Once Rejected, Twice Desired
Chapter 56

Alaia POV

I was absolutely right! Alexi had some kind of ancient erotic sorcery flowing through his fingers. If I thought the dream was good, it was nothing compared to the real thing. He made me see stars while straddling him in the front seat of my truck. I couldn’t imagine what magic he could work when he had more space to maneuver. It truly wasn’t my intention to tease him that way, but I’m so happy that I did. It slightly helped soothe that burning desire I had simmering for him.

Once I was placed back in my seat, I proceeded to feed him just like he had asked. Although, if I were honest, I would have loved for him to pull the car over again. There were plenty of exciting things he could have used on me in our goodie bag, but I was still hungry. And didn’t want all the food to taste like me. Besides, feeding him was a treat all in itself. I broke off a piece of danish and held it to his lips.

He leaned forward and took it, along with my finger, into his mouth. I felt his tongue swirl over my fingertip, and all I could do was stare with my mouth wide open. I’d always had a thing for his mouth; well, his lips, to be exact. Thick, full, and petal-soft. But his tongue? Oh, the pleasure he would create with that thing!

When he was done molesting my finger, he pulled back and smiled at me. “That might be the best danish I’ve ever had. Mrs. Dyson must have a secret ingredient. What do you think?”

He was turning my brain into mush again, but I wasn’t completely gone. Not yet. I licked that same finger that had just left his mouth before looking over at him. “Maybe it’s honey. You know nothing could ever taste quite as sweet.”

He jerked his head in my direction as I slid my finger to the back of my mouth and quietly m****d.

His eyes were fixated on my mouth like he was in a trance.

“Alexi?”

Still, he just stared at my lips.

“Alexi!”

“What? What’s up, angel?”

“Eyes on the road.”

That broke him out of his daze, and he quickly looked back out the windshield. He shook his head and chuckled. “You’re a tease, angel—a big one. But two can play this game. I’ll have you begging for it soon enough. You really have no idea what you’ve started, baby.”

I just shrugged a shoulder at him. Honestly, I didn’t care what I had started. I was going to start having fun and enjoying myself. And I was pretty sure that this was going to be fun.

“Do you remember all the times when we were in school, and you’d have some random girl hanging on your arm? That was teasing. You were dangling something in front of me that I couldn’t have, but I’m sure you knew I wanted. What I am doing is enjoying my breakfast on a road trip with one of my mates.”

I flashed my most innocent smile at him.

“Don’t forget that I know you, angel. You’re not as innocent as that look on your face would suggest.”

I had to laugh. “Eh, it was worth a shot. Now it’s time for the music. I feel a sing-along coming.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled to my road trip playlist before connecting it through Bluetooth.

The music blared through the speakers, and Alexi and I sang at the top of our lungs—horribly. And the hours flew by.

***

When we arrived at the outskirts of my old land, I began to get excited when I saw familiar scenery pass by my window. It had only been a few months, but I had missed the Opal Moon territory more than I thought. I rolled down the window and breathed in the familiar earthy scent that I had grown up with. Even though I was the Luna of the Blue Moon pack, this place would always be special to me.

“Did you want to go see Aaron and Jordyn first, or my parents?”

We would be staying in my old room at the packhouse, which was on the Alpha floor, so I was sure we’d run into Jordyn and Aaron at some point. “Let’s see your parents. Jordyn and Aaron understand how important this visit is for you. We’ll see them in a bit.”

Alexi nodded and pulled up to the front of the house before putting the car in park.

Aaron’s Gamma, Jason, waited for us at the bottom of the porch steps and walked over to open my door. “Hey, Alaia. How’s it going?”

“It’s good. How about you? How do you like being the Gamma? I’m sure it takes time away from your training.”

“It does, but it’s worth it. And I can train in my free time.” He smiled at me as he took my hand and helped me out of the car. “How are the little ones doing in there?”

“They’re asleep right now, so everything is great. When they wake up, it will be a different story.”

Alexi walked around the car to stand beside me, and the two just looked at each other in a tense standoff.

Eventually, Jason smiled and walked over, pulling Alexi into a hug. “Alexi, you a*****e, we’ve missed you around here. I’ve had to keep up with the ladies all by myself. Do you know how hard that’s been?”

Alexi laughed and returned the hug. “I’ve missed you, too, bro. And I don’t miss the days of chasing behind the shewolves one bit. I’ve got my angel now. Nothing else can compare.”

“Perfect answer, Alexi. Points for you,” I teased.

