Second Thoughts After Divorce
Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Ashton’s POV

“Ok listen to me carefully Rose, we will be arriving at Jacobs pack in less than ten minutes now and I need you to put this cloak on. You will keep your head low, stay quiet and stay by my side at all times, let me do the talking. Is that clear?” I now sit across from Ruse, whilst Hunt Takes Lydia off to the side to tell her what to expect from travelling in with him too,

I had held off on this part for as long as possible, not wanting to ruin the journey by making her worry or causing her to overthink.

Lad just

The truth was, that until we reached the packs private hotel, where the hall would be held, Bose wouldn’t be one hundred percent safe. If I had waltzed through the territory with Rose by my side, amidst the many of his curious pack members followed by the countless other pack officials arriving at the event, it could be chaos.

Too many people would be curious to know who my new female accomplice was, especially considering that they no doubt already knew what had happened to my other mate… Vanessa.

They could see Rose as being a

g a weakness of mine… and that, was something I wouldn’t risk having.

It wasn’t uncommon either for Alphas and officials to keep their dates covered up, at least until we are on Jacobs mute private and secured grounds. In fact, I remember back to my first ball with Vanessa, where I had asked her to do the same until we had gotten inside.

“W–Will everything be ok? They don’t mind me being here? W–With you do they?” Rose’s large doe eyes stare back at me, before trailing down to the cloak in her hands with suspicion.

“Of course not, I would just rather avoid any unnecessary questioning before the ball. Lydia will be covered up too for her own safety 1 explain, as her thumbs brush over the soft fabric of the dark hood.

Rose stayed quiet, staring down at it in her hands and avoiding my eyes. Something was bothering her, and maybe it was just the whole intensity of the ball itself, and the thought of facing Derrick… but whatever it was, would have to wait for now.

“Go and put it on, we will be there in our private room before you know it.” I push on, feeling the train begin to slow signalling that we were pulling in to the station now,

Rose forced herself to stand, turning on her heels to approach Lydia as they both fumbled with the fabric to help one another fasten the material in silence…

From the statio

station, we would walk through the village to the pick up point where cars will be waiting to take us to the hotel.

“Mines seems off…” Hunt approaches me, mumbling lowly as his concerned tone meets my ears,

I take instant note of him referring to Lydia as ‘his‘, and avoid teasing him on it, since now wasn’t the time.

“Probably just their nerves…. we can figure it out when we get there. I state, deciding to finish off the remains of my third beer, before chucking the bottle in to the trash bin.

“You know the drill anyway?” I question next, as Hunt nods and cracks his knuckles as though he was physically preparing for the crowds we were about to face.

“Ready men?!” Sawyer interrupts us loudly, seeming relaxed and ecstatic to be here – clearly missing out on the tension building amongst the cabin. Hunt shakes his head, as I also ignore him and turn back to replace both of the girls fully covered in the long dark cloaks, faces now hidden.

Great… that will help.

The train bobbled slower with each passing moment, as the air grew thicker with it. I still couldn’t quite believe that I had came back here, and with new male at that too

I didn’t ever see this for myself… not after what happened… but that was until I met Rose.

The wheels scorched, and

the in

train pulled to a complete stop, as I gathered up my personal belongings and headed over for Ruse.

“Meet you there.” I state to both Sawyer and Hunt, knowing fine well that I would no doubt lose them at anme point along the way,

Hunt took a hold of Lydia’s hand, separating her from Rose as she stumbled her way towards the train doors over the large cloak–Sawym following

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The Inzzer quickly sounded out, before the doors flew open – allowing everyone to depart from the train – officially announcing the arrival in to jacobs Teritory.

Hunt was instantly gone with Lydia, followed by Sawyer, as I turned back to stare down at Rose–hood successfully covering her entire face…

“Trust me ok? This little part might be a bit overwhelming but just stay beside me and I’ll get you through it. I speak confidently, hoping to comfort her somewhut with my strength as her hooded head bobbled up and down – as she nodded in agreement.

With that, I found her hand at the end of her sleeve–grasping it tightly–feeling the sweat building on her palms from the nerves,

I decide to get things over with, heading for the door and pulling Hose along with me stepping out on to the platform.

It was quiet at first, as I liked down the platform and seen some of my men still departing and helping to grab the suitcases and bags.

As I remembered, I headed for the same exit doors–leading me up a set of stairs where two of Jacobs guards stood proudly.

“Alpha Silver What a great pleasure to see you back! Please go on right ahead!” The older guard greets me instantly with a smile, as I recognise his face from beloor.

I give him an appreciative nod, before he opens the doors for us seeming to unleash the roaring sound of cheers and applause with it..

Here we go….

Rose’s grip on my hand tightens instantly from the noise, as all she could currently see was her own two feet from below as she kept

at up with my pace.

There were thousands of pack members, all behind barriers that created a tunnel of sorts which leads through the village to the main car park.

I looked on at some of the excited faces, and took note of the shocked ones as well as they whispered and gasped… probably surprised to see my return I quickened my pace by them, before rounding a bend and replaceing the path growing more narrow as we went on… meaning that the crowds were somewhat closing in on us.

It was only then, that the intensity cume. The reaching hands, the grabbing, the tugging and the screams out for attention.

“Ashton…” I hear Rose suddenly yelp out loudly, as I turn to replace a female latched on to her other sleeve–shaking her and screaming to be noticed by

With that, I growled defensively, causing a nearby guard of Jacobs to rush to the scene. Instantly, he had the female shoved off of her, as I wasted no time on pulling us through the remainder of the walk…

I understood the hype of it all, since this was the only ever time that every single Alpha and high status figure would come together as one.

