Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 A Deliberate Goodbye

SOPHIA’S POV

Ashley was missing.

The second Tiffany said those words I was already moving. Patricia had gone the other way, toward the gymnasium and the outdoor playground, calling Ashley’s name. I had gone toward the older wing of the school, where the bathrooms, storage rooms, and unused classrooms were.

Klara stayed behind in the home economics room with Ms. Henderson.

I pushed open the first bathroom door slowly.

“Ashley?” I called softly, not wanting to scare her if she was hiding there.

My voice echoed back at me. The stalls were empty. The sinks were dry. There were no small shoes under the doors.

She’s not here.

I moved down the hallway, looking through the narrow windows of classroom doors. Most rooms were dark and empty.

I was so worried about Ashley.

Why did she run?

My chest ached with the thought. Ashley must have felt so small today. First on the stage. Then in that room full of judging adults. And then alone.

I rounded another corner, and that was when I heard it – the sound of soft crying.

I followed the sound. It was coming from near the girls’ restroom at the far end of the hall.

“Ashley,” I whispered again.

Then I heard another voice. It was Damien’s.

I froze.

I felt relieved that I had found her but I also felt dread in my stomach.

My wolf bristled. Damien’s presence always did that. His alpha scent filled the air.

I stopped just around the corner. I was out of sight, but close enough to see them.

Damien was crouched outside the girls’ restroom. He was hugging Ashley. One of his hands stroked her hair slowly. He was murmuring to her. I couldn’t hear every word, but I heard the tone. It hurt more than I expected.

This is what he looks like when he chooses to be a father. This is the side of him I don’t get to see anymore.

“They were mean,” Ashley cried. “They were all yelling. And Aunt Tiffany tried but it got all messed up and everyone was mad and I didn’t know what to do...”

Damien murmured something soothing. Ashley sniffed and kept talking.

“I tried to help her,” she said desperately. “I told them to stop. I didn’t want them to be mean to her. And then everyone was looking at me and I - I ran. I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry I ran. I’m sorry I’m bad.”

The words slammed into my chest.

Bad. She thinks she’s bad.

“No,” Damien said firmly. “You are not bad. Do you hear me?”

Ashley nodded against his shoulder, still crying.

“This was not your fault,” he continued. “Adults failed you today. Not the other way around.”

I swallowed hard. My eyes burned.

“Where was your mother?” he asked. “Where was she when all this happened?”

I flinched like I’d been hit.

Ashley hesitated. “She was... she was with Klara. She came later.”

Damien exhaled slowly through his nose. I could feel the anger radiating off him even from here. His wolf was close to the surface. I could sense it.

I stepped forward before I could lose my nerve.

My footsteps were quiet, but Damien heard them instantly. His head snapped up. Our eyes met.

The look he gave me was pure disgust. Ashley lifted her tear-stained face from his shoulder.

“Mom,” she breathed, and reached for me.

My heart broke.

But Damien’s arm tightened around her, holding her in place.

I walked closer then stopped a few feet away.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said gently “We were all so worried about you.”

Ashley sniffed and nodded. She tried to lean toward me again but Damien didn’t let her go.

“Thank you for helping look,” he said in a flat tone. “It’s appreciated.”

I heard what he wasn’t saying. Then he delivered the blow.

“You’re never here. Maybe it’s time you focus on your own family,” Damien said evenly. “You have a daughter who needs you.”

“She does,” I said quietly.

He stood, glaring at me. “Ashley needs stability. She needs her parents. Not... distractions.”

I looked at Ashley. I really looked at her. Her red eyes. Her trembling hands.

I knelt to her level.

“I’m so sorry about today, Ashley” I said.

I wrapped my arms around her and breathed in her scent.

“I was so scared,” Ashley whispered into my shoulder.

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