34. Silas
Chapter 34
Silas
With Lily in my arms, and the sun in my eyes, I stride down the boardwalk toward the boat now docked on the Amalfi Coast.
I’m not only here for Lily’s sake but also because Ava is mine, and I’m going to prove to her I am. Though it doesn’t stop my heart from pounding with fear. I momentarily stop walking and glance around.
It’s beautiful here, multi-colored houses cascading down the cliff side like a vibrant waterfall frozen in time. Smaller boats mingle with enormous super yachts, their hulls gleaming in the late afternoon sun.
But my eyes are again fixed on one vessel in particular. The white and navy boat docked at the end of this boardwalk.
The one Ava lives on.
The one that carried my omega away from us.
I was so fucking angry with Ava for leaving without a word, without a care for Lily. The memory of consoling my daughter night after night because she missed her “Mommy” still burns in my chest. And then Max admitted to her letter, and that anger turned to a complicated mix of hope and anxiety.
I don’t blame Max for withholding it. He was devastated when he learned of her escape.
He became withdrawn, and I never saw him for days until the day he gave me the letter and told me she was ours. He just had to work out how to let her know. And get her to believe it.
Then he disappeared and went to America.
I’m not waiting.
She said come visit. So here I am, heart pounding, Lily’s slight form a comforting weight in my arms.
“Is this where Mommy is?” Lily asks as we reach the boat I know belongs to Ava and Seb. Her dainty nose sniffs the air, like she can smell her already. But it’s her little voice that is filled with such hope that nearly breaks me.
I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why don’t we find out, sweetheart?”
I inhale a deep breath. I don’t smell her scent yet, only the salty sea breeze that ruffles my hair, and carries with it the smell of sun-warmed stone and blooming bougainvillea that grows on the arbors of the homes all around us.
As we reach the boat, I step onto the immaculate deck and glance around. Everything is in its place, but there’s no sign of Ava.
There’s a sudden rush of footsteps and Seb emerges from below deck. The surprised look on his face turns to wariness.
“Silas,” he says, his tone guarded. “What are you doing here?”
I set Lily down, keeping a hand on her shoulder. “We’re here to see Ava,” I say, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. “Where is she?”
Seb’s expression softens as he looks at Lily, who’s scanning the deck with eager eyes. “She’s not here right now,” he breathes, like it hurts him to say it.
Disappointment crashes over me like a wave. I’d steeled myself for this confrontation, for the chance to tell Ava how I felt about her, how much we need her.
“When will she be back?” I ask, trying to keep the desperation out of my tone.
Seb hesitates, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. Finally, he sighs. “She’ll be back later today. She had some business to attend in the U.S.”
And so did Max.
Lily tugs at my hand, her lower lip trembling. “But I want to see Mommy now,” she whimpers.
Seb’s gaze roams back to my daughter.
I kneel beside Lily. My heart is breaking at the tears in her eyes. “I know, sweetheart. We’ll see her soon, I promise.”
“She told me all about you,” Seb tells Lily and he gets a big smile in return. “How special you are to her, and—” He hesitates as he looks at me. “I think she was prepared to go back for her.”
“She was?”
He nods. There’s a moment of understanding between us. Yet, I can see the torment in his eyes. He wants Ava for himself, but deep down he knows he can’t have that forever.
In the end, when it comes to omegas, alphas win. And right now, I want to include him. He’s just like us. We’re all trying to do what’s best for those we love. He, like me, like Max, like Lily. We all want the same person in our lives.
“What can we do to make it work?” Seb asks, his voice hesitant but hopeful. His teeth dig into his lower lip, waiting.
I take a deep breath, considering his question. “You’re prepared for this?”
“It’s all I’ve thought about since I argued with her.”
“We all love Ava.” I glance at my daughter. I don’t want to make it all about her, but I have to. “And I want what’s best for Lily, and that’s her mommy.”
“Mommy,” Lily says, and there’s hope in her eyes again.
“She’ll be back soon.” Seb nods slowly, his eyes flickering between me and Lily. “She surprised me. I never thought she wanted kids. But—” He stares at Lily again. “She changed her.”
My heart blooms, hearing that is more than I ever hoped for.
Seb kneels down to Lily’s level. “Would you like an ice-cream?”
“Yes, please.”
He smiles and holds out his hand. “Come below deck,” he offers. “I’ll make some coffee, and get Lily an ice-cream and we can talk.”
I take a seat next to Lily in the salon.
Seb pauses, seeming to gather his courage. “Is there ..." He swallows. "Is there a place within your pack for a beta?”
There’s vulnerability in Seb’s eyes as the question hangs in the air. I get it. It’s the fear of rejection going to war with optimism.
“Seb,” I start, my voice kinder than I expected, “there’s a place for everyone who wants what’s best for the pack. And I think you want that.”
He nods emphatically. “I do. I really do.”
“Then yes, there’s absolutely a place for you,” I assure him. “Your love for Ava is real. And I can already see how much you’ll care for Lily and that means our future children. You have a lot of strengths that will make our pack strong.”
Seb’s shoulders relax slightly, relief clear in his expression. “But how would it work? Practically speaking?”
I smile, appreciating his pragmatism. “We’ll figure it out together. We need to involve Ava in that conversation. And I accept it won’t always be easy, but if we’re all committed to making it work, and being honest, I believe we can create a beautiful and unique pack.”
“And Ava?” Seb asks, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’d be okay with this?”
“I think,” I say carefully, “that Ava loves all of us in different ways. And I believe she’d be happiest if she didn’t have to choose.”
Seb nods slowly, processing this. “Okay,” he says finally. “Okay. I’m willing to give it a try if you are. What about Max?”
“He wants Ava and his child. He knows Ava is a stubborn omega. Believe it or not, he also loves that about her.” I extend my hand to him, and after a moment’s hesitation, he takes it. “Should I make a call to Max? I have a feeling he followed Ava to the US.”
Seb smiles. “If you could. It would settle my nerves.”
As if on cue, Lily tugs at both our hands. “Am I still getting an ice-cream?” she asks, her eyes wide with hope.
Seb and I exchange a look, both of us laugh, realizing how long she’d waited.
“Of course, come with me,” Seb says, taking her hand and leading her away while I make a call.
There’s no answer from Max, so I leave a message.
I eavesdrop on the conversation about the flavors of ice cream Seb has in his freezer.
Lily comes back with a big smile and an ice-cream as I tell Seb everything I discussed with Max before we left the island.
Half an hour later, my phone chimes.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask Max. “Was your trip successful?”
“If successful means I have Ava on my private jet and we’re currently flying to Italy, then yes.”
"Good." I smile at Seb and say, “And Seb’s on board. For everything,"