The Alpha’s Heir
Chapter 16

*** Xavier ***

For many years, my worst fear was Lydia replaceing out about Rose and Evangelina. I would wake in the middle of the night soaked to the bone with sweat; the sheen of a guilty man. Pangs of anxiety would assault me from nowhere as I wondered: would today be the day she found out? What would she do once she did replace out?

Then there was the guilt I felt about my daughter, for not being present in her life. At first, the temporary reprieve worked. I provided financially for her, and quite well too. It was enough to justify to myself for a little while that she wanted for nothing and would have the best of everything. But deep down, I knew that Rose was there for the money, and the guilt and shame of leaving my little girl with that selfish money-grabber would devour my soul. I hated myself for being a callous coward.

Today is my chance to somewhat redeem myself. My mate not only knows about my daughter, but they are bonding too. Lydia and I as a team helped to heal some of Lina’s manifestations. Today, by bringing Rose to her, I hope to help her face her pain and reverse the rest of the damage.

Rose and Lydia look each other up and down in disgust. “So, this must be the mongrel you turned your back on your daughter for?” Rose tuts and shakes her head, but my Lydia stares her down and hisses at her.

“One more word and I’ll slit your f*****g throat from ear to ear. I’m the Luna here and what I say goes. You are alive only by my grace and that is only because I love Eva and Summer and would never want to harm them. If you don’t cooperate today, I will ruin you. Have no doubt in your mind, I despise you for what you’ve done to that girl. You are a disgrace. So, don’t you dare look down your nose at my mate for walking away when you have deliberately hurt her.”

Rose pales under the intense hatred of my mate and her vehement promise to dole out punishment for any lack of cooperation. I am proud and grateful to have a strong and principled mate. Lydia has always been a perfect mate and the greatest Luna. I must remind her of how much I appreciate that.

“That was hot as f**k, sweet cheeks. Just wait until later when I ask for an encore.” Even though I murmur it, she still blushes.

“Xavier Woodward! Watch your mouth,” she whispers back to me whilst smiling. She almost looks carefree though she is far from it. She has walked the carpet in the bedroom threadbare with her pacing at night, worrying about our son and the consequences of his actions. But Lydia is the consummate actress, she appears serene and full of grace, just as any Luna should.

We arrive at the Onyx River Packhouse, and Beta Preston meets us and takes us down to the dungeons and into Eva’s cell. “Well, he’s made it nicer in here for Eva compared to what you have made me stay in,” Rose complains. “Your place is a hell hole.”

I smile at her before I answer. “Eva is the Luna here; her pack would do anything to serve her and protect her. You are in my cells for your crimes against her. You’re lucky that you’re still alive. Now shut up and stop m0aning. We’ve brought you here for a reason, and it’s not for you to air your dissatisfaction with your accommodation.”

Rose looks like she is about to object and argue again when our daughter’s voice reaches us both.

“Hello, Mother.” Eva’s voice is devoid of emotion. It is measured and controlled, and my pride in her doubles. She is starting to become the person she was always meant to be: a strong Alpha Heir and a gracious Luna.

“Oh, Eva! I’ve been worried sick about you. Where is little Summer?” Rose’s tone completely changes; gone is her venom and in its place is a saccharine sweet tone.

“Why?” My daughter asks one simple question: why? And it has her mother stumped.

“Why what, sweetheart?” she asks back with her artificial simper, and her look of feigned interest and concern sickens me. How could I have left this monster to raise my child?

“Why are you worried about me?” Eva asks her simply as she raises her eyebrows in question and laces her fingers together. Rose looks about the cell, her eyes bulge as she shiftily looks around the space.

“I’m your mother, of course I worry about you. I always have and I always will.” Rose puffs her chest out, but none of us are impressed with her posturing.

“Take a seat, Ms Duvall,” Aiden says to his mother-in-law as he points to a wooden seat that faces Eva, who is still behind bars.

“Actually, I am going back to my maiden name now that Claude is divorcing me.” She places her hand on Aiden’s arm and he pushes her away as though her touch scolds him.

“I don’t care what you call yourself. Don’t ever touch me.” I don’t miss my daughter’s mouth twitching. That one gesture secures Aiden’s place in her heart, if there was ever any doubt. His look of genuine disgust is the icing on the cake.

