Page 9 of The Alpha's Heir

The panel members all start to mutter between themselves but Aiden doesn’t stop.

“There is no need to continue with the trial. However, if he steps out of line again, he is all yours.”

The panel looks flustered as they ask for a few minutes' privacy so they may discuss the best course of action. Aiden scowls at them but I pull him from the Chamber and out into the lobby to await their decision.

If you shift, will you finally agree to a Mating Ceremony Eva? He is asking through mindlink because he doesn’t want others to overhear. I love this man, I love him like I have never loved another man ever before… but a Mating Ceremony sounds very similar to a wedding and my last marriage still leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth.

One thing at a time, Alpha, one thing at a time.

*** Xavier ***

My son is still in my dungeon, but if I want my mate to forgive me, I will have to release him soon. She is still frosty towards me because of my secret child, but is more forgiving now she knows the child was conceived before we were mates.

I love my Lydia; she is a beautiful and strong woman, but forgiveness has never been a strong point of hers. I had always admired that trait in her until I was the one in need of forgiveness.

However, I am determined to learn my lesson from the mistakes I made with my daughter. I want Lydia to forgive and trust me and I therefore need to show her that I regret how I acted. So, as much as I want Lydia to forgive me, I need to do what is right, not what I want for my own means.

Junior is in shit up to his eyeballs this time and I still don’t know the full extent of his involvement in the Mafia’s business. All I know is he is involved enough that we are all in danger now. The Mafia always exact their revenge and Junior is a fool to think he could mess with them and not be in danger.

The boy is sheer arrogance personified. He told me that the Mafia would never know about his involvement because he and the woman he helped are in love. He is twenty-five years old and he still runs around like a hapless teenager, but this time, it's gone too far. This time he is in over his head, and he is bringing the rest of us down with him.

I march downstairs into the dungeons to where he is being housed. I can hear tapping coming from his holding cell and when I approach, he looks at me in feigned shock.

“Surely, Alpha Xavier Woodward hasn’t come down into the dungeons to see his only legitimately born son! Well, I am honoured to finally be graced with your presence, father, and to what do I owe this pleasure?”

He clasps his hands together in mock glee and I want to turn right around and walk away from him. I want to wipe my hands clean of him and his sarcastic attitude.

“You haven’t given a shit about me since you found that stupid bitch. You haven’t bothered to check on me or see me. SIX FUCKING WEEKS YOU’VE LEFT ME TO ROT DOWN HERE.”

“And I will leave you another six fucking weeks if you carry on acting like you are. Don’t forget, son… I am your Alpha, and you will respect that.” He sneers at me at first, but then it develops into a laugh, an unsettling laugh that curdles the contents of my stomach.

“Listen to me, old man. You are the one who has kept me in a cell because you are afraid of me. I ensured the most powerful don in this country was poisoned to death. ME! You carry on, old man, and I’ll fucking poison you too and that fucking whore who thinks she is worthy of calling herself my sister.”

A red mist descends on me. He might be my son, but he will not speak about my little girl like that. “I will rip your sorry pathetic body to pieces if you ever, ever speak about her like that again. She is my daughter, your sister. She is my Heir, not you.”

My wolf, Ace, tries to take control, but Junior has already submitted. He cowers on the floor, trembling, and I step back from the bars.

“Don’t ever forget who is in charge around here, son. I love you but if you continue to put the pack at risk and openly disrespect me, I will take your fucking throat myself.”

Before I say or do something I will regret, I walk away from my son

*** Alejandro ***

After leaving Sal at Paloma Azul, I go to my father’s office to meet him and my older brother Matteo to discuss Jose’s death. I have a feeling my father will know about Jose’s mistress, and I intend on pressing him for as much information as I can.

Laughter carries out from the office into the lobby and everything seems jovial, and I don’t have to wait long to find out why. They both turn as I stride over, and my father greets me with the happy news.

“Ale, there you are! Matteo has some great news: Elena is pregnant, the family is growing again!” Instinctively, I plaster a massive smile on my face. I'm happy for my brother and his wife, but it’s fresh off the back of the disappointment me and Sal suffered this morning.

For Salma's sake, I put a brave face on but I am full of disappointment that we aren’t expecting yet. I spend my time reassuring Sal that it will happen and that it takes time, but deep down, I worry it's not going to happen for us. How can I say that to her? I need to be strong for her, and she needs something to focus on, a distraction to keep her positive. A part of being a man in the Mafia is being strong, and right now I need to suck it up, if not for myself, then for Sal.

“Congratulations, brother, I didn’t know you were trying for a baby, but this is wonderful news… we should celebrate!” Although I try to keep my voice upbeat, I sound false even to my own ears.

“We weren’t trying, Elena is livid,” he tells me through his laughter. “She has cried non-stop about her figure being ruined and having to cancel our holiday. What can I say? I have super sperm.”

My father claps him on the back as he laughs. “The Suarez family keeps growing, Lucia told your Mami she wants another baby soon too.” Fuck, there is no escaping it, my siblings are spitting babies out left, right and centre and I want in on the action.

“When is the baby due, Matteo?”

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