Page 19 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

My mother had never been in the picture—a one-night stand who’d dropped me at my father’s doorstep when I was barely a year old, a scribbled note and a few hundred bucks her only contribution.

I’d spent years pushing away the ache her absence left.

But the farm was different—that loss cut deeper, felt sharper.

It was my childhood, my identity, my roots.

Losing it tore away a piece of me I hadn’t realized was essential until it was gone.

I glance sideways at Ava, her attention fully captured by the horses as they sprint effortlessly across the landscape.

Her eyes widen in wonder, lips parting softly as she watches them run.

She looks down at her son and begins shaking his shoulders.

Eli stirs, finally opening sleepy eyes. She grins at him and points at the window.

“Look outside, baby.”

“Woah, Mama,” Eli whispers, awed. “Are those horses?”

“Wild horses,” Ava confirms, a smile playing across her lips.

My chest tightens again, emotions swirling chaotically beneath my maintained exterior.

Jax and Liam have been my brothers for years, the SEALs providing me a sense of belonging I needed.

I don’t regret choosing them, choosing that life.

But staring at the wild horses, their freedom and grace reminding me of everything I’ve lost, I can’t help wishing there’d been a way to have both.

The car finally approaches a large cabin nestled in the heart of the sanctuary, the structure sturdy and inviting.

Liam pulls to a stop, shutting off the engine and allowing silence to briefly settle around us.

My eyes remain locked on the horses as they slow their gallop, watching us curiously from beyond the fence.

“Looks like home sweet home,” Jax announces, breaking the silence with his usual humor.

Eli’s excited voice fills the quiet as he chatters animatedly to Ava about the horses. He’s practically bouncing in his seat, firing off rapid questions about riding them and petting them, eyes wide with wonder. Ava listens closely, laughing as she brushes his unruly hair out of his face.

“Do you think they’ll let me pet them?” Eli asks, nearly breathless from excitement. “And ride them, Mama? Do you think?”

“I don’t know, sweetie,” Ava answers with a patient smile. “We’ll have to see. I’ve never been this close to horses either.”

Her admission draws my attention. For some reason, hearing her quiet confession makes something inside me stir protectively.

Watching the way Eli beams up at her, I feel a sudden surge of irritation toward Randy.

That worthless asshole has created a world of fear around a woman who deserves only safety and happiness.

Ava shouldn’t have to constantly look over her shoulder, always ready to run. She deserves peace. They both do.

I open the door, stepping out into the dry heat.

The sudden blast of warmth hits my skin immediately, sweat prickling uncomfortably along my back.

Ignoring it, I cross toward the cabin, taking the porch steps two at a time.

Without pausing, I slide my hand beneath the mailbox, fingers brushing against the texture of the masking tape I knew I was meant to find.

I peel off the key and unlock the door, slipping inside and closing it firmly behind me. My hand reaches instinctively to the gun tucked securely at my waistband. I methodically begin sweeping the house, each room searching for wires, bugs, hidden cameras, or unwanted intruders.

Room by room, my search turns up nothing suspicious. Only when I’m satisfied do I holster the gun, tension easing in my chest. It feels good, having something practical to focus on..

Stepping back outside, I’m immediately drawn to the sound of their voices.

Ava and Eli have drifted away from the car, standing just a foot or two from the metal fencing.

Eli is bouncing, excitement radiating off him in waves, pointing eagerly at the horses grazing nearby.

Ava stands close behind him, a hand resting on his shoulder, smiling brightly.

Liam and Jax stride silently past me, each carrying an armful of our bags. Liam gives me a slight nod as he walks by, eyes sharp with silent acknowledgment. Jax follows close behind, giving me a quick grin before disappearing into the cabin.

My feet carry me toward Ava and Eli almost automatically. The two of them are lost in their quiet moment of awe, completely captivated by the majestic animals before them.

“Hey,” I say, not wanting to startle them. “It’s getting pretty hot out here. You two should come inside and get hydrated.”

Eli’s attention shifts immediately, eyes lighting up when he sees me. “Okay! Do you think Jax still has peanut M&M’s?”

“I bet he does,” I answer, fighting back a smile as he disappears into the cabin.

