2

XANDER’S POV

“We’ve been trying for months, and as much as I do not want to come to a conclusion yet, the Alpha King may not survive this illness. It hurts to say, but we might have to let him go sooner than we thought.” The pack’s doctor, Mrs. Albeit said at her return from my father’s chamber, her eyes sorrowful.

Heart racing erratically, my eyes swept over to my mother and I caught her already looking towards me. There wasn’t a shred of pain in sight. Rather, she shrugged, as though she already saw it coming.

Which caused my fists to clench together. She’s always been so self-centered. But I never thought it would reach a point where she’d take pleasure in the news of my father’s approaching death.

“Well, thank you, doctor,” A smile plastered on her face, she told her, looking away from me. “Now, I shall see you out.”

The doctor took the lead, and my mother followed. Only that she didn’t take more than three steps forward when she abruptly stopped, coming back to me.

She leaned close enough to my ear. “You know what that means, right? For you to take up the throne immediately, you’ll have to reject that wench. No more stalling. Failure to do so now, I trust you know what happens.” She piqued, before ramming past me, and her words had never sparkled so much anger in me than it did now.

My gaze going as dark as a coal, I didn’t spare her retreating figure another glance before turning away and making for my room.

As soon as I entered, I let the door slam close and leaned my back against the wall, a full-blown frustration oozing out of me. I thought I could feel hope approaching but it seems there was no getting out of this—if my father dies.

Which I know my mother was going to make sure of. Having been diagnosed with stage IV cancer, in which even his self-healing abilities only delays his death, and not cure it, my father has been on the sick bed for four months now. His health deteriorating daily, the expenses climbing higher and my mother fed-up of wasting the pack’s resources on his health when we all knew how it ends.

A reality I didn’t want.

And I have been trying to escape. Because then, I’ll not only have to eventually reject Nyla but take my mother’s chosen candidate—an influential woman meant to secure an alliance with a stronger pack, as my Luna.

I heard that faint sound of a soft breathing and walked over to the crib next to my bed. Talking about Nyla… I doubt she knew our child was safe and sound with me.

I looked down at his tiny body as he slept, and my fingers trembled anxiously as I reached to wrap them gently around his.

Ever since my mother forcefully took him away from Nyla to throw him in the pack’s orphanage; an idea that ticked me off, he’s been with me since then. Although I had to plead and make her see reasons why she couldn’t throw a royal blood away just like before she finally agreed and released him to me.

It might have only been a few weeks he’s spent with me but it was enough for me to know he’s sensitive to touch when asleep. And I know if I wake him now, it'd be hard to get him to sleep again since his nanny has retired for the night.

So, knowing that, I couldn’t bring myself to touch him. I stood there, rooted to the spot and my heart sinking deeper as I just stared at his cute little face.

This wasn’t the happy family I had been looking to build with Nyla and our son. She had foreseen that as long as she remained an omega and I, from the lineage of Alphas, we weren’t going to have a happy ending.

She made it clear we were better off separating from each other, but I just couldn’t bring myself to reject her. Even until now.

My throat tightened as tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I forced myself to stay composed. Nyla was the first woman I ever took seriously, and fell in love with. The only one who had ever captured my heart, and still hasn’t returned it. Truth is, I don’t want her to. Because, I never stopped loving her.

Which makes me scared to take even one foot near that damn cell. She must think I despise her now. Fuck, even come to a conclusion I had betrayed her. But the thing is, if I went to her, if I so happen to see her face, I won’t be able to bear seeing her locked up in that cage away from me.

A part of me would want to do everything to get her out of there. But I knew even if I managed to succeed, she would fall into a bigger risk of being hunted down and killed.

A length my mother would go, to make sure I don’t taint the royal blood of generations for a daughter of a nobody.

“Prince Alexander,” A voice suddenly came at the door, pulling me away from my trance and I internally grunted. “There’s an urgent issue I think you should be aware of.”

Since my father’s sickness started, I’ve stepped in to temporarily take care of the pack affairs. I was always up more hours than I get to rest, and I never complained. But seeing the few hours I only get to have to myself at night attempting to be snatched away felt like a slap to the face.

My jaw ticked annoyingly. “However urgent, I need to be alone. Please, some other tim—”

But he cut in. “It’s about Ms. Nyla, your mate. Her cell is empty.”

I whipped around immediately, my interest piqued. I never thought I would hear that, not even in years to come. Could I have misheard him?

Desperation crept into me. “What did you just say?” I almost barked, snatching the door open.

The guard was standing in the doorway, his gaze bare with fear, and at the same time, shame for himself.

This was my first time seeing any of our men so uncomposed. It was unusual, causing my skin to prickle as if I already knew whatever was coming next from his mouth wouldn’t be anything good.

“I’m saying, s…she’s escaped.” After a long pause, he finally dropped the bombshell, his voice shaky at best.

Meanwhile, I stiffened, the atmosphere thickening with tension all of a sudden.

Nyla managed to escape?

I almost felt relieved but then my breath caught.

