Chapter 165 The Price Of A Secret

Chapter 165 The Price Of A Secret

Alyssa's POV

The past week was pure bliss. We moved up our trip to our parent's place because Zayne wanted to make sure Jace was settled into his new position, so he wouldn't leave the Alpha position empty for so long.

Pack members wanted to know why their Alpha was being changed and Iris, from what I heard, threw a tantrum because the child she was carrying was the right heir and not her brother. It was a whole thing but nothing was going to change Zayne's mind. So Jace was officially Alpha now, even though a formal ceremony would be held later.

“Are you ready?" Zayne asked, coming to stand beside me as I watched the warriors load everything we got into the car, alongside our bags since we were staying for a few days.

I nodded, “I'm more than okay." I admitted, “I know I've said this before, but I really can't wait to see them.”

"It's obvious.” He said, smiling. Then he looked at my protruding stomach, "how are my little princesses doing?” He asked.

My grin widened, "I can assure you they're boys.” I told him. "Just because they kicked the same time you asked if they were girls doesn't mean anything.”

"We already have a father-daughters bond." He insisted.

I shook my head, "I can't wait to prove you wrong.” I told him, just as the warriors announced they were done and that everything was ready.

Zayne led me to the car, as he helped me settle in properly. Elara sat in front with Tristan while Lori sat beside me, but not without complaining about how unfair it was being the only one without a mate.

The others were taking a second car, so that everyone has enough space to be comfortable.

"Or because our mate wants you to receive all the fresh air you can get?” My wolf teased.

I shrugged, “same thing."

Since Mel was the only one who knew where we were going, she rode with the others, who were driving in front of us.

Placing my head on Zayne's chest, I listened to the peaceful rising and falling of his chest as we went. And for obvious reasons, it calmed me down and it didn't make me feel how long we've been driving for.

“We're almost there." Zayne informed me, several hours later, when I woke up from my second nap. “According to Xavier, we should be there in less than ten minutes.”

Ten minutes. Ten minutes and I'll be seeing my parents. A moment I've craved for since the first day I knew the people I grew up with weren't my actual parents.

After what felt like forever, the car came to a stop and we were met with a large crowd, whose faces lit up immediately we came down. And I could feel the love even without a word being spoken.

Three elderly people came towards us and once they were close enough, the woman among them pulled me into a tight hug, then pulled back to look at my face. Her eyes were already tearing up as she looked around and without being told, her eyes settled on Nyra, who was hiding behind Elara.

Elara pushed her forward and the woman whose name I didn't care about at the moment hugged both of us.

“I can't believe it took this long to finally meet you both.” She cried.

My eyes started tearing up too as she finally pulled away. "My name is Wendy, I'm your aunt.” She finally introduced. "My mate is your dad's twin brother.”

"Hi, aunt Wendy.” Nyra and I chorused but that only added to her tears.

"You look so much like your mom,” she said, cupping my face. "And you're exactly like your dad.” She said to Nyra.

I turned to the others, and it was no surprise that their eyes were wet as well. But I eventually introduced everyone. "This is my mate, Zayne.”

She bowed her head, "Alpha.” She greeted and so did the men with her.

"You have no idea how much we've been waiting for this day.” One of the men said. "I'm your dad's twin brother, William.”

He stepped forward and wrapped Nyra and me in a careful hug before pulling back with a smile. "I've imagined this moment more times than I can count."

"This grumpy man beside me is your grandfather," Aunt Wendy said, nudging the older man with her elbow.

"I'm not grumpy," the old man muttered, though his trembling voice betrayed him. He opened his arms. "Come here."

We didn't hesitate as we stepped into his arms and were engulfed in the warmth his body provided. "Welcome home," he whispered.

"Let's take this inside, so you can finally meet your parents."

They led us to a large living room and we immediately took our seats. “Before you meet them, there are things you need to know.” William said, and we nodded.

"They never held a funeral for both of you because to them, you'll always come back." He started, going ahead to tell us how the only time they felt alive was on our actual birthday and they set up a table for us.

“Alpha Rowan lost his sight during the war," Wendy said, smiling sadly “and Selene's legs paralyzed when she fell from the shock of losing both of you."

My chest tightened, "I'm so sorry.”

They shook their heads, "none of it were your faults." William said, “your dad also spent years blaming himself for everything…we suspect it's the reason he isn't healing."

“Why is he blaming himself?” Nyra asked, frowning. "The people who should be blamed are the ones who took us.” She added, and they looked at each other.

"There's more to the story isn't it?” Zayne asked, and my hand formed a fist.

William nodded, not meeting Zayne's eyes. "I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed when I learnt she was mated to you." He admitted, and I immediately took his hand but he assured me he was fine.

"That has changed," he said. "Mel here made sure of that. She told us the kind of man you are."
He added but his expression hardened.

"But that didn't erase the past." He held Zayne's gaze. "How could I not worry... when, after all these years of searching for my nieces, they were brought back to us by the son of the woman who started all of this?”

The room fell silent, as we exchanged glances. "What do you mean?” I asked.

It was their turn to exchange looks. “This isn't a conversation for our first meeting.”

"Please," I pleaded, “tell us."

William took a deep breath, “Rowan found his mate in your pack," he started, "it was the best thing that happened to him since he'd given up on ever finding her."

He went ahead to explain how everyone was happy for him because he was the best Alpha they could ask for and seeing him happy was a win for the pack.

"Then on one of his visits to his in-laws, your mother fell sick.” He said, "She was going to lose her pregnancy and your dad pleaded with William to save her which he did."

I froze, remembering that Alpha Dorian had mentioned that. But the question was how was that a reason for whatever happened?

“He'd gone to give her the herb he made when he heard something he shouldn't.” He continued, "according to him, he'd insisted she told your dad or he'd when he returns to check on her. But the rest was history."

“Oh my goodness!" Aileen exclaimed, Zayne had been sure to hide it from her after he found out.

"Sorry, but what could he have heard that'd push for a whole pack to be taken down?" Jace asked.

William closed his eyes briefly before answering.
"The child she was carrying..." He looked directly at Zayne.

"...didn't belong to Alpha Dorian.”