The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

“It’s not that I don’t want to talk about her.” That nervous look forms once again on Tim’s face. “But I don’t want to get in trouble.”

Tim was there when Katie was murdered. He must still be traumatized. Does that sort of trauma ever really go away?

“You won’t,” I try to reassure him.

“Don’t tell Dad I said anything!” Tim suddenly blurts. “I don’t want him getting mad at me again.”

“Mad at you?”

I always thought that Drew was cautious about discussing Katie because of Tim. But now I’m beginning to wonder if that really is the case. It almost seems as if Drew has deliberately banned the mention of Katie in the house. Why on earth would he do that? Is it because talking about her is painful for him?

“I won’t say anything. You don’t have to worry,” I tell the poor kid.

He looks relieved.

“So, when your dad was working for the pack security team, he used to go out at night?” I ask as I dig the menu for the pizza place out of the junk drawer.

Tim nods. “He still does. Nearly every night. Sometimes he leaves me with you, but sometimes he says I have to be a good boy and stay home. But when I’m alone, I have bad dreams. I asked him not to go, and he said he wouldn’t. He promised.”

But he broke his word. Is this really the Drew I know? The same one who cherishes his son above everything else?

What is Drew up to? Is he seeing someone? He has always seemed dead set against the idea of dating anybody. I wish I knew what was going on in his mind.

Leaving Tim alone when he knows his son is scared isn’t like Drew. Then again, this has been going on for a long time, and I never knew about it.

I find myself recalling Elsa’s words.

“Sometimes people only show you what they want you to see.”

But why would Drew paint such a picture of himself? He has no reason to lie to me. I don’t interfere in his life. The only thing I do is offer him free babysitting.

And he’s never had a problem discussing Katie with me. So, why does he not let Tim talk about his mother? Is he hoping his son will forget about Katie as he grows up?

I give Tim a bright smile. “How ’bout that pizza, then? What toppings should we get?”

As the child settles in with a smile, I put all my focus on him. Everything else can wait.

But in the back of my mind is a niggling worry.

What is going on with Drew?

Chapter 29

Sophia Hope

The next day, Drew is a faint thought in the back of my mind as I gather my things for the cage fight tonight. I hope the female shifter I had to face the last time I was in the ring doesn’t make an appearance.

I don’t have to work at the bar this evening, so I head straight over to the boxing gym. I’m going to be quite early for my match, but I still have to sign my contract with Mathew.

When I get there, there’s already a fight taking place, and I enter through the back door. After dumping my bag in my dressing room, I make my way to Mathew’s office.

He’s doing some paperwork, which is odd since he’s always out front when there’s a match happening. When I enter, he looks up.

“I thought you’d be watching the fight,” I say, blinking in surprise. “I was just going to pick up my contract. When I called this morning, you said it would be on your desk.”

Mathew gives me a smile. “Come on in.” He seems to be in a cheerful mood. “I wrote up your contract, but let’s sign it after your match tonight,” he says, gesturing toward the empty chair across from him.

As I sit, I ask hesitantly, “You’re not upset about me leaving after one more year?”