My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 24

Future Beta Nate

“Nate, get up!” The alpha yelled in my head. I was having the best dream about my mate until her father had to ruin it.

“Alpha?” I g*****d, rubbing my face to wake up. It felt like I had just fallen asleep.

“Meet me at the northeast corner of the territory.” He said, before closing the link.

I yawned as I got out of bed. I pulled on a pair of shorts and grabbed a shirt before making my way out of the house. I was curious as to why the alpha called me. He knew I had night patrol and would be sleeping.

“You forgot your phone.” Duke huffed and I g*****d.

“I’ll just be quick. Ayla knows that we are sleeping.” I told him.

“She’s worried about you being faithful.” He growled as I took off my shorts and shifted. Duke picked up the clothes in his mouth and took off.

“Why would you say that?” I retorted.

“Because you already did. And now she’s worried.” He answered and I sighed.

“I know what I did was wrong and I apologized. And you should know I would never give our mate a reason to reject us. Ever.” I told him and he huffed.

He didn’t say anything else as he ran to where the alpha told us to meet him. Is Ayla really scared I would cheat on her? I want this. I even told her I didn’t want a second chance mate. I just want her and to figure out how we are going to make this work. Especially since she will be the queen of the western sea. I should probably just leave this pack and join her at her palace if I can. There’s no point in us staying away from each other and I need to learn about mermaids as well.

Duke caught the alpha’s scent and ran faster, shaking me from my thoughts. And now I was worried about what the alpha had to show me. My father and the alpha were standing together as Duke approached. He shifted back and I got dressed. I couldn’t see around them so I still didn’t know why I was called out here.

“Alpha, dad, what happened?” I said, moving beside my father. Duke let out a murderous growl as he came forward to look at the scene before us.

There was another mermaid’s body with the head missing. It looked to be a female and she had been descaled. There was a picture of Ayla coming out of my house before the Mate Ball, with the caption. ‘It won’t be long now’.

“What the hell do we do now?” I yelled.

“Nate, it’s not safe for Ayla to return to the pack. It could have been anyone who took this picture. Anyone in this pack or the other pack members who attended the Mate Ball. Whoever it is, wants us to know they can get to her,” Alpha Atlas explained.

“I will protect her with my life. No one will hurt her!” I roared, unable to hold back my anger.

“Nate, you need to calm down and have a clear head about this. She is my daughter and I also need her to be safe. I’ve called Queen Andrea and she is sending her people to pick up the body. She is going to try to identify which kingdom this victim is from. It should give us a better idea of where they are replaceing their victims.”

“Then what am I doing?” I asked him.

“You will accompany the body back to the western sea palace and keep my daughter safe. I will get to the bottom of this here and, hopefully, she will be able to come back with you. I don’t know if they know about her rarity or if they think she is just another mermaid.” The alpha informed me.

“Nate, go get yourself packed and be ready to leave within the hour. You have a long trip ahead of you.” My dad said, grabbing my shoulder, and giving it a squeeze.

“I’m trusting you, Nate. Keep my daughter safe and don’t let her go into the open ocean. We don’t know where this threat is coming from.” The alpha growled.

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” I said before Duke shifted and took off towards home.

We made it home in record time. Shifting, I ran into the house naked. I only cared about one thing at that moment and it was Ayla. Before I even got dressed, I picked up my phone to call her. I needed to make sure she was okay. It rang a few times and went to her voicemail.

“Dammit,” I cursed. I threw down my phone and went into my closet to get dressed and pack a bag.

My mind and heart were racing as I tried to calm down my breathing. I should be there with her, protecting her. The hunters are going after her and they are so confident they are taunting us.

“Try Xander. Ayla said she was training today. She may not have her phone.” Duke chimed in.

Before I was even done packing, I rushed over to my bed and picked up my phone, going through the outgoing calls. I found Xander’s number and pressed the call button. With every ring, my anxiety grew and my stomach twisted painfully.

“Xander speaking.” He answered.

“Where’s Ayla?” I rushed out, not able to stop myself.

“Who is this?” He growled and I just about lost it.

“It’s Nate, who the hell else would be calling you asking for Ayla!” I yelled.

“Nate, Ayla is getting ready for a meeting. What’s wrong?” He asked calmly and now I felt like an a*s.

“Xander, we found another mermaid’s body on our territory. There was a picture of Ayla attached. It was when she was here for the Mate Ball.” I heard him curse before the phone went silent.

