The Alpha's Mate? But I'm a Single Mom!

Chapter Three

My mouth gaped, the words caught in my throat. His presence set up a thousand alarms in my head like I was a deer caught in the headlights of a monster truck. I'd never had to deal with a stalker before. No- The closest encounter I had with a creep was in high school when a random guy followed me home on a bicycle. He never got his hands on me, but I could still remember the iron grip I had around the base of my pepper spray. Was I supposed to rip off my shoe and start beating him with it?

As I stood there, my natural instinct was to call the police. Or even ask my grandma to grab the bat I had in my closet. Instead, my mouth fumbled, blurting out, "What- Um, what the hell are you doing here?" 

He blinked in surprise before his mouth quirked into an amused smile. He lowered his hand and tucked it into his pant pocket. 

"Unfortunately, not for the reason you think," Ash replied. He glanced over my shoulder, eventually spotting Lupe peering from the kitchen. He acknowledged her with a nod. "I'm here to talk with my uncle's friend, Lupe. She insisted that I meet her here." He reverted his gaze back to me and smiled. "I didn't think I'd meet you again. I was just thinking about you."

I would have taken his word for it if not for the noticeable glance to my cleavage. Before I could cover up, Lupe emerged from behind the corner, holding Regan on her hip. She narrowed her eyes viciously, an expression I didn't expect from my sweet grandmother. 

"Save the flirting and let the poor girl go to work," she said. "Her time is money." 

For a minute, an unspoken exchange wafted between the two of them, a tangible shock coursing from one recipient to another. Lupe's shoulders squared while Ash straightened his back, tilting his head. Ash eventually stepped aside, visibly convinced by her reasoning.  

He scratched the back of his head apologetically. "Sorry. I suppose I'm just excited to see her here."

"That's not an excuse," Lupe growled back. 

Again, that energy from earlier snapped and snarled. Lupe held Regan with a ferocity that reminded me of a bodyguard, the hand on her hip proving her unmovable stance. I could practically breathe in the hostility before Ash flinched and took another step back, now standing on the lawn. 

"Sorry, ma'am," Ash breathed, eyebrows furrowed.

I clenched my purse and readjusted the strap on my shoulder, eyeing them both warily.  Lupe had the fire to back any man into a corner, but Ash looked like a guy who could hold his own. So, why was he acting so... off? It was like a relationship between a boss and secretary. Except, the boss was an old woman and the secretary looked like a fuckboy. 

"You've got this, mama?" I asked. 

Lupe waved me off. "I've wiped floors with bigger boys. Have fun at work!"

I clenched my purse, shot them both looks, and headed to my car. "I'll be back late."

My grandmother answered with a silent nod. Regan saw me heading down the front lawn and she acted up. Regan, who was suckling on her thumb, clenched Lupe's shirt and garbled at me in protest. She was used to being alone with her grandmother for long periods, but she still hated to see me leave. 

I waved at her with a reassuring smile, a smile I deliberately avoided shooting at Ash. He didn't get the message and smiled too, waving. I just about rolled my eyes once I got to my car. 

The keys jangled as I opened the car door, my gaze darting back to catch them whispering amongst themselves. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Lupe appeared annoyed. Perhaps, she wanted to get this meeting out of the way. Or Ash was being stubborn. 

Sliding into my car, I wondered what they could possibly be talking about. Lupe introduced me to most of her friends and I didn't remember anyone mentioning a guy named Ash. I pondered their relationship, my hands clasping my seatbelt into place. But once my eyes landed on the dashboard's clock, my fingers shoved my keys in the ignition. 

 I sped off, leaving my worries behind.

----

Ash's tone turned grim as soon as the car wheeled out of view. "So, you haven't told her anything?" he asked. "About who you are?

Lupe moved aside to let him in. He looked awkward as his large build made its way to the tiny kitchen. Creaky floorboards dipped under his weight and his shoulders brushed along the walls.  His suit looked too refined for the surroundings, but he cleared his throat and removed his jacket. He settled on a chair with a tattered cushion while Lupe readjusted Regan on her hips.  

"What is there to say?" Lupe sighed. "She's just like her mother. She isn't one of our kind."

The man's hand clenched, fighting with the urge to tell her what happened when he first met Lilian. Ash remembered the feeling vividly as if it were yesterday. How Lilian managed to pique his interest and engulf his sense of self. The room swirled under his feet, his reason for living standing in front of him. In a defined form, in flesh and blood. But he remembered the way she shot him down. Her mind was too preoccupied with another life. 

He shook his head, reminded that the very child was staring at him all too familiarly.  He avoided Regan like a scorching flame. 

He murmured, "She might not be completely like us, but there are some... traces."

Lupe squared her shoulders. "Is there something you want to tell me, young man?"

"N-No," Ash answered. 

The old woman squinted her eyes. She checked his smell, his heart rate, and his demeanor. Then, realization crossed her body like an arrow. Her rigid stature softened and her coldness washed away. She didn't say anything, but Ash recognized the look. Lupe looked defeated. Like her interventions between them would be a moot point. 

"My granddaughter isn't ready for that kind of relationship, Ash." She bent down to place Regan in her chair, which sat directly next to Ash. Lupe pretended not to notice how awkward Ash was now that the baby was inches from him. She continued, "She isn't even affected the same way you are."

"I should hear that from her, right?" Ash interjected. "If she doesn't want me, she should say it herself."

"Let me rephrase it, Ash, so you can better understand where she's coming from." Lupe's hand graced itself over the back of Regan's chair, where the child struggled with grabbing a handful of Cheerios . "Regan is everything to Lilian. Whether you like it or not, Regan will always come first."

"I'm not-"

"Let me finish," Lupe interrupted, sternly. "She's not going to spend her time with some random man and flake on her family. I know you've met girls who have, but this is different. Lilian's a mother. Which means if you want Lilian to care about you as much as you do for her, you'll have to live with the fact that this child -right here- will eventually be yours as well."

Regan slapped her hands on the table and "bah"ed at her grandmother. Her lips smacked, her fists clenching for something to grab. Too young to understand their adult banter, she mimicked Lupe's tone of voice.

"So, I'll be a babysitter," Ash said sourly. 

Without glancing down, he handed her the toy laid on the table. Immediately, her legs kicked in the air, her hands flailing. Her soft fingers grazed over his skin as she reached for the handle, her eyes wide with wonder. 

"No." Shaking her head, Lupe leaned against the counter. She stared at the gap between Regan and Ash, a frown tugging down her lips. "You'll be a father."