Page 56 of The Alpha's Heir

She keeps her head lowered. Her body starts to tremble too. I wonder if she is cold.

“I have to take off the rest of my underwear. It's not something you want to see right now.” She is obviously embarrassed about the bleeding and the pads she is wearing, but I couldn’t give a shit about it. It doesn’t bother me.

“Don’t worry, Honey, let's just get you cleaned up and feeling better.” I hold her up as she uncovers the rest of her body and I help her to step into the shower cubicle. As the warm jets of water hit her body, she moans in pleasure. This is going to take a lot more control than I initially thought. After standing for a minute or two, she starts to tire, so I get the shower chair and when she sits down, I shampoo her hair.

I’ve never shampooed someone else’s hair before. My own hair is short and easy to manage. Melanie’s hair is long and looks like spun gold. As I lather her hair she closes her eyes and exhales when I massage her head. I rinse off her hair, careful to not get suds in her eyes.

Once she has finished washing everywhere, I shut off the shower and cover her with a pile of thick, white, fluffy towels. I carry her back to the bench to dry off and dress. Before I place her down, she touches my face; her light blue eyes are deep and mesmerising.

“Thank you, Max. I don’t think anyone has ever done anything like this for me before.” My heart fills with affection for my fragile human mate.

“I want to look after you like this forever, Honey. I just need you to let me love you.” Her eyes widen and I’m shocked when she drops her head to my shoulder and cries.

“I want to. God, how I want to let you. But what if you change your mind? I am barely holding on as it is.” She’s scared to let me in in case I leave like everyone else. She has never been anyone’s priority. Well, from now on, she will be my number one. The be all and end all of my life.

“Eventually, you’ll realise that I am never going to leave. Maybe not right away, but in twenty years’ time when we start to grow old together, maybe then you’ll know I’m a keeper. Until then, let's just take it one day at a time, an hour at a time if you have to.”

She nods her agreement to my plan and a tiny amount of the pressure in my chest eases. She is showing me what her needs are and now it's my turn to show her how I can more than meet those needs.

*** Eva ***

Even though I have been stuck in this cell, life continues to hurtle on at an alarming pace. I hate that Aiden is being stretched so thin and there is very little I can do to support him.

When my father and his mate arrive to keep me company, Aiden, Amber and Preston leave for the trial in the Silver Shore territory.

Luna Lydia stands in the doorway, she seems timid and shy, which is a total contrast from the other day when she marched in here introducing herself to Summer as her new Granny. I was angry and startled when she did it because I hadn’t even introduced my father to Summer yet. I don’t want Lydia to feel uncomfortable and if she is willing to accept Summer and me, then I am happy to do that, but I need to do it at a more gradual pace.

“Thank you for inviting us both here today, Evangelina, it's such a pleasure to meet your little girl.” I smile at my father. So far, he has done everything by the book for me. He is trying to be honest and open with me and though we have had several things that could impact on our wobbly foundation, instead he keeps steadying the ship.

“Summer, come here, sweetheart. This is your grandad. This is mummy’s daddy.” My little girl looks confused between me and my dad. “Do you want to say hi?”

She frowns and shakes her head. “Where my daddy bear gone?” Oh geez, she must think I’m trying to replace Aiden.

“Your daddy had to go out and he’ll be back later for story time. This is my daddy.” Summer looks between me and my dad with wide eyes and then giggles. “And this is your granny.” I reach out to Luna Lydia and, with an expression full of shock that quickly transforms into joy, she comes and joins us.

“Thank you, Eva. With everything going on, this is just what we needed.” My father’s gratitude melts my heart a little more. I want to be close to him and I want Summer and the new baby to have grandparents.

I hold out my arms through my bars and my dad finally comes and gives me a hug. My eyes fill with tears when he does. We have missed so much time. I don’t want to miss any more time.

“Thank you for coming and sitting with me, Dad. And you too, Luna Lydia. Thank you both for everything.” They both look choked up at my words, but I mean it.

We play games and talk. The Omegas bring drinks and food and Luna Lydia insists on me calling her mother or granny for Summer’s sake.

Summer settles for a nap and we sit and talk quietly when she does. “How is your human friend doing now?” my father asks solemnly. I know he, like me, feels responsible for what happened to Melanie.

“She lost her baby, and she had to have some pretty serious surgery. She is still in the clinic. Max stayed with her. He found out just before she was attacked that she is his mate.”

Both of them seem to pale under the significance of Melanie’s injuries. “I’d like to visit her on your behalf if that is okay, Eva. I could take her some books or magazines, fresh pyjamas and flowers, fruit… whatever she may need.” Lydia’s kindness is heart-warming. I think we could become friends and it would be nice to have a mother figure.

Contentment fills me like I’ve never known. My father is finally part of my life, and his wife didn’t reject me, she wants to be part of this blended patchwork of a family that is flourishing in front of my very eyes. I feel slightly uncomfortable for a passing moment and Lina purrs loudly in my head as sensations very similar to an elastic band twang inside me.

Eva… it’s happening. Bonding with father has reversed some of the manifestations. The hurt of him not being in our lives is healed by their acceptance of us and Summer.

“Why are you grinning?” my father asks as he grins too.

I hug him again, “Lina said that our bonding is healing some of the manifestations. I’m so happy that we are all becoming a family. I’ve craved this all my life.” I reach out to Lydia too and the three of us hug each other, with only the bars of my cell in the way.

“I’m so happy too. I have always loved you, darling. I wish I hadn’t been such a coward. Eva, there is something we both need to talk to you and Aiden about. I wish we had more time, but we don’t and it's important that we sort this out as soon as possible.”

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