Page 81 of The Alpha's Heir

That means a lot to me. After the accident, I couldn’t help but analyse my own conduct. Had I been distracted or preoccupied by finding my mate? Should I have noticed faster that something was wrong? Could I have protected them both better? Everyone assured me afterwards that I did everything I could, but to have my Luna confirm she wants me back protecting her and her daughter gives me the peace of mind that nothing else could.

When we enter the room, my mate is sitting up in bed. She is starting to get a bit of colour back in her face. As soon as I see her, I want her. I want her so badly that my body aches, especially my heart.

I watch from the doorway as Melanie interacts with little Summer and a warm contentment fires up inside me. This could be a glimpse at my future. Me, my mate, and a little pup. I didn’t realise how much I desired that, how primal that need was. Maybe it wasn’t until now, until Melanie.

Eva hugs her friend and shows that she has a bag full of essentials for her. As they settle and talk, the Alpha and I take the little one for a walk to get some drinks.

“How is your mate now, Max?” I look at my Alpha, and I know I could talk to him about anything, and it would be kept between us.

“She’s doing a lot better. She talked to her children and her body is slowly healing. We’re getting to know each other. She’s pretty incredible, to be honest.” Aiden smiles at me knowingly. “She let me kiss her, I think she’s starting to like me back.”

“Yeah I saw you kissing her, Gamma, remember.” I laugh as my face turns crimson. I had been so caught up in the moment that everything else around us ceased to exist.

“I want more, I want everything with her, but she’s been through hell and back, so I know I have to bide my time and be patient. I stopped looking for my mate years ago. I cannot believe she’s finally here.”

“Before I met Eva, I used to think of my potential mate as someone who worked for me. They would have my pups and raise them. But as for anything else, I could never picture it. Maybe that was because I never saw my father with my mother. When Eva came into my life, my whole world changed, she became the centre of it. She wasn’t just an addition to my life: she is the be all, end all and absolutely everything to me. I guess you know what I mean now?”

His words ring true to me now as my mate is also the centre of my world. I’m finding it hard to remember a time before her. “Yes, I know exactly what you mean. How do I win her over? I don’t just mean how do I get her into bed… I want that too of course. But how do I get her to be mine?”

Aiden thinks over my question before he answers. “You know what Eva went through with her ex-husband? And you know that he was also Melanie’s lover and if she suffered anything like Eva did at his hands then she is going to need to see that you will treat her better.” He pauses before carrying on. “I tried to show Eva what life with me could be like. I agreed to dating, didn’t rush her to bed and basically spent the time listening to her and getting to know her.”

I nod and thank him for his counsel.

“There is no rush, Max, make sure your mate knows that. After all, you aren’t going anywhere.”

After my talk with Aiden, I know exactly what to do to win Melanie’s heart, and how to secure our future together. There are no shortcuts; this is too important for there to be a quick fix. But as he rightly pointed out, I have all the time in the world. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be right here trying to win her heart.

When the Alpha and Luna go to visit their other friend, I sit at the side of Melanie’s bed. “I’m taking you home to care for you there. Is that okay, Honey?” She nods to me. Her eyes are like orbs, startled and unbelieving. “I want to show you what a future with me could look like. I want to show you how I will look after you, love you and build a life with you. I want you to know that this is real, and it's for always and there is nothing I won’t do to make you happy.”

“Max, this is so quick. I want to let you in, you’ve already shown me what a kind and gentle man you are. I want to try. I want you too.” I kiss her, I let her have the sweet, gentle kisses this time and after a couple of minutes my hands and face are wet from her tears.

“Don’t cry. I promise, I won't let anyone hurt you. I am going to cherish you and worship you because you are my Goddess now. You are everything to me.”

“I just need to be sure this is right. I have made such a mess up of my life so far. I don’t want to mess this up too. So, yes I’ll come and stay at your home, but I still need time. Can you live with that, Max?”

I am actually looking forward to the chase.

*** Alejandro ***

My leg burns and itches to the point that amputation starts to seem like the better option. “Ale, stop bloody itching it, you are going to tear the stitches.” I groan in frustration as my wife chastises me.

I’m stuck in a tiny hospital bed in a room that smells like cleaning fluids. I want to go home and get in my own bed with my wife. Just the thought of being with Salma in bed is like a tonic. That would help me recover faster.

“Once Eva and Aiden have come to see us, I will arrange for us to go home. I want to go home too. I need to decompress and I want my ice-cream.”

The change in Salma is refreshing to see. Now that her father’s death has been avenged, the anger that had been burning a hole through her has receded. She is the Salma I fell for from afar, the badass, acid-tongued princess who wears her heart on her sleeve and she is all mine. The grief is still there but the bitterness and annoyance isn't as prominent anymore.

“Do you think you’ll be able to come back tomorrow for the Mating Ceremony?” I know Salma is really looking forward to witnessing the ceremony but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.

I hate disappointing Sal, but I don’t want to fabricate anything either. “Chula, I feel like a bag of shite. Let's head home and if I feel better in the morning, I’ll bring you back for the ceremony.”

“Hello, peg leg!” Eva comes into the room with Aiden and Summer and her teasing greeting makes me laugh.

“Hello, Wolf girl, have you been in any dungeons lately?” She laughs at my quick reply, and I smile when Summer looks at me with concern.

“Ale got sick?” she asks Sal with tears forming in her eyes.

“Oh no, sunshine girl. Silly Ale hurt his leg, but the doctor fixed it and it will be all better soon, won't it, Ale?” I nod my head to the curious little girl who eyes my sore leg.

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