The confrontation
1322 Words
Chapter Four: The Confrontation
POV: Betty Wills
I felt as if the world had suddenly turned upside down for me.
He was standing there.
He was back again.
Alpha Xander Grey.
The mate who shattered my heart. The man who had almost taken my life away. Looking at me as if I was a ghost come back to life.
His eyes looked shocked, in pain and almost hopeful.
I wanted to let out a loud scream.
I felt like I should take Luna and run away from him as fast as I could.
However, I didn’t do it.
I remained still because of her. For my little girl.
Luna held my hand tightly in hers. “Mama, who is that person?”
I tried to control my emotions and sat down next to her. “A person from… a long time ago.”
She wondered, “Why is he staring at me like that?”
“Because you're his mirror, baby.” I wanted to say.
I told her, “Don’t be scared. I will make sure no one hurts you.”
I stood up and looked straight into Xander’s eyes.
“Leave,” I told him in a low but firm voice.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. He moved forward, but his legs trembled. “Is…she my girl?”
I lifted my chin. “Her name is Luna Wills. She is my daughter and no other's.”
He flinched at my words. Good. Let him feel the pain I had gone through for four years.
“She looks just like —”
I snapped, “Don’t. You don't get to say that. You lost your claim to her when you turned me down in front of the entire Fangsclaw Pack. Do you remember, Alpha?”
His eyes became dark with regret.
“I can recall each and every moment. It is something I regret more than any other thing in my life.”
I replied, “Regret doesn’t change what happened. You can’t act like you care after four years.”
“Betty, I’m not lying,” he quickly said. “Since then, I’ve been searching for you everywhere.”
“Stop calling me that,” I said angrily.
“My name is Belle now. Belle Rouge. The night you made Betty Wills feel humiliated was also the night she died.”
He looked as if I had hit him.
I didn’t care.
Luna pulled on my skirt. “Mama, is it time to go home yet?”
I gently brushed her hair. “Yes, sweetheart. Give me a second to finish.”
Xander took another step closer. “Please, Betty—Belle, can I have five minutes? Without her. I’d like to have a conversation with you.”
I hesitated. All my instincts told me to protect Luna. Yet, I felt that I had to confront him. To ensure he is aware of the truth.
To ensure he feels it.
I looked at Luna. “You should remember that Maëlle is just a short distance away. Go to her and stay there until I get there. It will only take five minutes.”
Luna frowned, but she still nodded. “Okay, Mama.”
She left the gallery, her steps making a soft tapping on the floor. I waited until she was not around to hear what I was saying.
After that, I turned to face him directly.
You have five minutes to complete the task. Start talking.”
---
He came with me to the alley that was behind the gallery. The place was very calm. Grey clouds were close to the ground in Paris and the air smelled of damp stone.
I placed my hands across my chest and leaned against the wall. “Talk, Xander.”
He appeared to be older than before. More tired. He felt as if guilt was always following him.
He began by saying, “I was a coward. Back then. My fears and my duty to the pack controlled me. My father was close to death. The pack was experiencing war. Everyone urged me to mate with Lila—”
“And you gave them exactly what they wanted,” I said in a bitter tone. “You gave up everything we shared.”
He moved forward, taking his time. “I thought I was protecting the pack.”
“You were looking out for your own safety.”
He did not try to argue back. Just nodded.
He whispered, “I didn’t realize you were pregnant.”
I agreed with him and said, “No, you didn’t. Because you didn't stick around long enough to find out.”
He took a deep breath and let it out with a tremble. “I made a mistake. So wrong. Ever since, I have had to deal with the consequences.”
I couldn’t watch and swallowed hard.
“Do you have any idea of what it’s like to give birth alone? To hold a baby who looks exactly like the man who broke you? To take care of her, love her and assure yourself that she will never feel as unwanted as her mother was?”
He bit down hard on his teeth. I’m sorry, Belle. For everything I’ve done.”
I chuckled in a sarcastic way. “Sorry? Is that all you can do?”
He looked at her and said, “I want to be involved in her life.Please. Give me a chance.”
I became furious and turned against him.
“Do you think I’ll give her to you so easily? After four years without any news? She doesn’t have any idea who you are!”
“Then I want to meet her and learn about her. I want to prove myself to you.”
“No.” I could barely speak because I was so nervous.
“You can’t simply go back to her because it’s convenient for you now. I have built my life from the very beginning. I looked after her. I was able to heal. Alone.”
He said, “I understand. You did an amazing job. I understand that. But I am her father, too.”
“It does not make a difference in any way.”
Everyone was silent for a minute.
I asked, “You want to be involved in her life?”
“Yes.”
“Then prove it.”
His eyes moved rapidly. “How?”
I replied, “Not for me.To her.”
He seemed to be unsure of what was happening.
“Luna’s smart. Kind. Brave. She is exactly what I always wanted her to be. She is not someone who trusts others quickly. So if you want to be a part of her life, you’ll need to gain her trust. Allow her to see the real you. Consistently. Not by words, but by actions.”
Xander slowly nodded his head. “Okay. I am willing to do anything necessary.
“That’s fine,” I said as I kept walking. “Because if you ever hurt her, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
He didn’t try to make a case for himself. He didn’t defend himself.
Just looked at me with a sad expression and more determination than before.
---
At the front of the gallery, I saw Luna and Maëlle sitting on a bench, with Luna holding a small pastry.
She was happy to see me and smiled. “Mama, is it time to go home?”
I nodded and held her hand. “Yes, baby.”
Before we left, I turned around for a quick look.
Xander stayed where I left him, staring at us, a strong and silent feeling in his eyes.
He seemed to understand what he had lost and was determined to do anything to get it back.
Still, it would be difficult.
I wouldn’t want my heart to repeat the same mistake.
- Writer
