The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 104

Darius POV

She strode in, her hair billowing behind her, her footsteps loud on the floor, a determined expression on her face. I cringed, knowing that she probably wanted to talk about something important, her eyes red and puffy. Ever since Sophie's death my mother has been inconsolable, made worse by the fact that Clarissa had disappeared from the pack and her miserable of an excuse of a husband, or rather ex husband, was still an alcoholic who was continuing to drink and not phased by his daughter's death at all. I was of course, relieved to discover my mother didn't believe I had anything to do with Sophie's death or I would no doubt, be locked away in the dungeon by now.

Oh I knew Clarissa had been suspicious, always poking her nose into my business and asking pointed questions about the lack of security on that day and the so-called prisoner from Rowan's pack that had managed to escape. She had been putting two and two together, I was certain of it, and her disappearance caused me some anxiety. Had she perhaps, gone to Rowan with her concerns? Or had she merely left, unable to bear being in the same pack as the one her daughter had died in? I didn't know, but I was determined to discover where she went.

My mother shut the door to the study and quietly looked over at me with those puffy red eyes of hers. I gave her a shaky smile and she drooped right in front of me. "Darius," she said quietly "how are you holding up?"

I pretended to be blinking back tears. "It's difficult mother, but soon I imagine I might hear back about Amber and her child. That's keeping me going, being able to replace my child. I know it's what Sophie would have wanted" I added laying it on thick.

My mother gave a firm nod. "She would want you to be happy" she agreed "but son, don't you think you should still be in mourning? I don't want you to burn yourself out or make yourself miserable."

I shook my head. "I'm not burning myself out and while I miss Sophie" I lied between gritted teeth "I imagine holding my baby in my arms will give me some comfort."

My mother's eyes twinkled. She looked a little happier and a bit more excited at the prospect of having her grandchild in her arms. She had mourned the loss of Sophie and I's baby and now she was beginning to accept the prospect of Amber and I's child instead. She wasn't replacing one with the other, she had assured me, but rather saw it as performing a duty as a grandparent, one she was determined to make my father perform as well.

"I have to say when you told me about Amber I was well and truly shocked" she agreed with me "but now I'm getting used to the idea. I have contacted our lawyers as well son" she paused and c****d her head, listening to footsteps getting nearer and then there was a large and loud knock on the study door.

"Probably your father" she muttered before yelling out in an imperious voice "come in."

My father's bulky frame filled the doorway as he opened the door and came crashing in. "Evening," he said quietly "I was wondering where you two had gotten to."

I indicated the large pile of paperwork I was currently trying to get through. Since Sophie's death, I had been keeping myself busy, pretending to be the grieving husband who needed a distraction. I was also trying to prove to my parents that I was Alpha material. "I've been busy with pack business," I said to father calmly and he nodded, looking impressed despite himself.

I wondered about my father sometimes. He was quiet, gentle and even mannered compared to my mother. I knew they weren't fated mates but had been boyfriend and girlfriend in their college years, choosing to mate with each other and mark one another instead. It was a conundrum to me how two people, with such different personalities, managed to replace each other, let alone love each other enough to get married.

"You are doing an excellent job," my father told me, looking pleased. "I'm proud of you for that son."

I basked in his approval. It wasn't often my father praised me for anything, let alone told me I had done a worthy job. My mother looked just as pleased as I was by the comment.

My father sat down in the armchair, looking awkward as he squeezed his giant frame into the small chair, and leaned forward, his eyes focused on mine, a deadly serious look on his face.

"Your mother and I have been talking" he began as I c****d my head and listened intently, wondering what they had been discussing together "and you've shown us just how mature you can be in regards to running the pack. Even with Sophie's death" here he paused and looked away, his jaw clenching tightly together and his eyes turning black for a moment "you've shown great fortitude in continuing to run the pack and complete the paperwork necessary to keep it going. I have no qualms about you becoming Alpha of the pack and the job is yours if you want it."

I couldn't believe my ears. Were they deceiving me? Or had my father just offered me the position of Alpha for the pack? My mother was nodding in the background, a wide smile on her face.

"We feel it's time," she said slowly "and when Amber comes back, I'll teach her how to be Luna" she offered "that is if she's willing to marry you. Otherwise, I'll continue in my Luna duties until such time as someone else can take over" she suggested. I knew that meant she wanted me to replace another mate if Amber refused me.

"Mother, you said you contacted our lawyers" I prodded, remembering her mentioning it before father appeared "what did they have to say?"

