Chapter 193

Noel’s POV

If trying to have an enjoyable evening with Cara was awkward for me, then this situation had to be doubly so for Alaric. I could only imagine what he must have been thinking, as the three of us walked into the kitchen.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think about his presence either. Wasn’t he supposed to be in DuskWood? Why was he here, and during the week? Usually when he came to see the kids, it was on the weekends.

It probably wasn’t my place to ask so I held my tongue, but I was curious about this whole thing. Instead, I just watched.

Something was definitely up between the two of them. There was more tension now then I had seen between them in some time. Though, granted, I hadn’t seen them together in a while. Was it the distance that seemed to make them so awkward with each other?

Or was there something more going on?

I had thought, even with the distance between them, that they were still pursuing a romantic relationship together. Yet, watching them now, everything about them felt out of sync.

Cara stood on one side of the kitchen island, while Alaric stood on the other. They didn’t look at each other hardly at all, except in passing. And when they did manage to catch gazes, they quickly looked away from one another.

Cara rubbed her arm, starting to seem very uncomfortable and tired.

I’d offered to leave when I learned Alaric was here, but she insisted it was fine. Now, I wasn’t sure that was true. She really looked exhausted.

“Perhaps we should raincheck?” I offered again. “You must have gone through a lot today.”

“It has been a long day,” Cara admitted.

“I’m sure Noel can come back another time,” Alaric said, as if he planned on kicking just me out.

“I can…” I gave him a look.

“I think I’d like to rest for a while,” Cara said. She looked at Alaric. “I’m sorry. Can we continue our discussion later?”

Alaric seemed surprised. “Are you sure you want me to leave too?”

“Just while I rest,” she said. “I’m feeling very tired all of the sudden.”

Alaric’s face fell somewhat, and the tension in the room increased. Looking at them, I realized very decisively that there was trouble in paradise here.

And I wondered if that left any room in Cara’s life for me. When I had thought the pair in a romantic relationship, I had been prepared to step to the side. But now I could see things weren’t as they seemed.

With the trouble growing between them, pushing them apart, maybe I finally had a chance to move in and help Cara see that there were others out there who wanted to treat her well.

Others like me.

I wouldn’t hurt her as Alaric had. I would treat her like the princess she was, all while respecting her desire to be her own person and prove herself. I could be a supportive mate, loving and giving, helping Cara feel secure.

I just needed a chance.

Maybe this was finally my time to have one.

Cara’s POV

I thought I would be able to spend time with both Alaric and Noel tonight, but the longer I stood there, the more a wave of exhaustion seemed to overcome me. It moved in suddenly, as it sometimes did now, and I felt a deep desire to lie down for a while.

I didn’t want either of them to see me weak like this, lest they convince themselves that I am no longer capable. Or that I was a burden.

Noel was understanding, walking himself to the front door, but Alaric was more difficult.

“I thought we were supposed to be spending more time together,” he said lowly.

“We are,” I said. “Tomorrow. Let’s do something tomorrow. We can bring the kids.”

“Cara…” He seemed like he wanted to say more but held himself back.

I was too tired to try to discern his meaning without words. “I’ll call you later, Alaric. After a nap. We’ll talk then.”

His face was tight, but he nodded. “Very well,” he said, and finally turned to follow Noel out the front door.

“Call me!” Noel said from outside.

Alaric glowered at him.

“I’m sorry to you both,” I told them, “But thank you.”

As they walked away, I closed the door and breathed.

I rushed back toward the living room, barely making it to the couch before I collapsed into the cushions. My legs were so numb I couldn’t stand anymore.

My exhaustion had crept up on me before but never quite like this. I was tired in ways I didn’t know possible.

Later, when the kids came home, I was still in the same spot. As they came closer, I blinked my eyes open. My nap had helped me gain some strength. I still felt weak, but I wasn’t going to show it in front of the kids. Holding back the pain, I forced myself to sit upright.

The kids didn’t seem to notice my struggle and for that I was glad.

“It’s the weekend tomorrow, right?” Mia asked me.

“Yes,” I said.

“So Alaric is going to visit us?” Mia asked.

“That’s right.” I would call him soon to set up the meeting.

“Can we go to the carnival?” Mia asked.

In honor of the Global Princess Competition, and all the people it brought into town, the pack was also running a carnival for the guests and locals to enjoy. Mia had likely seen them from her school, setting up the ferris wheel and the other rides, as well as the food stalls.

“I’m sure Alaric would love to take you,” I told her.

“We want you to come also,” Ethan said.

“Me?” I asked.

“All of us,” Ethan said.

“Like a family,” Mia added.

“We are a family, aren’t we?” Ethan asked.

I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Our family was certainly somewhat dysfunctional, but yes, we were still a family.

“Of course we are,” I said.

“Then we’ll all go,” Ethan said, and it was decided.

As the pair walked away, I looked after them, wondering how I had been talked so easily into agreeing to this plan.

Ethan’s POV

The adults thought that Mia and I didn’t notice how awkward things were between Dad and Mom. Even our uncles seemed to be at odds with Dad. Uncle Aidan in particular seemed to like going out of his way to make Dad uncomfortable.

They thought we didn’t see, but Mia and I were more observant that they believed. We knew if we didn’t act fast that Mom and Dad might break up for good.

I hadn’t been the biggest fan of Dad’s since he came back into our lives. I hated how he made Mom sad sometimes. But after spending more time with the two of them together, I could see how happy he made Mom too, when she let him.

Whatever was going on, Mia and I had to fix it. We’ve been plotting for a while, looking for ways to try to bring Mom and Dad back together. It had been difficult with Dad so far away.

This carnival was perfect. From here, we could start putting new plans in motion.

When Mia and I were out of line of sight of Mom, we high-fived.

Step one, getting Mom and Dad in the same place, was already complete.

Now came for the tricky part: getting them to fall in love again.