My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 28

Future Beta Nate

Ayla was in the bathroom getting ready while I was getting dressed in the suit that was left for me to wear to dinner. I decided not to wear the jacket or the tie. I left a few buttons undone and rolled up the sleeves to my elbows. I ran my fingers through my hair as I waited for Ayla.

“She claimed us.” Duke howled as his tail wagged. I furrowed my brows.

“Duke, she bit us. She’s not a werewolf, she can’t claim us that way.” I reminded him.

“You’ll see.” He brushed me off, retreating to the back of my mind. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Ayla came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. My d**k twitched as I watched her sway her h**s as she walked to her closet. I wish I could rip that towel away and throw her on the bed.

She came out of the closet wearing a strapless bra and lacy panties and my c**k strained against my pants. Her makeup and hair were done to perfection and I couldn’t help but stare at my beautiful mate.

Ayla slipped on the dress that was left for her to wear and she turned her back to me.

“Can you?” She asked me. I ran my fingers down her spine before taking hold of the zipper.

Ayla shivered under my touch as I zipped her dress. The dress molded to her curves perfectly. Her h**s were fuller than before. I kissed along her shoulder as I pulled her back into my chest.

“Nate,” Ayla breathed out and I pushed myself into her a*s. I never wanted to leave this room again.

There was a knock on the door and Ayla spun in my arms. She was playing with her bottom l*p as she looked up at me. I could smell her arousal and I was painfully hard.

“We should probably leave before we never do.” Her voice filled with l**t and I knew she was daring me to give her a reason not to leave.

The knock sounded again and I sighed.

“You need to eat and we are already dressed up. We can shower again if you feel up to it.” I told her and she nodded.

“I would never turn down a shower with you.” She purred, pecking my cheek.

Ayla answered the door to replace the same young woman from the beach. Her face turned bright red as she looked at me. I shouldn’t have shifted back at that moment, but I took control of Duke. He wasn’t happy about his time with our mate being interrupted.

“Princess, dinner is ready.” She stumbled out, looking down at her feet.

“Thank you, miss. Can you please lead the way?” Ayla asked her. She nodded her head and I took Ayla’s hand in mine as we followed.

We followed behind the young woman until she stepped in front of massive oak doors. There were warriors on either side who bowed to Ayla before opening the doors for us. Everyone except the queen stood up as I walked with Ayla over to the empty chairs beside her grandmother. Ayla squeezed my hand and I could feel she was uneasy about having all eyes on her.

“Just focus on me.” I pulled her close and whispered to her before we reached the table.

I pulled out her chair for her and waited until she was seated before taking the chair beside hers. I rested my hand on her thigh as the others took their seats. I could feel the queen’s eyes on me but I did my best to ignore the bad feeling she gave me.

“Grandmother.” Ayla greeted her and I bowed my head.

“Ayla, you look beautiful. How was your day?” She asked her as our dinner was being served. Servers were filling out glasses with wine and others had plates with food.

The princes and Xander were seated across from us. The closer you sit to the queen, the more important you are. I haven’t met any of the other people that occupied the table.

“It was good, thank you. And how was yours?”Ayla asked her grandmother politely.

“It was busy. After dinner, I’ll need you in my office. But for now, let’s just enjoy dinner. Nate, it’s good to see you again.” The queen turned her attention to me.

“You as well, Queen Andrea,” I told her. Even though the queen was being polite, the bad feeling only grew as we started to eat and drink.

“Princess, how are you feeling after training?” Prince Silas asked my mate.

“Better. The salt water seems to help.” She answered him.

“It helps us heal,” Xander told her and she nodded.

“Princess, have you decided on which prince you are going to marry?” Someone asked and Duke growled. Ayla immediately grabbed my thigh.

“Councilman, I’d like to introduce my mate. I’m sure these lovely princes would make wonderful husbands to any woman they choose, but that woman is not me. I will not be forced to choose a claim and I have already chosen.” Ayla told this man politely but firmly.

“Councilman, my granddaughter is free to choose who she wishes to claim. Only after this matter with King Kaden is cleared up.” The queen spoke and Ayla whipped her head to her grandmother. She stared at her grandmother and then she turned her attention to Xander. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Xander shifted uncomfortably under Ayla’s gaze and she turned her attention back to the queen.

