Page 37 of The Alpha's Heir

House Arrest

*** Xavier ***

Elder Tabbatha gives me enough warning that I manage to get protection in place for my mate before closeting us both into our chambers where we will stay until the whole territory is searched. I try to call Aiden and Eva to warn them but there is no answer.

The council officials turn up in their dozens, all looking for Junior and then questioning me regarding Evangelina. The allegation of a Dire Wolf is put to me as her father. I continue to deny any knowledge of a Dire Wolf, but I suspect the complaint about Eva has come from Nikki because of the vague information they have and the speed at which they respond.

Lydia and I stay in our quarters, we go about our regular daily tasks, and take our meals there. Slowly but surely, I feel my bond with Lydia stabilise. However, I don’t want to push her,so I keep the conversation light and avoid talking about my daughter.

Lydia has other ideas though. In between her worried ramblings about our son, she asks me about my daughter. “She already has a child. You’re a grandfather, Xavier!”

Wow. A grandfather. It is the first time I have thought about it that way. I am desperate to get to know Eva, and to be a part of her life, but I am also trying to respect her boundaries regarding her little girl.

There is so much I want to share, so much I want to tell Lydia, but I feel unable to because my joy comes from the same place as her feelings of betrayal. It is bittersweet and the person I love is the person I want to share it all with, but she is also the one person I can’t open up to. I can’t share it because I feel bad about lying to her.

“Let’s talk about something else, Sweet Cheeks.” Her crestfallen face shows me the degree of disappointment she is feeling.

“I am really trying here, X. I don’t know what else I can do. You lied to me, remember? I don’t want our bond to sever, and I don’t want to lose you, so you either need to start sharing this and letting me in again or we cut our losses now.” My Lydia is fighting for us, and my heart swells with pride that she is.

Without much thought of our current predicament and guests, I push Lydia up against the wall and smash my lips over hers. “MINE!” I shout at her. “You are mine, Lydia. I want to fight for us, but I need to know that I’m not hurting you by sharing my daughter with you.

Lydia is no pushover. With a flick of her wrist, she has me on my knees. “No, X. You are mine.” She grabs me roughly by my chin. “I’m trying, X, because I know you are sorry for hurting me. Let me in or this won’t work.”

“My daughter, your stepdaughter, is called Eva. And yes, she has a child, so technically, I am a grandparent. And so are you if you accept them.”

“A grandchild? Oh, X, you know I am ready for a grandchild.” We touch foreheads. Lydia is overcome with emotion but also appears stunned. This may be our only chance now. Junior is in shit up to his eyeballs, so will either be dead or imprisoned by the time this all unfolds.

“I’m sorry I lied. I was wrong. Very wrong. I am trying to be a better man, the kind of man that you and Eva can be proud of.” She nods before accepting my kiss. This time, the bond is not only completely healed, but also stronger, more resilient and robust. Together, we will overcome anything.

Eva is by no means a replacement, but a bond with her could help bring joy back to my mate’s life. She always wanted more children and has looked forward to becoming a grandparent since we realised she wouldn’t be able to have another pup. We all need a light in the dark and I have a feeling Eva and her child could be that to Lydia and me.

“Alpha Xavier. Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.” Elder Tabbatha is back. She whispers to us. “X, they are on their way to Onyx River to arrest your daughter. Alpha Aiden was spotted returning to his pack yesterday. He failed to notify the council this morning and now they have enough to arrest Eva.”

“Are we under arrest?” Lydia asks, and Elder Tabbatha shakes her head. That’s all Lydia needs to know. “Come on, X, we have to warn them. If we shift, we’ll get there faster.”

“Thanks, Tabs.” She gives me a nod as I run after my mate so we can warn Eva that the council are on their way to arrest her.

I am happy to see when I arrive that Aiden has a full contingent of wolves protecting his packhouse. I present myself first and ask for clothes for my mate so she can shift too. Aiden comes to personally greet me.

“We don’t have time. Nikki reported Eva for having a Dire Wolf. The council are on the way to arrest her.” His roar of indignation pleases me. We will both stand shoulder to shoulder and protect her. No fucker is going to lay a finger on my daughter.

“Onyx Moon, It's time to defend. The council want to arrest your future Luna. They want to excise her wolf because it manifested to protect her. They want to do this while my pup, the heir to this pack, grows inside her. What do we think of that?”

Amongst the roars and growls of indignation is a splattering of cracks as warriors shift to protect their Luna. They have taken Eva into their hearts and will defend her to the death. There is also a celebration. This is obviously the first time news of Luna Eva’s pregnancy has been revealed to them too.

“Eva’s with pup?” I ask Aiden, and his face lights up when he nods. Amongst the chaos, happiness and hope charge through me. My little girl is going to have another pup and this time, I want to be involved. I want to be a grandfather and it would be wonderful to support Eva and Aiden as they expand their family.

“We found out just last night when I returned. Xavier, she has locked herself in the cells to protect everyone else. She’s going to kill me that I have blurted it out at the first opportunity, she wanted to keep it private for now. How can we stop the council?”

They will not touch Eva. Right now, both Aiden and I would sacrifice ourselves to keep her safe and so would our packs. The council will have to listen to us.

“Send word to Alpha Martin, tell him I am calling in my allies, my daughter’s life is in jeopardy. Lydia, get inside now.”

Lydia nods and does as she is told. The last thing I need is to worry about her too.

“Luna Lydia, if you allow me, I will settle you in our guest room.” Aiden’s redheaded sister, the one who is facing charges for killing one of my pack members, graciously offers and Lydia lights up.

“Thank you, Amber, but could you take me to Evangelina? I think we need to become acquainted as fast as we can.” As I expect, Amber looks for permission from her Alpha first, which he gives.

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