Chapter 162
Jojo:
Confused, I allowed myself diffuse into the alpha’s arms. I continued to stare at the door with wide eyes, while Mrs Smith stepped into the living room, just behind the alpha. I saw her shoulders fall as she heaved a sigh of relief. Her eyes wandered around the room, avoiding mine, before she seemed to sight Lucian in his seater. She pushed past the alpha and I, and moved to her grandchild.
I managed to wriggle free from the alpha’s embrace, but his hands still gripped my wrists firmly. I turned to look at Mrs Smith. She held Lucian so close to her chest, as though she was scared if she did not hold him tight enough, he would disappear from her sight and she would never see him again.
I squinted my brows, now scared and confused. Why were they acting like they had expected something bad to happen? Like I was in danger and they were relieved nothing had happened to me yet? I waited for one of them to speak, but not one of them was about to say something to me. Could they just tell me what was going on? Or did I really need to ask that?
“Mother, I think I need to move in with you guys.” The alpha started. I stood still, moping at him, while he released my hand and move to his mother with an urgency that seemed strange and threatening.
He stood in front of her, his eyes filled with plea. She stared at him with a common uncertainty which I understood. She looked towards me, before returning her gaze to the alpha.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
I could tell she was about to tell him it was not a good idea, I did not know what the problem was or what the alpha was playing at, but I knew that I wanted no part in it. Having him stay here would mean seeing him everyday and being close to him everyday, I really did not want that.
“I do not know, Lake. I mean, what about the pack…”
“It will just be for a while, mother.” He cut in, moving closer to her.
“I can ask Kenji to return and see to the affairs of the pack. I can have him take care of everything; the pack, the business, the casino, he can run it all while I am here. Please, mother. You know what my father can do. You and I are very aware that Jojo is in danger…”
Say what now?!
“Excuse me!” I cried out, calling both their attention to me. Perhaps they had forgotten I was standing right in front of the both of them.
“What in the goddess’s name is happening? Why am I standing here while the both of you speak as though I am not here? And who the hell is in danger?” I thundered. Mother and son exchanged knowing looks. Mrs Smith placed Lucian in his seater before she walked to me.
“Jojo, there is something we need to tell you.” She began.
I scoffed. They were damn right about that. It was about time after all.
She placed a hand on my left shoulder and looked deep into my eyes, searching for an emotion, an expression she could hold on to. It felt like she was searching for the best way to tell me what she wanted to say, and she needed to know what I was feeling at the moment to say it.
“The alpha’s father, alpha Cole, knows about the baby. He announced it to the press and he is on his way here. This is not good news, Jojo. The man doesn’t like you or want you. All he wants is the baby, all he is obsessed with is having an heir. If he comes here, he is going to want to take the child from you. Lake has to be with you to make sure that doesn’t happen, Jojo. Please understand.”
But I did not. It was all so sudden and strange. Lucian was barely two weeks old, if he was taken away from me, I did not know what I would do. My confusion dissolved and fear took over almost immediately. I pushed past her and rushed to where my baby lay.
I picked Lucian from his seater and pressed him close to my chest. The feel of his soft skin against mine helped to calm my pounding and thundering heartbeat. No one could take my baby away from me, I would die before I allowed that to happen.
“If he comes, I would have to be here to stand my ground against him. My mother and Mel would be here too, we would not let anything happen to you, Jojo.” It was the alpha’s turn to speak now. And even though his tone sounded reassuring, I was far from reassured.
“How? How am I sure you would be willing to stand against your father and keep me safe? How can I trust you?” I did not know what had made me to utter the last sentence, but it was out before I could take it back.
I was voicing my fears, the countless questions I asked myself in my head. How could I trust him? The one time I tried, he tossed me away like I was a pile of filth.
Mrs Smith excused herself from the living room, while the alpha took steps towards me. A faint mix of care, hurt and rage burned in his eyes.
“You have to trust me Jojo, because I only do what is best for you.”
I scoffed bitterly.
“Like what? Rejecting me?”
His eyes narrowed at me. He seemed to want to say something, but immediately swallowed his words back. He drew in deep breaths with closed eyes before he stared down at me.
“I found your father, Jesse Wyatt.
The world around me came to a standstill. Even though I had not heard that name in ages, it still managed to make my heart race, it still managed to bring me pain.
“What?”
“The rogues. We found out your father was the chief of rogues. He was the one responsible for all the kidnapping, theft, death and abuse of citizens of Rush pack. He was a terror to us until he was caught. He is currently sitting in a cell in Rush pack. I would have killed him, believe me. I wanted nothing more than to torture him daily until he found a way to end his life by himself. But, I thought you would want to see him, I figured there are a lot of things you would want to say to him, Jo. I did that because of you.”
Tears filled my eyes at that moment. It was one thing to know your father was responsible for your mother’s downfall. But to know that he was a terrorist and a person with no value for lives? That was a totally different ball game.
“You should have killed him.” I spat out.
With warm eyes, the alpha replied.
“I know you, Jojo. That was not what you would have wanted.”
I dropped my gaze to the ground immediately. I could not bare to see the warmth in his eyes, or listen to the soft tone of his voice. He really did care about me, he really wanted the best for me. But that did not matter, it was too late for him, too late for us.
Before now, I had thought that I never wanted to see my father, I had thought that I wished for his death. But now, I realized that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to look into his eyes and tell him he was a good-for-nothing man that did not deserve a woman like my mother or daughters like Valerie and I. I wanted to tell him that he would die disgraced and ashamed because that was the most merciful death he deserved.
Also, I needed to see him because there was a lingering question in my mind.
“I should have left you for the alpha.” He had said. I needed to know why he said those words to my mother twelve years ago. Did my mother have something to do with the alpha? And why did he speak as though my mother did not love him enough?