Page 72 of The Alpha's Heir

Try

*** Xavier ***

For many years, my worst fear was Lydia finding out about Rose and Evangelina. I would wake in the middle of the night soaked to the bone with sweat; the sheen of a guilty man. Pangs of anxiety would assault me from nowhere as I wondered: would today be the day she found out? What would she do once she did find out?

Then there was the guilt I felt about my daughter, for not being present in her life. At first, the temporary reprieve worked. I provided financially for her, and quite well too. It was enough to justify to myself for a little while that she wanted for nothing and would have the best of everything. But deep down, I knew that Rose was there for the money, and the guilt and shame of leaving my little girl with that selfish money-grabber would devour my soul. I hated myself for being a callous coward.

Today is my chance to somewhat redeem myself. My mate not only knows about my daughter, but they are bonding too. Lydia and I as a team helped to heal some of Lina’s manifestations. Today, by bringing Rose to her, I hope to help her face her pain and reverse the rest of the damage.

Rose and Lydia look each other up and down in disgust. “So, this must be the mongrel you turned your back on your daughter for?” Rose tuts and shakes her head, but my Lydia stares her down and hisses at her.

“One more word and I’ll slit your fucking throat from ear to ear. I’m the Luna here and what I say goes. You are alive only by my grace and that is only because I love Eva and Summer and would never want to harm them. If you don’t cooperate today, I will ruin you. Have no doubt in your mind, I despise you for what you’ve done to that girl. You are a disgrace. So, don’t you dare look down your nose at my mate for walking away when you have deliberately hurt her.”

Rose pales under the intense hatred of my mate and her vehement promise to dole out punishment for any lack of cooperation. I am proud and grateful to have a strong and principled mate. Lydia has always been a perfect mate and the greatest Luna. I must remind her of how much I appreciate that.

“That was hot as fuck, sweet cheeks. Just wait until later when I ask for an encore.” Even though I murmur it, she still blushes.

“Xavier Woodward! Watch your mouth,” she whispers back to me whilst smiling. She almost looks carefree though she is far from it. She has walked the carpet in the bedroom threadbare with her pacing at night, worrying about our son and the consequences of his actions. But Lydia is the consummate actress, she appears serene and full of grace, just as any Luna should.

We arrive at the Onyx River Packhouse, and Beta Preston meets us and takes us down to the dungeons and into Eva’s cell. “Well, he’s made it nicer in here for Eva compared to what you have made me stay in,” Rose complains. “Your place is a hell hole.”

I smile at her before I answer. “Eva is the Luna here; her pack would do anything to serve her and protect her. You are in my cells for your crimes against her. You’re lucky that you’re still alive. Now shut up and stop moaning. We’ve brought you here for a reason, and it's not for you to air your dissatisfaction with your accommodation.”

Rose looks like she is about to object and argue again when our daughter's voice reaches us both.

“Hello, Mother.” Eva’s voice is devoid of emotion. It is measured and controlled, and my pride in her doubles. She is starting to become the person she was always meant to be: a strong Alpha Heir and a gracious Luna.

“Oh, Eva! I’ve been worried sick about you. Where is little Summer?” Rose’s tone completely changes; gone is her venom and in its place is a saccharine sweet tone.

“Why?” My daughter asks one simple question: why? And it has her mother stumped.

“Why what, sweetheart?” she asks back with her artificial simper, and her look of feigned interest and concern sickens me. How could I have left this monster to raise my child?

“Why are you worried about me?” Eva asks her simply as she raises her eyebrows in question and laces her fingers together. Rose looks about the cell, her eyes bulge as she shiftily looks around the space.

“I’m your mother, of course I worry about you. I always have and I always will.” Rose puffs her chest out, but none of us are impressed with her posturing.

“Take a seat, Ms Duvall,” Aiden says to his mother-in-law as he points to a wooden seat that faces Eva, who is still behind bars.

“Actually, I am going back to my maiden name now that Claude is divorcing me.” She places her hand on Aiden’s arm and he pushes her away as though her touch scolds him.

“I don’t care what you call yourself. Don’t ever touch me.” I don’t miss my daughter's mouth twitching. That one gesture secures Aiden’s place in her heart, if there was ever any doubt. His look of genuine disgust is the icing on the cake.

“Did you worry about me when your husband tried to touch me? Did you worry about me when you sucked off my husband and whatever else you got up to? Did you worry about me when I became a shell of my former self at Ryan’s hands? Did you worry about me as you stole thousands of pounds from me while me and my daughter lived on the breadline? Did you worry about me when I went into premature labour and birthed my child all alone?” Eva stops and takes a deep breath. “Do I need to continue?”

Rose scowls at Eva and it makes her look older than ever. The lines on her normally beautiful face reflect the ugliness that bubbles away below the surface. “Why do you always have to be such a drama queen, Eva? You insist on being the centre of attention, constantly making up stories to draw everyone’s sympathy to you, continually creating or exaggerating. You are a grown woman now, Eva. You must stop this.”

“Did I make it up when I told you that Claude tried to touch me and that he made me feel gross and uncomfortable with his sleazy ways? You didn’t care what he did to me so long as he didn’t leave you. I got out and away from his wandering hands, but I jumped out of the fire and into the frying pan. Why didn’t you believe me?”

“I did believe you, Evangelina, but you made a mountain out of a molehill. Men like to touch women. It’s no big deal.”

I growl from deep down in my chest. “Only if the women are of age and give their consent to touching, Rose. What the fuck is wrong with you?” Ace’s voice comes through. It's lower and more menacing than mine and when Rose cringes away, Ace chirupps in satisfaction .

“You let your husband touch me. Your own daughter. Can you not see how twisted that is?” Rose doesn’t answer. Eva’s body begins to tremble and her eyes flash silver. Aiden notices too. “Answer me.” Rose falls off the chair and onto the floor in submission to Eva’s power. I would be proud, but my daughter is starting to lose control.

“Aiden,” I warn him, and he gives his nod of agreement and talks to Eva as we planned.

“Shortie, have a little sip of water, remember what we are trying to protect here.” Eva accepts the drink and gulps. Her eyes are returning to blue, and her body stops shaking as her mate coaxes her to calm down.

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