HIDING FROM THE MATEBOND

12. The Past

Calista

As I headed back home Aerion and Rose were temporarily forgotten.I had three hours until I was expected in the office.

My thoughts drifted to Ethan, waiting for me back home. There was only one week until he was officially enrolled in preschool.

He had grown so used to fending for himself in no man’s land that he had developed his own little routine. Still, a child his age should not have had to mature so quickly. I couldn’t find a sitter then, and now I can’t afford one. But it would be for a short time. At lunchtime, I would come home to check on him and also put him down for a nap till I was back.

When I got home, the soft hum of cartoons greeted me. Ethan was sitting on the worn-out carpet beside him, a mess of toys and snacks.

“Mommy!” he called, his eyes lighting up.

I smiled at the sight of him. “Hey, buddy. Did you have breakfast?”

He nodded. I walked over and ruffled his hair, then looked around the room.

His favorite toy truck was beside him. The small pile of fruit and cake was still on the table, just as I had left them.

Ethan had always kept himself occupied, but that didn’t make it any easier to leave him.

I knelt in front of him, brushing a crumb off his cheek. “Are you good here? Need anything?”

Ethan shook his head, his attention drifting back to the cartoon on the screen.

He was independent, maybe too independent, and with everything going on, I didn’t want him to feel forgotten.

“You know you can tell me if you need anything, right?” I said softly, my fingers brushing his cheek again. If anyone found out about him, they would consider me a bad mother. But I was slowly changing that.

“Yes, Mommy,” he mumbled, still engrossed in the TV.

I stood up, watching him for one last moment, before making my way to the kitchen to tidy up. As I moved, my mind wandered back to earlier at Aerion and particularly the moment I had winked at him.

It had been bold, too bold, considering the circumstances. I had wanted to show him that I wasn’t rattled by Rose’s little display, but winking at him? What was I thinking? Heat crept up my neck just remembering it. Listening to Lyra was a bad idea.

You were playing along. It’s fine, Lyra’s voice echoed in my mind.

If anyone asks, just pass it off as a joke. He’s your boss, not a king.

I rolled my eyes at her, still feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

He’s practically a king, I muttered under my breath.

He’s Aerion, Lyra corrected, her tone holding an air of dismissiveness.

Besides, he didn’t seem offended. He’s not as untouchable as you think. And we are going to that party. I don’t care about this change of heart you have going on.

Maybe she was right. I needed to stop overthinking things.

And as for Aerion... Well, I would deal with that when the time comes.

With a sigh, I pushed away from the counter and went to check on Ethan one last time before heading out.

I walked into the GreyHound Pack offices with a single goal in mind. I had not forgotten the last time I had been here.

I passed the lobby, checking the room for anyone who might be watching. The receptionist was thankfully missing and the place seemed empty.

The poster—that poster—was still up there, and after my previous close call with Ethan, I knew I couldn’t risk leaving it up any longer. I scanned the room for any CCTV cameras and there were none.

It was my first official day on the job as "Arya," and my first order of business? Rip my past away, literally.

I glanced around casually, pretending to adjust my bag over my shoulder as I approached the noticeboard. There was no one but someone could burst in at any time.

There it was—faded and folded at the edges, but still unmistakably my face staring back at me. Calista Frost. Wanted. Traitor.

I faked interest in the other notices tacked to the board, flicking through the irrelevant papers as though I were looking for something. Then, with a swift motion, I peeled the poster from the wall, folding it neatly into my bag.

I glanced around again, making sure no one had noticed, but everything seemed normal. No one was staring, no one had come in and no one rushing toward me. It was as though nothing had happened at all.

Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. This was just one poster and though I had gotten rid of it, I knew there could be more, scattered in forgotten corners of the pack.

But at least, for now, the danger had passed. The poster was gone, safely tucked away in my bag, ready to be destroyed the moment I had the chance.

I straightened my posture and walked confidently toward my space. I was Arya and I could do this.

As I sat at my desk, I focused on the stack of files in front of me in boxes. The receptionist had left them for me with a sticky note that she was not coming in, and my task was to organize the files in a way that was convenient for me. There was no orientation, I was being thrust into the work.

