The Night Children

Part 24

Dad and I met a lot of angry omegas when we left the pack house later that day. We'd sent Ty and Ethan to town so they could send a special parcel to Aaron. In the meantime, Gael was healing in his cell, monitored by Jackson and Frank.

"Where is Gael? We heard you arrested him," asked Matt.

His hands on his hips were already disrespectful, but I winced when I saw how he looked at my dad. Right.in.the.eyes.

"We arrested him indeed, don't worry about it," answered my dad without a blink.

"Sir we followed him here, you can't ask us not to worry about it," said Rhys, arriving behind the wall of muscly men.

"What is he accused of?" asked Alwin.

I narrowed my eyes and turned slightly to my father.

"Did Scott talk to you about them?"

"He told me all he knew yes. Not enough to clear them though."

I took a step to face the very angry wolves.

"Ladies, calm your tits alright. Gael was arrested because we suspect he knows more than he says about the vampire attack. His reaction when we asked him a few questions says it all."

Matt was still looking at my dad with narrowed eyes, and the other omegas were starting to speak louder as well, despite my explanation, which they didn't like.

"GUYS! Remember who you're talking to you stupid fucks," I groaned.

They swallowed and took a step back, lowering their eyes.

"We're just concerned," said Matt, avoiding my gaze.

"Gael is NONE of your business. You followed him here yes, but he is NOT your Alpha, my FATHER is. Show some fucking respect and find somewhere else to be before I kill one of you."

I saw them stumble a little and they left without a word, following either Rhys or Matt. I inhaled and turned to my dad, who was looking at me with a grin.

"What?"

"They looked at me like I was their best friend and you made them lower their eyes and piss their pants sweetpea. Looks like I'm gonna retire very soon."

I shook my head and kissed his cheek before heading to my house. Malia was waiting for me there, leaning back against the door.

"Hey kid."

"You're out," I said without thinking.

"Looks like it."

She smiled and I let her in, the door wasn't locked, strangely. We sat on the couch and she stared at the fireplace. I glanced at her while we both kept silent, she looked better, which was a good sign.

"The healers said I should be able to have sex again, physically speaking I mean."

"Oookaaay, and you're telling me this because?"

Not the conversation I planned on having.

"I need some advice."

"Malia you know I suck at girl talk. But go ahead."

Jeez.

"I don't know whether I should give Esteban a second chance or not."

I turned to face her, putting one of my legs on the couch behind her and one on her knees.

"Honey are you even sure that Gerry was telling the truth? Do you really think that after everything you went through, Esteban would still lie to you? I kicked him in the balls and he swore to me and dad he didn't do anything."

"Why would Gerry lie?"

"Maybe he thought he saw something, but he was wrong. Listen, what you need to ask yourself is whether you'd be able to leave him. To live without him. You told me yourself it would be painful."

"Yeah but..."

"Is he worth it? Is he worth you forgiving him if he did cheat on you?"

She sniffed and rubbed her eyes, visibly thinking about it while trying not to cry.

"He's my mate."

I clicked my tongue.

"So? Is HE worth it, forget the mate bond. As a person, as a life partner?"

"Yes."

"Okay then, go have sex with your male, shoo!"

She laughed and pushed my leg.

"You're not so bad at girl talk."

"Don't tell anyone, I'm the future badass Alpha, I have a reputation to forge."

She stood and kissed me on the forehead before leaving quietly. I sighed and laid on the couch, closing my eyes to take a quick nap.

Malia

I left Gabi's cabin with a smile on my lips. I felt better, for the first time in a long time.

"Malia!"

I raised a brow when I saw Rhys waving from the edge of the forest. He ran toward me and I shook my head, surprised to see him here alone, and even more surprised to see him run to me like that.

"What's the hurry?"

"I'm happy to see you outside, it's been a while."

"I know. Too long. I went to the clinic with Will and then I told him I wanted to go see Gabi, he let me go on my own."

He took a step toward me to put his hand on my shoulder, but decided against it at the last minute and gave me a tight smile.

"Do you want me to walk you back home?"

"No, I'm actually gonna go see Esteban, he should be at the pack house right now, it's almost 4pm and I know Alyssa made a special cake today for the twins. Since the Alpha gave them their dream job."

I saw him clench his jaw.

"Are you alright Rhys? You seem stressed."

"I'm alright. Go ahead then I won't keep you."

He shook his head and left me there, running back to where he came from. I frowned when he started to remove his clothes, but left to go to the pack house as I planned. Many people waved at me, happy to see me outside again. I made sure to smile at everybody to reassure them.

Tom saw me as he arrived from the other side of the house and raised both brows.

"Malia, I didn't expect you here."

"Why thank you Tom, I'm happy to see you too. I'm here for the cake."

He smiled and gestured for me to go in.

"Just the cake?" he teased.

"Well, we'll see for the rest."

There was a lot of noise in the house, the boys were all in the living room, surrounding Alyssa and her huge yellow cake.

"Alyssa we love you, just so you know!"

Trevor and Timothy, the twins, looked at the cake with stars in their eyes. Esteban was behind them, busy talking to the Alpha. I inhaled, I always loved the gingerbread scent he left everywhere. Just as I thought about it his eyes landed on me, and the Alpha patted his shoulder before slapping the twins heads for taking too much cake. Esteban looked at me and I smiled. The relief and the sadness I saw on his face gave me enough strength to move toward him and take his hand.