319\u2013All I Needed Was An Excuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Graham:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I did not get her contact information, but I already knew from Penny\u2019s words that the woman lived in her pack\u00a0<\/p>\n
It would be easy to find her, unless she had died. That would be very bad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Over the next few hours, I did not tell anyone where I was headed. I took my Royal Beta and my warriors, and we made our way to Penny\u2019s pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the smallest pack, the one where even the Alpha was weak. When I arrived at the border, the Alpha welcomed me warmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I told him I wanted to tour the area to see how many donations I could give them, and he was beyond pleased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While doing that, I arrived at the exact house I had been looking for.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sure enough, others had built a wall around her house so she would not come into contact with anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I gently knocked on the door and waited impatiently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is it?\u201d she replied, her voice old enough to confirm my suspicion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I delayed one more day, she might be gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am Alpha Graham. I need to speak with you about something,\u201d I told her, noticing that she did not open the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I assumed people had accused her of bringing misfortune so many times that she was afraid of passing it on to anyone else. I did not believe it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you should be speaking with me, young man?\u201d she questioned from the other side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is all right. I do not believe in those things. What I do believe in is monsters. You had an encounter with a winged monster when you were a child, which you have spoken about with only a few people,\u201d I said without delay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was silence on the other side before I heard quiet sniffles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt happened. I was a child, but I remember it clearly. There are a few things that trigger that monster. If you or your loved ones are planning to go to the mountain top, avoid it. That monster will take your loved one from you, \u201cshe warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment she confirmed it, a smile began to form on my lips.\u201d Really, I would like to know what triggers it so we can avoid it,\u201d I asked, my heartbeat rising in my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This could be a huge help for me. All we had to do was frighten Madeline and her family into coming to us for help, or do something so extreme that Baxter realized he was too weak to protect them. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you do not want to trigger it, do not leave goat flesh with blood on it around the mountain area in the open,\u201d she replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment those words left her mouth, I smiled and stepped away from the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
319 All: Neochec Was An e\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you so much. That was very helpful,\u201d I replied. Before I walked away, I turned back to add one last thing. \u201cI hope you pass away soon. Who would want to live a life in isolation?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment I said that, I heard her gasp, and I laughed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not a very nice man,\u201d her voice suddenly came from the other side, making me stop in my steps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful. I am an Alpha,\u201d I hissed, my mood shifting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can sense your energy. You are not a good person. Whatever you plan to do, it will backfire,\u201d she warned. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words almost made me want to break down the door and attack her myself, but I stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had already gotten the information I needed, and I did not care anymore. I started walking away as she began screaming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will never see happiness. All the people you hurt will remember,\u201d she shouted. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes and reached the car. That was all I heard before I slammed the door shut and cut her voice off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hated bitter old women, which was why I never wanted Kaylee to become one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If she started talking nonstop, it would be hard for me to focus on loving her. I had already done my best. I had let go of so much for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All I wanted from her was to trust me and forget about Penny.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The information I got about the winged monster was also going to help me a lot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was already thinking about how I could use it to my advantage, making sure the monster did not attack the children or Madeline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was a part of me that felt uneasy about her. She thought too much of herself and her power. 2\u00a0<\/p>\n
She believed that because she had a strong wolf who fought some warrior, she was untouchable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I approached home, I noticed something else unfolding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elgin\u2019s car was outside. I rushed in and saw him panicking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His daughter was sleeping on the couch, lying in a position that made it seem like she had never woken up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to go ask Madeline for help,\u201d Elgin stated almost immediately when he faced me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
320\u2013Grohom At My Door\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
320\u2013Graham At My Door\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeline:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held Bodhi in my arms while sitting on the couch, rocking back and forth. I tried to wake him by gently patting his cheek, but he did not respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBaxter, it is getting worse,\u201d I told him, noticing that Bodhi usually woke up right away, but this time it was different.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Baxter stared at me, then lowered himself closer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I know how to wake him up,\u201d he uttered, though there was hesitation in his tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSay it. What is it? I will do it,\u201d I replied, ready to do anything for my child.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might not work, or it might. I am not sure, but let\u2019s just try,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was confused about what he meant. Then he suddenly reached up and touched my cheek.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A tear sat at the corner of my eye. I had been holding back my tears because I was tired of crying every time my child suffered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He brushed that tear over Bodhi\u2019s eye. Then he reached for another tear on my other cheek and rubbed it gently over Bodhi\u2019s other eyelid. Moments later, Bodhi woke up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not understand,\u201d I said to Baxter. But as Bodhi got up and hugged me, my attention shifted from Baxter to Bodhi.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy, is he awake now? He suddenly fell asleep,\u201d Gina asked as she rushed in after hearing Bodhi\u2019s voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I put Bodhi down so he could talk to his sisters. They hugged him and asked what had happened, and he gave them the same answer each time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said he did not know. He only knew that he had been sleeping. There were no dreams, nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBaxter, how did you know my tears would work?\u201d I asked, softly standing up from the couch to join him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed it a few times. Whenever Bodhi fell down and you were near him, and your tears reached his eyelids, he woke up,\u201d he replied quietly, making sure the kids were not listening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew Bodhi would panic if he thought something was wrong with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys,\u201d she called, knocking on the door and drawing our attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We both turned to her and noticed she was turning pale.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked in a worried tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have a guest,\u201d she uttered, making me rush out of the room and straight to the front door. The moment I opened it, I saw someone standing on the front porch, someone I no longer wanted to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here, Graham?\u201d I grunted almost immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
320\u2013Graham At My Dor\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
I did not want to deal with these people anymore. They had caused me, my children, and Baxter pain, and I would never forgive them for it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI came here seeking help,\u201d Graham spoke, but the way he sounded felt less like he wanted help and more like he was showing something off. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could not be sure what it was, or if he was just showing himself for some reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what makes you think I will respond to your request?\u201d I asked, folding my arms across my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a child who is suffering, and I believe that if you are the good person you always claim to be, then you will help her,\u201d Graham replied, spreading his arms and placing his hands on the doorframe, blocking the outside view.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped back instinctively, retreating into the house.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Honestly, I could not understand his body language. Was he really here to ask for help, or was he here to cause trouble?\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt like the latter, or like he was trying to seduce me. The thought did not make sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I told you before, I do not know anything about the sickness,\u201d I said, a hint of guilt in my voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I did not want to be someone who refused to help children. If anyone else had come instead of Graham, I would have helped without hesitation. But I had to say no before I began to regret it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd who told you I am a good person? I never claimed to be one,\u201d I corrected him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He nodded, then stretched his neck and stepped away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was when Elgin arrived at the cabin, carrying Hailey in his arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, wake her up,\u201d he requested. Up until Elgin showed up with his daughter, I honestly thought this was some kind of trap set by Graham, a way to lure me somewhere just to make me suffer. But when I saw the little girl in Elgin\u2019s arms, something twisted inside me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I felt a gentle pat on my back. I turned to the side and saw Baxter standing there, giving me a small nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. Bring her inside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, pushing my ego aside, I decided to help the child, but without letting them know how I was helping her. For the first time, the two of them walked into my home, my safe place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u05db\u05dc\u00a0<\/p>\n
+2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
319\u2013All I Needed Was An Excuse.\u00a0 Graham:\u00a0 I did not get her contact information, but I already knew from Penny\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-no-daddy-novel-by-novelnozi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19520"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19688,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520\/revisions\/19688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}