#Chapter 251 – Bridgette’s Choices

Ian and I are sitting at the kitchen table that morning, going through some of the books that his tutor sent for he and Alvin to explore this upcoming week.

“I hate these books,” Ian grumbles, pushing them away from him and frowning petulantly at the pile.

“What?!” I cry, genuinely surprised. “What are you talking about, kid? These books are on some of your favorite subjects.” It’s true – I’m genuinely impressed with what the tutor has come up with here. It’s not an easy task to engage two kids who are at once six years old and geniuses who have read every book in this house and what feels like most of Wikipedia.

Still, the tutor has sent a great mix – books on dinosaurs, and famous historical battles, and engineering. Honestly, I’m kind of jealous of my kids – I want to sit around learning this stuff all day.

“No.” Ian retorts, stubborn. “I hate it. I’m not going to school anymore. We don’t need it – we know everything anyway.”

“School is about more than knowing everything, kiddo,” I say quietly, stacking the books neatly so that Alvin can look through them too. I anticipate a more positive reaction from him. “You also have to learn about logic, and how to think critically about the information that you read so that you can decide how to move ethically in this world.”

“See?” Ian says, looking up at me with plaintive eyes. Then he throws his head back in agony. “That’s so borrrrrrrrrring.”

I laugh, running a hand over his hair. “Sorry kid, you have to learn.” I move over to the coffee pot, intent on my second cup of coffee. I pause as I arrive at it, wondering if…well, if I should. I decide on a half cup.

“Can’t I just go with dad all day? And do Alpha stuff? I’ll get lots of education that way!”

I turn and grimace at my son, not really feeling sorry for him but pretending I do. “Sorry kid,” I say. “You can’t be an Alpha if you aren’t well educated. It’s in the rules.”

That’s a lie, but…well, who cares.

Ian looks at me aghast but then calls my bluff, narrowing his eyes at me. “Where is this rule book,” he demands, tapping an angry finger on the table. “I want to see it.”

“Thought you didn’t like books anymore,” I tease, leaning forward and wrinkling my nose at him.

the stairs instead

Bridgette!” Ian

little pulse of happiness travels through me as I

with a big smile. She

again to the

breathes, sitting down at the table. I can see the relief on her face,

the group, runs to the counter to grab his own mug. When he comes back to the table, he pours his glass of orange juice into the mug and then holds it between his two hands, leaning in towards the table just

at him, our little gossip. But, knowing that he already probably knows everything, I

say eager, leaning in to hear everything. “Victor…made

it looked like he really forced you against your will,” Bridgette laughs, rolling her eyes a

giving her a little smile. “I wanted to be here in case you needed me. Backup

little knights to protect me,” Bridgette

her. Then he turns to glare at me a

smirking at him and turning my attention back to Bridgette. “So, did you

says, sighing and looking down at her coffee. “It’s just so…complicated. I mean, I want to be with him – I

“But…” I prompt, eager.

Ian echoes, his eyes likewise wide and

little smack. “Enough of you – this is girl talk.

Ian whines, wanting to be part of the gossip, but I give him a

back to me when my son and the dog disappear out the back door. “I just…” she continues, hesitating, putting her thoughts together. “I just really don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust

to her. “Trust is so important, and when you break it as severely as Rafe has…” I

and Victor do?” Bridgette asks, looking up to meet my eyes, her face

I ask, a little

betrayed him like that?” She says,

how do you know about that?” I

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