Second Thoughts After Divorce

Chapter 37

Rose’s POV

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07:45

The three of us left the dimly lit room, escaping the oppressive atmosphere of the salon. On our way, Lydia kept her head low, avoiding the curious eyes of both the staff and customers from the top floor.

The owner offered us a nod of understanding on our passing – seeming to have attempted to hide Lydia’s state from us for her own privacy and protection… at least I hope that was the true reason?

Ashton leads the way, ignoring the wandering eyes, with his protective aura swamping the surroundings as we made our way back up the stairs and out of the salon doors.

I stayed back, closer to Lydia, offering her a reassuring smile, silently letting her know that she wasn’t alone in any of this.

1 couldn’t help but wonder how much knowledge the owner of the salon actually had about Lydia’s situation, and why she hadn’t thought to tell the Alpha sooner?

But right now wasn’t the time to dwell on that…

Our main priority was getting Lydia back home with us to safety, where we can get to the bottom of what’s going on in her private life… to fix it!

Ashton’s car was waiting for us just outside the salon, and he instantly opened the back door for Lydia to step in first, helping her inside before turning to me. “You sit in the back with Lydia and I’ll drive. He instructs, as I nod in agreement with the iden

I slide in to the seat beside her without question, as she turns to offer me a tired smile. Ashton soon follows, climbing in behind the wheel, his expression a mix of concern and anger. He starts the car, and we begin our journey back to our home….

The ride was mostly silent, with Lydia lost in her thoughts as she stared on our of the window aimlessly. I didn’t want to push her to talk about what had happened any further – not yet.

She needed some time to process everything herself… since this was a big step for her.

Once we arrived back at the pack house, Lydia was visibly tense. The unfamiliar surroundings and the presence of other pack members seeming to overwhelm her.

Ashton parked up the car, and got out first, moving quickly to Lydia’s side to assist her.

She looked fragile, like a terrified mouse caught up in a trap.

I stepped out of the car as well, my eyes scanning the large building before us. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, even though most of the pack members and staff were unaware of what had actually transpired.

Ashton gently guided Lydia towards the entrance, his protective instincts in full force as he gestured for us to follow him in.

The pack house was bustling with activity, pack members going about their daily routines to help keep the Alphas living space as clean and as comfortable as possible – a pressure filled role that I, myself, knew all too well at my old pack.

They shared glances with us curiously on our passing, some offering polite nods to the Alpha, while others whispered amongst themselves, undoubtedly curious about the presence of both myself and Lydia behind him.

Ashton led us through the grand hallway and towards a quieter wing of the house where a couple of the spare bedrooms were located. He pushed open the door to one of the rooms, revealing a neatly made up bed and egy furnishings- a lick of light pink paint coating the walls and complimenting the white wood furnishingt

You can stay in here, Lydia, make this your new home if you’d like. Take your time to settle in and i can promise that no one will bother you whilst you are here.” Ashton assures her with a kind tone, squaring up slightly as Lydia slips inside the bedroom taking it all in.

Lydia nodded, her voice still barely above a whisper. “Thank you Alpha… this uh… means a but you know?” She trails off, her voice weak and desperate

I have to take a quick call but 111 be back… will you girls be ok in here for now?‘ Ashton turns his attention to me, as I nod instantly at the idea

I’m not exactly sure if he really did have to take an important call or not? Or whether this was just another way to help make Lycha more comfortable

around us? But regardless, I thought it would be best that he gave us some privacy.

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Ashton sighs briefly, offering us one final pitiful glance, before turning to leave us alone, closing the door behind him to give Lydia and I some spa07:43

I turned my attention to her instantly, feeling the silence suddenly thicken between us, as concern etched across my face. “You’re safe here, Lydia. If you need anything, just let me know. We only want to help you.” I state, watching Lydia move across the room slowly, her eyes moving around to take it all

Lydia stops in front of the dresser, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, as I watch her shaky hand behind her ear.

move up to f*ck a strand of loose hair back

She sniffles, as I take note of her watering eyes, before she manages to tum towards me with a small smile, her eyes finally meeting mine for the first time since being in here…

“Th–Thank you, Bose. You and Alpha Ashton…. you’ve been so kind to me. This is… too much to ask for!” Lydia claims, her tone rising slightly in fright towards the end,

I instinctively move closer, sitting on the edge of the bed before patting the sheets for her to join me which thankfully she does.

“I know we only just met at the salon… but I do care about you, Lydia You don’t have to go through this alone anymore. I don’t know the ins and outs, but I know for a fact that you don’t deserve to live your life this way… there’s better things out there for you.” I encourage, meaning every word.

