Bond and Betrayal

Chapter 7. A mistake

“Apology!” Orion boomed.

Both Mandy’s and my heads snapped toward the Alpha, who stood at the doorway with clenched fists on either side of his massive frame.

Mandy lowered her head dismissively, while I clamped my mouth shut. I’d never seen Orion angry before—and honestly, it was terrifying.

I gulped. If I were in Mandy’s shoes, I’d be mortified. A small part of me felt bad for her. Small.

Mandy gulped, too, before shooting me a glassy-eyed death glare. “Sorry.”

“I want sincerity, Amanda,” Orion demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before.

Mandy closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at me with pure hatred. “I’m truly sorry, Aria.”

I nodded, barely keeping myself from rolling my eyes at her clear lack of sincerity.

Then she stormed off. From where I stood, I saw her running upstairs, likely in tears.

Orion exhaled deeply, trying to quell his anger, while I desperately searched for an excuse to leave this awkward situation.

“I think I should go. See you later, Rion,” I mumbled, glancing around for the male valet Omega.

“Aria,” he called, and I froze.

I turned back to him, catching the sadness in his smile. A pang of guilt shot through my chest.

He felt responsible.

For my mistakes.

The night my parents learned I was pregnant, Dad—like always—turned to Orion, crying and confessing that he’d failed to protect his only daughter.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Orion blamed himself, too. Unlike me, who gave up easily on fitting in, he had proved himself—a natural leader, a social butterfly, a true Alpha. With the same stark white hair—mostly shaved—and striking green eyes, Orion was the golden boy. I was the loner, consumed by my own world, which included Drake.

Orion believed that if I hadn’t been so lonely, I wouldn’t have gotten close to Drake, and none of this would’ve happened.

They worried for my future.

It was Orion who suggested I move to this pack, where he could look after me—and my baby.

“You’re not going anywhere, Ari.” His deep baritone brought me back to the present.

I grimaced. “Looks like we ruined Mandy’s appetite. I’m sorry. I could cook at my apartment—”

“I already had your favorite oxtail soup prepared, Ar. I even supervised the kitchen to make sure it met your standards. Pity me.”

I laughed at his exaggerated pout and sprinted up the porch to hug him.

“Whoa, don’t run like that! You’re pregnant!” he scolded, patting my head.

I wasn’t used to my body’s changes yet.

“Are you hungry? Have you eaten today?” His concern was palpable.

I shook my head. “Not really. I had an apple with Amara.”

He chuckled. “I had a feeling you two would hit it off.”

I leaned back and looked at him. “Is that why you sent her to pick me up?”

He nodded with an amused smile. “Let’s head inside while we wait for the others.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Uncle Zion, Aunt Dianne, Alpha and Luna Simmons are on their way. They want to make sure their favorite girl is settling in.”

A smile spread across my face. They loved me. Despite the memories of Drake that their presence stirred, I wouldn’t avoid them. They had accepted me and deserved to know about their grandpup, too.

Orion called for refreshments, and Amara arrived with a bowl of mixed berries and a glass of milk.

I smiled as she set them down. “Hey, I forgot to ask for your number.”

Her shoulders stiffened, and she glanced nervously at Orion, who chuckled.

“Go ahead. Pretend I’m not here,” he said, shrugging. “Actually, I’m assigning her as your personal maid.”

Both Amara and I stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you underestimating my social skills? Are you paying someone to be my friend?” I hissed. Amara covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

“Yes and yes,” Orion replied, unfazed.

I was about to protest but stopped myself, remembering how my only 'friendship' with Drake had turned out. I huffed.

“Sorry if it offends you, but I won’t let you live miserably. I can’t always be around, and Amara lives in your building, so—”

“I’ll accept the offer, Alpha! Thank you so much!” Amara squealed.

I glanced at her. This might not be so bad after all.

“Thanks, Rion,” I murmured. He flicked my forehead just as a car pulled up outside the mansion.

Before I could complain about the unnecessary flick, Orion walked to the porch. I followed.

The four guests stepped out: Mom, Dad, Alpha and Luna Simmons. Dad handed the car keys to the valet boy before joining us.

Mom and Dad pulled me into a group hug with Orion, while Alpha and Luna Simmons stood awkwardly nearby.

When the hug broke, Mom lingered, sniffling. She cried about missing me and how empty the house felt. Her words made Dad’s eyes glassy, too.

I apologized silently. Losing Agra, then Orion moving, and now me leaving—it had been so hard for them.

Lunch was amazing. The chef outdid herself, and I wanted to thank her personally. Mandy didn’t show up, but my parents were used to her antics and didn’t ask why.

During lunch, while we chatted, it was very clear that they avoided any topic about Drake. To show them that I'm okay, I asked how is he doing up, and Mr. Simmons answered nervously, that he was okay.

I dropped the topic.

They would stay for two days, and Mom decided to sleep over at my apartment.

Later, I was catching up with Mom in the guest room while Dad and Orion talked on the porch. Alpha and Luna Simmons were busy with the pack elders.

When I felt dizzy, I decided to say goodbye to Orion and Dad, but their conversation stopped me in my tracks:

“I don’t think I can ever forgive Amanda for what she did to our unborn child.”