Chapter 13: My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter

Future Beta Nate

We finally pulled up to the pack house of Alpha Matt’s pack. There were a few warriors standing guard by a tree where Ayla was sitting with her knees to her chest. Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks tear-stained as she looked out onto the ocean.

The pack house was close to the beach and with the sun setting, the sky was painted pink and orange. It would be very romantic if my mate was huddled under a tree.

What the hell happened to her? Ayla’s clothes were torn, and she didn’t even have shoes. I saw one warrior offer her a blanket, but she refused it, shaking her head.

“My brother isn’t back yet,” Alpha sighed. We all got out of the vehicle and walked towards Ayla. She turned her head in our direction and I could see her tense.

“Ayla, dear, are you okay?” Jim asked her. She shook her head, looking back at the ocean. One warrior walked closer to Alpha Atlas. I watched my mate intently while my alpha spoke to the warrior.

“We found her just before she crossed the border. She refused to enter the pack house or any other building. We have kept our distance. Alpha Matt should arrive any minute now.” He informed us.

“Did she say anything about what happened?” I asked him. He turned his attention to me and shook his head.

I walked closer to her and was stopped by one of the men. I glared at him and was about to say something until he did.

“Alpha’s order.” He said. Sighing, I nodded. I knew I would have to fight my way through them and that would only scare her.

“Ayla,” I called out, and she looked at me. Her eyes became misty as she held on to her sobs. Guilt turned my heart painful as I looked at my mate who was about to fall apart and I couldn’t hold her.

“Ayla, what happened?” I asked her, kneeling down as close as the warriors would allow.

“Is it true?” She whispered. I prayed that no one else told her I was a wolf.

“Is what true?” And she huffed.

“Werewolves.” She breathed out. I pushed my lips into a line, not sure how to answer.

“Mermaids! All the crap I just learned. Is it true?” She shouted.

“I just learned about mermaids. But werewolves are real.” I answered, watching as she tried to hold herself together.

“You’re a werewolf?” She asked me, and I wish she would look at me.

“Ayla, can you please look at me?” I asked her calmly.

“Nate, why didn’t you tell me?” She cried. Her walls finally broke as her eyes found mine.

“Ayla, I wanted to tell you and I was going too. I was called away this morning, but I promise you, I was going to tell you.” I pleaded with her to believe me. This is not how I planned her knowing about me and our kind.

“I don’t understand any of this. Nate, I’m scared.” She hiccuped. I didn’t even notice Alpha Matt had arrived. I was so focused on my mate.

“Ayla bear,” he called out behind me.

“Matt?” She gasped.

“Oh, my Ayla bear. Are you okay?” He asked her softly.

“Matt, what is going on? Why are you here?” She asked him, as he walked closer to her and knelt down in front of her.

“This is my house,” he said. He motioned for the blanket that one warrior was holding. She let him wrap it around her shoulders.

Logically, I knew this was her uncle, but I was jealous of how easily she let him approach her. I know Ayla’s scared. I would be too. Learning about werewolves and mermaids can’t be easy to process. I didn’t want to scare her, so I kept my distance as her uncle comforted her.

“Why don’t you come into the house and we can all explain and you can tell us what happened?” He said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

“I’m scared.” She whispered.

“I would let nothing happen to you. I’ve missed you so much, Ayla bear.” He told her, squeezing her to his side.

“I don’t understand any of this. She said my mother was a mermaid and my father was a werewolf. How is that even possible?” She said to him and he sighed.

“And she said I was a princess, and I was to be wed to this prince. I don’t know.” She cried, putting her face in her hands.

Duke let out a growl at the mention of her being wed to another. And it did not go unnoticed by Ayla. She looked right at me and I could tell that she was nervous.

“Who’s that?” Matt asked Ayla.

“That’s Nate. I met him last week when I was hiking in the mountains. He helped me when I was attacked.” She told him.

“Really, Atlas, attacked.” Matt called out, shaking his head.

“How do you know my father?” She asked him, turning her attention to the alpha holding her.

“He’s my brother.” He answered, and her eyes went wide. Ayla looked over to her father and Jim and then back at Matt.

“Breathe, Ayla bear. I would never hurt you. You’re my niece and I love you.” Alpha Matt told her, kissing her temple.

“How did I not realize you were his brother?” She said out loud.

“I’m the better looking brother.” Alpha Matt chuckled, making Ayla giggle.

“There’s my Ayla bear. Are you ready to head inside?” He nudged her shoulder with his.

“Can I have a moment with Nate?” She asked him, before looking at me. My mind began racing with why she would want to speak with me alone. Especially after learning I’m a werewolf. Was she going to reject me? Tell me to leave and never come back? I didn’t realize everyone had left until Ayla called out to me.

“Nate?” She patted the ground next to her. I sat down beside her, my back against the tree trunk.

Ayla surprised me by resting her head on my shoulder as we watched the sun disappear beyond the ocean horizon.

“Did you know I was a mermaid?” She asked me.

“Not until your father told me on our way here.” I answered her, resting my head on hers.

“Why are you here?” She questioned.

“Because I needed to make sure you were safe.” I breathed out, then inhaling her intoxicating scent.

“Nate, I don’t understand. If you’re a werewolf and I’m a mermaid. I just don’t understand.” She sighed, sounding defeated.

“Ayla, I have a wolf. His name is Duke, and he is a part of me. He’s a big black wolf.” I told her, and she pulled her head off my shoulder to look at me.

“Seriously?”

“I swear and he wants to meet you,” I said.

“But why? This is so hard to understand. Ever since I saw you, I have felt this pull towards you. I don’t know why. And I’m so confused about everything else.” She ranted and I couldn’t help but smile. She feels something.

“How do you know Matt?” I asked her, changing the subject.

“I remember Matt as one of my mom’s friends. He would also spend time with me on my birthday or if he was in town for a school event. I lost track of everyone after I ran away. I hid myself away so foster care couldn’t find me.” She said, looking out at the ocean.

“Ayla, I’m so sorry you had to find out about me from someone else. I wanted to tell you. To explain all of this to you. I hope you can forgive me,” I told her. I know this is a lot and she must be thinking this is all a nightmare and she’ll wake up soon. But I needed her to know I wasn’t trying to hide this from her.

“Nate, my head hurts.” She sighed, resting her head on my shoulder again.

“On the plus side, we got to see each other today.” I said, and she giggled. I love hearing her happy. Her smile and laugh could light up the world.

“Yeah, too bad I was also kidnapped and had to jump off a balcony to escape.” She said, nudging my shoulder with hers.

“I should have stayed this morning,” I said, seriously.

“Nate, it’s not your fault. I thought I could trust my boss. And I just pray that Xander is keeping Bluey safe. I know I should call him, but I’m terrified about entering the house. Logically, I know Matt would never hurt me but,” she trailed off. Ayla shivered, and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“We should get you inside. Are you hungry?” I asked her, and she gripped my shirt before I could move.

“I know I must sound crazy, but will you stay with me?” She asked me, shyly. And here I was thinking I sounded crazy.

“I told you she likes crazy.” Duke purred in my head. Freaking wolf.

“If you want me to stay, then I’ll stay.” I told her and she sighed, pulling away from me.

“I don’t want to force you to stay, Nate. Whatever I’m feeling, I don’t expect you to feel the same way. We only just met. But I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay if you don’t want to.”

“Ayla, I want to stay. And I’ll explain. But right now, I need you to come inside with me.” I told her and she looked up at me.

“Okay.” She sighed and I let out a breath. After I stood up, I reached out my hand for hers.