Chapter 161
Immediately the TV came on, Lake and Emerald’s gaze met the screen. The first image they saw was one of a newscaster. At first glance, she was only speaking with her eyes and lips bubbling with excitement. It was not supposed to be a problem to them, not at all. But when both mother and son took a closer look at the television screen and read the headline at the bottom, they knew they were in for a big shock.
Mel had seen the news in the main restaurant while wiping the tables. She knew they would not be able to hear the sound of the TV from where they were, so she decided to relay the news to them herself. It was important for them to see it with their own eyes. After heaving a heavy sigh, she returned her gaze to her boss and the father of her best friend’s child.
Lake’s heart skipped several beats at once. He wanted to speak, he sought for the words in his head but he could not bring himself to part his lips or make a sound. He had known that his father would take drastic measures to ensure that he had his way, but he did not expect the man to go this far. Perhaps he had underestimated him after all.
“RUSH EMPIRE AND PACK WELCOMES A NEW HEIR” Was written in bold letters at the bottom of the screen. Lake and Emerald both decided to listen to what the newscaster was saying, the woman on the screen seemed too excited about the news.
“It is rumoured that the alpha of Rush pack, Alpha Lake and an unknown woman have just welcomed a bouncy baby boy! The royal family of Rush pack is in high spirits at the arrival of the heir to Rush pack. After so many years, and two mates, the thirty-one year old Alpha Lake Rush finally has a son of his own. The southern packs are excited at this news and everyone is celebrating with the royal family. However, the royal family seems to be keeping the juicy details around the baby’s birth a secret as journalists all over the southern region have so many questions to ask. There has not been any official announcement of the location or the mother of the child. But, we do hope that we are not kept in the dark for much longer because our eyes are itching to see the good news, just as much as our ears had itched to hear it.”
“She speaks as though it’s any of her business.” Emerald spat out, Lake could hear the venom in his mother’s voice.
He frowned, rolling his fists into balls in front of him. As he sat boiling on his seat, what he wanted to do the most was dive his fist into the television screen and punch it as hard as he needed to, if his father would feel the pain.
“My father is written all over this. This is nothing but his doing.” He muttered underneath his breath, but it was loud enough for the two women in the room to hear.
Mel turned off the television with a stern look on her face. She dropped the remote on the table she had picked it from and turned to the alpha and his mother.
“I understand that you are angry, alpha Lake. Mrs Smith is angry and I am angry too. But our angers, even when put together, would not solve the problem at hand. What are we going to do? How are we going to stop this from spreading? We know these people, it’s only a matter of time until people out pieces of the puzzle together. Alpha Lake has been seen around Ten, people in this restaurant know he is here right now. Our customers know Jojo was pregnant, everything is going out of control, I…”
“Mel!” Emerald cried out, cutting into the girl’s statement.
Mel took in deep breaths, running her fingers down her hair.
“I know that you are worried, we all are. But we need to calm down. This has to be Cole’s doing. His handwriting is all over this mess. This time, he has crossed the line.” Emerald spoke, rising slowly from her seat.
She stood still, rage boiled at the pit of her stomach. She had allowed Cole to do whatever he wanted to do in the past. She let him abuse her, allowed him to make her feel like she was worthless. She did not speak or counter attack when he decided to keep her son away from her, but this time, if he thought she was going to let him do as he wished, he was in for a big surprise. She would fight tooth and nail to put him in his place when it came to that.
She turned to Lake, watching him reel in irritation.
“You have to protect Jojo. We have to protect Jojo and the baby from Cole. We do not know what he is planning, but we cannot let him take the baby away from Jojo. That would be very inhumane, and your father is known for his ability to do anything to get what he wants. He doesn’t care who he hurts in the process.”
Lake rose from his seat and tucked his hands into his pockets.
“Mother, we have to leave now. Jojo is alone at home with Lucian. We cannot afford that right now.” His tone was calm, too calm to be normal.
Emerald nodded in agreement and turned to Mel.
“Look after the restaurant. If tongues start wagging, feel free to close for the day. We have to get home.”
Mel bowed in submission.
Lake thought it best to leave the restaurant through the back door. The news was already causing a buzz in the main room. He and his mother entered into his car and drove back to the beach house.
All the while, Lake’s heart continued to pound in his chest. If his father had gotten here earlier than expected, or sent someone to hurt Jojo, he was not sure he would be able to hold himself back.
Immediately he parked in the driveway of the beach house, he flung himself out of the car and rushed into the house with speed, while his mother walked behind him.
He found Jojo seated on a chair, but the force he used to slide the glass door open caused her to jump from the sofa. Baby Lucian was in a small seater next to her, he took great interest in whatever was displayed on the TV screen.
Lake did not know what came over him, he had no interest in controlling it. But, it sent him over to where Jojo stood and he picked threw his arms around her, pulled her into his body and hugged her tight, for fear that he would lose her again.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.