Bye, My Ruthless Alpha
Chapter 50: Redeem the Past

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Redeem the Past

Cayden’s POV

My mind had been full of a lot of things lately. With the war growing closer, and more of the outlying cities and villages being attacked, my warriors were stretched thin. James was persistent that we needed more troops, but my gut told me adding more men wasn’t the solution for the problem.

The enemy knew us too well.

Marcus’ pack owned the islands between the East continent, which James ruled, and the West continent, where our enemy was located. It was crucial that we had his support, both for additional troops and for the permission to use his islands as a base of operations.

However, I was going to lose my godd*mn mind if I had to hear another word from Marcus or his daughter.

I couldn’t believe that, with everything going on, I was basically being blackmailed into marrying a woman I couldn’t stand.

I knew that cunning old fox wanted to plant his influence in our kingdom, but something seemed off. I couldn’t trust him fully, and if I ever found out he had any intention to undermine the alliance, I would make sure I was the one to end his life.

And Tori... I couldn’t stop thinking about what Jace and I discussed.

I couldn’t let the same thing happen to me and my pack again.

But maybe she was different...

My wolf was on edge, and slowly, the pressure was eating away at me. I needed something, anything, to help take the edge off before tonight’s engagement dinner.

My feet carried me toward the suite I was supposed to be sharing with Tori. The echo of my footsteps reminded me that I was walking faster than I usually did. There were many eyes in this palace watching my every single move, so I slowed down my pace.

I sneered at myself. What was I anxious about anyway?

Quietly, I opened the door and allowed myself to slide into our suite.

I heard her singing a soft melody, her voice flowing freely. My eyes searched for her throughout the living area before I realized that the sound was coming through her bedroom door.

Standing there, I closed my eyes, listening to the sweet melody I didn’t recognize. The language was not one I was familiar with, but it soothed my troubled mind.

Her singing just touched me in places that had been closed down for so long. It was as if a warm blanket fell over me and smoothed away all the negativity that had been there before.

“Cayden?” Her voice snapped me back to reality, and I saw her at the bedroom door, staring at me. I had been so enraptured by her singing that I hadn’t even noticed she had stopped singing.

I cleared my throat. “Um, I just want to check on you.”

“Oh...” Her eyes fell downwards. I noticed that there was yarn and needles in her hand, and it took me a moment to realize what she was doing. “I appreciate you coming by,” she responded mildly.

Her voice was gentle and soothing, just like her. Nothing she said gave offense...but I was not impressed by her flat greeting.

She used to react to my arrival a bit differently–sacred, excited...maybe even happy? Some sort of emotion, I wasn’t sure what.

But now she was so calm. Too calm.

I frowned.

She hadn’t seen me for some time now. I expected more from her, although even I couldn’t articulate what exactly that was.

Finally, she smiled.

“Good to see you. It’s been a few days.”

My mood was better. Way better.

What she didn’t know was, while she might not have seen me for a few days, I had seen her every night.

I would get comfortable on the sofa late at night for a few hours. Then I’d make sure I was up and gone before she awoke.

“Knitting?” I asked her, although it was quite obvious.

The only other woman I remembered seeing knit before was my grandmother when I was a boy, but she passed not long after my father was killed.

“Uh, yes. I know that I will be gone after the baby is born, but I want to make something for them...so that they can have a piece of me.

‘I will be gone...’

It just didn’t sound right to me.

Tori looked at me quietly, seemingly waiting for my reply. I could see the pain and sorrow in her eyes–she had the most innocent and beautiful eyes I’d ever seen–and that made my throat tighten.

Why was she like that?

She told me it was about Sophia. Was that really it? For some reason, I felt her pain was more than just jealousy, although a very small part of me was a little happy that she was jealous.

What the f*ck was wrong with me?

I was going to be getting married to Sophia. I had already made my decision and my choice, and that was all there was to it.

There was a knock on the door, and Caroline came in before either of us could even call her in.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said. “I just had to bring this to you, Tori!”

Tori was curious. “Hi, Caroline. Bring what to me?”

“This!” Caroline extended a bag. “I bought it at the market the other day. Check it out.”

Tori took the bag and reached inside.

“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed, pulling out a large wooden train.

Caroline was a little nervous. “Well, I figured whether it’s a boy or a girl, the baby can play with it. But if you don’t think—”

Tori interrupted her with a huge grin on her face. “Caroline, this is just perfect! I LOVE it!”

My sister was never the most affectionate girl, but for those she cared about, she would support them to the end of her days.

Tori set the train down and hugged Caroline tightly.

“You’re so thoughtful! Thank you so much.”

