86 Do you hate me?
Lyla
I screamed and stumbled backwards.
Just as I felt myself slipping, strong hands reached out, steadying me. I looked up, ready to bolt only to meet Beta Jeremy’s calm gaze. His expression softened as he pulled me to my feet, still keeping me close as his eyes surveyed the garden before he asked.
“Are you alright? Did you see something that frightened you?”
Quickly, I stepped back, straightening my clothes with shaking hands and avoiding his gaze. I was sure of what I had felt. “I’m sorry, I thought… I thought you were someone else.”
Curiosity flashed through his eyes as he stared at me. I know he had questions but he seemed to think better of it and merely nodded, going with my explanation. He took a step back.
“Nathan was worried about you, so I came to fetch you. Come with me, we’ll be leaving soon.”
Without a word, I walked towards him and together, we fell into step beside each other. We walked in silence as we moved through the garden paths with only the light from the moon. I sneaked a look at Beta Jeremy, his hands were clasped behind him, his gaze fixed ahead… I wondered what he was thinking.
Since my return, there was this unspoken tension between us as if he was silently blaming me. for something. When we emerged out of the garden, I stopped. Immediately, he also stopped and turned to me.
“I know you hate me.”
He arched his brow for a moment, studying me quietly. “What makes you think that?”
I wrapped my arms around myself as if I was trying to hold myself together. “Because I’m the reason Nathan was imprisoned for four years, I said. “You… you must hate me for it.
The lines on his forehead flattened as a quiet smile crossed his face.
“I don’t hate you, Lyla. He paused as if he was collecting his thoughts. “Was I angry with Nathan in the beginning for risking everything to keep you safe? Yes! I was frustrated that he got involved in the drama between you and your mate… but I didn’t hate you and that’s normal as a parent. You’re like my daughter too, Lyla… I watched you grow up.”
I was surprised at his words. Truly, I had expected a harsher response, some form of confirmation of my fears maybe, but he was gazing at me warmly.
“Then why have you been acting awkward and distant? And in the car earlier, those icy looks you gave me as if you resented me…”
He signed, letting his guard slip. “It’s not resentment, Lyla. It’s… caution,” he hesitated, then continued. “Because I know you’ll sway Nathan,” he admitted. “And you already did. As much as I want to protect him from you, I cannot. He’s headstrong and when it comes to you, I feel like no one can give him any advice. Seeing you together again… he shook his head, “I can only pray
C
86 Do you hate me?
you’ll be as good to him as you were before.”
The honesty in his words and voice surprise me. I stared at him, my mind racing. “You think I’d steer him wrong?”
He shook his head. “You’ll get him involved with Alpha Ramsey again. Seeing that his Beta came to the meeting today, I know he’s aware that you’re around.”
“But he came because my mother requested it,” I tried to counter.
“And you think those uptight Lycans would leave their duties and come for something as trivial as this? He didn’t even have the decency to come to Pack house after your father was pronounced…” he swallowed hard, his features clouding
with pain.
“Dead…” I whispered softly.
“Yes!” he nodded. “His Beta came for you, Lyla. I don’t know what’s the story between you three and honestly, I am not interested but I need you to assure me that you’ll protect my son from Alpha Ramsey. He’s ruthless… I’ve met a lot of people in my life… Alphas, Lycans from across the world but Alpha Ramsey is something else.”
He sighed, looking off into the distance. When he looked back at me, he wore a grimace.
“Alpha Ramsey doesn’t look like someone who would give up anything he likes. He’s like a child who will never allow anyone play with his toys.”
“He’s rejected me already,” I shook my head. “We agreed it was best. I am not the kind of woman
he wants.
“I don’t think that meant anything to him, Lyla!” Beta Jeremy chuckled. “He’s not obessed with you either… he loves you… the same way my Nathan does,” he sighed. “You have to make it clear this time around who you want, although I don’t think Ramsey would give you options to choose another.”
“He can’t do that,” I shook my head annoyed at the fact. “We don’t mean anything to each other and I can be with whom ever I wish to be.”
“Then you’ll go back to the human world?” he asked me.
“As soon as we’re done with father’s burial,” I nodded. “I already have life there and I intend to go back to it.”
Beta Jeremy nodded quietly, without saying anything. By this time, we had neared the front of the hall. Immeldately, Nathan rushed over, grabbing me by my shoulders as he pulled me in for a hug.
“Are you okay now?” he murmured. “I was worried.”
I saw the few people left staring at us curiously. Nathan was acting like I had just came back from
a war. I pushed away from him but he didn’t let me go. He still held my shoulders, staring intently at me.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Thank God!” he sighed, cupping my cheeks.
86 Do you hate me?
“Nathan!” I said through gritted teeth, getting uncomfortable with the whispering growing around us. “People are watching.”
“Let them watch, Lyla…” he said with a belligerent smile “They’ve never seen a beautiful woman.”
I blushed hitting me slightly. “How can you say that?”
“Because it’s true,” he chuckled and tried to hug me again, when his father’s voice rang.
“I’m sure, Miss Lyla is tired from all the strain of the activities today. How about we go home
now?”
I shot Beta Jeremy a grateful smile.
Nathan rolled his hands, reaching instead for my hand this time around as he steered me towards the car. Just before he helped me into the car, my eyes caught a familiar figure hiding at the treeline of the garden. 1
I didn’t need to be told what it was and I as glad too, that I wasn’t wrong about that at least.
