Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 248

I pull the hoodie on, checking how it looks in the mirror.

Michael groans.

I shoo him away. Who asked for his opinion anyway? (Oh yeah, I did.)

"So let me get this straight. You plan on doing an investigation coated in the scent of your-"

"Would you just go already?" I sigh exasperatedly. "We're gonna be late."

"Alright, alright." He leaves to get his stuff.

He's right, though. As I adjust the sleeves, all I smell is Aiden. It's a weird scent to describe, but where Carson's all male, sexy musk, Aiden's... cool, overwhelming authority?

I try not to laugh at myself. What the hell is cool authority? I look into the mirror imagining a black hoodie. What would Axel's scent be? ... Sensual, warm finish?

What the hell am I doing?

I massage my forearm, trying not to wince as I go downstairs. It's Monday morning, and I've got a lot on my mind. My bruised arm. The nurse thing. And now, this.

I stare down at my last few ignored messages.

Me: Hey. Sorry I was so cranky the other night T-T

Me: I blame all the soda I drank :P

Me: Do you want me to wash your hoodie or...?

Me: Fine. I'll save my water bill

The thing is, I don't even have time to worry about Aiden. We're going full speed ahead with the investigation today. Michael's going to check out the library for any information, seeing as he's not being watched 24/7 like me. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can speed up Suzie being added to my guard shift.

How, may you ask, do I plan on doing this?

The answer is simple-I'm going to whine to Axel about how overprotected I feel. I figure going to Aiden in the first place was a mistake, and Carson's a lost cause. He'd escort me to the bathroom if he could-and believe me, he's tried. Axel's my only hope. The question is, does he even trust Suzie enough to go through with this?

I get into the passenger seat of Michael's car, considering all of this. He turns the key in the ignition, looking like he's gonna pass out at any moment.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

He yawns, rubbing his eyes. "Never better." The car roars to life. He looks like he's ready to keel over. "Tell your friends to hurry up before I leave them."

"We're early. Calm down," I say. But I text Bri and Krys anyway. They're usually right on time, so I wonder what's going on.

"But like I was saying," Michael continues.

I nod so he knows I'm listening.

"I figure if I can complete the entire group project by myself tonight," he says. "It would eliminate so many problems."

Problems. I scoff. "Problems like what?"

"You know." He shrugs.

"..."

"Like..." He searches for words. "Procrastination...?"

"Procrastination...." I look into his eyes. "... or talking to Onai?"

That wakes him up. "What?"

I give him a look.

"Who said he was in my group?" he asks.

"Okay, okay. Calm down." I rub his shoulder, but I don't know what to say. "How... How did it happen?" I look into his eyes. "What did he do?"

"I asked him if he had a boyfriend. And he said no. And I was like, I know you don't, because you like me, don't you?" He looks mortified recalling the encounter.

"And then?" I egg him on.

He shakes his head. "I can't."

"You can." He better! I shake him a little.

He cringes at the thought. "He said that he didn't know what I was talking about. Just give me back my clothes, Michael," he imitates Onai's voice terribly.

"Wait." My jaw drops. Onai clearly took my advice, but... "If you were holding his clothes at the time, that means he was..."

"Listen to me," Michael says exasperatedly. "I gave him his clothes back and he turned around, fully dressed, towering over me." His voice lowers. He almost can't say it. "Tall. Dark. Handsome. Looking like a full snack and I just..." He covers his mouth.

I lean closer. "You...?"

"I pounced," he says.

"You didn't," I say.

He looks at me, mortified. "Oh, Mia. I did."

"And what did he do?" I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, pounding the armrest.

"Nothing!" Michael shakes his head. "He just stood there."

I can't believe it.

"I asked if he was uncomfortable," Michael says. "I thought I had quite literally knocked his socks off with my abilities from WikiHow, but he said he was fine. So I asked if he wanted to kiss me back, since I was his imprint. And..." He pauses.