“Did you worry about me when your husband tried to touch me? Did you worry about me when you sucked off my husband and whatever else you got up to? Did you worry about me when I became a shell of my former self at Ryan’s hands? Did you worry about me as you stole thousands of pounds from me while me and my daughter lived on the breadline? Did you worry about me when I went into premature labour and birthed my child all alone?” Eva stops and takes a deep breath. “Do I need to continue?”

Rose scowls at Eva and it makes her look older than ever. The lines on her normally beautiful face reflect the ugliness that bubbles away below the surface. “Why do you always have to be such a drama queen, Eva? You insist on being the centre of attention, constantly making up stories to draw everyone’s sympathy to you, continually creating or exaggerating. You are a grown woman now, Eva. You must stop this.”

“Did I make it up when I told you that Claude tried to touch me and that he made me feel gross and uncomfortable with his sleazy ways? You didn’t care what he did to me so long as he didn’t leave you. I got out and away from his wandering hands, but I jumped out of the fire and into the frying pan. Why didn’t you believe me?”

“I did believe you, Evangelina, but you made a mountain out of a molehill. Men like to touch women. It’s no big deal.”

I growl from deep down in my chest. “Only if the women are of age and give their consent to touching, Rose. What the f**k is wrong with you?” Ace’s voice comes through. It’s lower and more menacing than mine and when Rose cringes away, Ace chirupps in satisfaction .

“You let your husband touch me. Your own daughter. Can you not see how twisted that is?” Rose doesn’t answer. Eva’s body begins to tremble and her eyes flash silver. Aiden notices too. “Answer me.” Rose falls off the chair and onto the floor in submission to Eva’s power. I would be proud, but my daughter is starting to lose control.

“Aiden,” I warn him, and he gives his nod of agreement and talks to Eva as we planned.

“Shortie, have a little sip of water, remember what we are trying to protect here.” Eva accepts the drink and gulps. Her eyes are returning to blue, and her body stops shaking as her mate coaxes her to calm down.

“I have two questions. Just two questions, Rose. Answer them truthfully and you can leave. Did you ever truly want and love me or was I just a cash cow to you?” Eva blinks away the tears.

“There are no repercussions for my honest answers?” Rose asks, and Eva shakes her head at her. “Then I will tell you. No. I didn’t want to keep you. By the time I found out I was pregnant, it was too late to get rid of you and then, when you were born, I placed you up for adoption, but your father begged me not to give you up. He told me he would contribute financially if I provided a home for you. It seemed as good a job as any.”

Rose continues to sit, unaffected by her cold admission, but we all shudder at how anyone could be so unfeeling. Eva’s tears stream silently down her face, but she hasn’t made a sound since she asked her first question.

“Thank you for your honesty. And finally: Ryan… How could you? You are my mother; how could you do that to me? Did you love him? How long did it continue for? Did you know how he was treating me?” My little girl has done so well to hold on to her composure, but the hurt, the humiliation and the pain are taking its toll. Her body is practically vibrating, we need to end this as soon as Rose gives her answer.

“Well, it’s simple biology, Eva, I did it because I wanted to. Ryan was young and handsome and very s3xually frustrated. I kept him satisfied for you so he didn’t go looking elsewhere. No, I didn’t love him. What was the next part?” My hackles raise as Rose looks indifferently at her nails. However, Aiden answers her, saving me from having to.

“How long did it continue for, and did you know how Ryan was treating her?” he spits out at her, while Rose rolls her eyes in bored defiance.

“It started the day after you introduced him to me and continued throughout your marriage, although it was just blow jobs and it was mostly because he blackmailed me. And yes, of course, I knew how he was treating you. He took great delight in telling me everything that happened between you both. He threatened to be rough with you on your wedding night if I didn’t sleep with him too. Then he called me the next day and told me he destroyed you and laughed as he did.”

“GET OUT! Get her out! And stay out, stay away from me. You are a monster and I do not want you in my life, Rose. You are poisonous.”

Beta Preston and Lydia grab Rose and drag her out as Eva loses control. She howls in agony as her body convulses. “Xavier, I need you to help me, we’re going to lose her. I can’t lose her,” Aiden shouts to me. His voice is full of pain and panic.

