My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 53

Commander Xander

I was asleep when Ayla let out a bone-crushing scream. I don’t even remember what happened next as I opened my eyes to replace myself in her room. She was sobbing in her bed as she ripped at her chest. I rushed over to her to replace she was covered in b***d.

“Ayla, what the hell happened?” I yelled out, pinning her hands above her head so she would stop clawing herself.

“Xander, stop! Make it stop!” She screamed as she tried to get out of my grip.

“Was someone in your room?” I exclaimed as I pinned her body to the bed with mine. She shook her head. I looked down at her chest to see the damage she had inflicted.

“Ayla, what happened?” I asked her softly. She shook her head before her sobs broke out again.

“I’ll let you go, just stop clawing, okay?” When she nodded, I moved off of her and rushed into the bathroom to get a clean towel.

When I returned, she was just sobbing on the bed. She didn’t even lower her hands from where I had placed them. I held the towel to her chest before I laid down with my back against the headboard. I pulled her against me as she cried on my chest. I held the towel as tight as possible to stop the bleeding while she cried her heart out.

“Can you tell me what happened? Why are you crying?” I mumbled against the top of her head as I kissed it. I think I knew what was happening but I didn’t want to believe it.

“He’s with someone else! He’s cheating on me!” She cried in despair. I could feel her pain in my soul as I held her close.

“It hurts so much, Xander. Please, help me?” She begged, but there was nothing I could do but hold her tight.

It took her about an hour to cry herself to sleep. And through that time, I was plotting all the ways I was going to kill Nate. How dare he cheat on not only my friend but the Queen of the mermaid world? Who the f**k does he think he is?

I knew when she finally awoke, she would be a broken shell of her former self. I can feel her love for Nate when they are together. And this is going to devastate her. What the hell was he thinking?

Ayla

I awoke with a g***n. My head was pounding as I tried to remember what happened last night. My breath hitched as the pain ripped through my heart. It felt like I was dying as the feeling of dread consumed me. My body felt empty as tears filled my eyes.

“It’s okay, Ayla, I’m here.” I heard Xander. He was holding me and I was lying against his chest. When the hell did Xander get into my bed?

Xander squeezed me and I couldn’t stop the sobs any longer. I felt so worthless, as Xander whispered sweet things to me. Why was I never good enough? Was the body just an excuse to go back to his pack and hook up with someone else? What if it was Mitch’s sister?

The thought made my chest twist painfully. What happened to only being with me? Was that a lie? The contents of my stomach churned and I flew off the bed and just made it to the toilet to empty my stomach.

Xander was behind me, holding my hair back as I finished. I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand before Xander passed me a damp towel, while still holding my hair off my face.

I flushed the toilet before I leaned back against the cold tile wall. I don’t trust my stomach yet. Xander sat down beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I cried. I was supposed to be this Queen for an entire race but here I was crying on the bathroom floor over a guy. My mate. I understand why mermaids choose their mates, then they can decide before this happens.

“Nothing is wrong with you,” Xander said.

“So everyone else is wrong then? How is that possible?” I exclaimed.

“Everyone is wrong. And Nate is a fool for thinking he could replace someone better than you. Ayla, you are kind, caring, loving, smart, and breathtaking. And all those people didn’t deserve you.” He told me, squeezing me into him.

“I’m sorry, Xander.” I sobbed. This was the worst pain I’d ever felt before. Dying would be less painful than this.

“Don’t be sorry. I’ll always be here for you.” He whispered before kissing my head.

I’m not sure how long we sat on the floor, but I didn’t want to get up. My entire body ached and I didn’t want to face anyone. This was my worst nightmare come true.

“Are you feeling better?” Xander finally asked.

“Not really. I think I’m out of tears.” I muttered.

“Let’s get you up and ready to leave.” He said about to move, but I gripped onto his shirt.

“I don’t think I can face him.” I breathed out in despair.

“Of course, you can. You are a queen. And a queen doesn’t just sit there and let someone hurt her. You will confront him because you know you deserve better. Ayla, you are perfect and if he can’t see that, that’s on him, not you.” He said with so much conviction, I wish it could have warmed my cold dead soul. But I was now an empty shell.

“Now, get up.” He stood up, taking me with him. He filled up a glass with water and passed it to me before opening the cabinet. He pulled out a pill bottle before passing me a couple of painkillers.

I rinsed my mouth out before I drank down the pills. I needed to brush my teeth, but I didn’t want to move off the floor. I looked at myself in the mirror above the sink and g*****d.

“Have a shower. I’m going to get us some breakfast. Then we can leave.” Xander said, squeezing my shoulder. I nodded and he left, closing the door behind him.

