Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 114 Feeling Guilty

DAMIEN’S POV

The dial tone rang in my ear after Sophia hung up. I stared at my phone. My wolf snarled with frustration. She’d never hung up on me before.

"Fuck," I muttered, slamming the phone down on the table.

We were at an upscale restaurant - Simon, Nate, Tiffany, Ashley, and me. Some investor dinner that had run long, and Ashley had insisted on coming because Tiffany would be there.

Now I needed a minute to collect myself.

"I’m going to the restroom," I said.

Tiffany looked up from where she was helping Ashley with her dessert. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." I didn’t wait for a response, just headed for the bathroom.

Once inside, I pulled out a cigarette and smoked it.

The door opened and Simon walked in, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.

"Want to tell me what that was about?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"Bullshit. You look like you want to punch someone." Simon studied my face. "Sophia again?"

I took another drag. "She’s been acting strange."

"Strange how?"

"Distant. She won’t tell me where she is or what she’s doing." I flicked ash into the sink. "And there are these photos online-"

"The ones with Zade Morrison? I saw those. You think it’s really her?"

"I don’t know..."

"If it is her, what are you going to do about it?"

"What can I do? She’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with me."

Simon shook his head. "You’re her mate, Damien. You have every right to know what she’s doing and who she’s with. Especially if she’s sneaking around with your business rival."

He was right. I smoked some more, trying to calm myself down.

"Come on," Simon said, pushing off the counter. "We should get back. Ashley was falling asleep when I left."

We returned to find Ashley curled up on Tiffany’s lap, closing her eyes. Tiffany was stroking her hair gently, murmuring something I couldn’t hear.

The image should have warmed me. My daughter, comfortable and cared for. But instead, I felt... off, like something was missing from the picture.

"Look at that," Simon said. "You two look like a real family."

Tiffany blushed. "Simon-"

"What? I’m just saying." He sat down, gesturing to me and Tiffany. "You know, if you wanted some alone time tonight, I’d be happy to take Ashley for a sleepover. Give you two some privacy."

Ashley’s eyes snapped open. "No! I want to go home with Daddy and Tiffany!"

"Oh?" Simon raised an eyebrow. "You mean Tiffany’s staying over again?"

"She always stays with us when she’s in town," Ashley said matter-of-factly. "She reads me bedtime stories and tucks me in and-"

"And where does she sleep?" Simon asked.

"In my room! She says she wants to make sure I’m okay all night." Ashley yawned. "But in the mornings, she’s never there. I always wake up alone."

Nate coughed into his drink. Simon’s smirk widened. And Tiffany’s face went bright red.

"Ashley, sweetheart," Tiffany said quickly, "that’s because I go to the guest room to get ready in the morning so I don’t wake you."

"Oh." Ashley smiled. "That makes sense."

But Simon and Nate were exchanging looks that made my jaw clench. I knew exactly what they were thinking - that Tiffany stayed in Ashley’s room until my daughter fell asleep, then came to my room for the rest of the night.

Which wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

But the way they were grinning about it, like teenage wolves who’d just discovered their alpha’s sex life, made me want to throw something at them.

"Ashley needs to go home and rest," I said, standing up. "It’s past her bedtime."

"But I’m not tired!" Ashley protested, even though she could barely keep her eyes open.

"Yes, you are. And your mother left specific instructions about your sleep schedule while you’re recovering."

Ashley’s face scrunched up. "Mommy’s always giving instructions. It’s so annoying."

The words should have made me defend Sophia but I was still angry from our phone call.

So I said nothing.

"Come on, baby girl." I scooped Ashley into my arms. "Time to go home."

"Can Tiffany come?" Ashley asked sleepily.

"Of course," Tiffany said before I could respond. "I’ll follow you back."

We said our goodbyes and headed to the parking lot. Ashley fell asleep in her car seat before we even left the restaurant. Tiffany followed in her own car, and I tried not to think about what Simon and Nate were probably saying about us right now.

Or about what Sophia would think if she knew Tiffany was spending nights at the villa.

But then again, Sophia had made it clear she didn’t care what I did anymore.

So why did I still feel guilty?