What I see? It’s trouble in the making.

I don’t know what, but I needed to do something.

My gut twisted, I looked over to Rowan. Right, I had named him myself. What if I take him over to his mother? I know, not a good idea. But this, this is a chance for her to escape and finally be out of my mother’s god forsaken trap for good.

I know I still won’t be able to fulfill my dream of getting together with her, as I couldn’t run off with her, and someone will have to stay back to keep my mother from losing her mind completely, or sending an entourage after her. But, I could at least fulfill my obligation as a father.

If she couldn’t have a happy ending with me, I wanted her to at least have it with our child.

Thus, I needed to bring him to her. I know how stubborn Nyla was. She might have gone now, but it was only a matter of time before she came running back. And no, I couldn’t let her have a reason to come back. Or get caught again.

In a single, swift motion, I took Rowan from his crib and stormed past the guard. He opened his mouth to say something, but I told him off, my voice filled with a clear warning that left no room for argument, “Tell this to no one.”

A hushed silence fell over him at my instruction.

As I went through the back door, the only place with none of our security in sight, and strode into the dark night, something about this made my heart skip. But nonetheless, I kept going.

As long as she hadn’t masked her scent, I should be able to find her.

~*~

I followed the scent pull, walking slowly so as not to stir Rowan from his sleep. It would have taken me a shorter time to reach my mate if I changed into my wolf form, but I couldn’t just place Rowan on the dirty ground and shift.

No one knows who’s clinging by watching. I couldn’t just put my plans in jeopardy and also lose my son forever.

After a long time of walking, the pull finally pointed towards somewhere. A small thatchered building. It was the only one that stood alone in this deep wood, confirming it was a secret hideout.

A small smile tilted my lip upward as I approached it. I wondered how Nyla had come to find this place in such a short period of time.

Although it brought me somewhat of a relief it was a place that couldn’t be found so easily. I didn’t wait, or knocked before pushing the small door serving as the entrance opened with my free hand.

I wanted to see that look of surprise on her face as she behold me.

However, the sight that met me as I entered caused me to stagger back, a hot fury boiling at the pit of my stomach.

There before me was Nyla and my twin brother, Kade lying above her on the floor, half naked. I stood frozen, my face pale as I watched him go from positioning his arms between her head, to leaning down to her neck.

He wasn’t going for a kiss like I had thought. Kade bared his teeth at her neck, about to mark her and I realized I couldn’t just watch this play out.

She was my mate. I could care less what had transpired between them without my knowledge. As far as she had my marking on her, I couldn’t let my own brother mark her too, or be near her.

“The hell is going on here?” An angry growl tore from me, and their attention snapped my way. Eyes wide with shock, most especially as she took in the sleeping form of her child in my arms, Nyla swiftly pushed Kade aside.

He rose up as well, his face twisted with annoyance at my interruption but I kept mine blank. I couldn’t give him the satisfaction that he had managed to get under my skin.

The asshole has always had his eyes on everything that belonged to me, Nyla included.

He couldn’t accept the fact she was mine, causing a rift between us. One that eventually landed him an expulsion from both Bloodfang academy and the pack for a year after getting into a huge fight with me.

But after a whole year of being away, and me contemplating on making peace with him when finally comes back, the first thing he did when he showed up was go after Nyla and try to mark her?

Was his memory wiped? Had he forgotten how badly things ended for him the last time?

Fuck peace. I no longer have any intention of making up with his deadbeat ass again.

Gritting my teeth, I averted my gaze from him, my head moving towards Nyla. She was the one who stepped forward first. Kade remained behind her, his hands clenched to his side and unable to nothing.

“Xander,” Nyla began to approach me, her eyes flickering with surprise. “By chance, is… this my baby?” She asked, gasping into her palms.

Something dark shifted in my expression and I raised my voice, an act that killed me inside. “No, don’t,” My voice shook with suppressed rage as I stopped her from coming any closer.

I would be a big fool if I just handed over the child to her and allowed her to run off somewhere with Kade.

Not in this lifetime.

Since I already knew I barely have a chance with Nyla, I don’t dispute her being with someone else. As long as that someone is not Kade fucking Maddox. A girl like Nyla is not meant for him. And I was going to make sure they don’t happen.

Nyla’s brows creased in confusion. “Why? I mean, ain’t you here to give him to me—?” Her pair of honey brown eyes darted across my face, searching for what had suddenly gone wrong.

But she trailed off as I exhaled sharply, cutting her off.

“I was, Nyla but not anymore,” On impulse, I closed up the space between us, and whispered into her ear. The shock was evident on her face as my words hit her.

Just that I didn’t allow her to make any move before filling her in on the rest, causing her whole body to stiffen completely. “If you want your baby, you know where to find me.” I snarled in a firm tone, before storming out.

I left and didn’t look back. But my heart nearly stopped in my chest.

Shit.

I hope I wasn’t making a big mistake driving Nyla to come back to the pack house. It was just the only way I knew I could break her and Kade apart.