She hesitates for a moment before finally speaking, her voice trembling slightly again as her lip wobbles. “I’m just… I’m ashamed, Rose. Ashamed that I let this happen to me. I was never this way… I was happy… confident… I was a totally different person before Nathan!” Lydia admits, as my heart aches for her.

I reach out, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder to offer some reassurance. “It’s not your fault, Lydia, none of this is. You didn’t let this happen nor could you have stopped him from doing what he did. No one deserves to be treated like that and it’s absolutely all on him.” I confirm with a stem nod, as she blinks up at me through her wet Inshes

Tears gather up in her eyes, as she blinks them back forcefully. “I should have seen the signs at the start, but I was so in love with him at first… he was. sweet and caring. I didn’t think he could ever hurt me. Even when he began telling me what to wear and how to act… I didn’t think too much of it, at the time I didn’t want to!” Lydia’s voice is low, as 1 lean towards her ever so slightly just to hear her whispers.

I listen as best I can as Lydia begins to open up, her voice quivering as she shared her story.

She explained that Nathan had moved to the pack only two years ago because his cousins, who were also known troublemakers, live here too.

When they had first met, he had bee

been the perfect boyfriend, showering her with affection and kindness, and quite literally pulling her under his spell…

But Lydia soon explained that one night, everything just sort of changed,

It was awful……, the first time it happened… but I really did believe at that point that it was just a slip up from him. I didn’t ever think that it would turn in to this…..” Lydia wipes her nose with her sleeve, using this as a chance to catch her breath.

“I’m sorry if I’m boring you with my problems Roser Lydia suddenly states, her eyes widening as though the thought had just occurred to her….

“No! No! Not at all! You aren’t bothering me in the slightest… please continue… you can tell me everything?” I shake my head furiously, not wanting to put the girl off her story, as she gulps and seems to calm back down again.

Ok…” She sucks in a deep breath, closing her eyes momentarily before continuing on…

She recounted the story of the first time he had laid a hand on her, the fear and shock evident in her voice as she almost relives the moment right

before min.

harrowing tale, and by the end of it, my heart truly ached for her…

Lydia explained how the had accidentally spilled cleaning product on one of his new shirts, and when he had gotten hame from the pub that night… she told him about it only to see Nathan’s true colours after lust for the very first timel

awful Rose… he literally poured a whole beer bottle over my head before swadding it

claiming that he would ruin my outfit with

ind booze since I ruined his… I had to get stitches on my forehead and pretend that I fell I watch in humor as Lydia covers her face in her hands pulling her knees up towards her chest for comfurt as we botli fall silent,

Chapter 37

I hate this man… and I haven’t even met him!

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I couldn’t help the tears that filled my own eyes as I reached out and hugged her gently ignoring her tense body as I pull her in to my arms. “Lyd07:40 promise you, you’re safe now. We won’t let him near you ever again. You’re not alone in this. That is not love! I rub my hand up and down her back, as she sobs and cries into my chest–seeming to let her emotions run free.

As I held and rocked her, Ashton soon stepped back into t

the room, his expression softening when he saw us huddled together.

He gave us a moment of privacy before clearing his throat and speaking up. “Lydia, we’re here to protect you. You’re a part of my pack, and I take care of my own. For your own safety, I command that you do not leave this house until I see fit, is that agreeable?” Ashton states his thoughts on the matter, causing Lydia to pull back from our embrace to look up at him.

“Y–Yes Alpha…” Lydia nods frantically, knowing that with his Alpha command she would have no choice against his wishes anyway.

“It’s for the best.” Ashton states; his eyes darting to me briefly as I offer him a nod in silent agreement with his decision.

Lydia looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of both fear and hope. Thank y you, Alpha and thank you, Rose. Seriously, this is more than enough. Lydia wipes her wet ch*eks and breathes out as I shake my head.

This girl deserves a fresh start here… similar to what I needed when I first arrived… and who better than to help her with it at this point besides Ashton?

Ashton nodded, his gaze unwavering. “You’re always welcome, Lydia. We’re going to make sure that you’re safe and that Nathan can’t harm you ever again – it will not be tolerated. But for now, take some time to rest and recover. I will be here whenever you’re ready to share more. Ashton speaks, as Lydia nods along in understanding with him.

“Dinner will be served in an hour if you wish to freshen up and have some time alone? I’m sure Rose would be happy to lend you some clothes to change in to in the meantime?” Ashton suggests, as I nod instantly and stand.

“Of course! I’ll be

e back down in five!” I tell her, placing a final hand on her shoulder–offering her a reassuring squeeze

With that, we left Lydia to settle into her new temporary room, hoping that this would mark the beginning of her escape from the nightmare she had been living.

But we were all aware that the road to recovery would be a challenging one, and we were determined to help her every step of the way….

But before Lydia can truly move on… Nathan must be dealt with accordingly!

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