Chapter 99
RILEY.
“Veronica and I grew up together. We were good friends until we just found ourselves falling for each other. The relationship was new when the attack happened. For weeks, I tried to find where she was.
David met Camilla, and they moved to the Black Shadow Pack. I eventually found Veronica. Something happened between us but I couldn’t stay with her. I was keen to know more about the condition of my old pack but I told her I would come back for her.
But she was gone when I came back. She found her mate and decided to go with him. I didn’t bother to ask what pack she moved on to. I was heartbroken, but I knew what I signed up for when we dove into this relationship.
I moved on and started my life with a new pack.
I was left alone on my own. I still wanted my pack and my territory back, but I had no one.
And then I met Laura—my mate—and decided that maybe her being human was a sign that I was bound to just let go of my pack.
But in the back of my mind, if I get an heir, I would try again to take back what was mine.
Laura and I were not blessed with a pup. Again, I took it as a sign that I was not bound to have a pack. I had learned to accept that.
Eight months after I last saw Veronica, David received a letter from her, but it was addressed to me.
I had no idea how she found out where David was, but somehow she did.
She wanted to meet with me. She wrote that she just wanted to catch up and that if I had a mate, she was definitely welcome to join us.
Laura and I traveled to the meeting place on the day she told us to. But she didn’t show up. Now I understand why. She died before she got the chance to tell me about you.”
These were Theodore’s words as he tried to explain why he had never found out about Nadia. But the moment he heard Nadia’s name, he knew she was his.
While they were together, they were scared that Veronica might get pregnant because he had forgotten to take precautions the first time they did it.
And while thinking about it, Veronica asked him what name he wanted for a girl.
He asked her why a girl and not a boy—Veronica said her bloodlines usually produced females.
Theodore just shrugged it off and said he would name her Nadia.
I pushed the door leading to the back part of Jacob’s packhouse. I saw Theodore outside, smoking by himself. It was almost midnight, and Nadia was still with Clair in the packhouse nursery, where the three pups were.
“Do you mind if I join you?” I asked as I stood beside him.
“Not at all. You’re just the man I’ve been wanting to speak alone with,” he replied and handed me a pack of cigarettes.
I took one and gave it back to him before he lit the cigarette for me. I stopped smoking a long time ago, but tonight I didn’t stop myself from taking one. Maybe it would make the conversation with my father-in-law flow more easily.
“Tell me about her. Why did she ask me that question? Did she have a hard life?”
I took a deep breath before letting out the smoke from my mouth. “When I met Nadia, she was running from Samantha and her mate. They sold her to a man who bought her for $50,000.”
I felt his Alpha aura roll off as his free hand coiled into a fist. “I’m going to kill him.”
“He’s dead. A few weeks ago.”
“Did you kill him?”
“No. From the investigation, it looked like he was murdered by a mafia he owed money to and couldn’t pay back. Samatha, on the other hand, is alive. But she wants nothing to do with Nadia. And she said she knew nothing of Nadia’s father.”
“Samantha was never a fan of Veronica. She was the reason David and I started protecting Veronica. She was older and would do everything to punish or hurt her sister. Later on, she confessed what she felt for me, but I turned her down. And later, she found her mate and moved away. She was already gone when Veronica and I became a pair, so I doubt if she knew I was the father.”
I didn’t answer. I have nothing to say. I was just listening as he spoke.
“Does she hate me?”
“No. Nadia doesn’t have a hateful bone in her body. But she wondered why you abandoned her. She felt alone all her life. But she was strong, like a real Alpha Female.”
“If I had known I had an heir, I would have pushed through and taken back my pack so I would have something to give her and my grandpup.”
“She has a pack, and your grandpup will have a pack to lead.”
“I wish I had found out earlier. Do you know how much I long to have a pup of my own? Clair, Jacob’s Luna, was under my roof for five years, but it was not enough. I wish I had more time. And if I knew Nadia existed, she would never experience being alone.”
“It’s not too late. If Nadia agrees, you’re free to move into my pack. It’ll be a good start for both of you.”
“Thank you. We have a life in Atlanta now, but I do want that offer. But I still have to discuss it with my mate.”
“I understand. While thinking about it, you’re free to visit anytime.”
“I’ve heard of you. And I’m not going to deny that some of them were not great things, but I’ve seen how you attended to my daughter and how she was to you. I’m glad she has someone like you in her life.”
“I don’t know what you’ve heard of me, but I do love your daughter. And I would protect her with my life. That I can, I promise you.”
‘Alpha?’ We were still conversing when Jenny reached into my head.
‘Yes, Jenny?’
‘The Luna fell asleep. She must be too tired from traveling and the events tonight.’
‘Where is she now?’
‘We’re here at the receiving area of the kids’ nursery room on the fourth floor.’
‘Okay. I’m on my way up.’ I cut off the mindlink before I told Theodore that I needed to pick up my Luna since Nadia fell asleep while she was still with the females.
He wanted to come with me, so we went together to the fourth floor.
I opened the door to the nursery, and there in the receiving area was a crowd of females.
Alia was standing with baby Tyler in her arms. While sitting on the sofa were Luna Clair, Janna, and Jenny, drinking their tea.
Laura was sitting too, but on her lap was my lovely mate’s head as she slept peacefully on the sofa.
“Nadia fell asleep while we were talking. She must be too tired.” Luna Clair said in a hushed tone.
I nodded my head and was about to head to Nadia when Theodore laid his hand on my shoulder, stopping me from walking. I watched as he went to Nadia and crouched in front of his mate.
The females around us were holding their breath, but I could see tears welling in their eyes as Theodore ran his knuckles down Nadia’s cheek before he glanced at his mate. “How are you? Are you okay?”
Laura smiled at him. If this came as a surprise to Theodore, the surprise must be doubled for Laura upon learning that her mate has a child.
“Yes, I am. If we’re going to have a child, then I couldn’t ask for a better one,” she replied. Theodore rose up a bit from crouching and laid a kiss on his mate’s forehead before thanking her. He looked back at Nadia and placed a soft kiss on her forehead too.
He stood up and looked lovingly at the sleeping baby in Alia’s arms. “I assumed all babies were fast asleep already, including mine.”
The females giggled softly as they nodded. I gave him a grin as I walked and took his position in front of Nadia, scooping my sleeping mate off the couch in a bridal style. “Yes, and I need to take the biggest baby away from here.”
“Goodnight, ladies, Theodore.” I gave one last look at them before carrying her from the nursery room to the second floor, where our room was located.