“Aaron told some of us about you guys finally getting together. I don’t think your mom knows, though, so it will be a nice surprise for her. It’s about time if you ask me. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I’m pretty happy about it myself. So, have you seen my parents? I wanted to go see them before I made my rounds with everyone else.”

“They should be on our floor as far as I know. One sec . . .” Jason’s eyes clouded over as he entered a mindlink. “Yep, your dad says he’s in his office. He’ll have your mom meet you there in five minutes.”

“Thanks, Jay. We’ll head up now.”

“I’ll get your bags to your room and put the car away. See you guys later.” Jason walked around and opened the driver’s door before he stuck his head in and whistled in appreciation. “Sweet!”

I had to laugh at how excited boys got with their toys. “Just bring it back in one piece, Jay,” I yelled as he hopped in and took off down the driveway.

I guess we’d have to wait on our bags.

***

Alexi took my hand, and we made our way up the stairs and into the house. Quite a few pack members were roaming around who seemed both shocked and excited to see Alexi and me back. And together at that.

We didn’t owe them an explanation, though, so we continued to the third floor, which was shared by Lucas and Jason.

When we stopped in front of Lucas’ office, Alexi took a calming breath to steady himself.

“Don’t worry, babe. Your dad loves you. Everything will be okay. I promise.”

He smiled at me then raised a hand to knock.

Before he could, we heard Lucas boom, “Come in, Alexius,” from the other side of the door.

Alexi paled a bit, hearing his dad’s voice.

Using the full first name, maybe this wasn’t going to be the happy reunion I thought it would be. I squeezed his hand, then reached to open the door. I walked in first, pulling Alexi behind me. Maybe I could soften Lucas up a bit. He always had a soft spot for me when I was growing up. “Hi, Lucas! How is your day going so far?” I walked over and gave him a tight hug, which he quickly returned.

“My day was okay, but much better now that I get to see you, sweetheart. You look beautiful.”

“Oh, you charmer. I see where Alexi gets it from now.”

Lucas looked over at his son with an expressionless face. “Yes, Alexius got my charm, but some of his other traits I’m not so sure about.”

Yikes. This reunion was gonna be brutal.

“It’s good to see you, too, Dad,” Alexi sarcastically replied.

I wanted to smack him for that, but this was between him and his dad. It wasn’t my place.

A couple of tense seconds later, his mom, Lauren, rushed in and pulled him into a huge hug. “My baby! You had me so worried about you. Why would you do something like this to Alaia or me? How are you? Have you been eating? Are you hurt?” Lauren had turned Alexi away from her and pulled up his shirt, looking for any injuries she could find on her perfect boy.

“Mom, would you stop that? I’m perfectly fine. I’m better than fine, actually. Please, just calm down.”

Lauren looked up at his face and began to cry. Big fat tears rolled down her face as her body was wracked with sobs.

“Mom, don’t cry. I’m right here. Nothing is wrong. Why are you upset?”

“You’re my baby, Alexi. I don’t care if you’re a grown man, you’re still my baby, and I worry about you. I was so worried when you left that I’d never see you again. Do you know what that does to a mother?”

Alexi wrapped his arms around her and let her cry into his chest. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really, really am. But guess what?” he said, lifting her face up to meet his. “I finally found that ‘future wife’ you were always telling me about. She even loves my dance moves, thanks to you.”

Lauren’s face lit up when she heard that. She was so cute and so sweet. “Oh, Alexi. Did you get a second chance mate, just like Alaia? Oh, I’m so happy for you, sweetie. When can I meet her? Please tell me you brought her home with you.” Lauren started fussing with her hair and clothes, excited over the idea of meeting her son’s mate.

“Yes, Mom, I brought her. But you have to calm down a bit before I introduce you. Okay?”

Lauren nodded her head and grabbed a tissue from Lucas’ desk to wipe her face. After a few more sniffles and dabs to her eyes, she tossed it in the trash. “Okay, I’m ready now. How do I look? Do I look okay?” she turned to me and asked.

“You look perfect, Lauren,” I smiled.

She reached up and lovingly touched my face. “You have always been such a sweet and loving girl, Alaia. It’s just too bad; my son is a complete i***t. I swear he gets that from his father. Anyway, I’m ready. Bring her in now, Alexi.”

Alexi walked over to me and took my hand before bringing it up to his lips.

Lauren looked at us like an exhibit at the zoo before it finally clicked for her. She gasped and dramatically slapped her hand over her mouth. “It’s Alaia. Is she your mate? Please tell me you’re not playing with me right now. My heart couldn’t take it.”

“My angel agreed to give us, to give me, another chance. She is mine, and I am hers.”

