My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 46

Future Beta Nate

Xander, Ayla, and I were finally on a plane heading home. It was a six-hour flight from the closest airport to the Northern kingdom. Queen Andrea had sent her private plane to take us to Alpha Matt’s pack. Which means I should probably contact my dad and Alpha Atlas.

Last night was a whirlwind of emotions. King Kaden left and Ayla was a little too close to him for my liking. I know they have a past and Ayla wants to be friends with him, but I can’t trust him. I know he would never let anything happen to her, but I can’t trust he won’t push himself onto her.

I know he wants her to take on a second mate, but I’m not willing to share her with anyone. She is all mine. I don’t care if he has had her, he will never have her again. And no amount of guilt will change my mind.

Ayla was deep in a book while Xander sat across from us. I knew he had questions about their relationship. Hell, even I did. King Kaden was the same age as Prince Chase, which means he was five years older than Ayla. When they met, she was only sixteen and he was an adult. Maybe she doesn’t know him as well as she thinks she does.

“Ayla, can you tell us more about your relationship with King Kaden?” Xander finally asked. I had been nudging him for a while now. We talked while she was saying goodbye to him yesterday.

“There’s not really much to say. I met him when I was working at a motel and he was just starting to work for a construction company. Then we eventually moved in together. We lived together for over a year before he left.” She shrugged, looking up from her book.

“Did he lie to you about anything?” He asked her.

“Like his age?” I asked her. She looked from Xander to me.

“I know what both of you are thinking, but it’s not true. Kaden never lied to me about anything. Besides the mermaid part. But I knew his age when we first met. And before both of you try to say he was manipulating me, he wasn’t. We talked about everything. He was always so supportive of my dream of being a lawyer. I don’t even think we ever had an argument. In boyfriend standards, he was the perfect boyfriend.” She told us.

“Until he left you,” I scoffed, and she sighed.

“Yes, he did leave. But he did leave me with about ten grand. Not that money makes up for him leaving without a word. But in his own way, he was taking care of me. He didn’t want his father to replace me because he knew his father would kill me to hurt him. And then he left me all the money he had saved up. Our relationship didn’t end on a happy note, but I understand why it ended.” She explained.

“He left you money?” Xander asked and she nodded.

“It’s how I was able to move back into the city. I’m not sure where he got all that money from. We didn’t have secrets about money. Or how much we made. Our finances were an open book.” Ayla told us.

“I wonder if whoever found him left the rest of the money for you. Like, since he had to leave, he wasn’t going to leave you with nothing.” Xander pondered. I still hated the guy but that was thoughtful of him. f**k, I really want to hate him.

“I still want to eat him,” Duke growled and I rolled my eyes.

“I know, neither one of you trusts him, but I do. Yes, he broke my heart, but I understand why. I would do anything to protect my siblings. And I know he would protect me with his life, even though I would never ask him to.” She said.

“Ayla, I was just concerned about his intentions when you first met. He was an adult and you were a teenager.” Xander told her and I agreed.

“I know both of you are just trying to protect me but I was already on my own for a year when I met him. I had to grow up really fast, even with Jessica and Clyde’s help. I wasn’t immature or naive. I knew full well what I was getting into.” She defended.

“And I’ll trust your judgment about him.”

“Thank you, Xander.” She told him and then looked at me. I sighed and nodded.

“I trust you, baby,” I said, resting my hand on her thigh.

“I trust both of you completely. We need to trust either other if we are going to succeed in this. We can’t be battling each other when we are battling the outside world.” And with that, she turned her attention back to her book.

I knew she was trying to keep herself awake to avoid another incident like the helicopter. Also, she was determined to replace out everything she could about what was happening to her. She even called her grandmother to replace the book that she left in the library after she met with the goddesses for the first time. But nothing was found. I wonder if Ayla was the only one who could see it.

“Nate, are you going to run a patrol?” Xander asked me.

“I think so. I was going to ask Alpha Matt to join his pack. This way, I’d be able to mind link with his pack. Did they mention the mind link yet?” I asked him and he shook his head.

“Nothing when we left and I won’t know until I see my men. It would be incredibly useful when it does show up. I assume it’s a tall order, that’s why it’s taking so long.” He said and I agreed.

“We can organize where there is a wolf and mermaid together on patrol so we can always be informed on what is happening,” I told him.