She took a deep breath, my father's eyes focussing on her as he leaned forward, interested in what she was about to say as well "They said that you would be entitled to 50% custody as the rightful father of the child. But" she said a bit grimly and a little shocked "you need to prove your the father with a paternity test and the only way you would get full custody of the child would be if you could prove that Amber was an unfit mother."

I raised an eyebrow at that. Interesting. I had options here, but the first step was to replace out where Amber was. "How exactly would I prove she's an unfit mother" I argued, "when she's still pregnant."

My father looked pained. "She's not son, that's the point. You're going to have to persuade her to marry you or you are going to have to be happy with half custody."

"Or," my mother said slyly "we could be witnesses and claim that she's been doing things harmful to the baby."

I considered that and then shook my head. "No, let's just see what she says when I track her down and tell her I want custody. She might be willing to marry me to avoid a huge legal battle."

"You would hope so," my mother said drily "but Amber's not the type to back away from a fight remember? As much as I dislike her, I have to admire her tenacity and stubbornness. She also has one hell of a temper when she's provoked and won't hesitate to fight back if she believes she's defending her unborn pup."

I knew that too. Part of me knew there was a high possibility that she wouldn't just agree to come back to the pack with me. But there were other ways of persuading her. Like money for example or if that didn't work blackmail. I just needed to replace the right means to persuade her that marrying me would be in her best interest.

"Anyway," my mother said casually, looking over at my father and how late the evening had gotten "I believe we'll make our way to bed unless there is anything else you need?"

I shook my head.

My father stood up and offered me his hand, shaking it and looking me deep in my eyes "Congratulations on becoming Alpha Son" he said a bit mistily "you've more than earned it."

They both made their way to the doorway and glanced back over their shoulders one last time, my mother's face being with pride at me, my father smiling widely before they held each other's hands and made their way out, shutting the door with a decisive click behind them.

I plonked myself back in the chair and stared at the door, unable to believe the turn of events. In one night I had become the Alpha of my own pack and my father had retired from the title. It wasn't something I had been betting on and now I had to admit just how exciting it all was. I was humming lightly under my breath when the telephone rang.

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

I looked at the phone puzzled. Only Alpha's had the direct telephone number to the study and a few, well-chosen acquaintances. Wondering if it was something important, I picked up the telephone and held it to my ear, it feeling heavy as I was used to cell phones. "Is this Darius?" asked a gruff voice. It didn't sound familiar.

"That's me," I said uncertainly "and who am I speaking to?"

"You hired me to replace out the location of a certain Amber Henderson," the voice said sounding a little annoyed. Like I should know who they are just from their voice alone. I rolled my eyes at their arrogance but held my tongue in cheek.

"Are you telling me that you know where she might be?"

"I do, but I want another million dollars to divulge her location. Trust me, you won't replace her otherwise" he added as I glared down at the receiver. Everyone wanted money for nothing these days I thought a little sourly, this man was certainly no different and I was not happy about being blackmailed for more money.

"If I refuse to pay you?" I asked

"Then good luck replaceing her," the voice said snidely "and I have some information that you might replace interesting in regards to her wolf and her abilities. I not only found her but there's someone else looking for her as well. A rogue Alpha who's none too pleased with her at the moment."

A rogue Alpha. That sounded intriguing, I wondered why he was searching for Amber and realized that it must have something to do with her abilities, which meant her wolf had to be pretty special.

"How do you know about the rogue?"

There was silence for a moment "let's just say there's an interesting story to go with that, but this rogue alpha is not playing around. He's part vampire and strong as all hell. I doubt you could beat him in battle, but maybe you could team up with him? Do each other a favor per se" suggested the voice.

I fidgeted with my hands but the story was so intriguing and I could see the potential in getting a rogue alpha to help me get my hands on Amber. It would definitely be something worth exploring.

"How do I know you aren't lying?"

"You're just going to have to trust me," the voice said impatiently.

"Then start with where she is, and then move on to the Alpha Rogue and why he wants her."

"Fine" snarled the voice, the man's breathing heavy on the other line. "Your Amber Henderson is located at the Vampire King's Castle. She's been there for a few weeks now, so I'm under the assumption she's not leaving anytime soon. There are rumors going around that she's the Vampire King's Mate."

I swore silently to myself. If that was the case then my chances of persuading Amber to marry me had just gone down the drain. I frowned and then remembered the Alpha Rogue who wanted her as well. I leaned back in the chair and glanced out at the darkening sky, the full moon appearing in front of my eyes.

"Tell me about this Alpha Rogue" I demanded "and don't you dare leave anything important out. Do you understand me?"