Chapter 2 Torn Between Love And Duty

• Chapter 2: Torn Between Love and Duty
• Xenois
• I watched as Riley finally fell asleep with the light from his nightlight casting shadows across his sleeping face.
• His nightmare had finally subsided, his breathing was even now.
• Sophia sat on the edge of the bed with me, her hand gently stroking his hair showing maternal comfort.
• "Thank you for coming," she said, looking up at me with those large brown eyes of hers that had once captivated me a long time ago.
• "He wouldn't calm down until you got here."
• I shifted uncomfortably, knowing fully well that I'd bailed on dinner with Luna and Ollie. Again.
• "It's fine. Is he getting these nightmares often?"
• "More and more. He says there's a shadow man who visits him." She stood up from the bed as she smoothened down her dress.
• "The doctor says it's just childhood fears, but..."
• "But you don't believe that," I said finishing the sentence for her.
• She shook her head, as she led me from Riley's room into her kitchen.
• The apartment I'd set them up in was modest by my standards but comfortable.
• I'd wanted to do more, but Luna had already been furious about me helping them at all that I had to compromise on this with her.
• I felt guilty as Sophia poured two glasses of wine.
• I knew very well that I shouldn't stay, but I found myself taking the offered glass anyway.
• "Riley asked about his father again today," she said softly.
• I stiffened hearing that from her. We'd been over this. "Sophia..."
• "I know, I know. I told him his father is someone special who can't be with us right now."
• She sipped her wine, before placing her finger on the rim as she continued from where she stopped.
• "But he sees how you are with him. Children aren't stupid."
• "I'm not his father," I said firmly, although the words felt empty to me.
• I'd been more present for Riley than for my own son these past months. Realizing this made me feel uncomfortable.
• My phone vibrated. I took an excuse from Sophia and brought out my phone . It was a text from Luna about Ollie's birthday. I'd forgotten it was coming up.
• I felt more guilty at this but I shoved it aside and typed a quick promise to be there.
• "Everything okay?" Sophia asked, moving closer, towards me.
• "Fine. Just work." I lied without batting an eye.
• "You work too hard. Mayor, CEO, Alpha... when do you get time for yourself?" She touched me gently and I didn't pull away like I should have.
• The simple truth was, being here with Sophia and Riley was the only way I could escape from everything.
• It was my escape from the pressures that comes along with leadership, from the coldness of my marriage, and also the expectations everyone had of the great Xenois Blackwood.
• Here, I was just Xenois, the man who had once loved Sophia before duty called me away.
• But I had a son at home. A true mate. Responsibilities as well.
• "I should go," I said, setting down the wine that I had barely drank from.
• Sophia's expression fell slightly before she hid it.
• "Of course. Riley will be disappointed he didn't get to see you properly. Will you come to his birthday next week?"
• I froze in my tracks as I tensed up. "His birthday?"
• "Next Saturday. He's turning six." Her eyes held mine as she continued speaking. "He asked specifically if you would come. I told him I'd ask."
• Next Saturday. The same day as Ollie's birthday. The same day I'd just promised Luna I'd be there for our son.
• "I... I'll try to make it for part of the day," I said, even as I knew it was a promise I couldn't keep. Not fully.
• As I drove home through the sleeping city, I tried to justify my choices. Sophia and Riley needed me.
• Riley had no father figure. Ollie had Luna. But the excuses sounded hollow in my own mind.
• The bond between Luna and me was filled with her sadness, her loneliness.
• I'd been blocking it for months, focusing instead on the strange pull I felt toward Riley.
• It wasn't natural, this obsession with another woman's child. Sometimes I wondered if there was something wrong with me.
• I parked in our driveway, staring at the dark windows of our Luna would be asleep , or pretending to be asleep.
• Riley too. My family was, waiting for a husband and father who was rarely there.
• Tomorrow, I promised myself.
• Tomorrow I'll spend time with Ollie. Ask about his illness, which Luna kept
• mentioning but I'd never fully paid attention to.
• Tomorrow I'd be better.