“That’s what I was thinking. If Ayla was a part of the pack, would she be able to mind link you?” He asked me.

“I’m actually not sure. I know wolves have mated with humans, but I don’t know any of the details. And I’m sure mermaids have mated with wolves as well, but I don’t know what happened with the link.” I said.

“I read about that earlier. Apparently, anyone in the pack would get the link, regardless of b***d. So, if I was a part of my uncle’s pack, then I would have the link. And I would still share the link with my kingdom if I had one. I think, anyway. I should probably write a book for the next black pearl.” Ayla said, without taking her eyes off the pages.

“And that’s why you’re the smart one.” I chuckled, squeezing her thigh. She had borrowed three bags of books from the northern kingdom. She and Queen Laura had also become best friends overnight.

Even with King Kaden’s interruption in the northern kingdom, it was a productive visit. Not only has Ayla become stronger, but she has found people she can truly trust. Wolves have their pack and mermaids should have their pods but Ayla didn’t have any of that. She trusted people based on their character.

I’d like to believe I could trust my pack blindly, but even I know bad people are hiding among the good.

The plane finally landed and I was feeling anxious to get my feet back on the ground. And to go home with Ayla. It will be nice to be in our own place, even with all the warriors with us. At least it will be ours.

Which means I should make a quick trip home to pack up some of my s**t. And to say goodbye to my alpha. It’s going to be a change moving away from my lifelong friends but I’m doing this to be with Ayla. I’m not going to be like Kaden, she is my family and I’m never leaving her.

“Baby, I should go back to my old pack in a few days. I’ll need to pack up my stuff and get my truck.” I told her, as we sat in the back of the vehicle that was taking us to our new home. Xander was riding shotgun, as one of his warriors came to pick us up.

“Do you want me to come with you?” She asked me.

“Ayla, I don’t think that would be safe. With the threats your father’s pack has received, and that you have received. I think it would be best if you stayed at the house.” Xander explained.

“I think that would be best, and it would only be overnight at the most. I’m just going to pack up some of my stuff, say goodbye to everyone, and then leave with my truck.” I said.

“I understand,” she sighed and pulled her closer to me.

“I won’t go for another few days. Let’s get settled first.” I whispered and she nodded her head against my chest.

Ayla fell asleep before we arrived at the house, and thankfully she didn’t blow up the vehicle. I would never worry her, but it made me nervous when she was asleep and we were in a moving vehicle. She could kill us all and not even mean to.

Ayla

I was awoken when the vehicle stopped and I shot awake. I was panicking until I saw that everyone was okay. I needed to keep my emotions in check, even in my sleep.

“It’s okay, baby. We are here.” Nate pulled me back into his chest and kissed my temple.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I whispered to him and he kissed me again.

“I know, but we are all okay. Now, let’s go get settled, it’s been a long day.” He said, opening the door at his side. He climbed out before extending his hand to me. I chuckled as I took his hand and he helped me out of the vehicle. I could do it myself, but I think it makes him feel needed.

As soon as we were both standing outside, Xander and his warriors all cried out, grabbing their heads.

“Xander,” I yelled out, rushing over to him. He was hunched over with his hands on his head.

“It must be the mind link.” I heard Nate say.

“Xander, build a wall. Close the link.” I told him, leaning down beside him.

“Damn, that hurt.” He breathed out, finally standing to his full height. I stood beside him, rubbing his back.

“We should get you inside to sit down.” I rushed out, worried. I couldn’t lose Xander.

“Ayla, I’m fine, the pain is minimal now.” He reassured me.

“At least take tonight off. You need to rest just in case.” I told him and he raised an eyebrow at me.

“This could be seen as favoritism, my queen.” He leaned into my ear and whispered.

“Do you want me to give all the men the night off?” I whispered, looking up at him. He gave me a smirk.

“What, I’m not your favorite now?” He chuckled.

“You are, but they don’t know that,” I told him, pointing at the others. We smirked at each other before we both burst into laughter.

“Hey, I thought I was your favorite?” Nate pouted, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

“He’s my favorite best friend/assistant/bodyguard and you are my favorite mate,” I told them.

“I better be your only mate,” he mumbled and both Xander and I laughed.

“Where’s my Ayla bear?” I heard my uncle call out.