“The plan isn’t for me to kill King Kaden, it’s for me to claim him?” She asked her grandmother. The queen’s composure fell but only for a second until her facade was back.

“My dear, we can discuss everything in my office after dinner.” She told her granddaughter. Ayla closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before answering. I could tell she was trying to calm herself. Her nails dug into my thigh.

“Of course, Queen Andrea,” She said with a fake smile on her lips.

After that, the conversation turned into an awkward silence at our end of the table. I could feel Ayla’s fury as she fell deeper into her thoughts. Whatever she thinks is happening, she is furious.

“Who will be crowned if I decide not to take the throne?” Ayla asked, and the entire table went quiet.

“Ayla, why wouldn’t you want the throne?” Her grandmother questioned.

“I would like to know who would replace me if I chose to decline.” She asked again.

“The grandson of the oldest member of our council will be crowned when he becomes of age.” The queen sighed.

“But Ayla, you are the last member of this royal family line. You have a duty to carry on our royal b***d. And I hope you will do so, even with a wolf.” The Queen continued.

“Then why would you send me to my death?” With that, the queen stood up from her seat.

“Everyone out, now!” She demanded. Everyone started to leave quickly. The only ones still seated were the princes, Xander, and myself. Ayla stood up and was ready to leave as well.

“Ayla, sit. The rest of you, out.” She ordered. Xander and I both hesitated to stand. We both knew we couldn’t leave Ayla with the queen. Ayla could kill her and not remember what happened.

“With all due respect, Queen Andrea, I should stay with Ayla. We wouldn’t want a repeat of yesterday,” I said.

“You cheat on my granddaughter and think you can stand by her side as if nothing happened.” The queen yelled.

“Andrea, that’s enough. I don’t know what you think it was, but Nate was not cheating on me. Do you think his wolf would allow such things?” Ayla defended me.

“And you want me to claim, King Kaden? That was the plan all along. I’m to claim him, grow the kingdom, and control the monster. You all believe I’ll be able to control him?” Ayla growled, digging her nails into the wooden table.

I grabbed her hands and placed them on my chest, forcing her to look at me. I knew she was about to break and attack her grandmother. Her grandmother is threatening her mate, her family and she would kill anyone to protect me.

“Breathe, baby,” I whispered.

“Is that really the plan, Queen Andrea?” Xander asked the queen.

“It’s the best case. I don’t want my granddaughter to be killed and King Kaden won’t be able to kill her without hurting himself.” The Queen defended.

“No, but he can sell me as his father did to his mother. And then what?” Ayla yelled.

“Ayla, focus on your training and learning our ways. I will entertain this relationship with your wolf for now. But when the time comes, you will step up and save your people. Now, Commander Xander, report to my office. There’s a file I need you to look at. Goodnight, granddaughter.” And with that the queen left, leaving Ayla speechless.

Xander followed the queen out and I took Ayla into my arms. She was shaking with rage as I tried to calm her down.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

Ayla

Even back in my room, I was still furious at my grandmother and the council for thinking they could control me. I wasn’t raised in this world, but still, I must give up my happiness to save this world from a threat they can’t confirm. And I wouldn’t be able to confirm anything until I could speak with King Kaden.

There has to be a reason he is unreachable and why he would want to start a war. I know he wants revenge for his mother and I can’t even blame him for that. I know I would want the same if it was my mother. I need to replace the library and look up more about this black pearl legend. There has to be more to being a black pearl than they are telling me.

I was lost in my thoughts as Nate held me in bed. I knew he was worried I would go off the deep end again. And I thought I was going to lose it in there with my grandmother. She knows how to push all my buttons. And I can deal with her degrading me, but not my mate. He had done nothing wrong and she shouldn’t be accusing him of anything.

A knock on the door pulled me from my inferiority thoughts. Nate was about to get up but I held him tighter and called out for the person to enter. I didn’t want to move and I didn’t want to lose contact with Nate. I was still wearing this dress as I just didn’t have the energy to change.

Xander came in and gave me a pointed look before he threw me a chocolate bar. I pushed my lips in a line and he chuckled.