I quickly brushed my teeth and drank a few glasses of water before I hopped into the shower. But even the hot water didn’t warm me. I felt so cold and the feeling of dread was all I could feel. My life just completely took a one-eighty and I didn’t know what I was going to do. How can I move on from my soulmate?

But then again, how can my soulmate cheat on me? How could Nate do that to me? Was I not enough for him? I needed answers, but then I didn’t think I’d be strong enough to see him. Xander said I’m a queen, but I didn’t feel like a queen. I felt like the dirt he walks on. I felt like nothing.

“Wolf, if you could show up now, I’d really appreciate it,” I whispered before I stepped out of the shower.

With a towel wrapped around me, I finally noticed the damage I had done to my chest. I had scabs all around my tattoo and Nate’s mark. The tattoo was untouched by the damage to the surrounding area. I ran my fingertips over Nate’s mark and tears swelled in my eyes again. I was his. I loved him and he hurt me in the worst way possible. He promised me forever.

Commander Xander

After I left Ayla, I called Prince Silas and Prince Chase to let them know what was going on. I need them on board for whatever happens now. I never thought in a million years, Nate would do something like this to Ayla. And I truly hated him for breaking her.

My next call was to King Kaden. I knew I was about to light an explosive but he needed to know so we could protect her. Even though I had no idea what or where we were going now. I want to confront him, to see what he has done to her. I want her to reject him, but I know Ayla. Even though he broke her heart, she isn’t a revenge seeker. She would want him to be happy even though she was miserable.

“Xander?” King Kaden answered.

“King Kaden, where are you,” I rushed out.

“I’m just about to board a plane. What happened? Did something happen to Ayla?” He panicked.

“Something has happened, and I’m not sure how to handle it. It would seem her mate cheated on her last night.” I started.

“That fucker! I fucken warned him! Even just yesterday. I’m going to kill him!” He screamed into the phone.

“King Kaden, I know you are angry but I need your help with Ayla. If she is turning her back on the wolves, we need to keep her safe. I don’t know what Nate is capable of. I’ve already informed Prince Chase and Prince Silas. Now, what do you want me to do?”

“I’ll meet you both at her house here. I’m just going to confront the bastard. Then we can take her to whichever kingdom she wants to go to. I don’t want our queen around anyone close to Wolfboy.” He growled.

“Understood.”

“And Xander, take care of her.” He said before he hung up. I signed know what a mess this has become.

I left my room to head to the kitchen to get Ayla some breakfast before we headed out. She needed to eat and I knew chocolate pancakes would help with the pain she was feeling. It was hard to see not only our queen but my friend in so much pain and being unable to help her. The only thing I could do was be a shoulder to cry on. And I pray that will be enough for her to get through this.

Nate

I was eating in the packhouse kitchen when Alpha Atlas’ voice was in my head.

“Why the hell is King Kaden back?” He growled.

“I have no idea. But I’ll meet you at the front doors.” I linked back. I stuffed the rest of my breakfast into my mouth before clearing the dishes.

I walked through the pack house and before I stepped outside I could hear shouting. I started to panic that something had happened to Ayla. I ran upstairs to the beta floor to grab my phone. I had left it to charge as I ate breakfast.

I was up late with the guys and my phone died so I was unable to call her last night. I pray nothing happened overnight to warrant another visit from Ayla’s ex.

I texted both Ayla and Xander to make sure everything was okay, while I headed back downstairs to see what all the yelling was about. Why would King Kaden return here?

I didn’t hear back from either of them as I exited the pack house to a furious King and Alpha. Everyone was glaring at me and I had no idea what I had done.

“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.

“How fucken dare you cheat on her you piece of s**t! I warned you about hurting her!” King Kaden screamed and both the alpha and Duke growled.

“Nate, what the hell is he talking about?” Alpha Atlas growled.

“Alpha, I have no idea. I would never cheat on Ayla. I love her.” I told him and King Kaden scoffed.

“Xander informed me this morning about what happened. Whatever you did, she felt it. She is no longer safe around you and we will be taking our queen somewhere safe.”

“You will not take my mate anywhere!” I growled, balling up my fists.

“I don’t think you understand, as the four kingdoms, it’s our job to keep the black pearl safe. So yes, she will pick a kingdom and she will rule. And no, you will not be coming with her. Honestly, I wish I could kill you for hurting someone so pure-hearted. What the hell did she ever do to you to warrant that kind of pain?” He snarled.

“I would never hurt her!” I screamed. I moved to get in his face but Alpha Atlas stepped in front of me.

“You will reject her or I will rage war. And don’t you dare think for a second that I don’t have wolves working for me because I do. Wolves, vampires, witches. I will make your life a living hell.” He growled and all I saw was red. I pushed past the alpha. But my father, Mitch, and the alpha held me back.

“You fucken touch her and I will kill you!” I screamed, my body shaking in rage.

