All Chapters of The Alpha’s Hidden Heir: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

POV: Lyra AshbourneI stayed in Cassian’s territory for the next few days, and with each passing day, I found myself questioning almost everything I had been taught about people like him.When I first arrived, I had expected his pack to keep their distance from me. I was a stranger, a wolfless woman who had appeared in their territory injured and carrying a secret I wasn’t ready to share. I thought they would look at me with the same pity and judgment I had grown used to seeing from people back home.Instead, they treated me with a kindness I didn’t know how to understand.The young woman who had been waiting outside my room on the first morning introduced herself as Mira. She made sure I had everything I needed and never made me feel as though I was bothering her whenever I asked for something. She brought my meals, helped me find clothes that fit, and sometimes stayed to talk while I ate.At first, I assumed she was only doing it because Cassian had ordered her to look after me.Aft

POV: Lyra Ashbourne The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. I stayed in bed for a few moments, thinking about my conversation with Cassian and Rowan the night before. I still couldn’t believe that I had been offered a position in the infirmary. It was something I had never expected, especially after arriving in the territory only a few days earlier. After getting dressed, I carefully made my way to the infirmary. The building stood on the quieter side of the territory, surrounded by small gardens filled with different herbs and plants. When I stepped inside, I noticed shelves covered with jars, dried leaves, bottles, and bundles of herbs hanging from the wooden beams. Rowan was already there. “You’re early,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep.” He smiled. “Good. It means you’re interested.” I laughed softly. “I think I’m more nervous than interested.” “You’ll get over that.” He handed me a small basket. “Come with me.” I followed him into the garden behind the infirmar

POV: Lyra AshbourneThe territory became more quiet after the incident at the eastern boundary.The guards remained more alert than usual, but after a few days, there was no sign of the strangers returning. Cassian never told me exactly what they had found, and I didn’t ask again because I could tell he was still looking into it.Life at the infirmary, however, continued as normal.I spent most mornings with Rowan, learning about the plants that grew around the territory and helping with the people who came in for treatment. In the afternoons, I usually returned to the house with enough time to rest before dinner.It was during one of those evenings that I began noticing something about Cassian.He rarely talked about himself.I had heard stories about his territory, his position, and the people who followed him, but whenever a conversation came close to his own past, he found a way to change the subject.That evening, I found him sitting alone on the back porch.A book was open in hi

POV: Lyra Ashbourne The first signs of labor came before sunrise.I had barely finished drinking the tea Mira brought me when a sharp pain tightened across my stomach. I set the cup down and gripped the edge of the table, waiting for it to pass.Mira noticed immediately.“Lyra, are you all right?”I took a slow breath. “I think the baby is coming.”She hurried to my side, helping me stand before calling for Rowan. Within minutes, the house was filled with movement as Mira gathered what we needed and Rowan arrived to check on me.“How far apart are the pains?” he asked.“I don’t know. They just started.”He nodded calmly. “All right. We’ll get you settled.”I was led to my room, where Mira helped me lie down while Rowan made the necessary preparations. I tried to focus on their voices and follow their instructions, but every new wave of pain made it harder to think about anything else.“Where’s Cassian?” I asked.Mira brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “Someone has gone to ge

POV: Lyra Ashbourne The first thing I noticed when I woke was the quiet sound of Orion breathing beside me.Sunlight slipped through the curtains, falling softly across the bed. Orion was asleep in his little cradle, wrapped in the blanket Mira had brought him the night before. His tiny hands rested near his face, and his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.I watched him for a while before reaching over to adjust the edge of his blanket.He had been sleeping peacefully for most of the night, though I had woken several times to check on him. Each time, I found him exactly where I had left him, warm and safe. I was still learning how to trust those quiet moments instead of expecting something to go wrong.My thoughts returned to Cassian.I could still remember the way he had stood before his people, holding Orion in his arms. He had not looked uncertain or uncomfortable. He had not searched the faces around him to see whether they approved of his decision.He had simply told them t