2: Silent Night
1599 Words
Ava Gobson’s POV
“You filthy b***h…” Charlotte charged forward.
I slapped her flat across the face, wiping makeup from her plastic cheeks. The marks of my fingers formed red lines along her skin.
Others gasped, while she palmed her face, and turned to Alpha Harry. “She just…” Her words were barely audible. “Do something!”
“Go to the car.” His jaw tightened, then he leaned down so his hot breath was in my face. “You’re only lucky because you're grieving. Do not repeat.”
“Leave.” I gulped dryly, my breathing was ragged. “Get out!!!”
The whole place thundered with my scream.
My throat was ripping apart, my body was tearing up with pain from the fall and the rejection, the death of my child, betrayal… my existence too. Everything! My hands clutched my chest as if to numb the pain.
Nothing was working.
“I don't need you. Bella doesn't as well.” I scoffed and gritted my teeth. “I hate you!”
I was trying not to fall apart in front of everyone.
One by one, they left, except Dr. Emily.
She dared to come closer and hugged me dearly.
I let out everything and sobbed.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Her hands stroked my back.
I brushed my tears, masking them all in. “Can I have my daughter?”
She stayed silent and nodded.
Dr. Emily helped me through the last process until my little angel was laid to rest in a public cemetery. It wasn't what I’d wish for her, but it was the best I could give her. Taking her corpse to her dad’s mansion with sprawling tapestry would mean so much disrespect to her soul.
“Mama loves you.” I let the tears roll as I dropped a rose stalk on her small grave.
Dr. Emily supported me from behind. She welcomed me in her arms for the umpteenth time, gently patting me.
“Thank you.” I sobbed in her fancy wear.
“It's nothing.”
Done with the funeral, Dr. Emily left. Alone, I waited by my daughter’s tomb until the day was crawling out. I got back to my car and started the ride, but this time, not to the packhouse. I needed to be as far away from my harsh reality as possible.
The night was silent.
Soft Christmas carol streamed in from the stereo and I slammed it off. Nothing was charming about Christmas.
Absolutely nothing.
On Christmas Eve, I committed the greatest crime; being born as an omega in a pack of powerful wolves.
On Christmas Eve, my ex didn't just cheat on me with my supposed bestie, but rejected me in front of his domestic staff.
On Christmas Eve, I lost my baby…
“Watch out!”
The sudden screech of a stranger made me grasp the wheel so tight that my knuckles almost bled. I stepped on the brakes. The car swiveled past a man riding his bike without a headlamp and crashed into a mountain of snow. The engine knocked off, blowing out steam.
“No, no… no.” I groaned and smacked the back of my head on the headrest.
Could today get any worse?
“You should learn to be careful!” He cussed like it was my fault.
“And how about you learn to use headlamps?” I fired back and got out to fix the engine, that was if I had any clue.
I opened the bumper and waited for the steam to blow off. The stranger just zoomed off, not caring that it was his fault that I was stranded.
“Oh, shit.” I sighed nonstop and walked to and fro the quiet road.
The day was already dark, road was dead silent. I had no idea how I got here. I just took every bend my instinct led me.
My breath was suddenly heavy. I was also hyperventilating.
“Breathe in, Ava.” I sucked in cold air, inflating my lungs, and puffed. “First, I need to find safety.”
Screw that. There was no way I was going to sleep when my child was cold and six feet beneath.
I opened my car, pulled out my phone, and my purse with small cash in it. On second thought, I dumped the phone and slammed the door shut.
Down the lonely street, I walked till my legs were sore. I didn't stop until a small shop came to light. Excited, I doubled my pace.
It was a cafe, with the scent of strong brewing coffee and delicious pastries in the air. I palmed my rumbling stomach to stop the embarrassing noise.
“Hello! Welcome to our cafe!” A cheerful old lady grinned and slipped a menu over. “Coffee? Snacks? Would you need me to recommend our best sellers?”
“I—” I leaned closer. “A shot of brandy.” I watched her smile get replaced with a frown. “Forgive me. Could you be kind enough to show me a bar?”
‘Where am I?’ should be the first question but I was too drained to care.
“Hmm,” she rated my looks. “You’ll find a cozy hotel at the end of the street.”
I looked in the direction to see a scary never-ending road. I was about to ask for another bar when she dismissively picked a coffee mug and left me hanging.
Great.
The whimpering of a child behind me made me turn. There was a convoy of luxury cars I didn't initially take note of. A few men in pairs of black pants and matching shirts guarded a taller man, finely built in his clean tuxedo.
The smell of his cologne was strong, classy.
He held out packs of goodies, trying to convince the toddler who wouldn't stop crying. She was small, cute…
My breath caught in my throat when the moonlight settled on her face!
Her hair… A shiny blonde unlike Bella’s.
Her eyes… Cool baby blue.
There’s something about her… And the more I stared at her cute pie-shaped face, the more I saw Bella.
Just a chubby version.
‘Stop.’ I shook off the thoughts.
I was helplessly going nuts. Perhaps it was a part of grieving, seeing my child in other kids.
With the granny not in for my questions, I started towards the child. A part of me craved to snatch the baby and disappear, the other made me appear crazy like I was hallucinating.
“Stay back.” The stern voice of his security hushed me.
I obeyed and raised my hands to show my innocence. They didn't look or smell familiar. They seemed to be from the neighboring pack. “The child…”
“Step aside.” Another, ordered.
I nodded and started to retreat even though the child’s cry squeezed my heart. It was the grief trying to make me compensate by seeing every child in need as mine. I should stop right now.
“Let her.” Their leader’s simple command made them step backward.
Relaxed, I rushed forward. “Can… Can I?”
He didn't speak, didn't nod, just simply stared at me with so much intensity that my stomach churned. I couldn't really see his face but I could feel his effect. My heartbeat raced. I was shuffling through caution and an emotion I couldn't really place.
The little girl smacked him, with such a temper too big for a child her age. He groaned and I laughed.
“I'm sorry,” I quickly caught myself, squatted to the child’s height, and paused in admiration.
“Are you gonna do something or just stare?” The stranger’s voice knocked me back to consciousness.
“Hey cutie, mad at Dada?” My shaky hands reached to caress her smooth cheeks.
It felt soothing!
Oh, god. I was this close to passing out.
“Ye.” The little girl sniffled and inhaled noisily.
“Aww,” I forced the conversation and brushed off tears from her cheeks.
She let me!
“Fathers are unbearable sometimes, but we love them, don't we?”
She sniffed again and nodded.
“Good girl!” I teased her chin. “Now, stop crying or you’ll get a headache. Wanna be sick on Christmas?”
She shook her head. “No.”
When I stroked her shiny blonde hair like mine, it felt so right! Silky like Bella’s!
“Hmmm,” I cupped her chin. “So, be a good girl and forgive Dada. Okay?”
She nodded and hugged her dad’s long legs. Her sobs died out in seconds.
“Good girl.” I ruffled her hair and stood up.
‘Where is the mother?’ I was about to ask, but I stopped.
“Let me repay your kindness.” His cool baritone disrupted my thoughts. “A ride…”
“I’m fine.” I rejected his offer before he even finished. “My house is just there.” I talked and walked away at the same time.
Halfway down the road, something felt off. I could literally feel a presence stalking me. Scared, I turned, but the road was silent.
Not one soul.
“You’re safe, Ava,” I whispered and continued walking, my hand crawled to my chest.
Again, the presence hovered, creeping on my skin like hot coal. Oddly, the strong scent returned. It was not coffee or the granny’s pastries… It was his.
The stranger I just helped.
- Writer