“Don’t want you going all wolverine on our asses.”

I grumbled but sat up and reached for the chocolate bar. I may not like him right now, but I’m not going to refuse chocolate. Nate chuckled beside me as I opened the bar and took a bite while glaring at Xander who was sitting on the couch. He grinned and I rolled my eyes.

“Really? Is that all I need to do? Bring you chocolate?” Nate chuckled and Xander shushed him.

“Let her finish or she’ll claw your eyes out. She’ll be better in a few minutes.” He told Nate.

“I’m right here,” I mumbled with a mouth full of chocolate.

“And you’re adorable with your mouth full, but I need a level-headed princess right now.” Xander teased and my stomach twisted into knots.

“What have you found out?” Nate asked, sitting up on the bed.

“The body your alpha found was from our kingdom. She was last seen two years ago where the other alpha has his pack,” Xander answered.

“The body with my picture,” I whispered and he nodded.

“I know my uncle Matt had nothing to do with this. Are there any other packs around his?” I rushed out and Nate thought for a moment.

“Your grandmother’s house is to the south of the pack and I think there is a pack north of their pack, further up the coast. They would also have access to the ocean,” Nate answered.

“We are going to need maps and I’m going to have to call my uncle and father. If this other pack is involved, it would explain my photo with the body and how they got onto my father’s territory.” I told them.

“That makes sense. But why would they do something like that?” Nate asked.

“Money,” Xander and I asked together.

“Our scales are worth a fortune on the black market. And that poor mermaid endured being descaled for two years before they killed her.” I said in despair.

“Our scales will grow back but only so many times. That’s why she was killed. She was no longer useful.” Xander said. Nate wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.

“We need to get to the library. I need maps and I need more information about being a black pearl.” I told them, getting off the bed.

“Unzip please?” I asked Nate, turning around in front of him. He did what I asked and I held the dress up while I walked into my closet.

I quickly got changed and then went to replace my phone. I needed to call my father. All of this just didn’t make sense and I need to get his advice. This all has something to do with the hunters and King Kaden, but what? And I’m starting to think King Kaden may not be the bad guy after all.

If he’s trying to stop the hunters, then would he not be on our side? But then why would the other kingdoms want to fight against him? Why can’t I put these pieces together?

“Baby?” Nate’s voice rang out while I was looking through my phone.

“I need to call my dad.”

“Let’s wait until we get to the library. I have Prince Chase and Prince Silas heading there now. We can go over everything together and come up with a plan. If this pack is working with the hunters, we are going to need all hands on deck,” Xander said, and I nodded.

We left my room, and Nate and I were following Xander to the library. My head hurt as I tried to force the pieces of the puzzle together. I knew we needed to replace King Kaden, but I needed to confront this alpha. He took a member of my kingdom and I will replace out who did it.

“Are you okay?” Nate asked me, squeezing my hand.

“No, I’m not. If wolves are working with the hunters, we are screwed. We may have the advantage in the water, but on land, if we aren’t trained, they could kill us all.” I sighed. And Nate pulled me to his side, wrapping an arm around me.

“And that’s why you have me. Do you think your wolf family would let anything happen to you? Your father sent me here to keep you safe. And he and your uncle will go to war over this,” Nate said.

“Maybe that was the plan all along. Mermaids and wolves need to work together.” Xander said, stopping at dark oak doors.

“Maybe it’s why my mother chose my father,” I said out loud, but it was more to myself. But how would she have known about all of this? Or maybe it was a problem before I was born and she knew the mermaids needed allies on the surface.

“What do you mean? Like your mother knew this was going to happen and chose your father, so you would have a family on land?” Nate asked, and we entered. The princes were already waiting for us.

“I don’t know,” I answered him.

I noticed a map on the far side of the room and immediately walked over to stare at it. I was trying to figure out where my uncle’s pack was until Xander came up beside me and pointed it out.

“This is where she was last seen.” He pointed at the map.

“Then this must be where my uncle’s pack is?” I asked, pointing at a beach, south of where Xander was pointing.

“Let me call my father. I need to know more about the pack where she was last seen.” I told them.

“What are you planning, princess?” Prince Silas asked me.

“I’m going to use myself as the bait.”