Eva’s howls turn to b***d-curdling screams, the walls start to tremble, and cracks run through them, debris falls all around us and dust puffs out angrily. A massive crack opens up in the floor right where Eva is violently shaking on the floor.

I’ve only just got my daughter back in my life and terror and overwhelming pain fills me as I contemplate the fact that I’m about to lose her all over again.

*** Aiden ***

Excruciating pain travels throughout my whole body. I didn’t tell Eva last night, but when she was reliving her memory of her wedding night, I felt every ounce of pain along with her. As her body writhes in agony on the cell floor, Roman howls inside me, a haunting howl that scares me… what is happening to me and my wolf?

When Eva starts to convulse, I lose my composure. I am going to lose her. I am going to lose the love of my life and our pup too, because I can’t save her from the hurt she had to endure while waiting for me.

I get down on my knees next to her. “Eva, baby, please! Please come back to me. She didn’t love you, but I do, we all do. You have so many people here who love and respect you and want to help you through this.” Her movements slow but the screaming doesn’t and neither does the pain destroying my own body. “Eva, don’t let this beat you. You’ve got to try, for you, for me, for Summer and for our pup. You have to try for your dad, stepmom, your friends and your pack. We all love you.”

“Mum and Dad. I need Mum and Dad,” she tells me in between sobs of anguish. I don’t understand. She’s just told Rose to leave and now she wants her back?

“Xavier, she needs you and Mum. She’s asking for mum and dad.” Xavier’s eyes glaze over, then he enters the cell and holds Eva, cradling her head.

“Daddy’s here. I’m never going to leave. I love you with all my heart and your mum will be here soon too. We both love you the whole world and more, Evangelina, don’t ever forget that. I am so proud of you and how you have conducted yourself throughout this whole ordeal. I admire you so much for accepting my mate as your mother figure.”

Lydia! Now it makes sense. Eva told me that Lydia insisted she call her Mum and that’s who she needs now. She needs a proper mother’s love.

Lydia dashes into the cell. “I’m here, X. What can I do to help?” Xavier instructs her to hold Eva’s hands and talk to her. Slowly but surely, Eva’s screams turn to cries of grief and anguish.

“Oh, my sweet girl. Don’t worry, Mum’s here now. Mum and Dad are here, and we’ll always be here to love and support you and our grandpups. Let it all out.”

Lydia grasps one of Eva’s hands and strokes her face with the other hand. She makes soothing noises at my mate that comfort her and reassure her.

I feel completely redundant. I don’t know what else to do to help, but my concern for Eva and our pup still weighs heavy on me. I can feel every bit of pain her body is having to endure, and I don’t know how much more it can take.

I mindlink directly to Lina. Please, Lina, let us help. We love you. We love our pup. I’m beyond worried about Eva, her body cannot cope with it anymore.

Roman. I need Roman. I need my mate, Lina’s shaky voice tells me.

I shift straight away, unable to comprehend how the hell I’m meant to help my mate in wolf form. As soon as I give Roman control, he wraps his body around Eva’s and almost immediately Eva starts to calm down. Her body becomes balmy, covered in a sweaty sheen, but her screams stop. Every so often, Roman bursts out into the grief-filled howling that is inside me, and I notice that Eva is emitting the same sound. That is Lina. Lina is using Eva’s body to express her pain.

Roman links words of comfort to Lina and I am so proud of him. He instinctively knows what his mate needs and gives it to her. His easy acceptance of both Eva and Lina and his willingness to endure whatever pain he had to in order to help them are a credit to him and him alone.

I realise that I have wanted to limit the pain that Eva must feel, but the only way to heal is to walk through it and then let it go. I hate the thought of her being in pain, but that is the only way. She must face it and, therefore, we will face it together. From now on, I will ensure we always do. She will never have to do anything alone anymore. She will know nothing but love and acceptance from this moment until her last. No one will ever mistreat her again; I will skin them alive if they even try.

Aiden, Lina is almost back to being an ordinary werewolf. The manifestations are mostly reversed now that the pain of the past is addressed. Eva needs to rest now to protect our pup. This has been hard on both of them. We need to keep looking after them. Roman is clear about what must happen, but I can tell from his strained tone that he still has concerns about them.

