Page 2 of The Alpha's Heir

Eva has a lot to deal with and her mother arriving here unannounced like she is owed something really is salt in Eva’s wounds. How did that despicable witch create a beauty like my Eva?

When Eva goes to the cells, I decide to bite the bullet and call Xavier to ask his advice. He is probably the best person to ask, seeing as Rose has been emotionally and financially blackmailing him for a quarter of a century.

Alpha Xavier, Eva’s dad, is now my ally, but not so long ago we were heading for war over issues surrounding our mutual border. Some things were not worth fighting over, and if me fighting Xavier over a poxy piece of land would harm Eva, that was one of them.

Luckily for me, Xavier felt the same and so all border disputes are on hold for the time being. The priority is getting to know his daughter.

I dial Xavier’s number and he answers within one ring. “Aiden? Is Eva okay?”

I smile at his concern. Although I feel possessive at times because she is mine now, I know his love for Eva is different to mine and she deserves that love too. I explain what is happening and when he growls, I am satisfied he understands.

“That fucking woman! Hasn’t she done enough damage? What is the plan? I can come and collect her, she and I are long overdue for a chat about the shit she put my daughter through.” I told Xavier everything that Eva had been through. I thought it best he understood her hurt and mistrust, and I hope it will help her in the long run.

I would rather Rose went with Xavier now, so she understands the implications of her threats and the ramifications for herself if she does any of the things she has threatened. Besides, Eva has made it clear she does not want to see her mother right now. Who knows, in time maybe she can forgive her, but right now her mere presence is causing my mate pain and so she must go.

“Yes, that will work. She is currently in my cells, and I have a prior engagement I must attend to, so if you come over later tonight, I will release her into your custody.”

With no time to lose, I try to mindlink Eva. She is struggling with certain aspects of being a werewolf since she found out she is one, and mindlinking is something she finds tricky. She still hasn’t been able to shift but she was able to mark me when I marked her, thus opening up the mindlink between us. However, Eva struggles to make the connection over a prolonged period or from further afield. She is getting better but it's taking a lot longer than either of us anticipated.

After trying and failing to connect to her, I give up and mindlink Preston instead, who tells me Eva is on her way back up to the apartment.

As I open the door for her, I notice her yawning. Come to think of it, she is tired a lot of late and she is looking a little pale. I hope I haven’t been pushing her too far with trying to shift, teaching her self-defence and combat, and Luna training.

Once this hearing is out of the way, I will insist she takes some time out to rest. The last thing I want is her getting sick or feeling overstretched.

“Let me just freshen up and then we will make our way down to the Chambers of Justice for the hearing. I hope this is the end of this today, Aiden.” I couldn’t agree more but I can’t give her any reassurances about that.

Holding her hand, we walk into the Chamber of Justice together and she shudders when she locks eyes with the man on trial.

“All rise. We are called today for the trial of former Gamma, Ellis Devine, who stands accused of the kidnap and deliberate endangerment of the Fated Mate of our Alpha, Aiden Goldrick. How does the defendant plead?”

All eyes return to the young man who stands defiantly in the enclosed dock with two guards and silver chains around his wrists.

“Not guilty.”

*** Amber ***

Beta Preston and I have been called as witnesses for the trial of former Gamma Ellis. The trial was completely unnecessary. Both Eva and Aiden agree with the Elders if he makes an apology and accepts a demotion, plus completing a rehabilitation programme to educate him on appropriate behaviour, they would put the whole situation behind them, but Ellis is a stubborn little turd.

He continues to refute all claims that he endangered Eva and caused her harm. He maintains that the evidence of their bond proves he was right to take her for Aiden and that without his actions, they probably wouldn't be together. Aiden had to be physically restrained when he heard that.

Eva says she doesn’t want it on her conscience if Ellis lost his throat or if he harmed someone else because he thought his actions were right. She is torn either way.

So here we are, at the Chambers of Justice and I can't help but feel like this is a practice run for my own trial.

"They will call you first, Preston, and once you have given your evidence you can stay in the room," the court clerk informs us.

My mate nods his head before making eye contact with me and through our mind link, he tries to reassure and soothe me.

I have to go back to the packhouse after my evidence, we've had to leave Delta Billy running things and he's already complaining.

His forehead touches mine and I tell him I understand. It should feel strange being this close and affectionate to Preston, but it feels completely natural. Since we finally succumbed to our mate bond and obvious love for each other, things between Preston and I have been amazing and that’s even with the other things that blight our happiness.

Such as my own impending trial, for one. I try to block all thoughts of it out of my mind; I cannot think about that right now. I just need to concentrate on giving evidence today.

The shocking evidence we uncovered about my mother and father was also deeply upsetting. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Preston, I don’t know how I would have coped the past couple of months.

I feel bad that our Mating Ceremony is on hold, but it doesn’t feel right to do it with a trial looming over us. I promise Preston we will do it as soon as I am a free she-wolf, and I pray to the Moon Goddess he won’t have to wait too much longer.

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