Ava turns toward me, the soft expression still lingering in her eyes. She cocks her head and studies me for a second, but doesn’t make a move to leave her spot. Then she turns her attention back to the horses grazing in front of her.

“They’re incredible,” she says. “I’ve never seen horses up close before.”

“Really?” I finally manage, voice rougher than I intended. “They certainly are something special.”

Her gaze meets mine, curious now. “You sound like you know horses.”

“I grew up on a farm,” I admit, feeling oddly vulnerable at sharing that small piece of myself. Ava’s eyes widen in gentle surprise, interest clearly piqued. “My father expected me to take over someday, but life had different plans.”

“Wow,” she breathes, genuine admiration coloring her expression. “I never would’ve guessed that about you.” She looks at me differently after that. Not surprised exactly, just... deeper. Like she’s starting to see more of me than what I usually show.

I shrug, trying to appear casual. “Not many people would.”

Ava hesitates, clearly debating her next words. “Do you ever think about going back? To that life, I mean.”

The sincerity of her question catches me off guard. I pause a moment, weighing the truth before responding. She steps a little closer, her arm brushing mine, the heat between us making the desert air feel secondary.

“Maybe,” I admit finally, my voice low. “When I retire from this life. Farming is hard work, but there’s peace in it. A sense of purpose.”

She nods, her gaze thoughtful. “I think that sounds wonderful. Peaceful and purposeful. Something worth working for.”

For a second, we just stand there, shoulder to shoulder. Close enough that I can smell the soft hint of vanilla in her shampoo. Close enough that I don’t want to move.

Her words tug unexpectedly at something deep within me. “Maybe someday”

We turn together, walking toward the cabin. I let my arm graze hers again on purpose this time. She doesn’t pull away. The air between us feels comfortable but quiet.

As we step inside, Liam is hanging up a call.

“That was Morales,” he announces. “He wants us to stay put here until he contacts us again. He swears up and down we’re completely safe. Randy’s restricted from leaving California right now.”

Relief visibly washes over Ava’s features. Her shoulders relax, tension easing from her slender frame. Seeing her let down her guard, even, fills me with fierce satisfaction.

Upstairs, laughter echoes faintly through the walls—Jax and Eli exploring the cabin together, clearly enjoying themselves. A smile pulls at my lips briefly before I turn my focus back to Liam.

“Morales sure loves his need-to-know bullshit,” Liam grumbles, shaking his head. “But if he says we’re safe, I believe he believes that.”

Liam-speak for “I still won’t let my guard down, and neither should you.”

Ava doesn’t read between those lines, thankfully, and exhales softly beside me, relief evident in her soft voice. “I’m glad. Really glad. Eli deserves some peace.”

“He does,” I agree firmly, surprising even myself with the conviction in my tone. “You both do.”

A faint blush rises in Ava’s cheeks, but she smiles, her gaze meeting mine briefly before she looks away. As we stand in quiet, Jax’s voice echoes from upstairs.

“Hey, Cole! Better come up here before Eli eats your candy stash, too!”

I shake my head, smiling despite myself. Ava’s laughter joins mine, the sound soft and genuine.

“Go,” she encourages, nudging me toward the stairs. “I’ll be right here.”

I pause, eyes searching hers. “I hope you will.”

And I mean it in more ways than she thinks. She doesn’t say anything, but the look she gives me—soft, lingering—says she heard every word I didn’t say aloud.

I jog up the stairs, the aged wood creaking under my boots, following the sound of laughter spilling from the room at the very end of the hall. The door stands half-open, and when I push it further inward, the sight that greets me brings an unexpected warmth to my chest.

Jax sprawls comfortably on the bed, his long legs stretched out, an assortment of colorful candy wrappers spread around him. Eli is perched on the opposite side, eyes wide and serious as he assesses their candy stash, his small fingers organizing pieces into neat rows.

“About time,” Jax drawls lazily, popping a peanut M&M into his mouth. “We nearly started without you.”

Eli nods earnestly, shifting eagerly as I move closer. “We waited for you, Cole. Jax said it’s time to split the candy.”

I chuckle, stepping over a pile of discarded wrappers to sit down on the edge of the bed.

The mattress sinks comfortably beneath my weight, and I glance around at the room we’re in.

The entire cabin is wood constructed, and like what I noticed from downstairs, the decor in here is sparse and seems rather old.