“Oh . . .” Lauren’s l*p trembled before she broke down, crying again and pulled me into a hug.

“Thank the goddess! I knew you two were destined for one another. You were always so cute together when you were younger. Oh, Lucas, our grandbabies will be gorgeous!”

Great, another mother-in-law anxious to rent out my womb. Let me get these two out first, please, and thanks.

“Mom, slow down a minute. It will be a little while before you can start talking about kids. Besides, she’s already got two on the way with Xander.”

“Oh . . . two mates? Alaia, you lucky, lucky girl. I always dreamed of having two mates. Two strong dominant wolves taking me—”

“Lauren!”

“Mom!”

Lucas and Alexi yelled out simultaneously.

The looks on their faces were priceless and made Lauren and I double over with laughter.

She straightened up and smiled at me. “A girl can always dream, can’t she?”

“Alright, Lauren, I’m sure there is something else you can be doing now. I need to talk with Alexi for a bit. Alaia, will you ladies excuse us?” Lucas asked.

“Sure thing. I’ll just go find my parents and catch up with them. Lauren, would you like to come with me?”

“Of course, dear. I left your mom in the gazebo a little earlier. She’s probably still there. Come on.”

Alexi walked over and placed a gentle k**s on my forehead before he turned to sit before his father’s desk.

Lauren and I walked out, and I really wished I could be a fly on the wall and hear what was going to happen once these doors closed behind us.

***

Alexi POV

I wasn’t looking forward to this talk with my dad. He hadn’t called me Alexius since I was fifteen and drove his car into the lake. I’m pretty sure he wanted to kill me that day, so I was not enthusiastic about what would happen now.

Once Mom and Alaia left the room, I just sat and looked around. I remembered playing in this office when I was little—it would have been mine if things had gone differently.

My dad eventually took a deep breath and looked over at me. “Son, I don’t know the best way to start this conversation. You disappointed your mother and me so much. And you broke our hearts. I had to stand by and watch as the order to banish you from our pack was signed. Then I had to enforce it. I had to follow my alpha and leave behind my only son.”

I had known that my actions had caused him pain, but hearing it first hand stung. I had always looked up to him and never wanted anything but the best for him.

“I should have retired along with Alpha Jonathan, but as your father, it was my responsibility to do the job that you no longer could. But now you are back. Are you here to take your rightful place as this pack’s Beta?”

Eventually, I would have to tell him about my plan, and this seemed like as good a time as any.

“Dad, I can’t be Beta. It’s not that I don’t want the position, I was trained by the best Beta ever, so I know I could do the job. But I don’t plan to be a wolf for much longer. The Lunar Eclipse is this Wednesday. Once it starts, we’ll begin a ritual that will kill Max.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Alexi? Why would you try something so stupid? You can’t live without a wolf.”

“I’ve heard all of this already, Dad, but it won’t change anything. You always taught me that a mate was a treasured gift. I didn’t understand that at first, but I do now. I will do anything to keep her safe. And you also taught me to own up to my mistakes and do whatever I can to right my wrongs. That’s what I’m doing here. Please understand, and just support me. I need your support, Dad.”

“Support you in killing yourself? She already has a mate, Alexi, a competent one. Why can’t you just stay here and let her go home to him? You can keep your wolf and do what you were destined to do. You know I love Alaia, but use your head, son!”

This conversation was pissing me off. I had made my decision, and he had no right to question it. And definitely, no reason to dismiss my Angel. “Dad, she is my destiny. Not a role or a title, Alaia. She was made to be mine, and I’ll do what needs to be done to make that happen.”

“We can find you another mate—”

“No! Do not do that, Dad. She is my mate, my only mate. There will never be anyone else for me. Letting her go would kill me. Guaranteed. I have a much better chance of survival by getting rid of Max. If you want me alive, this is the only way it will happen. I will die without her.”

I stared him in his eye when I said the last sentence. He needed to know how serious I was about this, and about her.

“I’m proud of you, Alexius. You finally get it.”

Wait. What?

“Huh?”

“Alexi, I never had any intention of trying to talk you into leaving Alaia behind. It’s because of her that you are alive right now. She truly is your guardian angel. I just wanted to test the strength of your decision. Aaron told me about your plan when he returned home. It terrifies me, and I wish there were another way, but you have my full support.”

“Seriously, Dad? I was about to walk out of here and never come back. What the f**k?”

“Watch your mouth. I’m not too old to be able to kick your a*s still. And you better not die. Your mom and I really want those grandbabies.” When he stood up and wrapped me in a hug, I finally felt complete. And even if things didn’t go the way we planned, I at least had this moment.