Second Thoughts After Divorce

Chapter 49

Ashton’s POV

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05.03

“Sir perhaps the train is your best mode of transport for the hall? Will I book you a private carriage? It’s much faster to Alpha Jacobs pack and you can travel with the remaining men who aren’t going up early to help with the security? He ponders, as he follows me around my closet with a notebook in hand–trying to keep me organised.

It had been a while since I had attended the ball now, and with everything that had happened with Lydia and Nathan being brought to light, I felt extremely unprepared for it now.

I was currently in my closet, tossing numerous of items in to a suitcase – so that I could have it ironed and packed neatly before we depart on Friday – whilst one of my planners helped me complete a checklist.

“Yeah book it.” I state briefly, before hearing the scribbling of his pencil meet the page.

“Ok and what time would you like to leave on Friday?” He asks next, as I gran, feeling as though I had already answered a million questions prior to these ones.

Ten, and we should get there for around two. That gives us time to get in to our room and get ready for the ball when we arrive.” I speak my thoughts on it, as he nods and scribbles some more.

Rose had already picked out everything she needs, having only took over an hour this morning to do so…

I told them we could go to one of the new coffee shops in town, one that had been opened by two younger females who had decided to decorate the whole place and theme it pink. It was extravagant and the coffee and breakfast choices were said to be amazing already.

“What time is it?” I ask aloud, before ramming some pairs of boxer briefs on top of the case followed by socks.

“Approaching twelve sir, ten to.” He states, as I drag a hand down my face again in aggravation.

This was a simple task, packing, however I f*cking hated every last second of it.

“I’m leaving in ten minutes, ask Ruth to come up. She offered to organise our things if we picked it out for her, tell her it’s ready.” I state, standing to my full height from the floor completely bored and uninterested in the matter at hand.

“Of course sir, will that be all you’re needing from me? I’ll go get your train booked!” He bows, as I nod once and watch him scurry towards the door.

In my private silence, I tilt my head back and sigh loudly. Tomorrow, Nathan, Karl, Warren and Isabelle will face trial before the whole pack. They will be outed for their crimes and punished accordingly and then the next day it’s the ball!

I’ve not even had a single minute to check in on Rose privately and see how she feels about it all..

I had also tossed around the idea of bringing Lydia with us, thinking she could provide extra comfort to Rose.

Perhaps I can convince Hunt to ask Lydia to be his date… make it more formal and exciting… that will help keep Rose distracted from the fear of seeing Derrick Colt at the ball.

As I wrapped up the packing and left my closet, my thoughts remained heavy with the impending events. Tomorrow’s trial weighed heavily on my conscience, knowing that justice needed to be served for the heinous crimes Nathan, Karl, Warren, and Isabelle had committed against Lydia and the potential other women of our pack.

The night of the ball, though glamorous on the surface, held its own set of challenges, especially considering Derrick Colt’s presence. The idea of Lydia attending the ball as Hoct’s date still intrigued me as a way to offer Rose some more support in a less intimidating manner… and besides, I would think Lydia would prefer to join us rather than stay back here alone.

Heading down the grand staircase of our pack house, I found myself in the main foyer, where Hunt was casually leaning against a column with Sawyer – them both being roped in to visiting the pink coffee shop with me.

This is the perfect chance to ask Hunt to take Lydia to the ball…

“Couldn’t have picked any normal coffee place Ash?!” Sawyer mocks, as I roll my eyes at his amusement.

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“Blame the girls!” I grumble, as they both laugh next at my weakness – especially for Rose. That little woman could probably convince me to dress us a damn pink bunny rabbit if she wanted to.

04:59

“On a serious note Hunt… I need a favour! I announce, before taking a glance down the hallway to ensure none of the females were in sight.

“Yo what have I done?! How come he’s you’re number one man these days hmm? Sawyer jokes, clutching his heart with a tut as though he was seriously offended.

“No it’s more so what you’ve not done, it’s about Lydia and to put it lightly, Hunt and Lydia have somewhat bonded…” I smirk, as sawyer cackles in sudden realisation of what I meant.

“Hunt has a crush!” He announces loudly, before Hunt sends a sharp elbow in to his abdomen – forcing him forward as he groans.

“I f*cking

Hunt rages, the steam practically pouring from his ears.

“Well anyway… I wanted to ask your opinion on taking Lydia to the Alpha ball as your date? It might cheer her up a little and it will definitely ease Rose’s anxiety about going?” I explain, as Hunt narrows his eyes at my plan – hearing Sawyer snigger again.

Sawyer and myself always loved watching Hunt be forced in to any situation that makes him awkward or uncomfortable… it was our guilty pleasure even when we were young kids.. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

I watch as Hunt parts his lips to speak, before we turn at the sound of two giggling females as they rush down the hallways towards us….

“Sorry we were running later Rose apologises, as they meet us at the main door both dressed in pink for the occasion too.

Well I guess I’ll leave Hunt to sit on that one for a while…

previous topic of conversation to cover up, as

“Let’s go then shall we? I was thinking we could just walk down – it’s nice out today?” I swiftly change the p the girls nod and bead for the door – none the wiser.

