Chapter Forty
Alpha K
Kadden
“He’s not gonna let this go.” Layla thought to inform us as her brother stormed out of the office, wincing as the door slammed shut. A pained expression registered on her face at what had transpired between them moments before. “Larken sees her as the enemy, a threat to his position in the pack.”
“I know,” I finally admitted the truth. Something I’d known before he voiced his accusations, but had hoped to forestall the events. Now I realized there was no hope of that. “Beta Alex, place the warriors on guard. I want my son’s movements observed at all times, if he comes back to the manor I want to be informed.”
My daughter grimaced. “Is that necessary?”
Unfortunately,
was:
I stopped the man from leaving. “Also from this point on I want guards placed around the house anytime he’s in residence.”
“Yes sire.” Beta Alex agreed
Heartbroken at what’d happened, with tears gleaming in her eyes, Layla raced out of my personal office. I yeared to go after her, to give her support and comfort, but knew she needed time..
Von dropped her head. “I’m so sorry Kadden. I never
ver imagined coming back here would cause so many problems for you and your family. I only wanted to honor Sarah.”
“It’s not your fault, I tried to assure her.
Later that evening I walked into the bedroom we shared these last weeks to find Von standing at the French doors. I wasn’t surprised to hear the soft lifting voice as she swayed in the wind, the baby cradled in her arms. Seeing how the woman hadn’t returned her to the hands of Lisa, I knew I’d have to handle it.
“Follow me,” I told her.
As she quickly followed close at my heels I went to the door that led into the room that once belonged to her. Unlocking it I stepped out of the way. motioning her to go on in ahead of me, waiting for a response. Again it’d taken a drastic remodel. All of the earlier exercise machines had been removed from the room, as long as all the furniture. In its stead, cloudy wallpaper was applied to all of the walls and soft rugs were placed on the floor. In the area directly in front of the balcony doors was a cradle, covered in soft mink pink blankets. All around them were various different baby items, an ABC lamp, a clock on the wall, and a baby changing table to the side.
“A nursery,” she almost cried.
Placing a hand on her hips I guided her towards the cradle, pulling aside the blanket, a hand tapped a screen. “This is a baby camera. On your bedside table, you will notice that there’s a new tablet, that’s connected to this system. It will allow you to check on the baby all hours of the day.”
A variety of emotions swarmed across her face as Von stared down at the cradle, which looked to be improved Laying the baby down into the bedding, the blanket was brought up to cover her tiny body. “Does this mean….you changed your mind about her?”
“Yes,” I said without a thought. Electing it was finally time to tell Von of the decision I’d recently come to, where the child was concerned. This is Angel’s bedroom.” At which a finger pointed to a wooden plank on the wall, that was white and pink, reading Angel’s Heaven “At least until our cub comes. I don’t know how people will react to her, but I’m prepared to give it a chance. At least for her to be up here, to be around us, but no one outside of the few people I can trust. And if my people can’t accept her, then when the time comes for you to leave I will let you take her.”
Thank you, Kadden. You won’t regret it.”
I really hoped so.
Then back inside our bedroom, Von scrambled up onto the bed, where she turned on the tablet. Just like I’d promised an image of the cradle appeared on the screen, where Angel happily laid. For the first time, I was granted the opportunity to watch my daughter, as fists waved around and tiny cooing noises. Staring at her in that happy moment I didn’t know how anyone could ever reject her. Angel was absolutely perfect. My heart yearned to be the father she needed, the same father I was to Layla when she was born. I sincerely hoped I’d made the right choice by bringing her out in the open, but only time would tell.
A week later I was again fast at work in my office, knowing that something needed to be done. The summons from nearby parks continued to come by the day, knowing eventually I’d have in handle them, just this morning Beta Alex suggested for me to go on a diplomatic visit to adhere to the problems. Even though I knew something needed to be done where my people were concemed, fear held me at bay. By this point, I’d begun to suspect that Von could already be breeding a cubs inside of her womb.
Even though there wasn’t an exact science when it came to breeding, I was confident she carried our cub. Her senses had been off the chain for the last couple of days, picking up scents no one else could. And there’d been an almost feral instinct to keep people out of her room aside from her mate. She’d literally attacked Beta Alex a couple days ago when he made the mistake of coming into the room. He’d been sent to the medic hay with two broken riba, a fractured wrist, and a dislocated shoulder. Even Layla wasn’t entirely welcomed in the chambers, though she tended to be more understanding.