“I’m going to start training her this evening after the meeting with the council and the military heads. I will protect her with my life.” He finally said.

“My alpha has already contacted Queen Andrea and she’s sending someone to transport the body back to the palace. I’ll be coming with the body.” I told him.

“Nate, she is safe at the palace.” He tried to reassure me.

“Not the point. This is serious. Someone is watching her and they infiltrated our pack. And I’m not going to sit here and wait for something to happen to her. I’ll be leaving in about an hour and I’ll be there as soon as possible,” I declared. I was telling him, not asking for his permission to see my mate.

“I will inform her of your arrival,” he said before ending the call.

“Fucker,” I growled, throwing my phone on the bed.

“He likes our mate.” Duke sneered, and I would have to agree.

“I figured, but right now we have more important things to worry about,” I told him.

I went back into my closet to finish packing. Ayla would never cheat on the bond, would she? I found myself doubting her even though she has never given me a reason. And she said we are together, surely she would never take a free pass for what I did.

“Ayla would never hurt us. She could be carrying our pup.” Duke said.

“I hope you’re right,” I sighed. I finished packing, grabbed my phone, and headed to the pack hospital.

My mother was waiting out front as I walked up. She quickly wrapped me in a hug.

“Nate, please be safe and keep Ayla safe.” She cried as I hugged her back.

“I will, mom. And hopefully, I can bring her home soon.” I told her and she sniffled. She pulled away before taking my cheeks in her hands.

“I know this is hard on you, but I promise she is worth all of this.” My mother’s voice cracked as she looked at me.

“I’m not letting her go without a fight,” I said, and she nodded.

“Good,” she said, kissing my cheek.

“Be safe and text me. I have to head back in.” She said, giving me another hug, which I returned.

“I will. Love you.” I called out as she was walking back into the hospital.

“I love you, son.” She turned to say before heading back inside. I mind-linked my father to let him know I was waiting.

“I’m outside the hospital, waiting.”

Warrior Xander

Ayla and I walked in silence as I led her to the council meeting room. It did bother me that her mate was coming here so soon, but I was more disturbed by what he said. Another mermaid’s body but this time there was a picture of Ayla attached. I was starting to question if she was safe anywhere. With Nate here, someone would be with her almost twenty-four, seven but deep down I was hoping to have more time with Ayla. I wanted to explain to her that she wasn’t just a job to me. I truly care for her and it’s going to be hard to watch her with her mate.

The fact she has a mate really threw me for a loop. Mermaids get to choose who we spend our lives with, but wolves are fated to another. How can you truly love someone if you don’t even know them? I hated to admit it but I knew something was there the moment Ayla’s eyes found his when we were watching her house burn. I could feel the sparks between them.

Shaking the feelings away, I pushed open the door to the council meeting room. I held the door for Ayla and she gasped as she walked in. The room was done in white marble with accents of ocean blue. One wall was windows and it faced out looking onto the ocean. The sun was high in the sky and you could see the white tips of the waves.

In the middle of the room, sat a white stone table with oak chairs. Most of the chairs were taken as the council, and the military heads were seated with Queen Andrea at the head of the table.

With my hand on the small of Ayla’s back, I led her to the other side of the table to sit across from her grandmother. I pulled the chair out for her to sit and took the empty chair to the left of hers. Ayla was still looking around the room, ignoring the people in front of her. Honestly, I don’t blame her, this has to be overwhelming for her.

I noticed Prince Silas and Prince Chase were also in attendance. I wonder if there is more to this meeting than Queen Andrea disclosed to me. The Queen cleared her throat and Ayla snapped her attention to the head of the table.

“Granddaughter, before we start this meeting, I’d like to introduce you to a few people. Prince Silas, you already know, and the young man across from him is Prince Chase of the southern sea.” The queen paused.

“Nice to meet you, Prince Chase,” She acknowledged. I could see her watching him intently. Surprisingly, he looks a lot like Nate, with dark hair and blue eyes. Less rugged and more pretty boy.

“Always nice to see you, Princess.” Prince Silas interrupted Prince Chase. Ayla looked at him and rolled her eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Princess Ayla.” Prince Chase said, both of them ignoring Prince Silas.

“Now, Ayla. These are our council members on the right and the heads of the military on the left.” The Queen announced, and Ayla looked around. I knew she was about to say something the queen wasn’t going to like.

“Where are all the women?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She wasn’t wrong, the queen and princess were the only women in attendance.

Prince Silas started to laugh as the others were scowling, except for Prince Chase, who wasn’t sure what to do.