Sawyer playfully nudges Hunt on our way out, giving him some eyebrow wiggles – silently continuing in his mockery as I bite back my own laugh. Hunt was furious, more so now that Lydia was actually here, but chose to bite his tongue to avoid drawing further suspicions from the two females who skipped excitedly ahead of us..

I drew back a little, allowing Rose and Lydia to

to get further down the path, before attempting to continue with the

private conversation.

“So how do you feel about it Hunt? 1 push, my voice barely above a whisper as he shoots me a glare.

“Well I don’t know how I feel since you two pricks are making it a giggling joke! He grumbles, as Sawyer snorts out again in amusement of his strop. “But realistically, Lydia will need to stay back here on her own for a couple of days if you don’t take her with you? That’s not really fair on her is it? After everything that’s about to happen with Nathan’s trial…” I decide to purposefully guilt trip him, as he rolls his eyes and thinks on it for a brief

moment

“I don’t have a crush you know…” He huffs, as I nod once seeing straight through his lie.

“Sure… whatever helps you sleep better at night bro!” Sawyer smirks, before I wave him off and silently tell him to shut up.

“Walk ahead! You’re not helping my case here!” I groan to Sawyer, who continues laughing and shrugs–breaking in to a light jog to catch up with the girls ahead.

“Ok on a serious level though Hunt, this would help me out a lot and whether you want to admit it to yourself or not, I know you feel something in that black heart of yours! Lydia could use the distraction, let her feel–like a princess for a night eh? Be a gentleman… I suggest, as Hunt stares at the stones below his feet as we walk deep in thought.

“The girl seems to trust you too… which is a big deal after everything she’s gone throught I watched how you two joked around at dinner last night… shes comfortable with you already.” I add, as he lifts his gaze to look ahead at Lydia the very female in question.

“Yeah I suppose…” He states, as I smirk at the little accomplishment,

Sawyer is just being an ass… he enjoys watching you squirm… ignore him and take the poor girl to the ball Hunt: She’s pretty and you seem to enjoy her company so I don’t see why you wouldn’t shout your shot?” I state the obvious, as he grumbles Incoherently struggling to admit to his ovat

“Ok fine! I’ll do it! But what about the sleeping arrangements? you I de intan supra suns damn bed with me He ponders, shoving his hands in to his sweatshin pocket with a dry laugh.

04:56

“Don’t worry about that just yet! We can make appropriate arrangements when we get there. I breathe out, knowing I would tackle that obstacle when

ask her tonight.” Hunt concludes finally, as I slap a hand on his back with pride.

“I owe you one for this… despite knowing that you’ll enjoy spending more time with her anyway! I chuckle, as he shakes his head.

We enter the town, as Rose, Lydia and Sawyer slow down to allow us a chance to catch up to them. I walk up front, taking the lead as I head towards the location of the riffee shop which was two streets over.

pink bubbles were spilling up and

It didn’t take long to get there, as the bubblegum pink bubble decorations came in to view. The idea was that the fake p out of the shops chimney–having placed them down the outside of the shop for added effect.

“IT IS SO CUTE Bose

gushes, as I hear them squeal in sudden excitement at the sight of the place.

Who knew a pink coffee shop could bring so much joy….

We approached the main doors–painted pink with gold details – before I stepped in first–seeing pink tables, chairs, a flower wall and twinkling hanging lights around the ceiling.

The cabinet of sweet treats and cakes beside the counter held numerous pink themed desserts – causing Rose and Lydia to gravitate towards them deciding on which ones they would try first.

As I waited at the door, a small female wearing a baby pink apron approached us a bright smile plastered on her face and a small notebook in hand.

“Alpha! What a pleasure! How many would you like a table for? We have an upstairs area too which is much quieter and it has a balcony if you would prefer to sit out in the sun today? She chimes, before Rose and Lydia return to our side.

“Downstairs, upstairs or on the balcony?” I look down to Rose and question, as she places a finger on her chin as if in serious thought.

“The balcony? What do you think?” She tests her idea with me, as I nod once and agree with her wishes.

“Oh it’s our new Luna as well! What a pleasure to have you all visit our new place! Right this way… The girl gestures with her hand, leading us towards a staircase.

Rose’s mouth gapes a little at being called Luna for the first time as she stares up at me and blinks a little in surprise. I offer her a smile, before my hand finds the small of her back and pushes her to walk on rather than thinking in to it too much.

The table we are given is great, giving us more privacy away from the rest of the guests downstairs.

“Here are our menus…

nus… and I’ll be back to take your order in five! The girl announces, as we thank her and take our seats – admiring the outside decor.

They really had put a lot of thought in to decorating this place. The outside was covered in a variety of pink and white flowers – with a neon sign reading Coffee & Cakes placed on top.

Even the menus were themed to suit the vibe of the place showing off pictures of their most popular options amongst the rest.

“The cakes all look AMAZING! Rose drags her hands down her face dramatically as I laugh:

“Don’t mind the cakes! Get a sandwich or something first! You’ve not ate today yet!” I wam, as though she were just a child, as she rolls her eyes at my scolding

She fumbles to the next page, examining the real food options, as Lydia follows suit and does the same.

They seemed quite content being in here, and perhaps this place was the best idea of a distraction for them both since tomorrow would be a tough day…

But justice will be served

Saving Tragedy