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Tatum ignores her and turns to Kelvin, his eyes completely calm and confident as he takes his seat.

“You understand this is standard procedure for your return?”

“Yes Alpha,” Kelvin replies in a calm voice and Tatum’s eyes shift from him to the little girl he is holding, his attention drawn to her distinct eyes.

They look a bit like Leila’s father’s eyes, only his were a golden brown, not fully golden as hers.

“You have very beautiful eyes, little one,” He says to Amara, flashing her a small smile but she frowns at him. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“I may be little but I’m not little one, my name is Amara,” she replies in her tiny curt voice, pointing her little index finger at him.

“Are you the bad uncle that sent uncle bully to bring us here? If you give my mama any trouble, I will give it back to you,” she issues him a stern warning, glancing at Theo whose eyes are keen on her.

Tatum hides his smile, keeping his face stoic. “And how do you plan to do that? I am the Alpha and you’re in my territory.”

“Well, listen to me uncle Alpha, I am my mama’s daughter and I will fight anyone for her,” she clenches her fist, narrowing her eyes at him.

Tatum chuckles softly, raising his hands in surrender and he glances at Leila who still stands, hands crossed against her chest, eyes hard as steel.

“You have my word Amara, I will bring no trouble to your mama.”

Amara snorts, mimicking Leila’s pose. “I don’t trust you, you are not mama’s friend.”

“Of that you are right, your mama and I are not friends, but I am not her enemy,” Tatum replies to Amara but his eyes are fixed on Leila, his voice dropping an octave lower and Leila doesn’t want to believe it is remorse she can hear in them.

“Theo, why don’t you take our little friend to the playground? I’m sure she’ll be excited to make new friends. Costner, go with them and sign the necessary paperworks for your return while you’re at it. Your banishment has been revoked but as for her,” his gaze shifts to Leila sharply, “we need to have a talk.”

Leila’s heart pounds, an uneasy feeling grating at her nerves, hating the way every time he looks at her, something deep inside her wants to yield to him.

“We have nothing to talk about,” she says curtly. “If they leave, so do I.”

“I admire you thinking you have a choice but sadly, you don’t,” Tatum smirks at her.

“Theo,” he says and Theo leads the way out.

‘Stay,‘ Leila mindlinks Kelvin as he stands up, ‘you said you will be my side.”

She doesn’t want to be alone with Tatum.

There’s something about the calm look in his eyes that unnerves her, she cannot read the emotions behind them and it makes her uneasy.

What does he want with her?

Does he want to punish her for the accusations five years ago or does he want to apologise to her for his wrong doings?

He pardoned Kelvin without an appeal, what is he up to?

What are his intentions?

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She doesn’t want to be caught off guard by him. She wants to be prepared for whatever he wants to throw at her.

He’s still my Alpha, I can’t disobey him and it’s probably best to keep the past away from the kid,” Kelvin replies, stepping out of the office behind Theo.

“The years have been kind to you.” Tatum says calmly, gesturing at the chair in front of him for her to sit.

Leila keeps feet rooted to the same spot, her eyes callous and cold.

“I wish I could say the same for you,” she replies curtly, but she knows there is no truth behind her words.

Aside from his thoughtful eyes and fuller beard, he looks like has barely aged a day, the radiant handsomeness of his face ever

present.

Tatum smiles wryly at her. “I guess being an Alpha without a Luna took its toll.”

Leila scoffs, almost rolling her eyes at him.

What happened to his phoenix Luna, the one he just engaged?

“What is it you want, Tatum? Why am I even here?”

“The second highest ranking member of the pack returns after five years, a sit down with her alpha is necessary, don’t you think?”

“I am no member of your pack and you are not my alpha.”

“Is that really your stand?”

“Yes,” Leila’s voice becomes even colder.

Tatum smirks at her, standing up and walking towards her, Leila backs away slowly, feeling the pace of her heart beat increase, watching him calculatingly,

Tatum doesn’t step to her, rather, he sits on the table, crossing his ankles on the floor, his gaze set ahead, not looking at her.

“Liana Rogers is currently under investigation for crimes against a deceased member of this pack. As her- Alpha, I forbid you from speaking to her, unless of course, you say the words.”

Leila grits her teeth hard, her eyes narrowing dangerously at him, thinning into a murderous scowl.

She either admits he is still her Alpha or he will not let her see her mother.

Does her misery bring him so much pleasure? She will not give him the satisfaction of yielding to his wishes.

“Do your worst, you cannot stop me from seeing her and if it’s war you want, I’ll fight you with everything I have.”

“Very well my prodigal Luna, I look forward to this….war between us,” he replies, a suggestive smirk on his lips.

Collins Patrick Author

Thank you for reading.

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