The Alpha's Weakness

Chapter 28

—-Owen

It's been a year since that nurse told me Zayla died in surgery.  A year since I couldn't even see her and give her a proper funeral.  The boys were 5 years old and Angel was 2 years old.  I was sitting in my office filling out some paperwork.  I was depressed without Zayla and the kids missed their mother.

—-Zayla

I was stuck in this home where I didn't belong.  I packed my bag and climbed out the window.  I ran through the field and up onto the highway.

—-Owen

I kept a picture of her on my desk.  I slouched in my chair.  "Owen?"  I looked at my dad.  "You alright son?"

"No."  I said.  "I need to know what the hell happened to my wife."

"I requested an investigation."

—-Zayla

I found a pay phone and called a phone number I some how knew.  It was disconnected.  I looked up just as a bus passed by.  Vance Businesses.  The picture of a guy and his father above the logo.  I looked at it until it was out of sight.

I walked down the sidewalk and ran into someone.  "Sorry."  I heard.  I glanced at the guy and saw his face.

"My fault."  I said.  It was the guy from the picture on the bus.  He looked at me.

"Zayla?"  He said.  "Zayla?"  He said again.  He forced his mouth on mine and I shoved him off smacking him.  I ran off.

—-Owen

"What the hell was that?"  My Dad asked.

"She's alive."  I said watching her runaway.

"And you let her go?"  He asked.

"She doesn't remember me but I have a feeling she'll be back."  I said.

—-Zayla

I was asleep in a Woman's shelter.  The kiss from that guy earlier vividly sketched in my mind.  It brought back memories I didn't know I had.  Vividly inappropriate memories that I wanted to see.  I was close to the guy.  I woke up feeling someone grab my bag.  I kicked the man off of me and grabbed my stuff.  I ran out the building.

I came upon a house.  I clutched my bag close to me and jumped when a dog started barking at me.  I saw the door to the house open and close.  "Rosie."  I heard.  The dog looked happy to see me.  I saw the man from earlier.  "Hi."  He said.

"H-hi."  I replied.

"I'm sorry about earlier.  Do you want to come inside?  You're hurt.  You're bleeding."

"You won't kiss me again will you?"  I asked.

"Only if you want me to."  He said with a smile.

"Don't get your hopes up."  I said.  He grinned and led the way inside.  I sat at the kitchen table and he grabbed a first aid kit.  "You have kids?"

"W-."  He started.  "Yes."

"Where's your wife?"  I asked.

"She went missing a year ago.  I've been looking for her.  I have a lead, but I'm not completely sure."  He said.

"Do I look like her?  Is that why you kissed me?"

"I guess so."  He said.  He cleaned up the blood and placed a bandage over the gash on my face.  "Where are you staying at?"

"I ran from the place.  I found a shelter."

"The place?  What place?"

"It was like a farmhouse I guess.  I ran across a field and found a highway."

"What highway?"  He asked.

"24 or 27."  I said.  "I don't remember."

"I have a place above the garage.  You can stay there if you want.  Until you find your own place."  He said.

"O-okay."  I said.  The dog he called Rosie tried jumping on me.  She whined raising her paw at me.  "Hi pretty girl."

A week later, I saw Owen outside with his kids.  I saw the resemblance of me and the little girl.  I packed my bag and rushed out of the garage.  I ran right into Owen.  "Whoa, slow down."

"I need to go."  I said.

"Zayla, you're safe here."  He said.

"I want you to tell me everything I need to know right now Owen."  I shoved him away from me.  He looked hurt at my anger and me pushing him away from me.

"Okay, just let me get someone to come outside to watch the kids okay?  Please, don't leave."  He said.  "Please.  We will talk alright?  I promise."  I stood with my arms crossed.  He went inside.

—-Owen

I walked inside sliding my hands through my hair.  "Dad, watch the kids okay?"  I said.

"Son, are you alright?"  He asked.

"No.  I'm trying not to lose my wife for good.  Please.  I have to talk to her."  I said.

"Okay."  I returned outside and followed her into the garage apartment.  She sat down on the couch and I sat in a kitchen chair.

"Where do you want me to start?"  I asked her.

"I don't know just start."  She said with her arms crossed.

"We started dating about 7 years ago.  We took the next step a few months after.  We had an on again off again relationship.  A few pregnancy scares, miscarriages.  You got pregnant with the boys before I went to train recruits at the training camp.  We got married when they were nine months.  I took you to you favorite place on earth for our honeymoon.  Had another miscarriage and then you got pregnant with Angel.  You were in a bad wreck which caused a TBI.  You had Angel at 25 weeks.  You almost died.  On her first birthday, you hit your head.  A very sensitive spot, you had a brain bleed and blood clots.  You went in for surgery." 

—-Zayla

"You went in for surgery..."  He said again.  He cleared his throat.  "You went in for surgery and a nurse came out.  She told me that you died in surgery.  She wouldn't let me see you.  I couldn't give you a proper funeral.  I had to bury and empty casket.  They made you disappear."  He said.  "The kids miss you and love you just as much as I do.  I feel like they took a part of me when they told me you were dead.  I couldn't eat or sleep for months.  I was in so much pain."  He looked at me.  "Then to see you last week and when you slapped me."

"I shouldn't have done that."  I said.

"Don't worry.  I thought it was hot."  He said.  I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I don't know you or anyone else, but I don't know what else to do.  Can I stay here?  Maybe something will come back to me.  Maybe not."

"Yeah."  He said.  "The kids are going to see you.  They're going to call you mom.  Especially Angel.  She hasn't grasped the news.  She thinks you went on vacation."

"I'm going to try."  I said.  He nodded.  He followed me downstairs.  "Are you always so cocky?"

"Sometimes.  You loved it."  I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Do you know the phone number 7703548832?"

"Yes."  He said.  "That's our ranch house phone number.  Still own the place.  After I received the news...  the kids and I moved in with my parents."

The little girl, Angel looked up and saw me.  "Mommy!  Mommy!"  She ran to me.  I barely hesitated.  I picked her up and she clung to me.  "Mommy."  She sobbed hugging me.  I closed my eyes as the memories came back.  Everything from the car accident and her sudden delivery to her first birthday when the last time I saw her was when she was opening presents and playing with her dolls.  I rubbed her back feeling a connection with her.

Tears fell from my eyes.  "Mom!  Mama!"  The boys Austin and Owen Jr ran over and I sat on the ground still holding Angel.  I was hugged by them too.

"I need you three to help me okay?  I don't remember much of anything and I don't know why, but I want this to work okay?  You three need to help me alright?"  They all nodded.