A weekend with the Alpha novel Chapter 64

We arrived home and Aaron carried the still sleeping Zion into his arms and rested his small head on his shoulder and we both approached the house. The little boy must have felt the change because he woke up and his dull eyes lingered on me.

"Mommy."

"Yes, my love."

"Are we home yet?"

I bobbed my head, "We are, we are going in now."

Aaron opened the door, and I followed him inside. "I'm hungry," he whined.

"I know and I will get you something to eat in no time." I reached out and ruffled his hair. I felt exhausted from the stress of today, but I had to put him first and put his needs above mine, like always.

"Okay, mommy."

My eyes strayed from him and moved around the room. I haven't even taken the time to notice the massive change that had taken place in the room and now that I had; I realised nothing changed. Everything was the way it used to be, and it felt as if there was never an attack to begin with. Aaron had spoken about taking care of what happened, but I never thought far about what that would be like.

The centre table, the couch and the television and even the walls had been fixed and made to appear the way they always did.

Aaron's memory of how things were around the living room surprised me.

Still, it didn't take the image of what happened away, and every corner of the room made me recollect the horror. I remembered being attacked from the kitchen and trying to run out into the parlour. I remember my hand getting caught by Henry, and I remember losing my balance and falling to the ground. Then after Aaron came in and I got Zion out of his room, I remember turning away to face the door as the attacker approached and I prepared for the worse.

My body grew stiff and my breathing became unsteady. I was shivering at the memories the house had. It was a terrible one. I wrapped my hand around my arms and gently massaged them.

"You could stay in a hotel if you're not comfortable here," he spoke up, pulling me out of my thought and my eyes turned to look at him. He must have seen the much effect the house had on me and wanted to help.

"How long will I keep running?" I raised a brow.

"For as long as you have to," he answered.

His offer was generous, but I couldn't afford it. "This is my home, and I got it from working hard and being exceptional. I will let no one drive me out of it." I answered, and he nodded, understanding my point and he didn't argue.

'Ah yes, but they can drive you insane in it.'

I guided my legs to the kitchen, and I stared through at the pots and plates, also intact, as if nothing happened.

I jumped when I heard a crash in the living room and I raced out to see Aaron standing there with apologetic eyes. He had dropped the empty vase close to the television stand, breaking it into tiny pieces.

"It slipped," he mumbled, and I sighed and turned from him.

I wasn't ready to be here, and I didn't want to take his offer and stay in the hotel either. It wouldn't solve any of my problems. No matter how much I hide, I'd still need to return and face reality at some point.

"I can't stay here," I said, kicking off my shoes. "The memories of what happened feel like yesterday, and it's only a matter of time before it drives me completely insane." I didn't care how revealing the truth made me look, but I didn't want to pretend anymore. "I just don't think running away will help."

"Do you need my help?" Aaron asked from the door and I froze for a moment, then realise he was harmless.

I shook my head. "I've got it."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, you could just stand at the door like that. It would help assure me that no one is coming for my head." I laughed and poured the water into the cooker after turning it up.

"Sure I can do that. But whoever wants your head would have to take mine first."

That was the reassurance I didn't think I needed, but did.

"Thank you," I said, genuinely meaning it.

"You're welcome."

I poured the pasta into the pot and I turned to stare at him and found him leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. With his arms crossed, his muscles bulged, making the blue long sleeve hug him tightly. His hair looks a little messed up and his face redefined due to his now trimmed beards. All these features I had failed to notice this morning while leaving the estate.

He was just as good-looking as always and knowing he wasn't human (which, by the way, he hinted at from the very first weekend we spent together) explained a lot about him.

I snapped out of my thought and found his gaze on me, analysing my features hidden in the pyjamas. It sent shivers down my spine, and I looked away.