The Alpha’s Heir
Chapter 9

*** Junior ***

For the last two days, I’ve been stuck in this sh!tty hotel room with Dominga and Nikki and I am ready to explode in a rage. They have been fighting nonstop about anything and everything.

Dominga is insecure about our relationship. She hates that Nikki is younger and wilder and prettier. She despises that Nikki is willing to serve me, to help me get what I want and need, which is my bastard sister, Eva, dead.

Nikki has powers and abilities that Dominga couldn’t even imagine, and to be honest, it is starting to bother me that Dominga is being so controlling and possessive over me. I have already killed her sugar daddy for her, when she asked me to. What else must I do to prove I am loyal to her?

Nikki means nothing to me, she is a stupid girl with a screw loose, but we have a common goal. We want to bring down the same people and she has abilities I don’t possess. I need her, and she needs me. Dominga, however, just doesn’t get it. Her neediness is sickening.

“You’ve got to get rid of that girl!” Dominga screams at me. She looks maniacal, and it isn’t attractive. In fact, she looks horrible with dark circles around her eyes and her face is blotchy with rage. I have never noticed before how much older she is, but I notice it now. She must be the same age as my mother. How can she give me an Heir to pass my mantel on to?

Nikki is throwing stuff around in the bathroom and I know she can hear Dominga’s outburst. I roll my eyes and climb out of bed. Just what I need, not one hormonal woman but two of the fvckers.

“What girl?” I spit at Dominga, deliberately provoking her further. I am tired and bored of the two of them and their fighting. Two can play this game.

“Your little b!tch, she is a dumb wh0re, and she can’t help you! She is a liability; she has to go!” Dominga cries, and I throw my arms out in frustration.

“She has a better idea of what we are doing than you, Dom. You are being dramatic, you are paranoid! Go to sleep and stop worrying. She is not a threat to you, so stop being a jealous little b!tch and try and get along with her.”

I am growing tired of her and if she doesn’t sort herself out, she will be out.

“I swear right now, Dom, stop this immediately or I will walk. I am getting tired of your sh!tty mood swings. If I wanted Nikki, I would take her. But I don’t. Okay? It stops now or you can go, and I will replace a bird who knows how to keep her mouth.”

I am so tired, I don’t even bother changing my clothes. Instead, I grab my phone, put my shoes on and walk out of the door, leaving the two thorns in my side to squabble without me.

I don’t want to be around Dominga. I don’t want to be around anyone, but especially Dom. I need to get away. I need some quiet time away from this wretched hotel for just a few minutes. I miss the open expanse of the Moon Stone Territory, I miss the forests, I miss my wolf, I miss my family, I miss my home and, most of all, I wish I had never started all this sh!t in the first place.

The static of energy between my fingers and in my ears mingles with the throbbing pain in my head. It’s so bad I can hardly see. The lights in the lobby flicker and I can hear people laughing. I know I am losing control and I need to get away from these people.

Leaning against the cold walls of the hotel, the fear of being caught consumes me, making me feel sick. I shake my head, I need to replace somewhere quiet. A place I can go alone to remember who I am. I need to remember that I am an Alpha Wolf, I am Xavier Woodward’s son and heir whether he likes it or not.

When I return to the room, Dominga and Nikki sit next to each other. In another time and place, these two would probably be the best of friends, but not right now, not while Dom has her tail in a knot.

“We’ve come to an agreement. There is no point in waiting around. We strike this weekend and then we can all go our separate ways. Until then, Dominga and I will try to stay out of each other’s way,” Nikki explains to me.

They both obviously understand how close to the knife’s edge I am. Dominga rolls her eyes and pouts at me. She thinks it makes her look cute, but I’m beyond that right now. However, Nikki is looking rather tempting. Her cheeks are flushed from exertion, and her breasts, full and firm, capture my attention. She could give me an heir. Nikki’s sly smile knocks me off balance, she’s done this on purpose, she’s using her mage abilities so that I fancy her and it’s working.

I nod to them both in agreement, “Okay, so this weekend we will be hitting the Onyx River and, hopefully, put an end to this.” I indicate the three of us. The sooner my father’s bastard loses her throat and Nikki gets her revenge, the sooner I can shed these two lunatics.