“You no longer have a say in her life.” He shouted and I fought harder against the others.

“I don’t know what the hell you did to make her believe that I would cheat on her but I will prove you wrong!”

“Unlike you, I love Ayla. Even if it meant watching her being happy with another. I would never hurt her to prove a point. She is everything to me and our people.” King Kaden retorted before looking at his phone.

“Alpha, your daughter should be arriving in a few hours. Xander is bringing her back to the house and we will decide from there.” He told him, giving him a nod.

“Keep her safe.” My alpha said and I stopped fighting and whipped around shocked. He didn’t believe this bullshit, did he?

I would never cheat on Ayla, ever. No other woman could ever compare to her. Why the hell would others think I would cheat? That I would hurt her?

“Nate, what happened?” My father asked, and I noticed King Kaden was gone.

“Nothing. I would never hurt her. Ask Duke, do you think for one second he would let me do something to hurt her?” I yelled in desperation. I can’t believe this is happening right now.

“Duke, help me!” I yelled at him and he whimpered.

“Sirs, Nate didn’t do anything wrong. We were drinking in the lounge with the guys and then he went to bed. He only had a few drinks. We were celebrating him claiming his mate.” Mitch defended me.

“Duke, what happened?” Alpha Atlas growled in my head.

“Nothing, I would never let him cheat or hurt her.” He whimpered and I sighed.

“Then what the hell are they talking about?” He growled out loud.

“I don’t know! I don’t know what is happening but I’m heading there to replace out. I won’t let her believe I would ever hurt her!” I growled, turning around to head home when I was hit with a punch to my chest.

“Nate, how could you!” Ruby screamed with tears running down her cheeks. I balled up my fists and my father stepped in between us.

“The next person to say I cheated on my mate is a dead wolf,” I yelled, storming past everyone toward my house. I need to grab all my crap and my truck. I wasn’t going to let Ayla get away.

When I made it to the house, I marched up the stairs to pack everything I had come here to grab in the first place. I was going to help more with the investigation into how they were getting through the borders but Ayla was too important. I didn’t care about the victims, I just needed Ayla to believe I would never hurt her, ever.

I was stuffing clothes and things into a bag when my mother appeared at the door. I looked up and she looked like she had been crying, her eyes red and puffy.

“I didn’t cheat,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Nate, I love you. And I know you love Ayla. Just be careful. I don’t know what happened, but something doesn’t feel right.” She told me, coming to sit on the edge of my bed.

“So you believe me?” I gasped out. I was ready to break down. How can anyone who I grew up with think so little of me? That’s probably the worst part about all of this. No one believes me.

“If you felt pain in your heart, you would think the worst.” Duke whimpered.

“I believe you would never hurt her intentionally. And if you say you didn’t do it, then I believe you.” She said and I let out a breath.

“At least someone believes me.” I finished packing everything I thought I needed and hugged my mom before heading out to my truck. This was going to be the longest drive of my life.

When I made it outside, Mitch, David, and Max were all standing around my truck. They all had a bag and Mitch stretched out his hand when I walked closer, unlocking it with the fob.

“What are you guys doing?”

“We are coming with you. And I’m driving. You are in no condition to drive. Now give me your keys and hop in.” Mitch demanded. Ruby rushed at me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I’m so sorry, Nate. I never should have thought the worst.” She cried into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

“Be safe and bring her home.” She said, looking up at me.

“I’m not letting her go,” I told her.

Mitch grabbed Ruby’s hand and spun her into his chest. If he wasn’t her future mate, I would have punched him in the face, but instead, I hopped into the front passenger seat of my truck. David and Max hopped into the back and when Mitch was done making out with my sister, he climbed in behind the wheel.

My mother and sister were standing on the porch as Mitch pulled out of the driveway. I pulled out my phone to check if Ayla or Xander messaged me back but there was nothing. I was about to lose my mind. We had a four-hour drive ahead of us and I didn’t know if she was okay.

I looked through my contacts to replace Alpha Matt’s number. At least Xander added all the numbers I might need. I hit the call button and waited with knots in my stomach until he finally answered.

“Nate?”

“Alpha Matt, have you heard from Ayla?” I rushed out.

“I only know what the warriors and Xander told me. Did you really cheat?” He growled and I had to dig my fingers into my thigh to stop myself from breaking my phone.

“I would never. I have no idea what is happening, but I would never do that to her. Is she safe?”

“Xander texted me about an hour ago to say they were on their way back here. He said to expect King Kaden, Prince Silas, and Prince Chase. Something about them taking her to one of the kingdoms. I’m not sure. It’s a mess here,” he answered.

“I’m on my way back now. I shouldn’t have left in the first place. I should be there in less than four hours.”

“Good, I have a feeling this is going to get ugly.”