I was so caught up in my task that when Aerion walked in I was caught by surprise.

As soon as Aerion walked in, half-dressed my mouth went dry. Oh. My. Goddess. My brain screamed at me to look away, but my eyes? They had a mind of their own. His skin glistened, his abs rippling like something out of a fitness magazine. I blinked, trying to focus, but it was hard when he stood there looking like that.

I was just a weak omega. Why was he doing this to me?

Lyra was practically howling in my head.

"Yummy. Just... prime crop, right there."

I bit my lip, trying to ignore her. This is a professional setting, Calista, I reminded myself. But my wolf had no interest in being professional.

Remember when we slept with him in that dark bathroom? What a tragedy. We never got to properly see the goods. What a loss!

Lyra sighed dramatically.

We were robbed, really. But now—look at him.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, doing everything in my power not to openly stare. Aerion was saying something, apologizing maybe, but I could barely hear him over Lyra’s running commentary.

Can we ask to touch those abs? Just one finger? We haven't touched a man in years, Calista! I’m seriously concerned we may die from alpha touch deficiency syndrome.It’s a thing you know. Deadly even!

I nearly choked on air.

"Shut up, Lyra I hissed internally.

Aerion, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to my internal crisis as he said something about missing me too. The words hit me sending my heart racing.

I was about to respond, but my mind was too busy replaying the word missed. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks again.

Aerion’s gaze flicked to mine, and I tried to compose myself, but Lyra had other plans.

Just one touch. For old times' sake. Seriously, do you think he knows how good he looks? We should tell him, for science.

I mentally shoved Lyra back, trying to regain some sense of dignity.

“I—I didn’t mean for that to sound so...” My words trailed off as I caught sight of his chest again.

Focus, Calista!

Aerion smiled awkwardly, probably wondering why I was acting like a bumbling id.iot. He cleared his throat, offering a truce, and I quickly nodded.

Lyra on the other hand was already plotting a dozen ways to make sure we accidentally ran into Aerion’s abs again.

Next time, dark bathroom or not, we will inspect the goods she declared.

But for everyone's safety, mine especially, I reminded him to wear a shirt next time. I wasn’t about to expose myself. I needed to go back to thinking with my brain and not other parts.

I was not even over the small incident when the telephone suddenly buzzed, making me jump. I glanced down at the screen and froze. Aerion was calling me.

What now?

With a deep breath, I answered.

“Arya, come to my office,” his voice was smooth, as if he hadn’t just thrown me off-kilter earlier. “I have something I need you to work on.”

“Of course,” I replied, standing up quickly and straightening my skirt before making my way down the hall to his office.

When I arrived, Aerion was seated at his desk, his jacket thankfully on.

“I need you to handle a few things,” Aerion said, his tone all business now. He didn’t acknowledge what had happened earlier, which was a relief... and maybe a little disappointing.

“There are letters that need to go out, some food orders that need organizing, and an event that I need you to begin preparations for.”

I nodded, grabbing a notepad from my pocket to jot down the details. “What kind of event?”

His expression changed slightly, “It’s a memorial.”

I looked up, meeting his eyes, waiting for more information.

“A memorial for two Omegas who… passed. I’ll give you the contacts and details to start organizing it. It’ll require coordination with both families.”

“Who… who is it for?” My voice came out a little choked.

Aerion glanced at a paper on his desk before answering. “Anna... and Calista.”

The world seemed to stop. Calista?

They think I’m dead?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm, but my mind was racing. How had they presumed me dead? What story had been spun in my absence?

My hands gripped the notepad a little tighter, and I prayed that my shock wasn’t visible on my face. This was bad—very bad. If I slipped up, if I reacted too strongly, I might expose myself. And I couldn’t afford that. Not now. Not ever.

“I’ll get started on that,” I said, my voice a bit shaky.

“I’ll reach out to the families first.”

Aerion nodded, “Good. I’ll send you the contact details shortly. We’ll need this handled as delicately as possible.”

I forced a smile, though my chest felt like it was tightening with every breath. “Of course.”