Beauty and The Beta (Bailey) novel Chapter 208

The sound of Bailey sobbing broke my heart. I had stood there, resting my head upon the door for a moment, hoping she would open the door for me. I wanted to go and hold her. Reassure her. But the door never opened, and it was breaking Zion’s heart too, so I had to walk away. Listening to her was hard enough without my wolf’s whimpering on top. That night, I had spent back in my office like so many nights previously. Back to my former routine. Knowing that I couldn’t go to her because it seemed she needed her space.

Hours of paperwork. Doing the work I had skipped in order to spend time with her earlier in the day… such a perfect day, yet it had ended so horrifically. We seemed terrible at communicating. Maybe it was our lack of experience at all this? Or just that we were both so stubborn? I truly didn’t know, but I know this much, knowing she was upset because of me made me feel horrendous. Like total shit…

I never wanted her to be sad and hurting again. I was aware of that much, and I needed to find a way to fix things. She had made such a change to my life, and I wanted to do the same for her, if she would let me, of course. I awoke at my desk, like I had done many mornings before, in the worst of moods, feeling broken, and I planned to go and see Bailey, but as I moved from my office, I walked straight into Caleb. He looked at me confused.

“Morning Ash.” He greeted me, watching me through suspicious eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Hmm.” I barely grunted at him. Okay would be a stretch after sleeping hunched over my desk!

“Why do you look like you are half dead? Tell me you did not fall asleep in your office again? What have I told you about sleeping in there?” his eyes were focused heavily on me, looking far from impressed. But I had no intention of explaining myself to him. I couldn’t explain this mess to him even if I wanted to, because it would mean betraying Bailey’s trust in not saying anything about the situation in her pack.

“I lost track of time.” I lied instead. “I am going for a shower.”

He raised his brows at me, as if he was doubting my words. “Maybe you should take the rest of the day off, Ash. You look like you could do with a rest.”

I looked at him in horror. I do not like the thought of spending the day alone. Not with all this on my mind. My thoughts would take over me, and end up eating away at my mind. It would become too much, I just knew it. That was simply not an option. “I think I will be fine after a shower and a few coffees.” I told him, moving away from him. Fighting the emotions threatening to spill out. I needed to go and find Bailey. I needed to try and fix this mess between us. I don’t think I would settle until I had.

But Caleb was soon on my heels. “Ash, are you sure you are okay? Something seems off.”