I wanted to believe that the rowdiness of the audience only came from a place of respect wanting to be seen and heard by those which they valued most – however it was a large pain in the ass for us on this end.

Thankfully though, the carpark came in to view, as Rose stumbled and tripped every so often to keep up with my large strides. I held her hand tightly. pulling her upwards whenever she threatened to fall wanting to have this part over with sooner rather than later…

“Whose that with you Alpha?!” I hear a male voice call out loudly from the crowd as we walked down the last stretch of the path…

*Show your face?!” Another female demanded loudly, as my body temperature grew hot at the feeling of being disrespected.

But this was how it was every year… they

nosey, and longed to know each and every detail about the life of an Alpha….

I ignored it, using every ounce of control I had, before we finally made it to the array of cars. I scanned around the secured carpark and it’s appointed staff quickly replaceing a female staff member holding my name up high written on a whiteboard.

–

I approached instantly, seeing her eyes widen slightly when noticing us coming towards her at a rapid speed….

“A–Alpha! Great! Yes! My name is Wendy and I am your driver this evening.” The female, Wendy, announced – seeming thankful to have found us before turning and gesturing to the fancy blacked out vehicle behind her.

She was dressed in a neat black dress with black tights, her auburn hair neatly styled back in to a bun, I knew that Jacob held high standards for the

Chapter 54

ball, and so far, it seemed that nothing had changed from how I remembered it.

“Thank you.” I nod in approval, seeming to ease her racing nerves ever so slightly as she released a shaky breath.

Wendy moved sufficiently to open the back door up for us, as I ushered Rose to climb inside first–giving her a hand–before sliding in after to

The second the door closed, I could sense Rose’s upset seeping through our bond, which caused my protective instincts to

Thankfully, the car had a privacy screen – which I instantly chose to put up separating us from Wensly, which I’m guessing probably made her feef better about her job today too…..

I then reached across, grabbing Rose’s waist, before pulling her across the leather seat and in to my lap with ease. Rose sniffled, as my hand bound her bood pulling it up and over her head to reveal her tear stricken face.

Fuck.

“Rose… doll what is it?? You did it, look it’s ok!” I use the back of my hard to wipe her wet cheeks, as she closes het eyes tightly and chokes out a soli

My heart cracks, not knowing that she had gotten in to such a devastated state until now…

“Rose look at me… open your eyes…” I beg, bolding her shivering body to my chest tightly, feeling s

like I did

suddenly

by guilty for throwing her in to the deep end

“Rose… LOOK AT ME! I demand, unable to control my heightened emotions, which finally caused her eyes to blink open once again.

“Ash–Ashton… I’m s–sorry… I shouldn’t have c–come…” Rose suddenly cries out her thoughts, as I squint down at her.

“You did good” It’s my fault! I thought that if I didn’t tell you about the crowds, that you wouldn’t have worried about it. I thought that getting it over with as quickly as possible would be best but I was wrong I’m sorry!” I hush her, as she shakes her head vigorously.

“No! No it’s me! I don’t f–fit in here! is that why you gave me the cloak? Y You want to keep me hidden? I’m bringing you shame by being here, just like I thought! Y–You just didn’t want to hurt my feelings!” Rose sobs loudly again, this time covering her heated cheeks with her hands as my mouth drops. open at her words.

Is that it?

Is that what she honestly thought this was?

“What? Rose no! That’s not it at all! It’s always been normal for Alphas to cover up their females on arrival. There’s just too many croods and things can get wild! It’s best for everybody, that’s why Lydia done it too! It’s not that I’m not proud to have you here as my mate! I defend, feeling worse now that I hadn’t initially explained the reasoning for the cloaks all too well….

This was probably why she had gotten so quiet back on the train… her thoughts must have spiralled out of control from there….

*L… I don’t belong here… you must know now that this was a m–mistake! You could have picked anyone Ashton… so why me?!” Rose continues to cry. seeming to ignore my words as I grow instantly frantic and concerned.

“Fucking stop saying that shit! Listen to me Rose! My wolf doesn’t like t that you feel this way and neither do !! Enough!” I command firmly, using my Alpha tone to my advantage with her once again (a habit in which I will have to work on since it wasn’t exactly fair) however I refused to let her think

this way.

Rose looks taken aback by my strict tone, blinking through her wet lashes as the silent tears continued to fall down her cheeks…. “Listen to me fully this time ok?” I test, calmer this time, as Rose seems to nod and remain silent–giving me my space to continue…

“I picked you to be my mate, and it was no fucking mistake I can promise you that! I’m an Alpha, Rose, which means I am a very protective man – especially in crowded and intense environments. I’m not lying when I say that coveting females up here is common. Many, if not all Alphas do this on the arrival day just to put everyone at case! Believe it or not, this was exactly how I treated Vanessa when I fast brought her to the ball with me too, an please don’t think that I’m covering you up because I am ashamed because that is fucking ridiculous! Yes are mine now! You chose to be mine, and i chose în be yours! There is no shame to it! All I want, is for you to be sale and pistected – until we reach lacubs private groundh. Al the ball, I will be far more comfortable showing you off to every single established wolf in there because I am proud to have you by my side–do I make myself clear” | conclude, meaning each and every word as I state in to her eyes.

Rose sniffles a little, pausing in thought, before her head moves slowly to form a nos….

“S–Sorry. I just got a little…” Rose trails off quietly, staring down at her hands which she now fumbled with on her lap.

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“therwhelmed? Yeah I get it. But don’t dare think that this dumb cloak is all because I’m embarrassed by you… that will never be the case.” I state, before adjusting myself to pull her in to my arms in a tight embrace.

Rose instinctively snuggles in to my chest, as I glance out at the familiar surroundings passing us by…

We are almost there…