I shift back to my human form and pull on some clothes before I lift Eva up in my arms. She resembles a limp rag doll. She still whimpers as she sleeps, and her tears cling like dewdrops on her eyelashes.

“Where are you moving her to, son? Is she going to be okay?” Xavier has remained with us throughout the whole ordeal, and I had been so focused on helping Eva and Lina that I forgot to include him in the progression I could see and feel through my bond.

“Sorry, Xavier, I keep forgetting that I need to tell you what’s happening too. Lina says the manifestations have mostly reversed but Eva needs to rest and be looked after for a while. I am taking her home. The cells are no longer safe with all those cracks, and I want her to be waited on, hand and foot for the remainder of her confinement. She isn’t out of the woods yet, but with some tender loving care and pampering, I am sure she’ll be feeling better soon. I really thought I was about to lose her.”

Xavier gives me a pat on the shoulder and back. “She’s strong, Aiden, stronger than any of us. Probably the strongest She-Wolf I’ve ever met.”

I smile because I completely agree. Eva is the strongest person I have ever met.

When I reach our apartment, Eva stirs and whimpers. “Aidy? Where are we? Tell Roman I am sorry, I am so sorry for causing him so much pain.” I shush her.

“It’s fine, Roman wanted to help and now we know we can get through anything together. Come on, let’s get in bed and snuggle our sunshine girl. This has been the hardest time of our lives. It’s time for us to relax and let the healing do its job.

“Thank you, Aiden. Thank you for loving me.”

I will love her with every inch of my capacity until the end of time. She is my mate, my love and the inspiration in my life. I have never felt prouder that she is mine.

*** Salma ***

I march into that hospital room. Now that I know Alejandro is safe, I am ready to give him a bollocking for almost getting himself killed.

“Chula! You are a sight for sore eyes,” Ale says to me through half-opened eyes, obviously thinking I will be happy and relieved to see him.

“Don’t you Chula me, Alejandro Suarez! How dare you nearly get yourself f*****g killed? If anyone is going to kill you… it’ll be me. Understand? I swear to God you’ve taken years off my life with that stunt. Don’t make me knock some sense into you, because I will.”

He looks pale and tired and although he gives me a small smile, it’s far from his usual one, and the fight evaporates from me. I love him and I’m glad he is safe, but goodness, he is paying for my next hairdresser’s appointment. My hair will be full of grey after all the worrying I’ve done over him.

“I understand, mi amour. I am an inconsiderate bastard and I promise, next time I will hand you the gun. But right now, I need you to help me make a claim on the Serrano firm. We own their as*ses now, that’s the least I’m owed for the f*****g run around Tony gave us and for the mess he has made of my leg.” He winces as he tries to move, and I hold him down to stop him from moving again.

“Just lie down and relax, Ale, everything is taken care of. I do have to leave you for a little while now, but you can use this time to contemplate how many different ways I will torture you if you ever do this again. And you can rest and sleep too.” I k!ss him gently on the head, the effects of the pain relief make him drowsy, and his eyes struggle to stay open. “I love you, Alejandro, I’ll be back soon.”

“Are you ready, Mrs Morales?” I shake my head at Willy.

“Not yet, Willy, I have one more person I want on this mission. It might take me a while to persuade them though.” I smile at my hidden joke that no one else will get yet.

While I brought Ale here to get treatment right away, Raul, Matteo and Penelope secured the Serrano Firm for us. Everything is ours. Ale is now a Don in his own right, and I am so proud of him. Dominga is dead, and although I don’t relish the task of telling my little brother that she is dead, I am relieved that my adoption of him will be straightforward and uncontested.

The true icing on the cake, though, is that Junior has been spotted looking around for Dominga and he has another female with him. He is still sniffing around Serrano property, unable to replace his lover.

My plan is to go and take him out once and for all, but first, I need a sparring partner. I can think of no one better.

I walk through the packhouse and knock on the door. Beta Preston opens the door and looks at me in confusion when he does. “Hi, I know it’s late or is it early? I didn’t even know what time it was anymore. Is Amber awake? We’re going on a mission.”

