Chapitre 12: Ch 12: Running into Familia Faces - Part 1
Anabella had no intention of keeping James out for as long as she did, but once she was out and alone with the kid, she found that James was not that bad.
James liked to do fun things, and he was a genuinely nice and caring kid…when he was not being a dick.
For now, Anabella was not the woman who had married James's father, and he was not someone out to drive her away from his father. He was just a kid enjoying life with someone he knew and somewhat trusted.
Anabella took him to the arcade, where his father and mother hardly ever took him because they did not have time.
She even took him for fast food for dinner since she had time.
It was fun, and James always acted like a kid his age. But it was getting late, and as much as Anabella wanted to stay out, she could not afford to do that.
"James, I think we should head back now. It's quite late, and your father would start to worry soon."
Anabella called out, but the kid looked disappointed in the after-dinner play area. He quickly got out and ran toward Anabella...before he remembered what he was doing and caught himself.
*cough*
"I see! So, have you called for a driver to come and pick us up? How soon can the driver be here?"
James asked in a neutral voice. The kid tried to hide his disappointment, and Anabella felt sorry for him.
At the same time, an awkward look took over Anabella's face at James's question, and she did not know how to answer him.
She had called for the driver to come and pick her and James up. But before she could tell the driver about James, the older beta cut her call off with, 'I am sorry, but I am busy picking up 'real' madam to come to you.'
Anabella had also called the other driver, but she had been given the same excuse.
These drivers always gave her the same excuse, so she had gotten used to it by now. But James did not know that…or need to know that.
"Ah, about that driver! I called him, but he was too busy to answer my call. How about we head home in a taxi this time? It will be a new experience for you…"
Anabelle tried to lessen the blow as much as she could, but it was easy to tell that James did not believe her.
"Is that so? Can I try to call the driver this time? I promise I will make it quick."
James promised, and Anabella intended to tell him 'no' before she handed the kid the phone.
After all, what was the worst that could happen here?
"Fine, here you go."
Anabella handed the phone to James, and he quickly dialed the first driver.
The driver picked up the call only after two bells.
"Hey, I told you I am busy driving Madam around and have no time to pick you up. Manage on your own, just like you always do-"
"I think that will be enough. Give me the phone."
Anabella was annoyed, but she was not cruel. She did not want James to hear such words at a young age.
James blinked a few times as he looked at Anabella with a startled expression before it tightened up.
"You should fire that driver for being that rude to you. He should not be allowed to talk to you like that."
It was a thoughtful gesture for James to say this, but ultimately, it was empty.
"As much as I want to do that, I am afraid that I do not have the authority to decide that or do anything about it. Now, I think we should head home. I will call a taxi and-"
"Hey, it's you! Anabella. Long time no see! Man, you just disappeared without saying a word, and no one knew where you went. Where were you?"
The first thing Anabella noticed were those pheromones that smelled familiar before she saw the person attached to those pheromones.
Something about that face felt familiar, but she could not figure out what it was. Her mind felt like it was trying to remember something.
Soft yet firm arms warped around Anabella's frame before she was pulled into a soft hug, and something finally clicked in her mind she had buried far behind.
"C-Clair! It's nice to meet you, but can you let me go now? You are crushing me."
Anabella pushed at Clair's chest as she spoke.
The female alpha's familiar scent made Anabella feel slightly out of it. But only because she used to have a crush on this alpha.
Part of her mind remembered that, making things difficult for Anabella.
'My crush on Clair and her Noah dictated most of my young life. I don't think I ever got over that crush of mine.'
Annabella was married and had a family, but her heart skipped a beat when she looked at the female before her.
She was looking for an excuse to leave when an even stronger scent assaulted her and made her freeze.
Anabella could tell that the source of that familiar but strong pheromone was standing right behind her, and a hand reached for her shoulder, making her tense.
When that hand was about to land on her shoulder, it changed its course and warped itself around Anabella's neck and scent gland instead.
"Oh wow! What a rare and amazing find! Is it our omega friend who decided to up and vanish as soon as she came of age? I never thought I would see you again. What a surprise! Won't you say that as well, Anabella?"
Noah's pheromones were harsh but comfortable and gentle at the same time.
She could fall asleep, yet Anabella's brain and instincts kept waking her repeatedly.
'This is bad. This is so bad for my heart as well as my brain. I need to find an excuse to get out of here, or I won't be able to make it.'
Anabella's head was spinning with all these pheromones that dominated her. She wanted to get away, but coming up with an excuse was a difficult matter for her.
Just when she was sure she wouldn't get an excuse in time, James spoke up almost hesitantly.
"Who are all of you, and what do you want from Anabella? I do not like you, so can you leave us alone? Anabella, we need to head home now."
The alpha kid interjects, and his young pheromones finally calm Anabella down and give her something to focus on instead.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone