Rejected Mate's Redemption (Freda and James)
Mates 44

Chapter 44 FREDA WHITLOCK

It was evening time, Lyra, Cisco and I were all seated together in the living room as Lyra cracked silly jokes and we all laughed. It was a lively atmosphere and I looked at Cisco who laughed at another of Lyra's silly jokes, his eyes glinted with the innocence of a child and I couldn't help but sigh in contentment with a wide smile on my face.

My mind strayed to the party taking place at Cisco's school and how it was compulsory for his father to attend. My smile faded instantly as my mood soured.

Lyra kept playing with Cisco and she even advanced to tickling him, his pure innocent laughter filled the whole room. I watched this all with a strained smile, Lyra, bless her soul, must have noticed as she kept glancing at me with a typical Lyra ‘are you okay?' face. I just shook my head and glanced at Cisco.

She nodded, giving me the 'we would talk about this later' look and went back to playing with Cisco, soon my baby fell asleep on the couch. And Lyra, who had been waiting for that moment, took a seat beside me on the couch and attacked me with questions.

"What's wrong Freda, you look off?She asked, her eyebrows knitted together in worry, I couldn't blame her as I'd been sitting the whole evening with a stiff expression on my face. I gave her a light smile that didn't reach my eyes as I looked down at my feet.

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"They are holding a party at Cisco's school and Cisco was selected among the top ten intelligent students". I finally began. to speak. "Wow, that's awesome, you should be happy" she squealed as she shook my arms vigorously.

I looked down at my feet, and tears rushed to my eyes, threatening to spill. Lyra stilled when she saw my reaction. "There's more to it, spill it" she said, giving me a gentle nudge.

"The attendance of his father is required, if not Cisco would be disqualified" I said barely audibly. Lyra gasped. "No way, you're not taking that arrogant animal as his father", she said a bit too loudly and Cisco stirred in his sleep.

"Shhh", I said, nudging her, "talk a little more softly you'll wake Cisco" I added giving her a hard glare. "Fine" she whispered but her blue eyes still glowed fiercely

"Tell me you're not thinking of taking Kaiden, Freda" she whispered, her gaze scrutinizing me. "Of course not" I denied. "I'm sure as hell not taking Kaiden, but I don't want Cisco to be disqualified either. Why is everything so difficult?" I asked as I placed my head in my palms agitatedly.

"Ever since we came back it's just been from one issue to another". I muttered with a tinge of sadness. Lyra pulled me in one of her comforting bear hugs and I purred softly.

"It's going to be okay, everything will be okay," she said reassuringly, as she rubbed my back gently.

By the way," she said, breaking the silence." Don't you have anyone you're seeing?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows and my face turned crimson red immediately as I pulled out of her embrace.

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Oh come on, you've been out of the pack for six years, surely you have someone," she said, nudging me and I blushed deeply.

Ohhhh" she laughed, "you do have someone you like, tell me, what's his name, give me all the details". I smiled, Lyra wasn't going to let me go until I spilled everything. We've been apart for six years. I hadn't fulfilled my duty as a friend, the least I could. do was tell her what I'd been up to.

Taking a deep breath, "I do have someone", I muttered slowly. "Of course it's obvious, silly”, Lyra said, rolling her eyes. "Show me his picture" she said as she stretched her hands out for my phone.

I took my phone out and searched for his picture, finally seeing it, I handed my phone to her. She took the phone and her eyes widened.

"His name is Cole Norman, he's a doctor, we met at the Cafe where I work part time". I disclosed as I inched closer to Lyra who hadn't stopped staring at my phone.

I knew she was impressed, Cole was handsome, I mean he had light brown eyes, a clearly defined jaw, straight nose and his eyes had that playful glint to them. Everyone liked Cole. He was a very funny person though he wasn't as handsome as Kaiden.

Wait why was I even thinking about that d**h**g. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I continued to stare at Lyra who hadn't blinked for the past five minutes.

"Lyra!"I exclaimed as I nudged her in the ribs. "So what do you think?" I asked curiously, as I grabbed my phone from her hand. She seemed to come to her senses as she began to speak almost immediately. "You're asking me what I think?" she yelled

Chapter 44

and I had to tell her to be quiet because of Cisco.

"Sorry" she muttered sheepishly as she scratched her head. "Why aren't you going out with him? You obviously like him a little, and this guy is hot as hell,way better than that d*g, she **muttered, rolling her eyes in the Lyra way.

"I know", I replied slowly drawing my gaze to my feet. "It's Gia, she doesn't really like humans. She replaces it hard to adapt to them, especially the men" I finished and my wolf growled in approval and it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"Oh" Lyra muttered softly. "That could be a little discouraging," she added and I sighed nodding my head. Just then, my phone vibrated in my hand. My eyes widened in surprise.

It's Cole", I whispered as I shoved the phone in her face. What do I do? What should I say?" I questioned as

apprehension set in. "Wow, your Prince charming is just in time, answer it" she said as she gave me a gentle shove.

Gia growled at me in warning. 'I shouldn't answer it', I thought. I hesitated but one expectant look from Lyra had me answering the phone call ignoring Gia's warning.