*** Junior ***

Dominga is on the missing list and panic rises fast within me. Where the f**k is she? After searching the hotel we stayed at and replaceing all our belongings gone without a trace, I have no option but to go and replace her. I have to try her home, her club, her Don’s address. Anywhere she may be.

“Junior, let’s just forget about Dominga. If we go back home, the pack will follow you. Your dad is getting old and soft and if you challenge him, you’ll win, and then we can be The Luna and Alpha of the Moon Stone.”

Her ravings and ramblings are really starting to grate right down my nerves. She doesn’t seem to realise that we will be detained on sight and both of us will lose our throats. We are in too deep with everything now, but Nikki is deranged, or stupid. Maybe she is both. Even if I could depend on the pack to protect me from the Mafia, they will never stand for my attempt to kidnap a small child or for seriously injuring a human. If Dominga is not here to help me, I know I am screwed. I will have to go rogue and hide.

“I am not going to challenge my father. Now, will you stop your nagging and help me replace her. She is our last hope.” I speak to her slowly like she is having trouble comprehending what I am saying, but if anything, this angers her into more rants.

“What is your obsession with her, Junior? She is older than your mother and her face is like a leather chamois. She must be good in the sack because she has you obsessed with her.” Nikki’s jealousy is starting to show and the cracks in her mental state are becoming large gorges. I can’t remember the last time she ate or had more than a twenty-minute nap.

“Will you leave off about her? She has the money and power to get us away from here with our throats intact. That’s what you want, right? To live long enough to have your pup?” I raise my voice and instantly regret it, so again, I use the possibility of a pup to my advantage. It’s all she is concerned about. I walk towards Dominga’s neighbourhood when Nikki shouts out to me from the dark and malodorous alleyway we have been hiding in.

“I will feel it if you f**k her. And if you f**k her… I will harm both of you. Do not betray me, Junior. You are mine now.”

Has she seriously lost her marbles? “You threaten me again, b!tch, and I’ll solve both our problems by ripping your throat out. Is that what you want? There will be no pups then. So, get off my back and concentrate on replaceing Dominga.” I growl at her, and she submits with a whimper.

“Yes, mate,” she spits out at me between her teeth, trying once again to rile and defy me. I grab her by her long hair.

“Don’t ‘yes, mate’ me. If Dominga hears you saying that, she’ll know. Is that what you want? We need her to get away from the council and the Mafia. Do you realise how much sh!t we are in? We’ll lose our throats, Nikki.”

Nikki laughs manically at me. “Take a look around. She’s not here. Don’t you get it? She’s probably gone abroad to safety without you, and you are running around like a little puppy trying to replace her. What is it going to take for you to get the hint?” My palm stings from slapping her soundly across her face, it shocks me as much as it shocks her.

“She won’t have left. You need to calm down. You’re the one who said this was a business arrangement. So, stop being jealous and bratty and f*****g replace her.”

I push her away from me, but the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Is that Nikki’s doing?

It’s not me, I feel it too. She mindlinks me and I nod to show I understand as I look around.

I search the area and replace no one and nothing out of the ordinary, but obviously quarrelling with Nikki attracted attention. “I’m sorry. I won’t f**k her, but we do need her, Nikki. How else am I going to get you and our pup out of here?” Brute force isn’t working. I think Nikki actually likes it, but appealing to her maternal side seems to work.

“I’m sorry, Junior. I can’t replace her. She must be dead.” Before I know what is happening, she leans in and k!sses me. My wolf growls in appreciation, but I still have enough sense to know this is dangerous. My mind and thoughts are everywhere. She can’t be dead. We are meant to be in this together. How am I going to get to safety now?

“Nikki! Stop it. Don’t say sh!t like that, concentrate on replaceing her.” I push her against the wall and my hand wraps around her neck. She is not the mate I want. She isn’t even fated for me. I want Dominga. And this little wh0re is going to prevent that and tortures me by telling me that my true love is dead? I press against her neck. “I gave you a chance, Nikki. I gave you a chance to be my mate and carry my pups, but you are completely insane. I don’t want you. I want Dominga. Are you going to cooperate?” She nods at me with tears in her eyes.

I loosen my grip. I do want and need my heir and I am pretty certain she will be carrying a pup by now. In my moment of distraction, she manages to claw down my face with her dirty talons.

