close to my chest, but I recognize that I need an external perspective. I need to hear an unbiased opinion.

The person I need to talk to is Alex. He's not just my best friend; he's also my beta, like a brother to me. He's known me for years, and he's never been afraid to tell me the truth, no matter how bitter or unpleasant it might be. He's the one person who can provide the clarity I seek. 

As much as I want to give him some space to cool off, I can't let that happen. I know I've been wrong in many ways, and I need to make things right, starting with fixing my friendship with him.



"Please just... punch me again so we'd be even," I pleaded, my frustration evident. I couldn't believe I was reduced to begging, but Alex had pushed me to this point, and the grim reality of the situation was starting to weigh on me.

But Alex, being his usual straightforward self, was having none of it. He spat out a venomous retort, clearly enjoying the spectacle I had become. "Oh, fuck you! The bullshit you keep pulling off should be enough to earn you a life sentence," he snapped, leaving me with a feeling of irritation.

I sighed, feeling the weight of my predicament. "Yes, whatever it is," I said, desperate for a solution. Alex shot me a crooked look, clearly bemused by my desperation. "What the..." he muttered.

My urgency must have struck a chord with him because he couldn't help but react, even if it was in the form of laughter. "Are you that desperate for a solution?" Alex chortled, his amusement ringing in his voice. Annoyed, I glanced away, feeling like he wasn't taking me seriously at all.

"This...," he said between chuckles. "This side of you, I can't get enough of. So, you actually know how to work things out when you're in need? You're such an ass," he taunted, leaving me with no choice but to agree, though I just wanted to move past this ordeal.

I tried to regain some seriousness. "Be serious, Alex. What should I do? Claude is breathing down my neck, and the girl is being so stubborn..." I began to lay out my dilemma, but Alex immediately cut me off, making it clear that I needed to face the reality of the situation squarely.

"No! You're the problem in all of this, Howard. Do not blame anyone for your own mess," he admonished, not mincing words. "You foolishly said you don't want Nora anymore when she needed you the most. You left her to deal with the mess you created by herself. Just imagine what she's going through, knowing she's carrying a child that may or may not grow up with a father figure." I was left bewildered by Alex's words, struggling to process the implication he had just revealed. "What do you mean without a father figure?" I asked, trying to grasp the full extent of the consequences of my actions.

"You fucking said you didn't want the child..." Alex's stern tone cut through my half-hearted explanations, leaving me little room to defend myself.

"I didn't mean..." I started, only to be promptly interrupted by him, showing no tolerance for my excuses.

"Howard!" he exclaimed, and I knew better than to push back. His words hit home, and I felt my reluctance to accept the harsh truth.

His next words shook me to my core, as he probed deeper into my thoughtless declarations. "What does it mean by 'I don't want anything that has to do with this baby?' Like do you even think before you speak?" I turned my gaze away from him, not willing to confront the painful reality of my own words. Nora is living here, in Direwood, she's going to have the baby in this pack, and the child will grow up here, just that I've disavowed any responsibility.

Alex continued to emphasize the gravity of the situation. "And don't expect her to naively stick around while you're treating her this way. One day she'll eventually get tired and obviously leave when you least expect her to." His final statement made it clear that I should be prepared for the consequences of my actions. 

To be frank, part of me believed that it might be easier if she chose to leave. I could be alone, without the weight of a child and her presence on my shoulders, and my father might have to accept my choice.

"So, you want her to be there tomorrow night, huh?" Alex asked with a smirk. I nodded desperately, well aware that she wasn't cooperating with my plans.

I vented my frustration. "She's pissed, really pissed," I muttered, unable to hide my disappointment. Alex simply shook his head and chuckled at my naivety.

"The hell did you expect, that she'd jump into your arms? Look, you have to apologize to her first before anything..." I scoffed, interrupting his counsel, my pride still reluctant to admit the necessity of an apology.

"Apologize? Fuck it..." I mumbled in defiance, but the stern look he shot me made me reconsider. I cleared my throat, mustering the resolve to be the better man.

"You are..." Alex started, then sighed, finding it hard to impart his advice. "I don't think you need my help," he said, urging me toward the door, his frustration evident. 

"But, no, I do need your help," I argued, desperate to change the path I was on.

"Then you have to listen!" Alex insisted, his frustration palpable. We locked eyes for a moment, our silent understanding clear. We both knew that apologizing to Nora and making amends was the only way forward.

Alex continued with a deep sigh, "You have to apologize for what you did first, and you have to be patient with however she reacts or whatever she says. Show her how sorry you are and how important the baby is..."

"Alex..." I hesitated, uncertain about whether I could truly go through with this, but I had to. I was on the brink of losing everything, and my pride had to take a back seat to my responsibilities.

With Alex's words echoing in my mind, I couldn't help but acknowledge the undeniable truth he had laid bare for me. Nora was my lifeline, the only bridge to my continued reign as the alpha. If I didn't act swiftly to amend the situation and convince her to go to that party, my days as a pack leader were numbered. I was trapped between my own desires and the responsibilities thrust upon me by my lineage.

Leaving Alex's room, I stepped out into the open air, the cool breeze doing little to alleviate the turmoil within me. I knew my distaste for Nora was deeply rooted, but she remained my only means of salvation in this predicament. I had to set aside my feelings and do the unimaginable - apologize and beg for her forgiveness.

Navigating the streets of Direwood, I ruminated on the words I would use to convey my sincerity. My throat felt constricted as the bitter taste of pride and regret filled my mouth. I was about to utter the word "sorry" to Nora, a word I had seldom said to anyone, let alone a woman. The thought of having to grovel to get what I wanted was a bitter pill to swallow, but there was no other option.

Then, there she was, inside a quaint bakery, her laughter floating through the window like a siren's call. She was savoring a slice of cake, her delight visible on her face. Oblivious to my presence, she reveled in the simple pleasures of life.

Her friend noticed me first and tapped her shoulder, drawing Nora's attention. The smile that had adorned her face moments earlier waned as her eyes locked onto mine. A strange mixture of surprise and annoyance filled her expression.

Pushing open the bakery's door, a bell chimed, reminding me that I was an unwelcome intruder. I sighed inwardly but made no effort to acknowledge the trivial annoyances that life presented.

As I approached Nora and her friends, she rose to her feet. She seemed resigned, her emotions masked behind an air of indifference. I could not tell if my presence was welcomed or not, but I took her silence as a signal to proceed.

"Can we talk in private... please," I requested, speaking softly, trying to shield our conversation from the curious ears of her companions. I had to keep this private, for both our sakes.

She scrutinized me for a few moments before nodding in acquiescence. I considered it a small victory, step one completed. The next steps would be far more challenging, as I had to prove to her that my apology was genuine and my commitment to this unwanted partnership was unwavering.