Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 329

I hold my breath. I don't even realize I am until Axel's firm hand rests on my shoulder, nudging me gently into breathing. If he's trying to reassure me, he's failing, because when I look up and into his eyes, all I see is terror.

One thing's for sure. I can't watch. I make awkward eye contact with Brittany who's also looking away. The conversation between mother and son quickly goes from "Who the hell is that?" to "You let the enemy in, and now you're going to invite the rest of her family?" Coach Kenet's eyes sweep over to the brothers.

Aiden opens his mouth, but Axel speaks before he gets the chance to, "We're trying to maintain peace."

"Peace?" she asks.

Carson half shrugs, half nods.

"When did we ever have peace?" she screams at the top of her lungs. I feel it echo in my chest. Michael and Suzie's jaws drop.

Eventually, Ethel says, "I'm just going to go."

My heart drops. In these kinds of situations, you prepare long-winded speeches. You go over and over all the things you want to say when you say goodbye. Be safe. I don't want you to go. I'm glad I met you, bathroom boy. He's my friend. And this is my plan. And if something goes wrong...

In these kinds of situations, I always prepare long-winded speeches, but in reality, all I get to say is, "Okay, be safe," before Coach Kenet is at it again.

"Why doesn't Onai go?" Coach Kenet asks. "Or Bri?"

"It's my job," Ethel says.

She shrugs. "Quit then. It's not like this ever suited you."

Shen cocks her head back. I hold my head in my hands. Of all the things to say... Axel keeps rubbing my shoulder, but I think he's the one who needs it.

"Or why doesn't an alpha go, then?" Coach Kenet asks. "There's three of them for a reason. They can't keep making you guys do everything."

Ethel doesn't choose to say any of the things that we already discussed. We can't afford to lose an alpha. Plus, sending one would just come off as a threat instead of an invite. Instead, Ethel looks straight past his mother and turns to Aiden.

She furrows her brow. "Don't ignore me."

"There's something-" Ethel starts.

"Are you listening to me?" Coach Kenet asks.

Ethel keeps his gaze off of her. Mine shoots between his face and his mother's steely eyes. He's never ignored her before, but now, he does it like it's something he's always done.

She nods roughly, pulling her lip back in disgust. "Fine. Do what you want with your life." She storms up the stairs, disappearing around the landing.

Ethel sighs forcefully. He watches the empty space she leaves behind before reaching into his pocket. "... Here." He hands Aiden his car keys.

Aiden eyes them. "What do you want me to do with that?"

"Watch my car for me?" Ethel asks.

"It's just..."

"Oh, boy," she mutters.

"I know we don't always get along." His big, green eyes look down at her.

She looks up at him, sighing. "Ethel. We already said goodbye three times now."

"I know! It still stings, doesn't it?" He frowns.

She shakes her head, pulling him into a full hug. "If they hurt you, I'm going to kill them."

Finally, Ethel nods to Axel, Carson, and Michael, before looking at me. He shoves his hands into his pockets and gives me a crooked, half-hearted smile. "I'll try my best, Luna."

"It's fine, Ethel." I can't look him in the eyes. "I'm sor..."

He waves me off. "Don't. I wouldn't do this if I didn't agree with it." He pauses. "But... can you consider something?"

After too much silence passes, I meet his eyes for the first time all morning. I lift my brow.

"If this doesn't work out, don't put it off any longer. Go to war."