After Rejection: A wolfless Omega's Comeback

THIRTEEN

Rowena’s Pov

A FEW DAYS LATER…

Sighing repeatedly, I remained inside my car, eyeing the school’s gate every chance I got. Although I had just transferred my kids from their old school to this one so they would no longer hear talks about who their father was or wasn’t, I wasn’t at peace at this new school either.

As far as I know, Sébastien might not have shown his face yet but with everything going downhill for him, he would sooner than later.

There’s no way he doesn’t have anything up his sleeve yet, and I couldn’t let him get to my children. Even though Alexander promised me he would assign men to watch over them to and from school, the terrifying fear building up in my chest didn’t seem to lessen just by that assurance.

I wanted to join the guards, and take a look at the state of things, even if it’s just for today. Therefore, I’m here.

But the time only seemed to tick by slowly, and soon, I grew tired of waiting. As I wondered what I could do to pass time—leaving the school’s environment still a no for me— I heard a sudden knock on my car’s window followed by a gasp of surprise.

“Oh my goodness. Rowena? Is it really you?!”

I startled at the voice, but as my head snapped to the side, taking in the familiar face, the shock melted away. I regained my composure again. “Yes. Damn, isn’t it good to see you again, Amelia? It’s been ages.” I couldn’t hide my smile as I got out of the car, the door slamming closed behind me.

“I know right? I wasn’t expecting to come across you again, especially after searching fruitlessly for you,” She returned my smile, eyes wide with excitement as we shared a hug. As we pulled away, her eyes flicked down on me, pointed, and seemingly impressed. “And might I add, you’ve changed. You look great and almost unrecognizable."

A blush rose to my cheeks at her compliment. “You don’t look bad either. I could stare at you all day long.” I replied honestly, staring back at her in admiration.

For a second, I wondered if this was real. I even went as far as discreetly pinching my cheek as we spoke, just to confirm again, and when she didn’t dissipate in the air or anything, my eyes twinkled in relief.

And right on cue, Amelia grabbed my arm. “Why don’t we find somewhere to stay and catch up, until the kids get out of school?” She raised a brow in question.

I didn’t answer right away. As much as I had missed her and didn’t mind spending some time alone with her, I was still worried about my twins.

Just now, she mentioned her child also attended this school and she only came to drop off the lunch which she forgot when she spotted me in my car.

Saying no to her just because of my fear that something might happen to my kids would come off cruel, maybe even pathetic. Since she could’ve had the same worry for her child, but she still chose to step out so we could talk somewhere else.

“Not a bad idea.” I gave in at that moment, although I hoped she didn’t see my hesitation.

As we strolled off, I pushed my anxiety to the back of my mind and only focused on our walk. On getting to a small cafe nearby, I already had an excited look on my face as we settled in the vacant seats close to the window. Maybe I could finally clear my head for a moment.

We ordered our choice of drinks, and it was brought to our table almost instantly. I attempted to raise the glass cup to my mouth, until the hotness burnt through my hand. I gasped, placing it back down.

Of course it was still hot. How could I forget? I spared a quick glance across the table and I was relieved Amelia was too absorbed in her phone to notice my embarrassment.

“Should I be honest?” I let out after minutes and her gaze shot up to look at me “I wasn’t expecting to meet you there of all places. I’m guessing you’re the one who brings your kid to school?”

She shrugged, placing her phone face down and sipping from her espresso. “Actually, my mate is kind of ill, and I figured the least I could do was help him bring the kids to school until his recovery. So how about you?” As soon as she asked that, my breath got stuck in my lungs for a split second. “You seemed to have been waiting outside the gate for a while.”

I nodded, and found myself forcing a chuckle, just to mask the pain.

“Uhm, I…I don’t have a mate. The father of my kids exists but we are not together anymore. I have been taking care of them myself.” I said softly, my voice tight with unease as I revealed to her.

Other than Alpha Alexander, I have never spoken about my ex-mate to anyone before. I could have also dismissed it when she asked but after sharing her private life with me, I wanted to return it.

Even though it felt like reopening an old wound, Amelia was once my close friend. While I was just a child, she was the only friend I had and then life happened, her parents relocated to another pack and we were separated. As much as it’s been many years since then, there was still a part of me that trusted her with my affairs.

She gasped, her hands clamped over her mouth. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” There was guilt in her eyes.

However, I wasn’t upset. “No, it’s fine. Now tell me, how have you been?” I asked dismissively, leaning back in my seat with my guard finally down. And true to the Amelia I knew, she didn’t hesitate to start filling me in on her life.

~

The time came to pick the kids up from school and I walked side by side with Amelia. We hadn't reached the gate when I could already see Aiden and Lily standing by the guards, waiting for me.

Seeing them agile and in one piece, it felt like a huge weight crushing me down had just been lifted, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Hey, babies.” I called out to them, waving my hands in the air and that was all it took to catch their attention.

Their eyes shone brightly as they saw me, and without the slightest hesitation, they both bolted towards me, jumping into my arms at once.

“Mom!” They squealed happily in their tiny jovial voices and glancing up at them, I couldn’t help but beam as I planted a kiss on their cheeks. They giggled.

Crouching down, I set them back on their feet before turning towards Amelia. I noticed how she’d been silently staring at them in admiration.

“Amelia, meet Aiden and Lily. My kids.” I muttered, gesturing toward them, and Amelia’s smile grew wider, her eyes flicking from me then back to them.

Before I knew it, she was kneeling before them, wrapping them in a right embrace. My heart swelled at the view, but just then… I heard that voice.

The voice that lived only in my nightmares, the one I prayed would remain there and never cross into reality. But today, as I whipped around to see who it was, I realized it had. It had broken through it, shattering the world I thought I had finally managed to piece together.

“How about me? When was I going to meet them?” It was Sébastien. His voice rang out from a distance as he briskly walked over, hands tucked in his pockets.

Wait. How?

How on earth—?!

I froze in disbelief, my heart hammering as our eyes locked.