Semua Bab His to Claim: Alpha: Bab 41 - Bab 50

ZEKE'S povShe pointed at the floor where someone had cleared away dust recently. Footprints led to a corner room while they were fresh enough that I could see the tread pattern clearly. We followed them while my grip tightened on my weapon.The corner room's door was closed while I could hear something moving inside. I motioned for my team to get ready while counting down silently with my fingers. On zero I kicked the door open while rushing in.The room was empty of people but it definitely had been used recently. A child's blanket lay crumpled on a dirty mattress in the corner while empty food containers were scattered around. And there on the floor was a stuffed dolphin that Cecelia made a broken sound seeing.She ran forward while grabbing the dolphin and holding it to her chest. "This is Golden's," she said while tears ran down her face. "Fatima gave this to him for his birthday, he takes it everywhere."I moved around the room while looking for more clues. There was a small pil

Zeke's POV"Breach on my mark," I said into my radio while watching the teams get into position around the warehouse. "Three, two, one, go."Four teams hit their entry points at the same time while I pulled open the main warehouse door with Cecelia right behind me. The inside was huge while shipping containers were stacked everywhere creating walls and passages like a giant maze. Our flashlights cut through the dim space while dust floated in the beams.We'd taken maybe three steps inside when gunfire exploded from somewhere above us. Bullets pinged off metal containers while the sound was deafening in the enclosed space. I grabbed Cecelia while pulling her down behind the nearest container as more shots rang out."Stay down," I ordered while covering her body completely with mine. More bullets hit the container we hid behind while the metal rang like a bell with each impact.Through the bond I felt Cecelia's fear while it wasn't for herself but for Golden. She was terrified that the

CECELIA'S POVI didn't argue while knowing he wouldn't change his mind anyway. Instead I just stayed close while taking turns with Zeke sleeping in short bursts. When I was awake I watched them both while my heart felt too full and too broken at the same time.During one of my shifts staying awake, I looked at Zeke asleep in his chair with his hand still pressed to Golden's chest. His large hand completely covered Golden's small torso while the size difference was almost funny. But seeing them connected like that while father and son bound together, made something settle in my chest that had been restless for three years.I never stopped loving him while I realized with sudden clarity. I'd been angry and hurt and determined to move on but under all that I still loved Zeke with the same intensity I had during our marriage. Maybe even more now while seeing him with Golden showed me the man he could be when he let his walls down.The thought scared me while I didn't know if I was ready t

We reached the main level while I headed for my vehicle. The drive back to the hospital gave me time to process everything Layla had confessed. The depths of her delusion and manipulation were staggering while I couldn't believe I'd missed the signs for so long.But dwelling on that wouldn't help anyone while I needed to focus on the future with Cecelia and Golden instead of the past Layla had poisoned.The next morning I stood before the pack council while Layla was brought in wearing restraints. She looked smaller somehow while all her defiance from yesterday was gone. The council members watched her with expressions ranging from disgust to disappointment while many had known her for years."Layla Winters, you stand accused of conspiracy to kidnap, child endangerment, and treason against the Alpha's family," the head councilman read from the formal charges. "How do you plead?""Guilty," Layla said quietly while not looking at anyone.Murmurs went through the council while they'd exp

Cecelia's POVGolden had been asleep for an hour while Zeke knocked softly on our bedroom door. I'd been reading in the chair beside Golden's small bed watching him breathe peacefully when Zeke poked his head in."Come with me," he whispered while gesturing toward the hallway. "I have something planned."I stood carefully while not wanting to wake Golden. He'd had a good day today, his color was better while the blue light under his skin had barely flickered at all. The doctor said the Alpha essence treatments were working while Golden's body was stabilizing.Zeke took my hand while leading me through our quarters to the private balcony I hadn't used much since moving back in. When he opened the door my breath caught because the space had been transformed.Candles covered every surface while their warm glow made everything look soft. A small table was set with real plates and silverware while covered dishes sat waiting. A bottle of wine was already open while two glasses sat beside it