*** Preston ***

My mother’s presence is requested so she can relay everything she had told me about the treatment of Dire Wolves, and I therefore volunteer to get her. I try desperately to locate people who could help Lina reverse her manifestations. My plan is to get every healer here so we can plan the best treatment possible for my Luna. I have to help her, I owe her for standing up to Nikki on my behalf.

Amber is busy helping me with both locating the best healers and organising our defences should the council return and attempt to arrest Eva again. It is doubly important now that we protect her since she is carrying our future Alpha. Eva and her pup are the future of our pack.

The news of Eva’s pregnancy didn’t come as a massive shock. Aiden hasn’t left her alone since he found her, and I knew he was looking forward to welcoming more pups as soon as possible.

Amber’s reaction to the news is surprising, though. At first, she was full of joy for her brother, which quickly changed to her being upset that she might not get to meet her new niece or nephew. As I hold her in my arms afterwards, trying to soak up every bit of Amber that I can, she asks if we can play a game.

“What sort of game?” I ask her, full of curiosity. From the blush on her cheeks, I know she is embarrassed but I don’t know why.

“We both close our eyes and tell each other what our future looks like in a perfect world, where there is no trial, no mad widow trying to seduce you and no pack expectations. Simply whatever your heart desires.” I agree straight away, even though I still don’t understand her reason for acting embarrassed.

“Okay, you go first, Red.” She closes her eyes and rests her head against my shoulder and tells me her heart’s desires.

“We would have our mating ceremony and we could ask Aiden for a cottage like his. We would make love every night and simply enjoy each other for a short while. We would have a couple of pups, hopefully a boy and a girl and we would be a family…” She chokes on the last couple of words and tears fall spontaneously down her cheeks.

“Amber, we might still be able to have all that. You have just described my greatest heart’s desire, to be a family with you.”

“I didn’t know what I wanted until it was too late, Preston, and now, I’m terrified. I’m petrified that I’ll never get to have all those things with you. I’ll never get to give you what your heart desires. If I don’t win this trial, you are going to be punished too.”

She cries and apologises for a solid hour. Nothing I say stops her from beating herself up over her failings. One thing is clear: Amber needs distraction or she’s going to lose her mind. I therefore bring her onboard my mission to replace how we reverse wolf manifestations.

As I approach the packhouse with my mother, Amber runs down the steps to me, her red hair flying out behind her.

“Preston, Preston! I’ve found something. For Lina to let go of the hurt, Eva has to confront the pain of the past that caused the manifestations. She has to confront everyone that has hurt her.”

I look at my mother for confirmation and she nods, adding, “Your mate is right, son: ‘kill it with love’ was the mantra of the healers in my old pack. People hold on to the pain of the past to remind them of what could go wrong. We have to help the new Luna let go of what hurt her.”

“How do we do that, exactly?” I am stumped, surely we can just tell her she has to let it go?

“Therapy, son, lots of talking therapy and confrontations. That’s what will help the Luna out now. It would help if Eva would open up about who hurt her and why and we can then proceed with caution.”

This is going to be a mammoth task!

*** Eva ***

Aiden has been preoccupied with whatever he found out while he was in Scotland. I want him to share these things with me, but he’s so stubborn at times that it’s infuriating. He tells me he wants me to relax and it’s not important, but I do worry about it.

The cell is a whole lot comfier now. Aiden had our whole bedroom brought down into my cell, and Summer’s belongings are now in the holding area. I am happier since I have my own bed back so I can sleep in Aiden’s arms each and every night, but more importantly, I am ecstatic to finally have room dividers to give us some privacy when Summer is sleeping, and things heat up between me and my mate. I was so paranoid about her being there that I couldn’t relax, but now it feels like she is at least in another room.

Not that s3x has been a priority. Despite being apart for ten whole days, Aiden is treating me like a prized piece of fine china. No matter how much I reassure him, he worries if we have s3x he will hurt me or the baby.

I’m not dissatisfied; far from it. I love oral. Every time he goes down on me, I wonder how I ever lived without it in my life. The rush of warmth and wetness to that area and the heady feeling of knowing he is tasting me and licking me is enough to make me dizzy with desire for his mouth. But I also like s3x; well, s3x with Aiden, at least.

