Chapter Thirty Four

The Heir

One month later…

Elena had started the Evening Club as an all-in-one venture. She’d wanted a safe space for her and Harry to raise their kids. Harry, it seemed, had no interest in a future with her. She’d seen the way he’d looked at her—like she was some sort of criminal and he was out to expose her. Neither Harry nor Edgar had the balls to expose her to the Elders. Harry didn’t want their affair exposed, and Edgar wouldn’t be able to bear the disgrace of his beta mating with his Luna.

Elena smirked. Edgar couldn't outwit her to save his life. She had her own set of spies living inside the same building as her. As soon as the surrogate went into labor, she’d kidnap her, and take her inside her Utopian home. Neither Harry nor Edgar would be able to enter the gates. With the baby on the inside, Elena would have the upper hand. The baby would protect whoever loved and nurtured it. If her calculations were correct, the baby was due sometime today.

To ensure her plan was a success, she’d have to be present when the baby was being delivered. Edgar wouldn’t allow it. That’s why she’d set up a meeting for him with the Elders. He’d been as surprised as hell this morning when the Elders announced they were waiting for him at the Hideout. She’d diverted all calls from his phone to one of hers so she would know exactly when his surrogate texted him or called.

Edgar’s phone rang in the same instant hers did. It was the surrogate.

Elena answered her phone first. “Hello?”

“Miss London, Miss Jones is in labor.”

Elena was speechless for a moment. This was it. This was her chance to become the most powerful Luna in the history of werewolves. Elena calmed down. “Where is our medical team?” she asked.

“They’re here,” the man replied.

“Take Miss Jones to my clinic,” she instructed. “I’ll meet you there.”

Elena couldn’t contain her excitement as she drove to her clinic. She’d planned for this moment from the time Harry had let it slip that Edgar had hired a surrogate. This baby would help her rule the world.

***

Alia gasped for air. This baby would be the death of her. Where was Edgar? And where on earth was his medical team? She opened the door at the first knock.

“Thank God,” she said when she spotted a paramedic. She grabbed her bag. “I need this baby out of me!” she screamed when another contraction caused her to double over. “Where is Dr. Carlos?”

“He’s on his way,” one of the paramedics said, helping her into the ambulance.

Alia was in too much pain to pay any attention to who was around her. The baby didn’t sense any danger so she relaxed as the ambulance driver drove to the clinic. Her contractions worsened, and soon Alia passed out from the pain.

After what seemed like an eternity, Alia drifted back into consciousness. “Edgar? Dr. Carlos.” She touched her tummy. She’d delivered the baby. Where was everyone? Where were the doctors and nurses? She fought the stabbing pain shooting from her back and abdomen and sat up in bed. Something didn’t feel right. “Edgar?”

How could he not be here for the birth of his only child? Unless they were outside celebrating. Why would he be inside the ward with her when she was just a surrogate? She tried moving off the bed. Every cell in her body throbbed with pain. Helpless, Elena burst into tears. This didn’t feel right; Edgar wouldn’t just ignore her like this. She reached for her bag. She’d packed two spare cellphones just in case the battery on her main phone died. There was no sign of her main phone, so she switched on one of the spares and dialed Edgar's number. He answered on the first ring. “Elena!” Edgar yelled.

“No, it’s me Alia. Where are you? I gave birth to our baby.” Her panic grew.

“What?” Edgar gasped. “Where are you?”

“In a clinic. I don’t know where I am.” Her heart beat harder when she realized Edgar didn’t know about their baby. “Send me your location.”

She blinked back her tears and sent her location. Edgar arrived within minutes, with Dr. Carlos and his medical team.

“Do you remember anything at all that can help us find our baby?” Edgar asked her once Dr. Carlos had examined her.

“No.” Alia shook her head. “I thought you sent them. I tried calling you but I got your answering service. I left a message when I had the first contraction.”

Edgar hugged her. “I’m taking you back to the mansion. I think I know where our baby is.”

Something crashed inside the room. Alia grabbed Edgar. Everyone else went flying when a force field of energy emanated from her.

“Alia! Calm down. I’m okay.” Edgar slowly freed himself from her embrace.

“Sorry, everyone,” Alia said to Edgar’s employees.

“Seems like our baby left a little of itself inside you.” Edgar smiled. He kissed her forehead. “It’s imperative I get you to safety as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” She wiped her tears and hugged her belly. “I didn’t even get to meet our baby. I don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl.”

“I will find our baby before this day is over,” Edgar vowed, holding her close. “You will hold our baby today, I promise.”

***