The corridor was very narrow, so we stopped in front of each other. He was panting, probably running after the Alpha called,
Jared froze for a moment before straightening his clothes. His expression was very professional and neutral.
"Ma. Stovall, I am here to check on Rebacca, your mate asked me to come immediately," he said politely.
Jared Crest was Ashton's closest friend and the only one he trusted in the pack to handle medical matters. People say you can tell how a man truly feels about you by watching how his close friend treats you. I did not need to look for long because it was very, very obvious.
The way Jared addressed me said enough. Big scarlet, not Luna, just Ms. Stovall.
Very polite and distant.
I had learned not to linger on such tribal things; just thinking about them would reopen wounds that I have learnt to close. Wounds that have never truly healed.
"Go ahead," I said softly, stepping aside for him to pass.
Sometimes I envy Rebecca, because all she had to do was shed a few tears, and my mates would call an army for her. Warmed and love followed her like a shadow. Something I could never earn, no matter how hard I tried.
Back in the bedroom, I opened my wardrobe and found a suit Ashton had never worn, the tag still hung heavily on the collar. After a moment of brief hesitation, I took it and went downstairs.
Doctor Jared worked quickly, setting up his work station and taking Rebecca's temperature. He left instructions for the medication and made sure she was very comfortable before preparing to leave.
When he came downstairs into the living room, he saw me standing there. I offered him a polite smile. One I had mastered too well.
"It is late, you and Ms. Stovall, and you are not resting," he said, concerned.
" I will soon," I replied, " I just want to make sure you are okay. Your clothes are soaked, and it is still raining. You should change before you go back, or you will get sick."
I handed him the clothes. He blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"It is fine, Miss, I am tougher than I look."
"Ashton has never worn this, and the tags are still on. You both are of the same size, so it should fit. "
He clearly hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you."
I didn't wait for any more conversations; I quickly turned back and went upstairs.
It wasn't kindness that made me do it.
Years ago, when my grandmother lay weak in a hospital bed, Jared had been the one to operate on her. A man of his standing never accepted cases like that, but he had then.
This was simply repayment.
Nothing more.
And maybe… a quiet reminder to myself that I still knew how to give
even when nothing was ever returned.
..
The rain from the night before had lasted for a long time during the night and had washed everything clean. When I opened the window of my room, the cool air rushed in, carrying the scent of the wet ground and grass.
I had always woken up early; it was a ritual for me, and maybe some alone time.
After dressing up, I went downstairs to start breakfast.
The moment I reached the kitchen, everything stopped.
Ashton and Rebecca were there.
Ashton, my mate, the Alpha, stood by the stove with a black apron tied around his waist. He was calmly frying eggs.
The cold edge he usually carried around me was given. Instead, he looked relaxed, happy, and gentle, like he belonged exactly where he was supposed to be.
Rebecca leaned against the counter, watching him with bright puppy eyes. His face was still a little bit pale, but the fever was clearly gone.
The faint flush in her cheeks made her look soft and delicate.
"Ash," she said happily, "I want my eggs slightly burnt. "
She lifted a straw better from the bell beside her and fed it to him.
"But don't make it too burnt, it will taste bitter," she said with a smile on her face.
Ashton took the strawbetter from her hands without any protest. He didn't need to say anything; the way he looked at her, patient and indulgent, said enough.
They look so good together.
Standing there by the door, I watched them move around each other naturally. I felt like I was watching something else, someone else, not my mate with another woman playing house.
This looks like something I am not supposed to step into
"They really suit each other, don't they?"
The voice behind me made me flinch.
I turned and saw Jared standing there. Then I remembered that after last night, there was no way Ashton would have let him leave with Rebecca in that condition.
"Good morning," I said softly.
My gaze dropped before I realized he was wearing the clothes I'd given him.
Jared noticed and smiled. "They fit well. Thank you."
"It's nothing," I replied. I'd bought it for Ashton once. He'd never even tried it on.
Rebecca turned when she heard us.
"Scarlett, Jared," she called cheerfully. "You're awake. Ashton made breakfast. Come eat."
Her tone was casual. Familiar. Like she belonged there.
I forced a polite smile.
"It's fine," I said quickly. "I bought bread and milk yesterday. The milk's still in the fridge. You're just recovering, you should drink more."
I'd lived here for two years.
My name was on the papers. This place was mine too.
I had learned how to bend, how to step aside, how to stay quiet. But watching someone else stand in my space, acting as if this house belonged to her
That was something my instincts refused to swallow.