Page 19 of The Alpha's Heir

“She is really missing you; she had a wobbly lip and everything,” I tell him, feeling timid talking like this over a video call. “I miss you too, just ten more sleeps.”

“Ten more sleeps and I am never leaving the territory without you and our girl again. I miss you both so much.” He looks back at me sheepishly. “We had to delay our travelling last night, Amber wasn’t well. I don’t know what was wrong with her but she was in agony. It was scary, and then it just passed. She’s feeling better again now.”

He tells me they have made contact with the pack his mother was registered in, but the pack has been elusive. Aiden and Amber have to get the agreement of every Alpha Laird to travel through their territory as the area they need to go to is in the remote highlands.

“Can I call you like this tonight? I’ll make sure I have a room all of my own and we could… talk?” A thrill of desire curls and unfurls in my tummy. I nod my agreement, and we say our goodbyes, calling Summer back in so she doesn’t miss it.

I wonder what Aiden has in store for me tonight. I have missed him and his touch so much that I cannot wait for our private call.

*** Xavier ***

My son is an idiot, and my mate is an even bigger one. She released him without my knowledge, and now the little toe rag is on the loose, causing all sorts of aggravation.

“What the fuck did you do, Lydia? You don’t know what he has done, you don’t know what he is capable of, and now you’ve put us all in more danger by setting him free. You’ve put Junior himself in danger because if the other mafia firm finds out about his involvement, he will be killed instantly.”

My mate shakes with apparent nerves and awareness that our son, the light of her life, is a lying and manipulative piece of shit who would use anyone to get what he wants.

“Did he at least tell you where he was going before he knocked you out and locked you in here?” Shaking her head at me to indicate he did not, my heart jumps for her and the overwhelming want to comfort her pulls at me.

“I heard him on the phone talking to someone called Dom, but that’s it. I was completely knocked out.” Tears fall down my mate's cheeks and I swear to the Moon Goddess I will have Junior for this, for treating his mother like a fucking animal.

“Xavier, I’m sorry. I was trying to help our boy. I’m sorry.” My primal need to calm my Lydia takes over.

“I need you to forgive me, we are so weak without each other. I need you back next to me, beside me. I did a terrible thing. I kept a secret because I was too cowardly to face the consequences. I lied to cover up, and I’m sorry. I am so sorry I lied, but I am not sorry I have a daughter. I love her, I have always loved her, and I think you would both like each other if you could move past this.”

“No more lies. Promise me now, Xavier. I don’t care how hard the truth is, I would rather be hurt by the truth than falsely protected by a lie.” I kiss her so she stops talking. I have missed her so, so much. I will never have enough words to tell her how sorry I am. I will try to show her from now on.

“No more lies. I promise, Lydia. Can you forgive me?” She nods as she holds me close to her, with tears streaming down her face. “I love you and I miss you, my sweet. It’s always been you. You’ve always been the one for me.”

“What are we going to do about Junior? Can we protect him? How much trouble is he in, Xavier?”

I have promised no more lies and I intend on sticking to my word. “I don’t know if we can protect him anymore, Lydia. This is so bad; I don’t know how to protect him and the rest of us along with him. If I am honest, I don’t think I want to protect him after what he has done.

He has killed a Spanish Mafia Don, a powerful one, and I would bet my bollocks they are already planning their revenge.”

“Why did he do that? What did he have to gain by crossing the line and taking on the mafia?” My Lydia looks as perplexed when she questions me as I did when I first found out. It’s only going to get worse, so I tell her everything I know.

“He said he did it for the woman he loves.” Her eyes widen, a hint of joy evident as well as a pinch of confusion.

“Junior found his mate?” she asks with building excitement which quickly fades when I shake my head.

“No. She isn’t his mate, my sweet. He has fallen for a woman who is most definitely not a werewolf and is certainly not his mate. She is part of a mafia family, though I’m not sure which one. And I am not sure why she wanted the don killed but I intend on finding out.”

With a renewed togetherness, I know our challenge ahead will test our bond to the maximum, but whatever hurdles are to come will be easier to face with my mate by my side.

“First we need to find that little fucker. Let’s send out the scouts and trackers, Xavier. Junior needs to be brought to heel. I will teach my son that he doesn’t treat his mother like a piece of shit and get away with it.” My Lydia is back, the fire is back in her eyes and I’m so glad she has forgiven me and is back, fighting at my side instead of against me.

“I missed you, sweet cheeks. I miss us being a team. Look, about Eva-“ I begin, but she cuts me off before I can finish.

“One thing at a time, Xavier. I forgive you for lying, but this is still a lot for me to accept. I know she is your daughter… but she isn’t mine. Maybe in time I can accept her as a part of your family, but right now, to me, she is just the product of your deceit against me. I don’t want or need to talk about her or see her. I will not acknowledge her. It’s up to you how you progress.”

And just like that, the peace we had found in our relationship is shattered and this time, I don’t think we will be able to glue it back together.

I don’t blame Lydia for feeling this way, but Eva shouldn’t ever have to apologise for her existence. She has been treated appallingly her whole life and I will not come into it now to heap more maltreatment on her. She deserves better. This was my transgression, not hers.

Reacting to the hurt in my eyes and face, she tries to reassure me. “I still love you, but I can’t see her being a part of my life, that’s all.” Emptiness fills up inside me. She can feel it too, through our bond. The bond is starting to unravel and her eyes fill with tears in response. “What is happening? Xavier… I’m frightened, what is happening?”

I look into my sweet Lydia’s eyes. “You know how it works, Lydia: the bond with our children will always be stronger than the mate bond. If you reject my daughter, you reject me too. She is a part of me, and she never asked for any of this. We have a full moon cycle before this completely severs us as a mated pair.”

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