Alpha Of Aberdeen
Chapter 48

Malachi POV!

Paul and I are at the bar. We ordered some beers, and the bartender handed them to us. "So, whatis going on? You're acting weird, and don't try to lie? We have been friends our whole lives. I knowyou," I tell him, glancing in his direction. Paul looks towards me with a grim expression. "Amelia isthinking about leaving with Asher,” He says with a sense of guilt. I look at him, puzzled andsurprised. "What? Why?" I ask with concern.

"I have a gambling problem, and I've lost a lot of money,” Paul admits, looking down at the beerbottle. "Why didn't you come to me?” I ask. "I can't ask you to help me with this. It's not yourproblem,” He explains. "It is my problem. You are my Beta and my best friend. I would help in

any way I could,” I declare. "Thanks, I appreciate it, but I have to fix this on my own," Paul

insists. "Okay, I understand, but you know that I am here if you need anything," I tell him, giving hima

brotherly pat on the shoulder. Paul smiles slightly.

We sit and talk for a few hours before we notice the time. "Well, we should head back to the house,”I tell Paul. "I think I'm going to stay for a bit. I have some thinking I need to do," He says, taking adrink of his beer. "Sure, call me if you need a lift home," I say, giving him a fist bump. "Later," Hesays, and I walk out the bar.

I make it home and walk into the house to replace it is so quiet, which is odd. “Chloe must have gone tobed, I think to myself. I walk to the stairs and head to Paisley's room, and open the door, but I seeshe’s not in her crib. “Chloe probably missed her so much that she is sleeping in our room’ Iconclude, closing the door and walking to our room.

I open the door and see there is no Chloe or Paisley. 'Where the hell are they?" I start to worry as Isearch every inch of our room and replace nothing. I take a seat on the bed and hear the sound ofcrumpled paper beneath me. I stand and look down to see a piece of paper. I pick up and open it:Dear Malachi,

I'm sorry. I can't live like this anymore. I can't handle all the killing. I was not meant for this life. Iwant to have a normal future for Paisley, so I am leaving. Please don't bother to look for me becauseI have made up my mind, and this can never work. Sukie is going to help me with a spell to keep mefrom being able to mind link. I think this is for the best. I wish you all the best for your future andthat you replace the true love you deserve. Goodbye Malachi. Xoxo

The letter falls from my hands to the floor as I sit there in shock. I feel my eyes well up with tears. 'ldon't understand. Chloe seemed completely normal earlier. How could she just decide to leave?" Iask myself, sliding down to the floor.

There is a knock at the door, so I wipe my face with my T-shirt. I am an Alpha, and I have to betough. "Come in, it's open,” I say. The door creaks open, and Amelia pops her head around thedoor. "Hey um, I was looking for Chloe," she says, looking around the room.

"She left me," I declare. "What?!" Amelia asks with shock, opening the door further. "She left a

note saying she can't do this anymore,” I explain, handing her the note. She skims over the

paper, taking in every little detail. "This isn't Chloe's handwriting,” she says, handing the letter back.

I look at her, confused. "What do you mean? Who else would write this?" I ask, narrowing my

eyes. "Someone else had to. I've been friends with Chloe for a long time. I know her writing,

and that is not it,” Amelia declares.

Chloe POV

I blink my eyes open and dart them from side to side. "Where am 1?' I wonder, rubbing my eyes toremove the grogginess. I sit up slowly, feeling like I've overdosed on sleeping pills, but then panicsets in when I realize I'm not at home, and I start to remember the last thing that happenedPaisley!" I picture her in the stranger's arm and run for the door, pulling hard and shaking the knobfrantically. "HELLO! OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR, YOU COWARDS!!!" I scream, banging on the door.The door opens, and a tall, dark-haired man with bright blue eyes and a muscular build walks inwith his gaze never leaving mine. "Who the hell are you? and why am I here?" I snap, backing

away. "My name is Luca,” The man says. "So, why did you kidnap me, and where the fuck is mydaughter?" I demand, stepping to him, ready to tear him apart. "Calm down. She is safe. We do notwish to harm your child,” Luca declares. "Then what the fuck do you want?" I ask with my lips drawnback in a snarl.

"Your mother, Colette, was part of our coven. We know of her demise.” Luca explains, looking

me up and down. "So what! What does this have to do with me?" I demand. "My mother Blair is

the head of the coven, and Colette was second in command, so in our coven, the son and

daughter of those two in position shall marry to keep the coven’s traditions," Luca tells me neverchanging his expression.

"I am not her only daughter. Why would you come after me?" I ask. "Because you are the

chosen one,” Luca explains as if it was obvious. "I'm not marrying you! I have a fiancé, and I'm aboutto be married in a few days," I declare. Before Luca can even say another word, a black-hairedwoman steps around him. She has the same bright blue eyes as Luca, and she bores them into me."You will marry my son, as our coven has done for centuries, or your child will pay the price for yourmistakes.” The woman says with a glare. "You just told me you wouldn't hurt my child. You lied!Please just let me have my baby?" I plead as tears fall.

The woman laughs at my pain. "Not so tough when you can't shift, are you?" She mocks in an eviltone. "What did you do to me?" I question looking between the two of them. "The injection we putin you was a potion to keep you from being able to shift, so now all you are is a fragile littlehuman,” The woman says with a laugh. My eyes go wide as I feel like there is no way out of this. I'mstuck as a human as long as they keep injecting me with the potion. Malachi probably can't evensense me anymore, so it will be harder for him to replace me.

"You are both insane," I say, glaring at them both. "We are only doing what is best for our coven,”Luca declares. I turn my gaze to him. "You don't even know me, why would you agree to be marriedto someone you know nothing about? You're just as crazy as your mother", I retort, folding my armsacross my chest. The woman huffs and turns to leave the room, leaving her son behind. Luca looksat me once she is gone. "I will try to tell my mother to bring Paisley to you. I don't think she shouldbe without you", He says with a caring expression.

Luca turns to leave the room and I panic that this is my only chance at contact with someone. "Wait!You seem like a good guy. Why don't you just let me go. I love someone else, and we are mated. Heis not the forgiving type, and he will come looking for me”, I warn him. "This is not my decision; ithas been our fate since birth. If we break this tradition, the coven could face dire consequences”, Heexplains. "But, if I don't want to marry you and you don't want to marry me, then why can't wedecide for ourselves? I didn't even know about this coven. How does this apply to me?" I question,looking at him desperately.

"I knew you when you were a little girl. We were friends as kids. You don't remember me becauseSukie cast a spell to keep your memories from you, so you could live a normal life. You may

not love me or want to marry me, but I have loved you for as long as I can remember,” Heprofesses. I look at him, bewildered, backing away when my legs hit the bed. I slump down in shockwhile taking a seat with my head in my hands.