AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Room to the left of mine,” he says, pointing down the hall. He goes back to speaking with Marcus while I wander down the hall to get Valarian. I stop next to the door before looking back at Valen and pointing to it, not wanting to walk into his without permission. He nods, and I twist the handle before entering. It’s not at all what I expect to find.
My mouth opens in surprise when I see the galaxy wall decor stickers. For years, I’ve wanted to decorate his room, but he likes everything plain and simple. I once placed dinosaur pictures on his walls, and Valarian threw the biggest tantrum and said I ruined a perfectly good wall. So, I’m shocked to see his bedroom actually resemble a kid’s room and not some showroom that looks like it was never lived in.
The nightlight is a moon, and stars cover the walls from his projection nightlight, sitting on the bedside table.
“Just let him stay one night?” Valen murmurs behind me, making me jump.
“When did you do all this?”
“Today. Valarian helped.”
“He let you decorate it?”
“Yes, he even helped me pick; he wanted a room like mine,” he chuckles.
“You have stars on the walls?” I laugh.
“No, I’ve grown out of that now. I also sleep with the light off, too; I am officially a big boy,” he chuckles, and I elbow him.
“No, I was telling him about my room when I was a kid while we were at the store. I watched him pick out the most boring stuff for a kid I have ever seen.”
“You mean like his room at home?”
“You said it, not me.”
I roll my eyes before moving toward his bed. His bedspread also has the galaxy on it. Leaning down, I kiss him, tucking his blanket up higher. With a sigh, I stand up before turning to look at Valen.
“One night, and he has to go to school. If I get a phone call tomorrow saying he isn’t at school, it will be the last time, Valen,” I warn him. Valen beams like all his Christmases came at once. I shake my head and head out to see if Marcus will run me home when Valen steps into my path.
ChapterFifty-Two
Ihad every intention of coming over here, dragging my son out, and beating this stupid man senseless—though I probably would have needed help to do such a thing—and it all backfired.
“Stay. I’ll sleep on the couch,” Valen says, gripping my arm.
“You would sleep on your own couch?” I scoff.
“Wouldn’t be the first time. Also, pretty sure I’ve passed out on the floor more times than I can count,” he says.
“No. I have to go see Zoe anyway.”
“Call her and stay. The hotel will survive without you for one night.”
“I don’t even have clothes here.”
“I own a washing machine and dryer; I also know how to use them.”
“Ha, ha, very funny. You’re probably a better cleaner than I am with your OCD. But I don’t think it’s a good idea. I can’t,” I sigh, rubbing my temples.
Since when did my life become so complicated? I have so much going on. The Alpha meeting is in a few days, my employees are missing, the rest are sick, the drama with Casey’s father, and now I have to fight my damn bond every second of the day. I feel like my grasp on control is slowly slipping. All of the stability I’ve constructed over the years has been thrown out of whack in a matter of days.
“I don’t want to confuse Valarian more than he already is,” I finally say.
“What do you mean? We’re about to announce to the city we’re mates, Everly. How would you being here confuse him?” he asks, leading me out of the room and into the hall. He shuts Valarian’s door before stopping to look at me.
“Yes, exactly—announcing we’re mates, but that’s it. I don’t want him thinking we’re suddenly a family like everyone else. It’s different.” How does he not get it?
“You are making this different. To me, it’s straightforward. I am yours, and you are mine. That’s what mates are, Everly. We’re supposed to be together, so why do you keep fucking fighting it?”
