G4
Kept the Alpha’s Secret Heir
For a moment, my anger faltered. I felt a twinge of guilt. I didn’t want to be the one to hurt her, not like this, not when it was so easy to pity her. But then the memories hit me, and the guilt was replaced with a cold, bitter anger that had become all too familiar over the years.
Cecelia had made my life a nightmare. She and Dean had destroyed everything they possibly could, and I wasn’t
about to soften because of a weakness she couldn’t control.
Dean’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I’d like to see Nicholas, just to check on him. I promise, I won’t hurt him. I just want to be part of his life, a little more.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to hold on to some semblance of control. “You have no right,” I muttered.
“I know it’s asking a lot,” Dean continued, almost too calmly. “But I’d really appreciate it if you could let me see
him. Just once a week. I promise I won’t make it difficult for you.”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him to go to hell and never come near us again. But I looked over at Nathan,
his face unreadable, yet I could see the quiet understanding in his eyes. He knew what this was about. He knew
what I was feeling. It wasn’t just about Dean. It was about the pain of having to constantly choose between keeping Nicholas safe and doing what was right for him.
“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, my voice cold, trying to hide how shaken I felt.
Dean smiled, that smile that made my skin crawl. “Thank you. I also wanted to offer Nathan a position at my
company. I’ve been looking for someone with his skills. You know, he’s a good manager.”
I froze, my blood running cold. Nathan had been struggling at the diner. The hours were long, the pay was meager, and the stress had been eating at him for months. It wasn’t a perfect job, but it was a job. And yet, the thought of Nathan working for Dean… I couldn’t bear it.
I glanced at Nathan, searching his face for any sign that he was considering it. He met my gaze and gave me a small, knowing look. He knew how I felt about all of this, but I also knew that he was tired of fighting. He was tired of
the endless struggle, and the offer was tempting. It was an opportunity, one we both knew he couldn’t easily ignore.
“I’ll think about it,” Nathan said slowly, his voice calm but firm. “But it doesn’t mean everything’s fine between us,
Dean. You can’t just pretend like everything’s okay.
Dean chuckled, his expression smug. “Of course, of course. I didn’t expect you to forgive me, but I appreciate you trying to get along.” He turned to me next, his gaze calculating. “Hannah, I’m sure you understand that I only want what’s best for Nicholas. He deserves to be with family, to have a connection to his roots. It’s not just about me. It’s
about him.”
I felt my stomach twist at the mention of family, knowing what he meant by it. He didn’t see us as a family. He saw Nicholas as a tool, something to possess, to claim as his own. I couldn’t let him have that. I couldn’t let him turn
Nicholas into someone else’s pawn.
Then, Dean did something that made my blood run even colder. “Our mother wants to see Nicholas,” he said.
“She’s been asking about him, wants to meet her grandson.”
Nathan stiffened at the mention of his mother. I could see the conflict in his eyes. He hadn’t seen his mother in years, not since his father died. He’d kept his distance from the rest of his family, the pack that had always trea him like an outsider. The last thing he wanted was to be dragged back into their world.
But the temptation was there. The pull of family, of seeing his mother after all this time, was hard to resist. I knew Nathan well enough to see the hesitation, the weight of the decision hanging in the air.
“Okay,” Nathan said finally, his voice tight. “I’ll visit. Next time. I’ll bring Nicholas, if that’s what she wants.” Dean’s smile widened, but there was something darker behind it. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. We’ll make it happen
soon.”
As if to seal the deal, Dean reached into his pocket and pulled out a small toy, a stuffed animal, and handed it to Nicholas. “Here,” he said, crouching down to Nicholas‘ level. “I thought you might like this.”
a b c
9:39 AM D
Kept the Alpha’s Secret Heir
Nicholas took the toy with a wide smile, his face lighting up in a way that made my heart break. He had no idea who this man was. To him, Dean was just a friendly figure, someone offering him a gift. I wanted to pull him away, to tell him to stay away from Dean, but I couldn’t. Not when he was so happy, so innocent.
When Dean finally left, it felt like a weight had lifted, but the relief was only temporary. Nathan and I stood there, staring at the empty doorway, our minds racing with all the things that had just been said.
I couldn’t figure out how to separate Nicholas from Dean. Every time I thought we were free, every time I thought we could move forward, Dean had a way of finding us again, of creeping into our lives like a shadow that couldn’t be shaken.
I looked at Nathan, his face pale and tired. “What now?” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Nathan didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me, and I saw the same fear in his eyes. We were stuck. And for the first time, I didn’t know how to fix it.
