20
The night air was thick with tension, each breath I took felt like a countdown to disaster. Nicholas clung to my hand, oblivious to the danger surrounding us. I kept my face neutral, pretending to be nothing more than his nanny, while Nathan stood among the sentinels, playing his role as one of Dean’s men.
Dean had left the mansion. This was our only chance.
I approached the higher–ranking sentinel, forcing calm into my voice. “The young master wants to play in the
garden.”
The sentinel frowned. “Alpha Dean left no such orders.”
My pulse pounded in my ears. Think, Hannah. Don’t panic.
Before I could respond, a sickeningly familiar voice spoke behind me.
“Let the brat go outside,” Cecelia drawled, arms crossed. “He’s been an annoyance all day.”
Every instinct screamed at me. Cecelia never did anything without a reason.
C
Still, I had no choice. I tightened my grip on Nicholas’s hand and led him toward the garden, Nathan following
closely
When we reached the farthest part of the garden, Nathan whispered, “Now.”
9:40 AM
1 Kept the Alpha’s Secret Heir
In one swift motion, he took out two guards. I struck the others, my fists fueled by rage and desperation. Within
moments, the path was clear.
I scooped Nicholas into my arms, his tiny fingers gripping my shirt. “We’re leaving, baby,” I whispered.
Nathan sprinted ahead. “Hurry!”
I shifted, my bones cracking as my wolf form took over. Nicholas climbed onto my back, clutching my fur. We tore
through the trees, the wind rushing past us.
Then–I felt it.
A powerful presence. A scent too familiar to ignore.
A massive gray wolf blocked our path, golden eyes locked onto me.
Alpha Dean.
Nicholas whimpered, burying his face in my fur.
I shifted back, stepping in front of my son. “Stay behind me.”
Dean transformed too, his jaw tight, eyes blazing with fury. “Give him to me.”
“No,” I said, voice shaking with determination. “I will never let you take him.”
Dean’s hands clenched. “You don’t want to test me.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
A low growl rumbled in his throat.
Then–another figure appeared.
Nathan.
“I’ll fight you,” he said coldly, stepping between us. “You lost to me once, Dean. This time, I won’t hold back.”
Dean’s face twisted with fury. Then, in an instant, they clashed.
Claws slashed. Fangs snapped. The ground trembled beneath them.
I held Nicholas close, shielding him. My heart raced as more sentinels arrived, surrounding us.
Then I heard laughter. Cecelia.
She stood at the treeline, smirking, arms crossed like she was watching a show.
“You’re all pathetic,” she said. “Fighting over a woman and a child. How tragic.”
Nathan and Dean barely stopped fighting to glare at her.
Cecelia sighed, feigning boredom. “I’m tired of this game. Kill them all.”
Dean stiffened. “What?”
She smiled sweetly. “Oh, Dean. You really thought I needed you? I only ever wanted power. And now, you’re just
in my way.”
Everything clicked. Cecelia never loved Dean. She only loved control.
I turned to Dean, desperation clawing at my voice. “She’s the real enemy! She’s been manipulating you, making you fight Nathan and me. If we don’t stop her, Nicholas will die too!”
For the first time, I saw hesitation in Dean’s eyes.
Then he nodded.
Dean reached down, pulling Nathan up. The two brothers stood side by side.
C
Together. They fought fiercely, cutting down Cecelia’s sentinels. Blood stained the earth, the scent of death thick
in the air.
I tried to escape with Nicholas, but Cecelia was faster.
She pulled out a gun.
Aimed it straight at me.
9:40 AM
1 Kept the Alpha’s Secret Heir
“No!” I screamed.
I froze. My body locked in fear.
The silver bullet fired.
Then–pain.
But it wasn’t mine.
Dean had thrown himself in front of us.
The bullet tore through him.
His body jerked. Blood splattered across my face.
Time stopped. Dean stumbled. His golden eyes–so full of fire–softened as they met mine.
“No,” I choked, catching him before he hit the ground.
His breath was shallow. Weak.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For everything.”
Tears blurred my vision. “You’re going to be okay. Stay with me.”
A faint, broken smile crossed his lips. “Take care of him. Of Nicholas.”
His body went still. A strangled cry tore from my throat.
Nicholas sobbed, gripping his father’s lifeless hand.
Something inside me shattered.
Rage. Pure, burning rage consumed me.
Nathan roared, his fury unchecked. He lunged at Cecelia, his claws tearing through her. Her screams echoed through the forest.
Then–silence. Cecelia was dead.
The battle was over. But Dean was gone.
Two Years Later. The cemetery was quiet. A cold wind rustled through the trees.
I knelt in front of the gravestone, tracing the name carved into the stone.
Nicholas stood beside me, holding a small bouquet of flowers.
He placed them gently at the base of the grave, along with a wooden wolf toy.
“I miss you, Daddy,” he whispered.
I swallowed back tears. “So do I.”
Behind us, Nathan stood in silence. He had become the new Alpha, leading Dean’s pack with strength and fairness.
Life had moved on.
But the scars remained.
I reached for Nicholas’s hand. He held on tight, his small fingers warm in mine.
As we turned to leave, I glanced back one last time.
The wind carried a whisper. A memory.
Dean’s golden eyes, filled with regret.
His final words.
And then, we walked away. Because life had to go on. Even with a broken heart.
Trending today
