Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 47: What I regret more than anything...

Selene POV

My heart pumped with longing as I watched Xavier hold our girls on both hands as we strolled into the restaurant. It was such a powerful presence that everyone stopped to stare.

The girls were clad in a baby pink simple gown that had a lot of intricate designs on the hem and the sleeve while Xavier had opted for a two-piece black suit. A waiter greeted us at the entrance before ushering us into an exclusive VIP booth.

Xavier drew out the chairs for the girls before coming to help me with mine.

"This place is so beautiful," the girls exclaimed in unison "Thank you daddy, for bringing us here,".

"Anything for you my princesses," he chuckled and turned to me, amusement sparkling in his eyes "Do you like it here?"

My heart sank at the boyish smile he gave to me, since our almost make out session didn’t work, I found myself reacting to his touch, his voice and now his smile. Swallowing, I looked away from him and made a big production of opening the wine menu.

"It’s okay," I murmured.

"C’mon mummy," Vina urged "Don’t be mad at dad...".

"I’m not mad at him," I defended looking at the girl "Did someone say I am?"

"Yes," Maeve responded this time around, there was defiance in her eyes as our gaze met "She told us that you’re angry with daddy and that was one of the reasons you left,".

"Did she at least give you a reason?" I matched my daughter’s haughty gaze with mine, it was getting out of hand how we were practically living like enemies now.

"A lot," Maeve said with a small smile "But I don’t have the time to talk about them now. We’re here on a dinner date and that’s what matters the most,".

"Don’t talk to your mother that way, Maeve," Xavier said quietly staring at her "And who told you all of those things?"

"A blonde-haired woman... she said she was mummy’s friend before she ran away and left the pack," Vina furnished.

I knew it was Belinda. It couldn’t be anyone else. Turning to Xavier, he pleaded with me silently with his eyes. I exhaled and picked up the menu, if Maeve knew how much of a monster her dad was, she wouldn’t be disrespecting me.

"Apologize to your mum," I heard Xavier tell her.

"I didn’t do anything wrong," she whined "Mummy is at fault. She’s trying to separate us by marrying Alpha Noah. It’s not fair what she’s doing,".

"I’ve told you several times, Maeve," Xavier said pleasantly "That there are lot of adult issues that are more complicated than they seem and that’s the situation. A lot happened between I and your mom and I’m grateful that she’s willing enough to let me be a part of you people’s life,".

Was he trying to confess? I lowered the menu and placed a hand on his arm, waiting as our gaze met.

"No!" I mouthed shaking my head slightly.

"I must, Selene," he said quietly with a sad smile "It irks me that you’ve defended me all this while even when it seems that I was the problem. I think it’s time for them to know,".

"It’ll change their minds towards you," I heard myself saying quietly wondering why I cared about that.

Shouldn’t I be pitching the children against their father? Why did I want so badly for him to be a saint in their eyes?

"What do we need to know?" Vina asked staring at us suspiciously.

"Nothing," I shook my head "It’s absolutely fine,". Then turning to Maeve "Maeve darling, I know it seems like you think I’m trying to keep you away from your dad but that’s not true. I promise you, as soon as you become off age, you can choose to come and live with him as long as you want,".

"Do you even love, Alpha Noah?" she scoffed folding her tiny hands across her chest "It means all the things they say behind your back at Moon Whisper is true,".

"I don’t care what you heard or say, I know your mind is made up and there’s no explanation that would change it but I am your mother and I make the decisions. I’m sorry you no longer like Alpha Noah but the earlier you start adjusting to the fact that we’ll be married, the better for you,".

I picked up the menu again, as silence reigned in the room. Thankfully, a waiter entered and broke the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Would you like to get started on the first course?" he asked.

"Yes please," Xavier nodded "And can we have your best wine... and something exquisite for the children too,".

"Sure, thing Alpha," the waiter nodded and bowed as he left the room.

When the waiter left, Xavier turned to me and took my hands "Selene, I know we already talked about this but please, let the girls run with us. I promise no one would know. Everyone would be so focused on getting their share of the energy from the moon to know if the wolves running beside them were the girls,".

"I don’t know, Xavier," I sighed.

"Please mom!" Vina begged with pleading eyes "At least we’re almost four and you promised us,".

"But not like this," I sighed "Not everyone would embrace that you were born with your wolves, we have to be very careful around here,".

"I’ll make sure we stay close to you and dad," Vina piqued "And we’ll follow your instructions to the later, I promise, mom. Nothing would happen to us, so please don’t worry,".

I at her beautiful, rounded eyes currently staring at me like a puppy, Xavier wasn’t helping issues either. This might be the last time they would ever enjoy each other’s company until maybe a few years from today, so I decided it was best I indulge them.

"Fine," I sighed "You can run with us but I don’t want to lose sight of two of you meaning at all times, you must run close to either me, your dad, Beta Lucius or Alpha Noah,".

"No problem, mom, thank you so much," Vina clapped her hands with glee.

The rest of the evening went by in a flash. The dinner date was the best I’ve had in a long while even though I didn’t want to admit it. For one, conversations flowed around the table... even Maeve who was beefing with me opened up and we spent more time talking, teasing each other and making merriment, coupled with the delicious meal we had.

By midnight, the girls’ eyes were starting to droop, I was surprised that they stayed awake that long. It was so unlike them.

"I still can’t believe they’re mine," Xavier murmured, gazing at the girls who were sound asleep now affectionately "Do you know what I regret more than anything?" he took his eyes off the girls and turned to me.

"No, tell me," I urged.

"Not being there when you carried them and when you birthed them. You know, I hate that I gave up looking for you. I hate that you were right under my nose all along. Maybe if I had found you earlier... would we have been, okay? Would you have forgiven me and maybe we’ll be family again?"

"Xavier," a sad smile careened on my lips "I want us to be together...I like as our girls are happy and I love this setting but I cannot be with you again. The reason why I am choosing to walk away from all of this is because I cannot trust you. I cannot put myself in the position I was before,".

"Selene..." pain flitted in his eyes "I’ve changed now. I’m no longer the man from before,".

"It doesn’t matter, Xavier. I can’t trust you. My heart is already seared... the pain, the wounds have refused to heal. We can only be best friends if we stay as far apart from each other as possible,".

"But I need you," Xavier cried "I want you not as my mate or wife but also as my friend. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better husband,".

"You can hardly blame yourself, it was that darned curse," I sighed "But let’s just keep things the way they are now. It’s better,".

"Selene!" he leaned against me as our forehead met each other "I love you," he murmured "I don’t think I ever did,".

I froze at his words... the number of nights I had prayed to the moon goddess to hear these words from my mate... to hear him and feel the sincerity in his voice...

I pushed away from him, as I searched his face. "Why are you telling me this? It won’t change anything, Xavier. I can’t love you back,".

"And it’s fine," he nodded lifting my fingers to his lips as he pressed a kiss on it

"It’s okay for you not to say anything but before you leave me because I can’t change your mind at this point, can I ask for a favour?"