Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 234

Kade’s POV

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Ivy?”

Ivy nuzzled down into the covers until they touched her chin. She looked up at Kade with those big blue eyes, and something about that look made him know what she was about to say before she even said it.

“You smell like Mommy.”

Kade’s heart stopped in his chest. He glanced down at the hand that was tucking her in. He’d long since cleaned off the blood, but the scent lingered.

Samantha’s scent.

Kade still couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Was it true? Was Elena really just Samantha in hiding? But her body was buried in that grave… Or was it?

Curious, Kade asked, “Why do you call her ‘Mommy’?”

Ivy stared up at him like he had just asked her why the sky was blue. “Because she is. Duh.” She rolled her eyes.

Kade bit the inside of his cheek, wondering if he should have listened to Ivy sooner. Hell, maybe he should have listened to his own instinct seven years ago instead of believing that Samantha was truly dead. Was a body double buried instead of her? Had she survived childbirth and just went into hiding, maybe to avoid her ongoing sentence as a slave?

It made no sense. If Elena were truly Samantha, then why would she have tried to poison Ivy all those years ago? Why come back now, giving Ivy the cold shoulder like she didn’t even know her?

Kade wasn’t sure. He didn’t know if he was relieved that Samantha might be alive or angry that she had kept it from him. But he did know one thing: he needed to find out the truth. And this time, he would. No more lies.

He stood, pressing a kiss to Ivy’s forehead. Her eyelids were already growing heavy with sleep.

“Goodnight, princess.”

“Night night, Daddy…” Kade walked over to the door and shut the lights off. But before he could go Ivy called out, “Daddy?”

“Yes?” He expected her to ask for a glass or water or to leave the door cracked, just like she usually did. But instead, she looked at him from across the room and said, “Can we be happy with her?”

“What do you mean, silly?” He could hear her standing, sauntering across the room. Her hands trailed down his chest, and she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I had such a nice time with you tonight, but I’m not ready for the night to be over just yet…”

Kade caught her wrists before she could touch his groin. Gently, but firmly, he pushed her away. He turned and left without a word.

He should have known he would have to sleep in the spare room tonight. It was where he slept most nights these days.

…

Serena’s POV

Anger was still burning hot in Serena’s chest when she woke the next morning.

He did it. Again. Left her standing there, completely humiliated and furious.

Seven years. Seven fucking years, and Kade still couldn’t bring himself to sleep with Serena. She had laid herself bare before him, literally, and he still denied her. She wasn’t fat. She wasn’t ugly. What was his fucking problem with her?