Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 267

LEAH

I don’t know why I’m surprised to find out Emily and Jessica were best friends, considering Aaron and James are equally close, and they all grew up together.

I climb slowly out of the SUV and then walk around to join James.

“Did you know she was coming home?” I ask him, trying to

keep the accusation out of my voice.

He knows how contentious things have been between me and Jessica over the years, with Aaron firmly in the middle. The least he could have done was given me a heads up.

“No, I didn’t know,” James says, shaking his head.

I can tell he’s being truthful, so that alleviates some of my annoyance at least.

Aaron had mentioned that Jessica had taken an extended vacation and gone to stay with some relatives in another pack somewhere–at his expense of course–and it’d been easy to put her from my mind and simply believe she might never

come back.

Her timing, however, couldn’t have been worse.

I don’t want to have to deal with her and all that petty rivalry right now with everything else going on.

Eventually, Emily and Jessica are over the shock of their

unexpected reunion and I slowly walk toward the mansion, debating whether I should ask Jessica why she’s come back.

As I get closer, her eyes narrow, and that pretty much seals

the deal for me.

Jessica and her nastiness are not worth my time or energy right now.

I ignore her and keep walking, but I can hear her and Emily whispering between themselves, and know they’re talking

about me.

am, and Jessica hates me for what

took

them together and against me is

the doorway, I hear James greet his sister.

didn’t know you were coming home,”

pause just inside the doorway where

listen in.

home? I heard about what happened

in Montana is talking

as soon as I heard.

have been my mate. I needed to

the funeral.”

spin and walk away, not waiting to

response to that.

make my stomach tighten with an old, familiar churn of jealousy

claim Aaron was

life.

real

of soul–deep connection that Aaron and I shared was nothing compared

I came

I’m sure she’s going to swan around the mansion and grounds, acting like she’s the widow and her whole life is over while I do the real work of looking after Aaron’s son,

packs and running the businesses.

only hope she’ll go

I get the feeling hoping Jessica will leave might be wishful thinking.

find Ethan with Tera. As I’d hoped, it’s time for

sit in the new nursery that James put together

Aaron’s bedroom, and I have to

did a wonderful

to sit

or settling Ethan, and I sink into

Ethan in my arms, fussing for

I smile and feel grateful for this small

I want to make sure I treasure the times

the bottle empties and Ethan starts lulling off to sleep, my mind starts going back to all