Daphne's POV
I was yanked awake by yours truly. I had indeed fallen asleep after closing my eyes. We have already reached his pack. I looked out through the window and my eyes fell on a ridiculously beautiful wooden pack house. Kieran growled at me to get out of the car, for he didn't have the whole day to wait on me. I hesitantly stepped outside. Some of those who had gathered to welcome their Alpha home couldn't conceal their curiosity. They gawked openly, murmuring among themselves. One little boy stepped past the crowd and into Kieran's arms.
"Baby boy," he cooed, lifting him off the ground and kissed his head affectionately. I am sure my jaw could have been picked from the ground. His earlier coldness was replaced by a warm being who was patient enough to listen to a kid babble about trains and kites. The boy looked past Kieran's shoulder and his questioning eyes fell on me.
"She has very pretty eyes," the boy whispered to Kieran, but not so lowly since I heard him clearly. Kieran just grunted in response. "Who is she, dad?" My eyes widened. My mate has a son. How many more offspring should I prepare to meet? I wondered grimly. No wonder he didn't want me saying that I am his mate. Which reminds me,
"I was his mate," I whispered for the little boy's hearing. Kieran clenched his teeth, giving me a deathly glare that I flat out ignored. "What's your name, sweetheart?" I asked. I have always had a soft spot for kids.
"Taylor," he answered, holding my gaze. I stretched my hand for him to shake, and he reached out, clasping his small fingers to mine.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Taylor." The boy smiled at me. A dimpled contagious smile, I couldn't resist but smile back. Throughout our exchange, Kieran was quite just glancing around impatiently. He marched towards a mansion on the opposite side of the pack house, with Taylor still in his hands. I assumed I was to follow him, which I did. He didn't have to open the door because an older-looking woman did it from the inside. "You are back." She said with much familiarity, raking her eyes over me curiously.
"She is daddy's mate," Taylor offered. The woman's eyes popped, her gaze snapping to Kieran.
"Is this true?" She asked, but Kieran didn't answer. He placed Taylor down and stepped further into the house. She turned her gaze on me.
"Not anymore," I shrugged nonchalantly, but I was anything but that. She furrowed her brows, frowning, expecting elaboration. "I rejected him," I said simply.
"What? Why?" She asked in alarm, as if what I had done was a taboo.
"He already has a lover," I argued. "And I hate orgies." She reddened instantly and I had to chuckle.
"Kieran has definitely met his match." She laughed, draping her hand over my shoulder. "That stubborn son of mine needs someone who doesn't make it easy for him." She added, but I stopped listening when she mentioned mom. She looked young to be his mother. I guess my face did the talking. "I had him at a young age." She said,
I nodded while taking in the interior of the house. It was a place I could see myself living. "Who designed it?" I gestured around the living room. Kieran's mother gave me a knowing smile.
"You like it?" I nodded. The colors were simple, a mix of gray and brown. "Kieran did. I never understood why he likes it."
"Now I am questioning your taste." I laughed. She joined.
"Please say that again," Kieran muttered, reappearing with Taylor in tow. He had ditched his shirt for a body-hugging polo t-shirt, which clung to his toned frame like a second skin. My fingers itched to clasp them tightly. "I am going to see the council, mum. Show her to one of the guest rooms." His mother was about to protest, but I tapped her lightly on the shoulder, halting her. Kieran shot me a weird look before turning on his heels and left. My eyes followed his disappearing back until he was out of view.
"Stop drooling dear." She teased, making me groan, blushing like a schoolgirl. Then I remembered that her disagreeable son hadn't introduced us.
"I am Daphne Roberts from the Jarimu pack."
"I know, dear, Kieran told me." She surprised me. Perhaps they talked in the mind link. "I am Amanda." We shook hands warmly before she escorted me to the room that will be mine. Unknown to me, she gave me a room that was only a few steps away from Kieran's. I guess it was her way of trying to make me and her son work things out, but it only worsened everything. I had to hear him plowing his very loud lover every night and after some time, their moans, and grunts became my lullaby.
Of course, I ended up switching rooms, but I was too lazy to pack up the closet since I had already unpacked, which left me moving between the two rooms.
I later learned that Taylor was his dead brother's son. The brother and mate died in a rogue attack, leaving the toddler under Kieran's care. As for Amanda, she visits often. She is widowed, and Kieran and Taylor are the only blood relatives she has left.
When it comes to the pack, no one knows who I am, to their Alpha. They all assume I am visiting and after saving a drowning pup last week, I have kind of become a loved wolf around here despite my rank. I have got a job at the elementary pack school which Taylor attends. Either Kieran or Amanda asked him not to tell others who I was, or the boy is smart enough to know there is a lot of tension, but he hasn't told a soul, which is impressive for a kid.