He pushes me away for the fourth time and it crushes my confidence so much that I will not initiate it again. It is just too embarrassing, and I am quickly feeling like things are changing between us. I don’t think I could take another rejection; I don’t think I can do the single parent thing all over again either.

I need Aiden to open up and let me in, but right now his barriers are well and truly up and there is no way in. He is impenetrable, unreachable and it hurts so much.

I take solace in the fact that he seems to want to touch me, he just doesn’t want to have s3x, so maybe this is about him being cautious about the baby. All I know is Aiden went away and when he came back, something had shifted and I am starting to really worry it is his feelings for me.

Amber, on the other hand, has been firing on all cylinders, she is so busy I feel tired just watching and listening to her. I am sitting on the rocking chair contemplating what has been happening or, more importantly, not happening between Aiden and I when she bounces in, filled with energy. She stops when she sees me, her concern for me spreading over her face.

“A penny for your thoughts, Eva,” she shouts over to me. I try to smile but it doesn’t quite happen. “Oh, Eva, are you okay?” Amber’s kindness hits me like a kick to the gut and the tears fill my eyes before I can stop them.

“What happened in Scotland, Amber? Aiden won’t tell me; I know something is bothering him, but he won’t talk about it, and I am worried about him. I’m worried about us.” I know I have got to the crux of the problem when her facial expression changes from one of sympathy to another of guarded shame. Something happened, and I need to know what.

“I think you need to talk to Aiden about this, Eva. If and when he wants to share, it’s his right to choose. He loves you, Eva, and you’re carrying his child now. I know my brother and whatever is happening in his head does not affect and will never affect his devotion to you. I think you need a change of scenery and some fresh air, Luna; it sounds like you are getting cabin fever.”

So, something did happen. Amber confirms there is something Aiden is keeping from me, and I simply have to respect that he will tell me if he wants me to know.

“I want to talk to you anyway, Eva. I need to get my affairs in order, and I believe you’re the woman I can leave my final wishes with. Preston and Aiden will not allow me to talk about these things, but I need to get them off my chest. Therefore, as my Luna, I would like to tell you everything in case I am imprisoned or executed.”

In the chaos of everything else that has been going on, I forgot Amber’s trial is due to start in two days’ time. I nod to her, and she sits on Summer’s bed.

“I want you to promise to look after Aiden and be strong for him and keep him in line. Tell him how much I love him and admire him and remind him frequently he was the best big brother I could have ever wished for. Tell the baby stories about me and tell them I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet them.” Her eyes fill with pain and longing and mostly sadness.

“I will, Amber, you know I will.”

“I’m not finished. Preston. I need you to help Preston through this. Help him mourn but then help him move on. Once I’m gone, I want him to replace a new mate and be a daddy just like he’s always wanted. I want him to replace peace and some joy.” The tears stream down her face, and I try to comfort her by putting my arms through the bars and holding her.

“I give you my oath as your Luna and as your sister-in-law. I will ensure your final wishes are fulfilled to the best of my ability if the worst-case scenario does happen. I also promise you, as your friend, that I will do everything in my power to clear your name.”

Amber finally hugs me back but quickly pulls away. “I won’t hurt the baby, will I?”

I roll my eyes at her. “Not you too. Aiden won’t touch me in case he hurts the baby. I’m not the first woman to have a baby, you know. The baby is fine, it’s very well hidden and protected, I promise you.” She lifts her hand to touch my tummy, which is still flat. It’s so early on that there is no outward change and yet her eyes still light up in amazement when her hand makes contact.

“Honey, I’m home!”

I don’t know how long Aiden has been there, but my heart starts to pound in anticipation of his closeness. I miss him, I miss us, and I need him close to me.

“Aidy, talk to your mate. She misses you and it hurts her that you haven’t opened up to her.” My face reddens as Amber stalks out of the room shouting her instructions to her brother as she goes.

“You know I’m trying not to hurt her, I thought it would hurt her less to not tell her. I don’t want Lina to manifest anymore. I am trying to protect her,” Aiden shouts to his sister’s back.

To our shock, she turns back around and shouts in reply. “It’s hurting her that you are keeping this from her. Right now, she would rather be hurt by the truth than comforted by a lie, isn’t that right, Eva?”

Aiden looks at me to see my reaction, and I nod before lowering my head. He has tried to protect me and now I feel like I have infringed on his right to privacy.