Besides the bed and nightstand, there’s only one other piece of furniture in the room.

An old armchair sits beside a large window, the worn upholstery faded but inviting.

I can clearly see the horses through the glass, grazing peacefully in the fading light.

“You like me and mommy’s new room?” Eli asks, his blue eyes shining with hopeful anticipation. “I picked it!”

“Technically,” Jax interjects easily, smirking playfully at Eli, “Eli picked the best one, but I got the second-best. Since you’re up here, you get the third best. Liam’s stuck with the small room. Lucky him.”

I smile, reaching over to ruffle Eli’s messy hair. “You picked perfectly, buddy. I especially like the chair by the window. You’ll get to watch those horses every day.”

Eli grins, clearly proud of himself, his small shoulders straightening a little. “Yeah, Mommy said she’d watch them with me.”

“You both made an excellent choice,” I say, meaning every word. “Best room in the whole house.”

Eli beams, his attention returning to the candy stash scattered between us. He sits up straight, expression suddenly very serious.

“Okay, now we gotta split it. I think we should pick favorites.” Eli exclaims.

“Fair enough,” Jax agrees, nodding. He leans forward, elbows resting casually on his knees, studying the assortment with a thoughtful frown. “Who goes first?”

“Oh! Mommy and I do everything in alphabetical order,” Eli tells us. “I learned my letters really good after I turned four, and Mommy says that can help me keep practicing.

“That sounds like a great plan,” Jax says with a smile. “My name starts with ‘J,’ Cole’s starts with a ‘C’, what does your name start with?”

“‘E!’”

“Good job!” Jax gives him a big thumbs up. “So, we have ‘J,’ ‘C,’ and ‘E.’ What order do we get to go in?”

Eli’s face crinkles as he thinks for a second. “Cole goes first, and I go second, you have to go last, Jax.”

“Nice!” They high-five, and Eli giggles. “Alright, Cole, pick two pieces that are your favorites.”

I scan the pile before snagging a Twix and a Snickers bar. Eli’s eyes widen, clearly torn.

“Oh,” he whispers, glancing anxiously between the candy in my hands and the main small pile. “I like those ones too.”

Jax chuckles, nudging Eli with his elbow. “Well then, I guess you better have ’em, buddy. Cole here is willing to sacrifice his candy.”

Eli looks at me with bright eyes, hopeful but clearly hesitant. “Really, Cole?”

I nod easily, handing him the candy with a smile. “Absolutely. They’re all yours.”

His small face lights up as he takes them, “Thanks!”

We spend the next few minutes dividing the rest of the candy, though both Jax and I readily hand over whatever Eli eyes too long, happy to see his excitement.

It’s strange, really—how he’s wormed his way into our hearts.

Just two days on the road, and Eli’s already claimed a spot we hadn’t realized was vacant.

It unsettles me a little, how easily it happened. But I can’t deny how good it feels.

Finally, the candy is neatly divided into three piles, Eli clearly having made out best. He’s staring at his pile happily as Jax pulls out two additional crumpled plastic bags and starts shoveling individual piles into each bag.

I nudge Eli on his small shoulder. “You should probably give your bag to your mom, Eli. Moms tend to handle that sort of thing.”

He groans, clearly reluctant, but gathers his now bagged candy and scrambles off the bed.

“Okay fine,” he sighs, moving toward the door. He pauses for a moment, turning back to face us with earnest eyes. “You know what?”

“What, bud?” Jax asks, watching Eli curiously.

“I never had friends before,” Eli admits, his voice sincere and vulnerable in a way only a kid can manage. “Or met anybody but Mommy, really. But I’m glad I met you guys. You’re really cool and fun, and Mommy doesn’t look sad all the time now.”

He shrugs then, as if his words were nothing out of the ordinary, before spinning around and skipping out of the room, his small voice already calling eagerly for Ava as he disappears down the hall.

A quiet silence settles between Jax and me, the weight of Eli’s innocent honesty hanging in the air. Jax exhales, rubbing a hand over his face.

“Well, damn.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, rising from the bed. “He’s something else.”

Jax stands up, stretching leisurely. “He sure as hell is. Kid’s gonna have us wrapped around his finger in no time.”

“Be real, he already does.”