10
A small tug at my blanket stirred me from sleep. I groaned softly, rolling over, only to be met with the bright, curious eyes of my son.
C
“Mommy, wake up!” Nicholas grinned, his little fingers poking my cheek. His voice, high and impatient, carried the innocence of childhood, but when I looked at him–really looked–I saw more than just my son.
I saw Dean.
It had been ten years since I ran from Alpha Dean’s pack. Ten years since Nathan fought for me, for my freedom. Ten years since I broke the bond tying me to a man who had wanted to own me, **not love me**. And in those ten
1 Kept the Alpha’s Secret Heir
years, I had built something I never thought I would have.
A home. A real home.
Nathan, my husband, the man who truly loved me, had been my rock through everything. He had given me a life far from the cruelty of our past. A safe life.
And then there was Nicholas–our bright, joyful, mischievous little boy. He had Nathan’s kindness, my stubbornness, but those eyes…those deep, dark eyes were Dean’s.
Sometimes, I would catch Nicholas watching me with the same unreadable expression Dean used to have, and a chill would run down my spine.
But I always reminded myself–he’s not Dean. He’s my son.
Nicholas tugged at my arm again. “Mom! Come on! I’m hungry!”
A deep chuckle rumbled beside me as Nathan stirred awake, throwing a lazy arm over my waist. “Let him starve a little,” he murmured, voice heavy with sleep. “It’ll build character.”
Nicholas gasped in horror. “Daddy! That’s mean!”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Okay, okay. We’re coming.”
“Now!” Nicholas declared before dashing out of the room.
Nathan groaned, burying his face in my neck. “He’s relentless.”
I smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. “Just like his father.”
Nathan lifted his head, raising a teasing brow. “Which one?”
I froze for a second, but he only grinned. “Relax,” he murmured, brushing his fingers over my cheek. “I know
exactly who his father is. Me.”
I exhaled, my heart swelling. “Yes. You.”
Nathan kissed me once, lingering for a second longer, before pulling away. “Come on, before our little monster
burns the house down.”
Life here was simple, peaceful. A small, cozy home nestled on the outskirts of town, away from the politics and dangers of the packs. Nathan had found work as a manager at a small diner, and Nicholas attended a local school. I thought we were safe.
Until today.
The moment I saw the teddy bear in Nicholas’s arms, my blood ran cold.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I knelt before him. “Sweetheart,” I said carefully, my fingers trembling as I
touched the soft fur of the bear. “Where did you get this?”
Nicholas blinked up at me, completely unaware of my panic. “A nice man gave it to me after school.”
A weight settled in my chest. I gripped the bear tighter, I knew this bear.
Dean had given it to me years ago, back when he still pretended to be my mate.
My stomach twisted.
Dean had found us.
“Nicholas,” I said sharply, my pulse racing, “what did I tell you about talking to strangers?”
His small face scrunched in confusion. “But he wasn’t scary, Mom. He just smiled and told me I was a handsome
boy.”
My heart stopped.
I needed to tell Nathan.
That night, after Nicholas had fallen asleep, I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the teddy bear in front of me. My fingers curled into fists, my breathing shallow.
“He’s here,” I whispered. “Dean. He found us.”
9:38 AM
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1 Kept the Alpha’s Secret Hea
Nathan tensed beside me, his hands tightening on the edge of the table. His normally calm face hardened. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, pushing the bear toward him. “This belonged to me. Dean gave it to me.”
Nathan’s nostrils flared, his protective instincts kicking in. “That bastard,” he growled. “He’s testing us.”
“He’s testing me,” I corrected softly.
Nathan stood, pacing the small kitchen. “I’ll get guards to watch over Nicholas at school. He won’t go anywhere alone.”
I swallowed, gripping his hand. “I’m scared, Nathan.”
He cupped my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. “I won’t let him take you. Or Nicholas. Ever.”
I nodded, but the weight in my chest wouldn’t ease.
Dean wasn’t done with us.
Then a letter came that evening.
Nathan and I stood at the doorstep, the envelope lying between us like a ticking time bomb.
With hesitant fingers, I picked it up, my name written in a script that sent shivers through me. I tore it open, my breath catching as I read the words inside.
A party invitation.
Dean was inviting us–to his birthday celebration.
Nathan let out a humorless laugh. “Is he serious?”
I swallowed, dread curling in my stomach. “He’s planning something.”
Nathan took the invitation, his jaw clenching before he ripped it in half.
“We’re not going.”
But then he paused. His expression darkened, a dangerous resolve settling in his eyes.
“I am.”
I flinched. “Nathan-”
“I’m going alone,” he repeated, his voice firm. “Not to celebrate. But to remind him of the past. To remind him he lost.”
Panic flared in my chest. “Nathan, he’ll try something.”
“I don’t care,” he said coldly. “He doesn’t get to play these games. I’ll go and look him in the eyes, and I’ll tell him -stay the hell away from my family.”
I clenched my fists, torn between fear and the deep, unshakable trust I had in Nathan.
Dean wasn’t just playing a game.
He was hunting us.
And the worst part?
I didn’t think he was ever going to stop.