“It’s okay, Aiden. I was worried you didn’t want to tell me; I didn’t realise you were trying to protect Lina and me. I wanted to support you, like you’ve supported me. But just tell me when you’re ready and simply know that I’m here and I’ll always be here if you need me.”

“I’m going to replace Preston, see you both later.” The door slams and I am more aware than ever that Aiden keeps his distance from me. He hasn’t opened my cell, and the distance between us feels like it grows and magnifies by the second.

“I found out a lot about my mother and father while I was away. I found things that I know would make you cry, and I just want to keep you safe.”

I stay silent, not wanting to intrude on what he has to say. I don’t want to discourage or encourage him. I want him to give me whatever he wants and just support him afterwards.

“My mother died. She died of a broken heart about a year after she was banished from here and from us, her children.”

The gasp is out of my mouth before I can stop it. “Oh, Aiden. I’m so sorry.”

“You, Summer and the baby are everything to me. I want to be the best mate, the best Alpha and, most importantly, the best father I can, because the thought of any of you suffering like my father allowed my mother to suffer breaks me apart inside.”

He opens the lock to my cell and walks towards me.

“All I ever want is you, us and our family. I would do anything to protect that. I’m sorry you felt pushed away. That’s the last thing I want. I’m sorry for being a d!ck.”

“I’m sorry I’m a hormonal, needy mess, Aidy. I just want us to share everything. I don’t want you to suffer alone, not when you have your family right here who love you.”

I wait until he opens his arms for me, but he goes one better. At last, I feel loved and desired as Aiden sweeps me up in his arms and k!sses me.

“I’ve missed you so much, Shortie. I’m sorry I got weirded out about hurting the baby. I spoke to the pack doctor who assured me that it was perfectly safe, and we could resume our usual activities.” I bite my l*p as my whole body fires up at his words. “Where’s Summer and when is she due back?”

“She’s with Mrs Moore and she won’t be back for a couple of hours.”

He picks me up and places me in the centre of our bed. “Good, that should be enough time for what I have planned.”

My core gushes in sheer delight. Six months ago, I never would have thought I would be acting or feeling this way, both eager and yearning to feel the flesh of my mate pounding over and into mine. Now, it’s my drug, my vice, and I will always be addicted to Aiden. I will always want more Aiden.

*** Aiden ***

When I finally returned home from Scotland, there was so much turmoil going through me that in my haste to protect Eva, I hurt her and made her question my feelings for her. Keeping a distance from her seemed the easiest way to protect her because I don’t want to pile on to the emotional baggage she already has, especially now she is carrying our pup too. She has enough challenges to deal with, like her pregnancy, the fact that her wolf has manifested, and that she is currently under house arrest. No, I will not add to her worries. I will deal with this alone.

Every time I get close to Eva, I break out in a cold sweat. Terror runs through me at the thought of hurting her or our pup. A simmering anger bubbles sporadically inside me and at times I feel out of control, and it scares me. What if I lose control around her? She is so vulnerable sitting in her prison, so petite and gentle that it terrifies me. The last thing I want to do is hurt her or frighten her. So, I decide that not telling Eva what I found out about my mother and father was the best course of action. All I have to do is keep my distance until I deal with my father. This proves to be impossible.

Roman chastises me constantly. You are an idiot, Human. Lies and secrets destroyed our childhood, you’re letting history repeat itself. Tell our mate what happened.

Although I have come home, I haven’t truly come back to Eva. I am holding back because I am afraid the beast from within me will emerge and she won’t love me anymore. For the first time in my life, I am doubting myself and who I truly am.

The anger seems to flare up without a moment’s notice and the only thing that will ease it is my father’s throat in my hands. However, I am a mate and a father myself now. I cannot do anything to jeopardise that, and I need to keep my fury in check until I can deliver justice to the man who caused the painful and lingering death of my mother.

I stand in the hallway outside Eva’s cell and overhear her telling Amber how worried she is about us and I know from her voice that my actions have hurt her. I don’t want that, that is what I want to prevent and yet, I hurt her anyway. I hiss at Roman as he reminds me he told me so. I have to fix this. I must tell Eva why.

