Chapter 45

Owen “Leave us, Osborne. I’ll handle this,” I told my son, though I could clearly see how furious he was. The only reason he hadn’t already unleashed his anger on Bella was out of respect for me. “Minutes ago I hadn’t seen the video, Father, but now that I have… I’m furious,” he growled, his wolf rising, eyes burning with rage. “I know, son, and you’re doing well to stay calm,” I assured him, though he shook his head hard. “Forget the public apology you mentioned, I heard you say it earlier. I don’t care about that. I just want her gone, now!” His words carried finality, and I knew he meant them. I sighed and shifted my gaze to Bella, who stood silently, for once without a retort. “You heard him. Leave. I’ll speak with your father about this matter privately.” She didn’t argue, didn’t plead. She simply turned on her heel and stormed out, her footsteps echoing like thunder through the floor. “How’s Aina taking it?” I asked Osborne. “Not good,” he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair, frustration pouring off him. “But I promise you, Father, I’m not done with Bella for the humiliation she caused my mate's mother.” With that, he stormed off as well. I turned to Olivia, who already looked exhausted. “So… what are you going to do? Is the bond between both packs broken?” she asked softly. I shook my head. “Not yet. That will depend on Hamilton. Only if he calls the shots after speaking to him regarding his child.” First, as Alpha of my pack, it was my duty to go to Aria and apologize for my guest’s behavior. For some reason I couldn’t bring myself to tell Olivia I’d be going because it wasn't long she learnt of my past with Aria, I wasn’t sure how she’d react — so I decided to ask her to go in my place. “Would you be so kind as to go to Aina’s mother and apologize about what Bella had done?” I asked. She looked at me and nodded and I immediately felt a wave of relief. “I will,” she said. “Since Osborne didn’t want Bella to apologize, it’s best we do.” I frowned at her choice of words. “We?” I asked. She nodded again. “Yes, Owen — you and I. I don’t know…but I just feel there are things you both need to discuss; and it seems you’ve been running away from them.” That’s Olivia for you, she sees through me every time. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes and called, “Jack.” He came in at once. “See to it that Bella leaves immediately,” I ordered. Jack bowed and went to carry out my instruction. Osborne Just a few minutes earlier I’d led Aina to the room. She wanted to go home to see her mother, but I convinced her we could go tomorrow, so she called her instead. While she was on the phone I opened my laptop to check what had happened — and there it was, exactly as I’d been told: Bella sweeping into the house like she owned it, and when she left she moved differently, all sharp and angry. Up close I could see her nails stained with blood. She climbed into her car with her guards following her like a dog and they sped off, then Aina’s mother came running out holding her cheek, blood on her hand.  The whole video of her cry was messy, and it spiked me beyond control.  How dare Bella go to my mate’s home and threaten her mother in my pack? Does she think our fathers’ friendship lets her do as she pleases? I was so furious I stormed out of the room and headed straight for my father’s office. As I approached I heard him telling Bella to apologize — and heard her refuse. I couldn’t stand to listen to her, so I pushed into the office, holding myself back because the moment I saw her I wanted to beat her senseless. And now here I was, returning to the bedroom to comfort Aina. When I reached the room she was already sitting on the bed. Her expression wasn’t the same as when I’d left her; something in her had shifted. She looked up at me, and I smiled—she smiled back. “What did she say?” I asked carefully as I sat down beside her. What Aina told me next made my eyes go wide. “That I shouldn't be too upset because she allowed Bella to hit her on purpose.” I frowned in disbelief. “What?” I said. She laughed, but it was hollow. “I know my mom to be a cunning woman, but seeing her running with blood on her cheek caused by Bella, I got so angry. I thought if I had seen Bella I'd hit her back—or worse.” She stared down at her hands, her face looking a little bit pale. “I know my mom told me not to worry, Osborne, but I just can't.” Guilt slammed into me then. I had dragged Aina into this—into the mess my history with Bella had created.  I had dragged Aina into my obsession with her, my love for her and seeing her like this made me hate myself for ever letting someone like Bella into my life in the first place. “I am sorry,” I forced the words out, my voice rough with guilt. She looked up at me instantly. “For what?” she asked. “For all this,” I answered. It was all my fault—bringing her into my life without clearing the ground first, acting too quickly when I learned she’d been paired with Alex, claiming her when she had just suffered rejection from her mate. I should have handled every scandal before involving her in my life; instead I’d dragged her into this mess, selfishly at that. Aina’s hand came up instinctively to cup my face. “It’s not your fault, Osborne,” she said softly. “It is the one who can’t accept that she can’t always get what she wants. And don’t tell me you’re regretting claiming me?” I laughed and shook my head. “I’ll never, Aina. I love you too much to let you go.” She nodded, serious and steady. “Good, because I feel the same.” “You feel the same what?” I teased. Her face flushed, and she tried to pull her hand away from my face, but I caught it gently. “Don’t push your luck, Osborne,” she warned, all flustered. “No, Aina—tell me. You haven’t said the words outright before. Tell me you love me.” I pressed. She smiled and turned her head away for a moment, she was shy.  Then she met my eyes. “Okay,” she breathed, with a smile on her face “Osborne, I like you.” I laughed. “Like? Really, Aina? If you don’t say the proper word, I’ll make you.” I released her hand and tickled her. She burst into laughter, the sound bright and helpless. When she tried to steady herself she added, “It’s love. Not ‘like’—I take it back.” I stopped and kissed her lightly. Her whisper against my lips made my chest tighten: “I do love you, Osborne.” Hearing it straight from her, those words from her beautiful mouth, made me feel whole and so I kissed her again, deeper this time.