“I’d love to cooperate, but I can’t feel her or sense her. She’s not here, Junior. We are wasting our time. So, we go rogue on our own or you challenge your father for the Moon Stone. Stop being a big wuss and make a decision.”

“SHE IS NOT DEAD!” She can’t be. We had so many plans, and I need her to bail me out of the sh!t. I finally snap. “I’ll tell you who is dead though: you. You and the f*****g pup inside you because I don’t want you. You’re a useless wh0re and I don’t want your tainted pup. Goodbye, Nikki”.

This time I have made up my mind. I am not dragging this crazy, dumb-as*s woman along with me. Pup or no pup, I cannot bear another moment in her presence. I choke the life out of her and, although she resists me, I am too strong for her.

“Get your stinking hands off her, mutt.” Before I can turn around, something hits me across the head. I have no option but to let go of Nikki’s throat as I fall unconscious on the floor.

*** Salma ***

At long last, I have my father’s murderer in my sights. The red mist doesn’t descend on me. I have never been clearer about what I want and how I intend on doing it. When I see him assaulting who I now know to be his mate, I smile internally. I have absolutely no remorse, no qualms, and no hesitation about killing Junior Woodward. He is a disease.

“Get your stinking hands off her, mutt,” Amber shouts at him and I lift my Glock and whack him full force across the head.

As he falls to the ground at an odd angle, he mutters, “Oh, f**k!” to himself.

“Are you okay? Let me take a look at your neck?” Amber picks the woman up off the floor, but the woman doesn’t appear happy with the situation.

“Get off me. I don’t need your help,” she shouts abrasively at Amber.

“She’s just saved your life, don’t speak to her like that.” I stand between Amber and the beaten rag of a woman who screeches and flails at my friend.

“I wouldn’t even be here with that big idiot if it wasn’t for her. I would be at home with my mate and his pup inside me instead of the pup of a man who disgusts me. You took away my future. You took away my life.” She crumples in my arms and sobs and my eyes fill with tears of compassion.

“I am so sorry for what I did, Nikki,” Amber says. “I am sorry that my actions destroyed your future. I cannot tell you how sorry I am that my actions resulted in you losing everything. I was trying to rescue my brother. Junior had already attacked him once and then Aiden was taken again, and I panicked. I regret killing your mate and if I could turn back time, I would.”

I watch in shock as Amber Goldrick pours her heart out and apologises for her action. However, the biggest revelation is Nikki’s reaction to Amber’s apology.

As her shoulders slump in defeat, Nikki ages in front of my eyes. “I’m so tired of hating you, and of pining for my mate and what should have been our family. It was everything I ever wanted in life, and I was burning with hatred for you for taking that away. But now you’re here in front of me and I can see you’re not a monster. I can see you are just a werewolf who made a mistake. I’ve made enough of them myself.”

The silent tears that stain her face never cease and her eyes burn with sincerity as Nikki pleads for her life and for that of her unborn child.

“Please don’t kill me… I think I am carrying Junior’s pup. It’s really early but I want this child so much. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I promise I’ll behave, I’ll be on my best behaviour. Please, I am begging you: don’t kill me or my baby.”

“You have to reverse your curse, Nikki. You have cursed all the pups that will be born in my pack. If you don’t agree to reverse the curse, they will kill you. I will stand and fight for you and your baby if you promise to reverse the curse.” Nikki nods her agreement to Amber but adds that if she is pregnant, she would only be able to do the reversal once her baby is born.

Outwardly, I roll my eyes as Amber holds her hand out to Nikki, clearly offering her an olive branch, but deep down, I am happy that they both manage to replace a positive resolution despite the ugliness of the whole situation.

There will be no such resolution for Junior. I call my back-up and send Amber back with her prisoner.

“Sal, are you sure you’ll be okay here? I can come straight back.” However, I know all about Amber’s suspended sentence and now that she has settled things with Nikki, I want her as far away from here as possible.

“I’ll be fine. I am finally going to get vengeance for my papa. Check in on Ale for me please.” As we embrace, Amber discreetly passes me a sheathed double-ended dagger I had been admiring earlier.

“Just in case,” she whispers to me. Yes, just in case.