All signs of nesting. Even though I hadn’t entirely experienced it myself, I’d heard all about the changes in bonded mates. When true nutes were breeding the the wolves became pousewive, territorial, and sometimes violent. During this point it wasn’t safe for their own mother to come near their lair, hence the room. In the ensuing months, a she wolf would prepare the area for the arrival of her cub, for both and her mate. Von wis definely given off all the signs of nesting, but it could be an effect of the mating bond ton
Chapter Forty
An uncompleted mark. While I’d marked her as my own during the blackout. I’d never allowed her to do the same. An uncompleted mark could be just as dangerous as a nesting she–wolf, as she fought to take her claim. Diamond could be having negative effects due to the incompletion, wanting to show people who he belonged to. Either way, the facts remained the same. Von was in an increasingly hostile, territorial phase in life and was prepared to kill anyone. Layla was about the only person she didn’t see as a competition, as if Diamond had somehow marked her as her rub.
“Alpha?” Alex’s voice came.
1 responded to the link. “What is it?”
The Remnants are here.” he told me.
Cursing beneath my breath at the thought of those bastards coming to my home, I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was only a matter of time before Simon and his leeches would come back, determined 1 followed through on the demands. I’d only hoped that by the time they resurfaced, I could provide them with concrete proof of a future heir. Well it couldn’t be helped now,
“Let them in,” I sent to him.
In the space of five minutes, the door opened to omit Sanon, though he hadn’t come alone this time. To the right of him was none other than Derek, the second in charge, to the left was Vicent. The youngest member. These three figures were the darkness behind the crown so to speak. Alpha’s in their own right, but had chosen to be bound by black magic to be stronger, more powerful.
Even as powerful as they were, none of them overruled me. It hit all of them in the craw I still cutmatched them by both strength and power any day of the week. It was a startling blow, especially at the knowledge I wasn’t blooded into William’s family. None were thrilled an ex–rogue fonding would become their king but had accepted it all the same. Undoubtedly believing that gave them some kind of superiority over the man named William’s heir. So it definitely irritated them that wasn’t the case at all I was their equal before I was named king. Then when the ritual was performed to make me the next Alpha King, my strength of power doubled. All were left in my wake and hated the knowledge none of them would
ever overpower me.
“Alphas,” 1 greeted them.
All of them bowed. “King Alpha.*
I bet those words felt sour in their mouth. Motioning toward the chairs around the room, indicating all of them were welcome to sit down. “What brings you here? I was certain after Simon’s last visit you wouldn’t be back for a while.”
Simon leaned forward. “About our discussion“:
“I’ve taken your words into consideration.” I decided it was best to get right down to the point, knowing it was the only hope to get them out. I didn’t want these fiends in the protection of my town, let alone in my home, near my family. “You informed me you wished to have another heir produced, I will work on completing that goal.”
Derek preened in satisfaction at my assurances, undoubtedly guessing it was easier than he thought. He folded his arms over his lap. 1 am pleased
that you come to understand the importance of this.”
Vincent placed down a folder.
“What’s this?” I demanded.
Simon wickered. “We have been vetting the werewolf bloodlines from various different parks and compiled a list. This folder contains the potential
candidates from the strongest, purest, and most powerful bloodlines. These she wolves will do well to become both mother to your cub and queen of this kingdom.”
The fuck they would. These bastards had no idea who they were fucking with? I wasn’t going to be forced into a matehood of any kind, especially one I wasn’t destined to. I pushed it aside. “No thank you. I’ve already chosen the mother of my child.”
“I don’t think you get the picture,” Derek, the most cocky of the bunch, leaned forward as he stared at me with ominous intent. “You aren’t merely looking for a mother for your child, but someone worthy of becoming our queen. To aid you, as well as guide your child.”
“Tve made my choice, informed them.
“The rogue bitch is unacceptable,” Vincent snorted.
Jumping to my feet at the intended insult to the woman, Rhavage leaped to the surface in outrage. None of them could miss the glowing yellow gold eyes or the fair that sprouted up on my arms. “Say another fucking word and it will be the last mistake you make.”
“Sure you need to listen.” Derek cautioned.
Simon stared me down. “You have to understand our concerns. An unblooded she wolf is bad enough, but to ally yourself with a member of the Dark Landı, will be our undoing. Unless this isn’t just any ordinary she–wolf.”
I knew what he meant. Only one unblooded she wolf would do for them, the one meant to be my destined mate. Our bond would ensure that our ruh was of the strongest and highest caliber. “Then we’ve come to an understanding ”