“Princess Ayla. These are some of the oldest members of our kingdom. Show them respect.” The queen demanded.

“There are no women that are old enough to sit on the council or female warriors?” She asked and I was even trying to hold in my grin. I love how she questions everything.

“Young lady, how dare you disrespect these people and your council,” one member huffed. One of the councilmen started to laugh and we all looked at him.

“You will make a fine queen, indeed. Andrews don’t scold the princess. Questioning everything is what’s going to make her a great queen.” Councilman Thompson chuckled.

“Thank you.” She said, giving him a smile.

“Now, I know you aren’t familiar with our laws and customs. I’m sure you will replace all you need to know in the library. But what are some of the questions you have that you won’t replace in any book?” He asked her.

“First, I would like to know why King Kaden is doing what he is doing?” She asked, right to the point.

“Princess, we only have rumors from other merpeople who have been exiled and have come here seeking refuge.”, head commander, McGregor answered.

“So nothing we have is facts. We are just going off of reports that have not been proven?” She asked.

“Ayla, we are preparing for the worse. It takes months to get the armies ready if King Kaden decides to attack,” The queen answered.

“Has anyone spoken with him?” And they all shifted uncomfortably.

“Well, I would like to speak with him. I don’t see why we can’t end this peacefully, especially if none of you know why he wants this war in the first place.” Ayla commanded.

“Ayla, you are too valuable to this kingdom and to our people. You can’t just go talk with our enemy.” The queen scolded her.

“Am I here to help or be held prisoner? I didn’t sign up for any of this and I don’t want to see innocent people die, but there is a reason my mother kept me from this world. Also, how am I supposed to help if I don’t have all the answers,” Ayla retorted.

“Princess, the plan is to train you before we use you as bait to lure out King Kaden. We haven’t asked him because none of the kingdoms can replace him.” Prince Silas answered and Ayla was taken aback. She looked at her grandmother before looking back at Prince Silas.

“So what happens when he comes?” She asked Prince Silas.

“You kill him and take over the east.” He shrugged.

“So, none of you are concerned about my safety?” She all but growled.

“Ayla, we all have to make sacrifices,” the queen said.

Ayla flew up from her seat so fast it fell behind her. I could feel the power radiating from her as her eyes turned to storm clouds. Her eyes never left her grandmother.

“Ayla,” I yelled out, but she didn’t acknowledge me.

Ayla balled up her fists, smashing them against the table and the entire thing exploded, sending everyone to the floor in panic. Her forearms and hands had shifted and her nails extended into shape points. She was ready to kill.

“That’s bullshit and you know it! I’m not sacrificing myself for anyone. This isn’t a plan, it’s an execution. And if this is how it’s going to be, I should join King Kaden’s side. At least he’ll be honest as to why he wants me.” She screamed and it felt like a sonic boom.

When she moved away from the rubble, I moved closer, grabbing her hands and pinning her up against the wall with my body. She was fighting to get free and her strength surprised me. She wanted the queen dead.

“Ayla, breathe. Look at me.” I repeated to her until her eyes finally snapped at mine. Her eyes returned to normal and she looked at me confused as to why I had her arms and body pinned up against the wall.

“It’s okay, breathe.” I soothed her, and she buried her face into my chest. I could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“Xander, what happened?” She mumbled. I let go of her hands and moved enough so she wasn’t pinned against the wall.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like this before. You don’t remember?” I asked her and she shook her head.

“Okay. It’s okay. Let’s get you into the water so you can shift fully and then we can talk about what happened.” I told her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

When I moved away, my hand rested on the small of her back as I led her out of the room. My attention was fully on Ayla. Before we left, she cried out, her nails digging deep into her chest as her breathing became labored.

“Ayla,” I cried out as she leaned forward, placing a hand on her knee. It took her a moment to catch her breath but she finally answered me.

“I’m okay,” she g*****d. She whimpered as she removed her nails that she buried in her chest. B***d stained her shirt and you could see the top was shredded. Ayla still looked pained as she stood up and looked at me.

“It would seem your wolf isn’t so faithful.” Her grandmother smirked. Ayla’s eyes snapped at hers before she lunged at the queen.

I grabbed onto Ayla’s waist, trying to hold her back from killing her grandmother. She just had to poke the bear. And Ayla was strong, stronger than before. I could see the terror in the queen’s eyes as Ayla struggled to break free of my hold. So I blurted out the one thing I knew would calm her.

“Nate’s coming here.”