Chapter 5 5

Maisie’s Pov

Xavier glared at me like I shouldn't be breathing the same air he was.

I knew he acted that way because he was counting the days he'd had to put up with Aria and I.

He never said it in front of Aria but when we were alone, he made sure I didn't forget.

Later that evening, the pack was to throw the Mid-Summer festival. Aria wanted to go and begged Xavier to take her. I had no plans to go but since Aria begged, I had to go with her.

I dressed quickly and got into the backseat with Aria while Xavier drove quietly.

When we arrived, Xavier left us to greet some group of Alpha's, leaving Aria and I on our own.

Aria clutched my hand, making me look up at her. “Can I get some juice, mommy?”

“Sure but stay where I can see you.” I smiled.

“Okay.” Aria grinned then ran off.

“I see you're still tagging along like the shameless whore you are,” a familiar taunting voice said behind me.

I didn't need to look at her to know it was Kylie.

“I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm just here for Aria.” I said.

Kylie smirked. “Oh, I'm not looking for any trouble, Maisie. I'm just here to talk to you.”

I ignored her, focusing my gaze on Aria who had returned with her juice.

“How does it feel to be treated like a disgusting thing?” She grinned.

I stiffened. “What did you just say to me?”

That was when Howard stepped in, holding a sneer identical to his mother's. “You don't look like the mate of an Alpha. You look like one of his maids.”

I swallowed my pride and walked away from them but Aria had already heard them.

“Don't talk to my mother that way ever again.” Aria said, stepping in front of me.

Kylie scoffed. “Learn your place, you little brat!”

“No, you should learn your place!” Aria snapped. “You're mean and your son is mean too. Stop it, both of you.”

Howard grinned. “At least I have someone who wants me. Your own father doesn't want you.”

When I heard that, I thought that was enough and stepped in.

“That's enough.” I said but it had been too late. Aria looked like she had been slapped.

I glared at Kylie. “Teach your son to have better manners. He lacks them.” Then, I took Aria’s hand and took her away.

As we walked, I tried to cheer her up. “Don't pay attention to what Howard said. Your father loves you.”

“Then why is he barely around? Why is he always busy?” Tears welled up in Aria's eyes.

Before I could apologize, Xavier stormed to where we stood and grabbed Aria's arm.

“Apologize. Now!” He gritted his teeth.

I froze. “What?”

Kylie and Howard showed up behind him, with mischievous looks on their faces.

“She picked on Howard and called him names.” Kylie said with a fake sob.

My jaws dropped. “What? That's not what happened?”

But he didn't pay attention to me. He tightened his grip around Aria and repeated with anger. “Apologize to him! Now!”

Aria's eyes watered. “But I didn't do anything wrong.”

Xavier's eyes snapped to mine. “You raised your daughter to be just like you.”

I had had enough. I stepped in front of Aria. “Don't speak to my daughter like that. She did nothing wrong.”

Xavier clenched his jaw before he turned to Kylie. “Can you please leave us? I want to speak to Maisie alone.”

Kylie and Howard gave me sympathetic looks before they walked away.

I looked at Aria and patted her hair. “Stay here, baby. I'll come back for you.”

Then I followed Xavier.

When we got to a quiet corner, he snapped. “I'm done with this. The deal was to play nice with that kid but I regret every second of it.”

My fist tightened at his words. “Regret every second with her? She's your daughter!”

“I never asked for her!” He yelled.

Those words hit me like a slap to the face and I flinched.

Xavier continued. “You were never meant to be my mate. You and that daughter of yours were nothing but a mistake I had to tolerate!”

I didn't realize Aria was behind us until I heard a loud gasp.

Xavier turned around too and his eyes widened when he saw Aria standing a few feet away from us. Her eyes filled and her cheeks red like she'd been slapped.

“Aria …” I treaded softly but before I could get to her, she turned and ran.

“Aria!” Xavier ran and we both followed behind her. But she didn't get far. She collapsed by a bench, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

“Aria!” I screamed as I dropped to my knees beside her body and pulled her convulsing body to my arms. I called her name again but she was unresponsive.

“Xavier, she's not responding!” I said in a panicked scream.

Xavier stood, frozen.

“Pick her up. She's having a seizure.” I screamed at him.

He moved then, carrying her to the car. I joined him in the backseat as he started the car.

I cradled Aria in my arms, calling her names repeatedly as Xavier drove to the pack's clinic.

Only then did his phone ring and I froze.

He picked it up and put it on speaker. “I can't talk right now, Kylie.”

“Xavier, Howard is hurt. He fell down the stairs and hurt his knee. Please, we need you.” Kylie said.

Xavier cursed under his breath before slamming the breaks.

I gasped in disbelief. “No, no, no, no. Xavier! Drive! Aria is not breathing.”

“Howard needs me!” He snapped.

“Are you insane?!” I snapped. “Aria is dying!”

“She’s faking it. Just like her manipulative mother. She's trying to make me feel bad because I told her to apologize.”

“You're insane! She's not faking it, Xavier!”

“GET OUT OF MY CAR and take your little drama somewhere else!” He growled. “Howard is hurt and he needs me.”

My mouth fell open in shock.

Xavier pulled over and unlocked the doors.

Aria stirred weakly. “Mommy?”

“I'm here, love.” I cupped her face. She was turning blue.

“It's okay, mommy,” Aria smiled. “Thank you for loving me like daddy never did.”

I shook my head. “No, don't say that. Daddy loves you too.”

“Promise me, you'll never give up on love. Promise me you'll always be kind.” She said, looking more mature than her years.

My eyes watered. It was too much of an ask but I'd do anything for her.

“I swear it. I promise.” I linked my pinky with hers.

“Good.” She smiled.

Her eyes went closed and her body went still.

“No!” I screamed. “Aria! Aria, please don't do this to me.”

I shook her body, begging her to come back to me. I even tried contacting Xavier through our mate link but he blocked me out so I dashed barefooted to the pack's clinic.

When I got there, the healers came running.

They battled to save Aria.

But she was already gone.