My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 71

Luna Ayla

I woke with a smile on my face, as my naked body was wrapped up in a sheet. I stretched lazily until I patted the bed beside me. In a panic, I sat up, looking around the room. I was alone. That wasn’t a dream, was it? Nate was here? But where did he go?”

The light was coming in from the windows, so I knew it was morning. But why would Nate leave after last night? Unless it was all a dream. I pouted on the bed, trying to untangle myself from the sheet when a chuckle escaped my lips. I held up one of the purple flowers that my dress would have exploded into. It was too good to be a dream. I felt giddy as I jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to shower. As much as I love being covered in Nate’s s*x scent, I’m sure everyone who sees his neck will know, but I didn’t want our pack to scent it.

“Our pack,” I breathed out as I stood under the hot water.

“Nate and Duke were always meant to be an alpha. That’s why he was chosen for us.” Kaia purred in my head.

“And why were we chosen to be together?” I asked her, getting out of the shower.

“Because we are both protectors of the sea. I protect from on-land threats and you take care of the oceans.” She explained.

“Huh, well I guess that makes sense,” I said, walking to the closest with a towel wrapped around me. Most of my clothes from the house had been moved here and it warmed my heart. Just the little things.

After I was dressed and my hair was braided? I made my way down the dreaded stairs. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time. As soon as my foot touched the bottom, I was engulfed in a pair of strong pair of arms.

“Silas,” I exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

“I’m so glad you are okay, princess,” he whispered, squeezing me. I realized the princes had become like family to me. They have been with me every step of this journey and I knew they would protect me with their lives, just like I would protect them.

“Silas?” I mumbled into his chest.

“Yes, princess?”

“Your mom likes it rough.” His chest grumbled against my ear and I chuckled.

“Why would you say that?” He huffed and I wiggled out of his grip and grabbed his cheeks.

“Because I love you and I have missed your stupid face.” I smiled before kissing both his cheeks. He was beaming down at me.

“I knew I was your favorite.”

“Hey, where’s my love?” I heard Chase and looked around Silas to see him and Kaden.

“Awe, what are my boys doing here?” I exclaimed. Kaden raised an eyebrow but he was wearing a smirk.

“We heard you were awake,” Chase said. He gave me a side hug because Silas wouldn’t let me go.

“And you three just happened to be in the neighborhood?” I chuckled.

“Something like that,” Chase said, kissing my temple.

“Hi Kaden,” I gave him a smile. I know our relationship will be weird, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about him.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, jamming his hands into his pockets.

“Better,” I answered, and he gave me a nod.

“Come on, we can all talk in our apartment,” I said, wiggling out of their grip as I turned to head back up the stairs. I hope our little kitchen area has some snacks. I’m starving. We walked in silence as the princes and the king followed behind me.

I opened the door to Nate’s and my apartment and the others followed me inside.

“Make yourselves at home. You guys hungry?” I called out as I entered the small kitchenette.

“Whatcha got?” Silas called back, and I opened the fridge.

“Water or soda?” I also found some fruit and cheese. I checked the cupboards and found a box of crackers and some chips. This will have to do.

“I’ll just bring some of everything,” I called back when no one answered. It took three trips but I finally had the coffee table set as we all sat down on the leather couches around the fireplace.

“Hungry?” Kaden chuckled as I sat down on the couch beside him. He was sitting on one side and I sat down on the other with the middle cushion between us. Chase and Silas sat across from us.

“Starving,” I mumbled as I stuffed some berries into my mouth.

“So, do you guys want to tell me why you are really here?” I asked, turning my body to face Kaden.

“What, we can’t miss our Queen of the Seas?” Kaden said defensively.

“Kaden, that is not what I mean and you know it. I’ve missed all three of you and I’m glad you are here. I’m just wondering why you are here. Nate said you were hunting the hunters.” I sighed.

“I am,” he said.

“Ayla, after everything that happened, we needed to make sure you were okay. We haven’t been told much of the details.” Chase said, breaking the awkward silence that fell between Kaden and me.

“What were you told about Dante?” I asked.

“Only that he was a vampire and one of the leaders, if not the leader,” Silas answered, leaning forward.

“He was also the last black pearl.”

“What?” they exclaimed in unison.

“He didn’t die after he was stripped of his mermaid. His father had killed his mother and that’s when the goddess took it away. He’s been hunting the new black pearl ever since. And that happened to be me,” I told them.

“Did he…” Kaden stammered, his fist clenched and his knuckles white. I moved closed and unwrapped a fist, interlocking our fingers together.

“He didn’t. But he did want to play this sick game of house.” I shrugged, squeezing his hand.

“What do you mean?” Chase asked.

“It was weird. It’s like we shared some sort of bond. Not like a mate bond. But I can’t explain it. He was sweet.” I shivered as I remembered everything he did to me.

“Put that guy, Jordan, did?” Silas asked, and Kaden growled. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this angry before.

“Kaden, whatever happened, I would have done for any one of you to make sure your life was spared. He knew Xander before he met me. I know he didn’t like our relationship. I did what I had to do so Xander wasn’t killed. And honestly,” I stuttered, taking a deep breath. I pleaded with my tears not to fall. Kaden squeezed my hand, and I opened my eyes and stared at him.

“I wasn’t a good girlfriend. After you, I became such a heartless b***h. I don’t even know why I dated anyone. We were toxic.” I confessed.

“But that doesn’t give him the right to touch you, to hurt you,” Kaden yelled.

“I know that, but I still feel bad for the way I treated someone else. I shouldn’t have been in a relationship but I didn’t want to be alone.”

“So then why weren’t you with Xander?” Silas asked, and again, Xander growled squeezing my hand.

“First, I didn’t think Xander thought of me that way. And second, I don’t know. Maybe I thought he was too good for me. I almost pushed Nate away. I know I’m broke and trust is hard for me. Even with the mate bond.”

“And that’s my fault,” he sighed, letting go of my hand, he tried to stand up, but I pulled him back down. Moving closer, I placed my free hand on his chest.

“Stop. Stop blaming yourself for what happened between us. I forgive you. I understand.” I told him and he sighed.

“Just not enough for us to be together,” I moved my hand to his cheek, so he would look at me.

“As much as I love you, we weren’t destined to be together. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you in my life. All of this has been so complicated. I understand if this is difficult for you. I spent a lot of time after you left believing you had found someone else.” I sighed and he wrapped his arms around me.

“Never.” He breathed out, pulling me into his side.

“I just want you to be happy,” I whispered into his neck. I was kneeling on the couch beside him. His arms were wrapped around my waist and mine were around his neck.

“Awe,” Chase and Silas cooed, killing the moment. I kissed Kaden’s cheek before pulling out of his embracing and sitting down beside him.

I knew this was going to be hard on him. It would be hard for me to watch him without someone else and not understanding the mate bond. I love Nate and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. But I want Kaden to know that I care about him and I just want him to be happy. We were so happy together and we did so much. I don’t want those memories to turn into sadness.

The door to the apartment opened up causing us all to look at the door. Xander and Nate walked in. Both of them looked around the room but Nate let out a growl when his eyes found mine.

“What the hell?”