A Broken Contract (Alpha's Secret Regret)

Sara POV

I didn't hear from Nick or his beta after I left the penthouse.

On the evening of the hearing, I borrowed my dad's truck to get Alex from school.

As soon as my son saw the truck, he announced,

"Janice won't be here."

"That's right," I replied. "How did you know?"

"Daddy told me. He called Mrs. Bright and she let me talk to him. He can't come too, not today," he said as he climbed into the truck.

I didn't know how to feel. Even though Nick had just saved me the pressure of having to explain all of this, I wondered if it was okay for him to talk to my son when it's not his turn.

"But is he coming tomorrow?" Alex asked. I was driving back to my dad's now.

"I don't think so, baby. He has to work," I replied.

As I pulled over in front of the food truck, my dad was already waiting to leave for home. Today was not full business day for him because of the hearing. He regarded Alex's confused gaze with worry.

The ride home was silent. But as we entered the house, Alex continued his questions.

"Why can't we wait for daddy in the tall house, mommy. Like we did before."

"You'll wait for him over there soon, honey. In a few days, he'll come take you to the tall house, okay. Here, look," I went to get his new favorite toy from the luggage.

"Wolfgang is here too. And biscuits... and mister Combs."

My son looked unconvinced, but he reached out and took the warrior from me.

The next few days weren't any easier. Alex kept waiting for his dad and asking difficult questions. I felt awful for his confusion. This was all Nick's fault. I couldn't even offer my pup an actual date when his father would pick him up.

It was a great relief when the schedule was finalized. Surprisingly, the alpha didn't argue about the days offered to him. He was content with seeing Alex no more than three times a week.

According to my lawyer, he wanted weekends. When she told him it was impossible to have two consecutive weekends let alone all of it, he didn't complain.

***

One week had now passed. I had just discovered that Lindsey and her partner still followed Alex and I about. I caught them watching us from across the street from my dad's.

Their car was different from what they used before. The fact that they didn't attempt to hide or drive off was so upsetting that I thought of calling the police. I didn't.

I debated complaining to Mrs. Montgomery but concluded it was better to call Nick instead.

As I held the phone to my ear, I found myself recalling the depressing look in his eyes when I walked out of Alex's room that day. That look had haunted me every single night. It gave me nightmares full of tears.

The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. As I stood staring at the number, wondering whether to call again, Jake's name appeared on the screen. I answered after the second ring. "Nick's busy. What's up?" He said.

I was startled by his tone. It wasn't friendly yet it was far from how he addressed me in the past.

"Lindsey is still following us," I replied.

"And?" His voice grew sharp.

"Remember what happened with the Luna? Do you want a repeat of that?" he asked.

"Wait, so Lindsey's job is to fight off the Luna's guards if they try another kidnap? I thought they're all Warriors of the Forest Moon. Are they allowed to fight each other?"

"Do you have any other complaints?"

The beta snapped. "No? If you hate having your son protected so much, why don't you take it up with your HUMANS... lawyers! Although I don't advise it. You'd lose this one and I guarantee it, Sara, it would lead to more losses!"

I was sick and tired of the threats, so I tried to match the edge in his own voice.

"Has anyone ever told you how annoying your voice is, Mr. Carlisle?

No? This conversation is between Nick and I. I'd rather talk to him. Is he there?"

I heard his disgusted sigh before he said,

"Fine! I'll let him know you miss his voice!"

Beep.

He hung up. I was mad.

'If you hate having your son protected...' That sounded like what Nick would say. If I didn't know better, I'd think the Alpha was right next to his beta when he was speaking to me.

A part of me knew that Jake was

somehow right. Regardless of our relationship; Alex would have a guard keeping an eye on him no

matter what. He was the son of net

Alpha Nickolas Reign after all

I decided to let that go. It was better to save my energy for bigger fights.

***

The day came for the schedule to take effect. was Nick's turn with Alex. My son also knew this because he spoke to his father on the phone two days before. Apparently, the alpha called "Mrs. Bright" again and she let the little one talk to him.

It would be my first time of seeing Nick since after the hearing. I was anxious for no reason.

We waited till we were almost running late, but he never came.

I started to call a cab to get my son to school by myself. No matter how heavy-hearted and sick I felt, I told myself it was a relief not to see him.

It was a good thing. Alex had me and his grandfather.

My only annoyance was the fact that my child's disappointment was my own.

On the way, I kept staring at my phone, wondering whether to call him.

He would probably ignore it again. Then Jake would call back. Seems the beta had become his mouthpiece ever since we left the penthouse.

Alex didn't look disappointed at all. Which increased my fear as I waved goodbye after dropping him off.

The child had faith that he would surely see his dad soon. I didn't. And because of that, I wanted to hurt Nick for not keeping his word.

That day was longest. I considered stopping at the school during lunch to check on Alex but decided against it. His teacher would have called if he was acting weird and depressed.

I wasted no time getting to the school after work.

As soon as I reached the gate, I knew my Alex was nowhere near. As the kids and parents loitered about, my eyes and senses scanned the place.

His teacher saw me and came to meet me with a bright smile.

"Hey, Miss James."

I already knew what she was going to say before she announced,

"Alex's father was here to pick him up earlier."