Contract With Alpha Logan novel Chapter 120

Astrid POV

The experience left me rattled. Feeling a thousand shades of scared, I stopped only in the driveway of my uncle’s house. It was a nice cottage with a wrapped around porch and lots of greenery surrounding it. The light of the porch was on, its warm glow falling on the lone swing and carefully crafted plants.

Somehow, I couldn’t stop the feeling of being watched all the time. My mind was into an overdrive of emotions. What if the wolf was watching me with its pack and would attack me any time?

I pounded on the white door, waiting impatiently for them to open. Hurried footsteps across the wooden floor sounded from the other side. When the door opened, I found myself looking at a pair of matching green eyes but dark hair. Nate and Briana.

They both grinned. “Heyyy!” Briana squealed and launched herself at me. “We’ve been waiting for you, girl!” She hugged me tightly, giving me Daisy-like vibes.

My gaze went to Nate, who was also grinning. When Briana left me, Nate also hugged me. Though I felt awkward at such a warm welcome, it was a lovely change. I felt like there was a family that liked me, and God knew how much I needed this after mom and dad died.

“Hi!” I breathed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, holding my tears back.

My uncle and aunt came over as Briana tugged me inside the house and went outside to get my luggage.

Fred had a strong resemblance to my mom—same strawberry blond hair and green eyes. His wife, Bree, had dark hair with dark eyes on an angelic face.

While Fred stayed behind like his reserved self, it was Bree who wrapped me in her warm embrace. “How are you?” she murmured kindly.

My throat bobbed as I managed to nod. Bree removed herself. “I’m so sorry about your mom and dad. The moment I heard about your parents, I insisted to Fred that you come and stay with us.”

“Thanks for having me,” I said with gratitude.

“Not at all, love,” she said, immediately making warmth flooding in my chest. “Briana will show your room to you. Freshen up and come. We’re waiting to have dinner with you.”

I smiled, nodding and glancing at Fred. He had his hands in his pocket and the awkwardness between us grew a nigh high. I didn’t know why he was so uptight about me and mom, but it wasn’t the time to ask.

Briana took me up a flight of stairs as Nate lugged my luggage upstairs. When we reached the landing, she veered left and opened an oak door, revealing a small and cozy room. There was a single bed with a running carpet on one side. A cupboard was on the left with a door to the bathroom. “You can put your clothes and other things here,” she said.

As I scanned my room and Nate placed my luggage in the corner, Briana came to me and held my hand. She tugged me to the bed, and we sat down. “Astrid,” she said softly. “I hope you like it here. Dad may not come across as the friendliest person, but believe me, he has a very soft heart.”

“Yeah…” I licked my lips. “You all are very sweet.”

“We’ve been waiting for you. Dad has also enrolled you in the Cedar Academy.”

“What? Already?” I was surprised because I didn’t have those plans.

Nate leaned on the bedpost behind his sister. “Officer Hana called us. She wants you to stay here for three to four months. Xander is on the loose, and he can be a potential threat.”

Feeling miserable, I shook my head. “Xander…”

“Officer Hana sent your school records to us and dad showed them to Principal Henson. Girl, you are on a roll. To get a 3.9 GPA? That’s brilliant! Principal Henson was more than ready to take you in. He even offered a scholarship to you!”

I blushed. I was the top student in my class and had advanced biology.

Bree sat down at the edge of the bed. “I know things are low for you at the moment, Astrid, but I’m sure that everything will be okay soon. The Cedar Academy is wonderful. It has the best football team in North America. If you like, you can get on their cheerleading team.”

I laughed. “No, thanks!”

Her lips curled up. “Don’t mind Fred, okay? He is reserved, but very caring.”

I bristled and sipped my coffee. I couldn’t help asking the question that was at the tip of my tongue. “Why didn’t he ever visit my mom? He visited only once when I was five.”

She pursed her lips and sighed. “David, his best friend, was engaged to be married to your mom. She left him standing at the altar, choosing instead to elope with your dad.

“What?” Shock rippled through me. “That’s not true…” I murmured.

Bree shook her head, taking a deep breath in. “Fred was ashamed of Bree, and you know what a small town gossip mill is like? He just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that his sister abandoned his best friend at the altar. Now seeing his sister’s daughter, who looks quite like her, he is… umm… shocked? But don’t worry. Everything’s gonna be fine, okay?”

Wow. This was too much for me to take in. So I sipped my coffee furiously, wondering if this was the cause of my mom's stress.

Bree left after talking a bit more about our family and the weather. “It gets cold here at night. I’m closing the window.” She got up and closed it.

Once I was alone, I switched off the bedside lamp and drifted off to sleep quickly. But nightmares of my parents’ charred bodies and wolves hounded me. I got up with a jerk and found myself staring into a pair of gorgeous golden eyes of a man more beautiful than Adonis, who was partially hidden in the shadows. Overwhelmed by confusion, I gasped and instinctively reached for the bedside lamp, questioning the authenticity of this moment and whether it belonged to the realm of reality or dreams. When I turned back to look at him, there was no one. My mouth dropped as cool wind rushed through the room through my open window, which I remember was closed.

My heart pounded like a drummer gone mad. I rushed to the window and stared at the darkness outside. The moon hung low on the cedars, casting its silvery light over them. I chuckled at my madness for dreaming things and closed the window before going off to sleep.