Mated To My Boyfriend's Dad

Chapter 77: _ Didn’t Go Through All The Hell For Nothing

Once I shut the window, I turned back to Cullen who was sleeping carelessly like a mess. I waltzed into his room to grab him a blanket since waking him up while he was asleep was not a good idea.

However, a glint of scattered sheets on his bedside table caught my eye.

Pictures. Lots of pictures.

There just weren’t any pictures. There were various photos – all of Kylo.

My breath clamped in my throat. Dozens of shots of Kylo – smiling, frowning, working, name it.

H– How?

Why did Cullen have these?

Kylo must have uploaded them on his social media but what business did Cullen have saving and printing them?

Then, I remembered him returning from work with Kylo earlier. Perhaps, those two have some business going on that they weren’t letting me in on.

I’d ask them later, but for now, I needed rest. I needed to relax. I needed to hide the mark which was already healing on my neck before anyone could see it. It’d leave a scar later. A scar I would have to hide with everything that I had.

I went back to the living room, draped the blanket over the sleeping Cullen and I walked into my room. There, I found Liam strolling out of the bathroom with a pail.

"What are you doing with that?" I asked with a frown.

He bent the pail for me to see its content. It was his T-shirt. A soaked one.

"I got a soup stain on it, so I had to come wash it off." He said.

He didn’t have to go through all of that trouble. "Come on, Liam. I would have taken care of that for you. Just go drop it, I’ll do the rest of the washing with the other laundry tomorrow." I instructed.

He nodded. "Alright, Mum. Thanks."

"I guess you’ve had your bath, right?" I asked.

He gave me a thumbs-up. "Yup."

Then he should be asleep by the time I’m back from the bathroom, I calculated. "Alright. Go to sleep now." I instructed and headed to the bathroom.

"Mum?" He called me suddenly just before I could shut the door.

I strained my ears out. "Yes, honey?"

"Are you okay? Did someone make you cry?" He asked, eyes clear with innocence.

Liam’s question felt like a punch to the gut. Tears welled up again in my eyes, threatening to spill over.

How could I explain the mess of emotions churning inside me?

I’d never be able to explain it to anyone– especially not Liam.

Shame burned in me at the thought of mentioning Gamma Rhett, and the guilt of keeping secrets from Kylo was suffocating.

"No, sweetheart," I knelt before him, forcing a lightness into my voice that I didn’t feel. "It’s nothing like that. Just a bit of a stressful day, that’s all. You know, after the accident at school and all."

His brow furrowed, unconvinced. "But you look sad." He reached out with his small hand cupping my cheek.

"I’m just tired, honey," I repeated, leaning into his touch. "Seeing you safe and sound always makes me feel better."

It was a partial truth. Liam’s well-being was indeed a source of comfort amidst this chaos. He deserved a happy, secure life, something I was determined to provide, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness.

He was my son.

"Promise you’ll tell me if something’s wrong?" Liam’s big bleak eyes held a sincerity that made me want to confess everything. But the consequences were too dire.

"Of course, honey," I promised, squeezing his hand gently. "Now go to sleep. We don’t know, school might open tomorrow."

He nodded reluctantly. "School won’t." He blurted.

"Don’t be so sure, boy." I shrugged, turning to return to the bathroom but Liam’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he shuffled out.

Watching him go, a wave of worry washed over me.

How long could I keep this charade going?

How long before the secrets I harbored ruined everything that I stood for and had built for myself?

How much Liam would be so disappointed in me. I didn’t want to be a bad example to my boy.

The cool water of the shower felt like a temporary relief, washing away the grime of the day and the lingering scent of Rhett’s cologne.

But as I reached for my body wash, my fingers brushed against the now-sensitive skin on my neck. It was a jolt – a reminder of the events that had transpired earlier.

Of Rhett claiming me. My boyfriend’s father claimed me.

My gaze dropped to the mark while I gulped down hard. It was a crescent moon shape partially hidden by my hair. It was already healing, the raw edges fading into a faint pink scar.

But the memory of Rhett’s fangs sinking in my neck, the initial pain giving way to a surge of crude pleasure in my insides, was vivid.

Shame washed over me in waves. How could I have let myself get so carried away?

As if they weren’t enough, then came the memory of the kiss. It had been unlike anything I’d ever experienced. A desperate, hungry clash of lips and tongues, fueled by a forbidden connection.

A traitorous part of me yearned to relive it, to feel the heat of Rhett’s touch again. Oh Isleen, get a grip.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to snap out of it. This wasn’t me. I was Isleen, the responsible omega, not some helpless creature consumed by primal desires.

Hell, I was becoming everything the pack members had tagged me.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on cleansing myself instead. I scrubbed away the physical traces of the day’s events – or at least tried to.

I didn’t know if I was ssuccessful but I did know that I was done bathing.

Emerging from the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and inspected the mark in the mirror. It was still noticeable, but with the right makeup, I could probably conceal it. The thought of having to hide a permanent reminder of my misdeed filled me with despair.

I had become a bad person.

I stepped into the room and found my boy being so obedient. He already was in bed and asleep. I had no idea what I had done to deserve such a great kid.

Liam was the only blessing I had in these trying times. Looking at him, I felt like I hadn’t gone through all the hell for nothing.