Page 50 of Awakening the Beast
Weeks have passed since Arlo came home, and while I’m slowly beginning to feel like my old self, mentally, thanks to him and the kids, I know deep down that I won’t truly find peace until we find out what really happened that night. The uncertainty, the lack of trust, and the fear of the unknown are constantly hovering over me. It’s an overwhelming feeling, especially now that I’m a new mom. Every day, I try to count my blessings and remind myself how fortunate I am that my little family remains unharmed.
I’m hoping that once everything is out in the open and settled, I can return to some kind of normalcy, but for now, I’m consumed by anger, a thirst for revenge, and unforgiveable betrayal. The thought of Savannah being held in our spot, waiting for me to handle her, only fuels my annoyance.
I look down at Lumi, nestled in my arms, her tiny mouth working as she suckles. It’s hard to believe she’s already nearly three months old. It feels like just yesterday that she was born, and yet time has flown by so quickly.
Arlo and I talked last night about my plans to attend one of the Elite meetings tonight. Now that I’m feeling better, we thoughtit might be good for me to make an appearance. Arlo is tied up with work right now, but I plan to join him there soon.
Given my lingering doubts about Carmella and my own parents, Lil and Jasper will be staying here in a guest room to look after Lumi for the night. I need her to be in her own bed, cared for by people I trust, rather than dealing with the anxiety of leaving her with someone else. Cree will be with Sara and Phoebe, so I know she’ll be in good hands.
I’m both excited and anxious about returning to the Elite world. It’s going to be a different experience with Arlo by my side, breathing down my neck, pushing me to prove myself. That’s just who he is. I have no doubt he’s eager to see how I measure up, not just as his partner or the mother of his children, but as a force in this ruthless world. He is about to witness a side to me that he has never seen before.
Once I finish feeding Lumi and pumping for the night, I take her upstairs to get her ready for bed, mentally preparing myself for what lies ahead tonight.
As soon as Lumi is ready for bed, I gently place her in her crib, pressing a tender kiss to her soft, little head.
“Mommy will see you in the morning, princess. I love you so much.” I whisper with a tremble in my bottom lip.
I linger for a few more minutes, watching her peaceful face as she drifts off to sleep. It’s hard to shake the pang ofemotion and the reluctance of leaving her, especially for the first time. Eventually, I muster the courage to step away and begin preparing for the night ahead.
I start with a quick, refreshing shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the tension of the day. When I step out, dry my hair and I carefully choose an outfit: a sleek, black dress that speaks sophistication and confidence—just as I used to wear for these important meetings. Yet this time, I am not hiding my big baby bump, so I choose something tonight that will outline my curves, nudging my husband to the edge of insanity, hopefully.
After slipping into the tight, black, knee-length dress, I carefully secure the long, velvet sleeves that sit elegantly on my upper arms, highlighting the arch of my breasts. I pause to admire the way the dress contours my figure, its sleek material hugging every curvature.
I then turn my attention to my hair, gathering it into a simple updo. I let two loosely curled strands fall softly over my eyes, adding a touch of elegance. Next, I reach for a pair of diamond drop earrings, slipping them into place. I take a final look in the mirror, adjusting the dress and checking my makeup.
Just as I’m spraying myself with perfume, the doorbell rings, its loud chime echoing throughout the mansion. My heart skips a beat, and I freeze, briefly worried that the sound might disturb Lumi. However, a quick glance at the baby monitor reassures me that she’s stayed peacefully asleep. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and make my way downstairs.
When I open the door, I’m greeted by a young man in a sharp suit holding a luxurious bouquet of black and red roses, their petals sparkling with a hint of glitter. My eyes widen in shock as he wordlessly hands them over before turning and walking away. I stand there for a moment, blinking in confusion, before closing the door.
The bouquet is surprisingly heavy as I carry it to the kitchen, where I notice a small, matte black envelope nestled between two of the sparkling buds. Placing the bouquet on the kitchen island, I delicately extract the envelope and open it to reveal a small, black card.
The elegant red script reads,
For My Dark Queen. Welcome Back. - A.
My eyes soften, a hint of moisture welling up as love spreads through my chest, his little bit of darkness, lighting me up inside. I can’t help but smile gently, touched by the unexpected gift. Leaning in to inhale the intoxicating scent of the roses, I let my fingertips glide over their delicate, shimmering petals.
Who knew my Arlo Hayes could be a big softy? But this just shows the effort he’s putting into us.
As I hear another knock on the door, I glance at my watch and see that it's a bit early for Lil, but it could be her. Slipping into my tall black heels, I walk to the door and open it to find her standing there with a wide, excited smile.
“Hey, sis!” she says cheerfully.
I return her smile, and we share a warm hug. When we pull away, her eyes travel over my outfit, and she gasps.
“Wow, Wren, you look amazing. Hard to believe you had a baby just weeks ago.”
I roll my eyes playfully and gesture for her to come inside. “Thanks, Lil. Lumi’s asleep, so you’ve got a few hours to relax before her next feed.”
As she steps in, her gaze sweeps around the interior, her eyes widening in awe. “I’ll never get over how beautiful your house is. I hope Jasper and I have something like this one day.”
The thought of my little sister ever stepping into the Elite world churns my stomach, and I’m unsure of just how much she knows about everything that’s happened or Jasper’s role in it.
“I’m sure you and Jasper will have something wonderful,” I reply, trying to sound reassuring.
I close the door behind us and lead her to the kitchen. As we enter, Lily’s eyes fall on the bouquet of roses, and she gasps once more.
“Wow, are these from Arlo?” Lily asks, her eyes wide as she takes in the bouquet.