Caroline chuckled. “You’re very welcome.”

The two of them went on to try out the toy. So...I was totally ignored.

D*mn it, Caroline!

I turned around, clearing my throat, and gave Caroline a ‘get-out-of-my-hair’ look.

She rolled her eyes at me, but put down the train on the desk immediately.

“Tori, I’m glad you like it. Well, I still need to go to my training today. I gotta go.”

Before she left the room, she gave me a look I couldn’t quite read. Was she judging me for something?

I shook my head to turn my attention back to Tori. She was still playing with the train a little, and her smile brightened the room.

For a moment, I couldn’t look away, nor did I know what to say.

A thought came to mind. If things turned out the way I wanted, perhaps the future could change for Tori.

“I’m sorry.” Tori seemed to finally remember that I was still there. “Where were we?”

“It’s alright. If you don’t need anything, I have to get prepared,” I mumbled.

Tori gave me a soft smile and nodded. “The engagement dinner. Yes, I know. Please enjoy yourself this evening. You don’t need to worry. If I need anything, I’ll call Mary. ”

I frowned. It felt like she didn’t need me here. She was mine, and she should need me. It was my job to take care of her and my child, not someone else’s. I was her Alpha.

“Stay in your room tonight,” I instructed, nodding. Those were the only words I could force out of me.

She lowered her gaze. Her thick and long eyelashes blocked me from looking into her eyes, as if she was avoiding me.

“I will,” she assured me, and I knew she would.

Except for that one time, she’d never disobeyed me, and we had already sorted that out.

Her promise put me a bit more at ease, knowing that she would be safe. I turned quickly, exiting the room, and felt a release of tension flow off of me that I hadn’t known I had been holding.

Her voice chased me out. “Oh, and congratulations.”

I paused, finding myself holding my breath again.

But she didn’t say anything more.

I clenched my fists. I needed to release this illogical emotion, or else I might just punch the next person who walked by.

Ultimately, I was upset with myself. I had always known what I wanted and how to get it. Nothing would stand in my way. But why couldn’t I make up my f*cking mind about what I wanted to do with her?

I forced myself to stop thinking about it and closed the door behind me.

***

Tori’s POV

After Cayden left, I let out a long exhale. I knew I was quite dismissive toward him. Hopefully, he didn’t notice anything abnormal.

I sighed and started pacing back and forth in my living room, waiting to hear back from Sophia.

My gaze landed on the toy train again. Caroline was very sweet to bring the baby a gift, but I knew the toy probably would never be played by my child.

‘Sorry, Caroline.’

I had sent my words, but I wasn’t entirely sure what Sophia’s plan was. I had to have faith though. This would benefit her, so I had to believe that she wouldn’t bail on me.

I would be free of this life. Free to raise my child as I saw fit.

“Miss Sophia, you can’t go in without the Alpha’s permission.” I heard the guard say outside.

I jumped from my seat and rushed over to open the door.

I then heard Sophia’s voice. “I mean no harm. I just want to make up with her.”

“Please, go back or...”

I opened the door and came face to face with Sophia.

“Miss Tori, please stay in the room...”

The guards stepped in between me and Sophia. I looked at her and realized she was accompanied by Marcus’ Beta.

“Relax,” she said to the guards, nodding and seeming very reasonable. “If it makes you guys more comfortable, I can just stay here outside of the door to talk to her.” Then she looked at me. “Tori, I’m sorry for what happened between us,” she said in a sincere tone. “It was totally a misunderstanding. Look, here’s just a little something. I hope you accept my apology.”

She presented me with a gorgeous blue dress and luxury accessories to go with it, waiting for my response.

The guards almost dropped their jaws. I would have too, had she not paid me the previous, secret visit.

“I accept your apology,” I said flatly. “You didn’t have to bring such valuable gifts though...”

Sophia put on a smile. “Please, I insist!”

“Well...thank you then. Oh, please come in! It wouldn’t be polite to have a guest standing outside.” I turned to the guards. “It’s going to be alright. Sophia is your future Luna. She won’t harm me.”

The guards looked at each other. Then, finally, they caved.

“We’ll be right outside of the door if you need anything,” the senior one grumbled.

I managed to put on a smile to assure them. “Thank you, but I think I’ll be fine.”

Once my two visitors entered my suite, I closed the door. I realized that my back was soaked in nervous sweat.

Sophia seemed satisfied with how I had handled things. “Not bad.”

“I know you don’t have a lot of time, Sophia,” I blurted out, not beating around the bush. “What do I need to do?”

I thought I should set off earlier and leave this place.