Page 24 of The Alpha's Heir

“Where is she?” I want to pay my respects to the woman who carried and bore me. The woman who died because of her love and longing for us. I need to say goodbye and then I need to go home, so I get to my feet.

Rory rubs his hands over his face. The lines of grief are even more evident now and, out of reverence for his honesty, and for our mutual love of his mate, I cross the room to him and offer him a hug.

A little sob escapes him as he reciprocates and murmurs, “Goodness, you look so much like her, Amber, I feel like she’s here with me.” That comforts me somewhat, that a part of her is still alive within me.

Aiden approaches as well, offering his hand.

“Rory, I just want to apologise. I should never have accused you of taking her away. We didn’t know. Our father has a lot to answer for. I want to assure you, as his son and Alpha, he will reap what he has sown. He will pay for this.” I nod my agreement to my brother.

Time is up for former Alpha John Goldrick; karma is on its way in the form of his children.

*** Preston ***

No matter how hard I try, I cannot recall ever feeling so shitty in all my life. Even when I thought I was going to lose Amber when she struggled to commit, there had been hope that everything would work out. Now, it's like I've fallen into a black hole. Everything seems bleak and hopeless.

I have dreams that turn into nightmares. Amber is running in front of me, but no matter how fast I run or how hard I try, I can’t reach her. I can feel the ends of her hair when I stretch out, but she remains elusive to me.

I wake covered in sweat with a scream stuck in my throat and my heart beating like an overactive drummer. Once or twice, I have woken up crying and I was powerless to stop my tears from falling. What am I going to do? What can I do?

It's like there is a large hole in my chest and Zack has even stopped howling all night long. When he was loud, I prayed for his silence, but now, I am frightened I may never hear him again.

I didn’t make a conscious decision to drink, but once I begin to drink the whiskey, I find it easier to block everything out. At one point, everything seems hilarious. I laugh maniacally at the most boring and unextraordinary of things.

When I pass the happy phase, I start to hurl in the toilet, all down my front and even in the lounge we have just finished decorating. I crash out on the floor and the next day I can't motivate myself to get up. I just want to curl up in a ball and die.

When the rest of the pack try to mindlink me, I block all attempts. I cannot deal with my own thoughts and feelings, never mind theirs too.

I even ignore the mindlink attempts my future Luna makes. I just want Amber, but I can’t have her. Not now, and it is looking more certain that she won’t be mine in the future either. My heart aches with loneliness and sadness.

Out of nowhere, I feel a kick in my side and sense someone is in my room. I think it must be Nikki! So I jump up with every intention of hurting her until I meet the eyes of my future Luna who, by this point, I have pinned by the throat.

“Eva! What are you doing scaring me like that?” I shout out, both relieved and infuriated that she isn’t Nikki.

Finally, the dam bursts, and my worries pour out to Eva. Before I tell her everything, I need to freshen up and change my clothes. I look and feel rotten.

I have a shower and Eva cleans up the apartment a bit and makes a pot of tea when, suddenly, we are both overcome with sadness and pain. Eva is confused by what it means but I automatically know what the cause is; Amber is in pain, and Aiden too. We are feeling their emotions through our bonds. I frantically try to call my mate. I need to know she is okay.

“It’s just going straight to voicemail. For fucks sake. I need to know if she is okay. I can’t take it anymore!” I say, and the desperation and futility in my own voice claws at my heart. I am hurting more than ever now.

“Preston. Sit down. Please. Just sit down and talk to me. None of this is helpful to you or Amber. Tell me what is troubling you while we wait for Aiden to return your call.”

“It’s all such a mess. I don’t even know where to start, Eva. It all began the day I gave evidence at Ellis’ trial. The man Amber cut down from the Moon Stone pack… his widow came onto our lands and made me a proposition. She wants me to reject Amber and take her as my chosen mate.”

Eva’s mouth drops open in shock.

“She told me she has the influence to have Amber imprisoned for the rest of her life or even executed. In exchange for rejecting Amber and accepting Nikki as my chosen mate, Nikki will drop all charges against Amber. Amber would be safe and free.”

From the look on her face, I can see she is at a loss for what to say in response to that. “Why didn’t you tell us? Does Amber or Aiden know?” Eva is in shock at what I have told her. I can see the worry and concern in her eyes, and it forces tears to fall from my own.

“No one knows, you’re the only one I’ve told. But, Eva, there is an even bigger issue to contend with too. I think she might be part witch or something because she was able to get onto our lands undetected. She was even able to locate me deep in the forest when I was patrolling.”

My shoulders slump as the futility of it hits me again.

“I don’t know how I can keep Amber safe anymore. I don’t want anyone else, only her. It’s always been her, and it always will be. But if I don’t do as Nikki says, then she’ll make sure Amber never sees the light of day again.”

She pats my shoulder in an attempt at comforting me while she contemplates the information I have given her and what our next move should be.

When she stands up, my tiny Luna has a determined look in her eyes now. “I am going to be Luna of this pack and I need to start making decisions and working through problems. Therefore, Beta Preston, I think I need to pay my beloved Alpha father a visit. I have some important matters to discuss with him.”

---