Amber leaves us alone, so I can open up to Eva as much as I can without falling apart or losing my composure. Her presence actually soothes me, and calms the rage that brews inside. It feels so good to finally be close to her, to bare my soul and still feel love and acceptance from her. Staying away from her is no longer an option.

My worries about hurting our pup were squashed by the pack healer. In fact, they encourage me to enjoy my mate because as the millions of other wolves would also testify, mating during pregnancy can be just as enjoyable. I just don’t want to hurt them, her or our baby.

As I hold my fragile mate in my hands, I think I could hold her entire head in one of my hands. Her love soothes me, and I relax as Roman basks in the attention we get from our Eva. I am loved and accepted and that won’t change because of my past, or my current anger.

As I k!ss her neck, I smile to myself as Eva shivers from the sensations running through her body. “I’ve missed this, I’ve missed you. I’m sorry for pushing you away, baby.”

She exhales and throws her head back, giving me better access to her sweet spot, the place where my mark sits. I suck it and she whimpers as our mate’s bond connection fills her with pleasure.

Just as I begin undressing Eva, my phone rings. For a split second I consider answering, but both Roman and I need Eva. We’ve missed her. They can call back or leave a message. As soon as the ringing stops, it starts again.

“For f**k’s sake!” I know it’s no one from my pack. I told them all and Amber would have reminded them all to not disturb me. If this is Alpha Xavier, I will go to war with him. “Sorry Shortie, I have to check who it is.” Eva’s m0an of frustration pleases me. I want her to want me, and she doesn’t disappoint me with her obvious displeasure at having to wait again.

When I check the caller display, I answer. It’s the Mafia, and as much as we are now on friendly terms with Sal and Ale, we are still answerable to their supervision of us as werewolves.

“Alpha Aiden, I hope you’re well? Sal and I would like to visit you and Eva and I was hoping you would be free right now. It’s a mix of social and business, unfortunately.”

“Yes, of course. We are free now, when will you be here?” I am trying to estimate if we can fit in a quicky before they arrive.

“Actually, we are at your border now. If you give your patrol the nod, we should be with you in ten minutes.” Well, there goes our mating time.

Quickly, I mindlink the border patrol and grant Sal and Ale access. “Sorry Shortie, rain check. We have guests arriving in a few minutes.” She gr0ans loudly this time and frowns at me.

“Couldn’t you tell them to go away, Aidy? And then come back to bed. Just for an hour. I miss you.” I smile down at her, she glows now she has my pup growing inside her and there is more feistiness in her attitude too. I really like it.

“You want me to phone Salma back and tell her to go away because my mate wants to f**k instead?” Her gasp in reply is so cute. It’s more of a squeak. Despite being vocal and brazen with me, she is still shy around everyone else. Only I get the pleasure of seeing that side of her.

“Salma is on her way here?” She rushes about tidying things away and smoothing down her crumpled clothing and bedhead.

“Calm down, it’s just Sal and Ale. It will be fine.” However, I am also worried. How on earth am I going to explain to them why Eva is locked up? Sal will castrate me without even thinking about it, and Ale, who is known to be skilled at decapitation, will not lose a wink of sleep if he felt justified in taking my head. And let’s face it, he may well do when he realises Eva is in a cell.

I link Amber and Preston and tell them the Mafia are on their way. They will ensure that all pack members are on their best behaviour for the duration of the Mafia’s visit.

“I’ll go and meet them at the door, Eva, and try to explain why you are in here so it’s not such a shock.” I pull her up to me, she smells so good and looks ever tastier. “I’ll ask Amber to watch Summer tonight so we can pick this right back up.” This causes a smile to curl her lips and I can hear her heart fluttering away. She wants this as much as me.

I meet Ale and Sal as they pull up with their driver. Ale shakes my hand, but Sal pulls me in for a hug. “Where’s Eva?” she asks as she looks around in confusion when her friend doesn’t greet her.

Inhaling deeply before I speak, I struggle to replace the words to explain what has been happening in our lives since we last saw them. “We have so much to tell you both, and to be honest, I don’t even know where to start.”

Sal shows genuine concern for my mate, so I rush to reassure her.

“Eva’s okay. Well, she’s sort of okay, maybe she can explain better. You had best come in and speak to her.”

I lead them down into the dungeon to where my love has made her new home and get the shock of my life when Salma slams the butt of her gun into my head when she sees Eva in the cell.