“Matt bear,” I exclaimed before pulling away from Nate and rushing over to my uncle who had just walked up. I wrapped my arms around his neck while he squeezed me in a bear hug.

“How’s my girl?” He asked, putting me back down.

“I’m good, tired. And glad to be somewhere familiar.” I told him with a smile.

“Good, I’d like to introduce you to my son, Jonathan.” He grinned, grabbing a young man out of the group of men he had brought with him.

“Jonathan, it’s nice to meet you,” I said, smiling at him.

“So, you’re really uncle Atlas’ kid?” He asked and my uncle growled beside me. I just chuckled.

“I am. So that would make us cousins, future Alpha Jonathan.” I teased.

“Son, you are going to be working alongside Commander Xander and his warriors,” my uncle told him.

“And me alpha Matt,” Nate said, coming up beside me.

“Nate, it’s good to see you again.” Matt shook my mate’s hand.

“And you as well, sir.”

“Jonathan, this is my mate, Nate.” Both men shook hands.

“You’re a wolf?” Jonathan asked him.

“Yes, future beta to your uncle’s pack,” Nate answered him.

“And you were mated with a mermaid?” He questioned.

“I’m half wolf too. And I’m standing right here.” I scoffed.

“I meant no disrespect. I have never heard of a wolf being bonded to a mermaid. It’s always been a choice, that’s what I’ve heard anyway,” Jonathan said.

“We are bonded.” Nate clarified and Jonathan nodded.

“We’ll let you two get some rest. And we will discuss everything in the morning. Nate, have you decided what you want to do?” My uncle asked him.

“I have,” Nate answered.

“Good, we can get it done tomorrow. All of your men can rest for the night and can start patrol tomorrow after we have set up a schedule. I’ve set up extra patrols on the border with share with Crimson Tide, just to be safe.” My uncle informed us.

“Thank you, Matt. I really appreciate everything you are doing for me and my mate.” I told him with a smile.

“Anything for my Ayla bear.” He said, giving me another hug.

“Awe, who’s a big softy?” I teased.

“Only for you and mom. Anyone else he would have killed.” Jonathan chuckled.

“And don’t you assholes forget it,” Matt growled, before kissing my forehead.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” He said to me.

“Good night,” I told them before Nate and Xander led me into the house.

I was starving and exhausted. I just wanted to eat and sleep. Everything else could wait until morning. But I had to ask Xander a question that had been nagging at me.

“Xander, if Kaden’s mother was claimed by another before she was claimed by the king, how did she have Kaden’s brother?” I asked him as he led me and Nate through the house to our room.

“Ayla, the only way you can get another mermaid pregnant who has been claimed is by their claim to be not only dead, but you have to rip out the scale that was given to you. The practice is barbaric and, in most cases, will kill the person. King Kaden’s mother must have been a strong woman to be able to not only endure that amount of pain but to survive along with her unborn child.” Xander explained and I gasped.

“What a monster?”

“He hid it very well. Only members of the palace knew the extent of his cruelty. King Kaden did the world a favor when he killed the man everyone believed to be his father.” He told us.

“Thank you, Xander, for everything. How are you feeling?” I asked him as we stood outside our room.

“I’m better and the link is working. We will talk about everything in the morning. I’ll have dinner sent up for the two of you.” Xander said, and I was confused.

“Sent up? What are you talking about?”

“We have staff. What, you thought your grandmother would give you the massive house without staff to help run it?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Fine, but this is weird and you know it. I don’t have a staff. I am the staff.” I huffed.

“It’s something you’ll have to get used to, my queen,” he said before turning on his heel and walking away.

“Everything will be okay, baby. It’s something you’ll have to get used to.” Nate said, before opening the door to our room.

It was different than the room I was in before. It was more like an apartment than a bedroom. There was a sitting area around a fireplace that looked over the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a huge bed facing the fireplace. The windows looked like they were tinted since it seemed darker in the room even with all the windows.

The closet was stocked with clothes for both of us. And the bathroom was easily the size of the apartment I shared with Kaden. It was done with white tiles and a deep teal color. I can’t believe this will be my home from now on. And I get to share it with Nate.

“Is everything okay?” Nate asked as he sat on the edge of our bed. He pulled me towards him so I was standing in between his legs. I kissed his forehead before I rested mine against his.

“Everything is perfect.”