Mated To My Boyfriend's Dad

Chapter 22: _ By my door

I went into the kitchen to make breakfast for us, forcing myself to set aside thoughts about Gamma Rhett. I was busy with making buttered toast while the aroma raged the air.

Just as I was busy making breakfast for them, the boys were busy with their blip-bloops and excited shouts from the living room.

"Cullen has found a video game partner." I shook my head.

A smile curled my lips seeing how much Liam was laughing and enjoying himself. He was so engaged in the intense video game battle that he shrieked and shouted along with Cullen. It really warmed my heart that he had this side to him after seeing how gloomy and lost he could be.

Suddenly, a booming shout ruined the air. "Cheater! You definitely used that glitch, Liam!" Cullen’s voice echoed through the house.

I peeked into the living room to find Cullen sprawled on the floor, a playful frustration plastered on his face while Liam, with a controller, clutched triumphantly in his hand, danced a victory jig.

"Whoever wins the game is the winner, right?" he crowed, his voice muffled by the sound of explosions and clashing swords from the screen.

I frowned.

Cullen huffed, crossing his arms. "Easy for you to say, you little sneak. I saw you use that forbidden power-up!"

Liam’s laughter turned into a sheepish giggle. "But I’m winning! That’s all that matters."

What in the blazing thunderstorms did little Liam just say?

I raised an eyebrow skeptically. This exchange between them, as light-hearted as it was did little to ease the unease nibbling at me. While Cullen chuckled and ruffled Liam’s hair playfully regardless, I felt a pang of disapproval.

Cheating – even in a silly video game could not be justified.

"Liam," I called gently, beckoning him to my side. "Cheating isn’t right, even in games. It wouldn’t be fair to the other player."

Liam scrunched his brow. "But everyone cheats, Megami. They lie, they steal, they cheat to get what they want. It’s how the world works. You gotta do what you gotta do to win, right?"

My heart ached at those words. Why should twelve-year-old Liam think such? Wasn’t he too young to have such kinds of thoughts?

"Not everyone, Liam," I said softly, kneeling down to his level. "There are good people too, who choose honesty and kindness even when it’s hard. Cheating is about taking advantage of someone else, about winning at the expense of fairness. It’s not something to be proud of."

The way Liam’s mouth twisted as though my words were satire unsettled me. Liam felt so...

I wanted to open my mouth to express disapproval but a knock boomed on the front door.

Cullen strained his neck from over the cushion. "Nah, Isleen. Don’t tell me the pack’s soldiers are here to get you again."

"Shut up." I hissed at him before heading to get the door.

However, I was barely at the door before my wolf began pacing. A primal growl echoed in my gut. It was a low rumble that only my wolf understood. It wasn’t a growl of fear, but of recognition – of a familiar presence just beyond the door.

Gamma Rhett.

It was Gamma Rhett. No, it couldn’t be Gamma Rhett. Despite the undeniable tug of my wolf, I refused to believe it.

Why would a whole Gamma Rhett be at my door?

After how cold he was to me the other day at the headquarters – after how irritant of me he was – he couldn’t be here.

No.

Yet, the feeling in my chest wouldn’t. I could bet my life on it that it was him. The knock came again, sharper this time.

Cullen’s impatient voice. "Isleen, are you deaf? Get it already!"

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. You need to get the door, Isleen; I reminded myself.

And with a shuddering breath, I forced myself to move. I opened the door by a crack and peeked through the narrow opening. My heart jumped into my mouth when I saw his back already turned and about to walk away.

It seemed he was unsure about coming and since I didn’t get to the door on time, he had given up.

"G — Gamma Rhett?" I softly called, not wanting to alert Cullen or Liam’s attention.

I wasn’t even doing anything bad and yet, it felt like I was.

He froze and then suddenly, he turned with eyes gaunt In a flicker of something – unreadable. That was how he always was – hard to read.

As our eyes collided, time seemed to stand still for a moment there. My wolf howled with joy as it saw its own. I could feel my heart beating fast. This feeling – I just couldn’t quite place my hands on what it was.

I knew I should let him go, slam the door shut, and retreat to denial. He was perhaps here to warn me to stay off his son. He didn’t seem to have any other thing to want to talk about except for that.

Why did it feel like I wanted him to say more?

Why was he acting indifferent to our mate bond? Why did I have to go through this crazy bond alone?

I should leave.

My traitorous feet, however, remained rooted to the spot. Even my voice urged him back, "Wait."

Betrayers.

I quickly shut the door again, blocking the view from the living room. I couldn’t let Cullen and Liam see him here. It was almost unbelievable that he was here. I couldn’t risk their questions or misinterpretations.

"Isleen." His grim voice called on me and I hated myself for how my stomach danced to it. "We need to talk."

No, Gamma Rhett. I need you to leave my door right now and never show your beautiful face here again. Those were the words I wished I could say to him but hell no.

I released my hand from the doorknob. "Good morning, sir," I said instead, looking at the empty space beside him in the corridor.