Chapter 153

Alpha Alexander's POV

I approached Vanessa's apartment with a bouquet of lilies clutched in my hands, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation. Just as I was about to knock on her door, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Well, well, well," Alfie drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm and thinly veiled hostility. "Look who decided to show up."

I turned to face him, my heart skipping a beat. Alfie, my son, stood a few feet away, his expression one of utter shock and disbelief.

"Alfie," I greeted him cautiously, trying to gauge his mood. He had been off since his marriage with Emily.

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he looked me over. "What are you doing here, Dad?" His voice was sharp, laden with suspicion.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I'm here to see Vanessa," I said simply, lifting the lilies slightly as if to show my intentions.

Alfie's gaze flicked to the flowers, then back to me, his expression hardening. "Why? Why are you going to see her?" His tone was incredulous, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"It's complicated, Alfie," I started, struggling to find the right words. "Vanessa and I... we're mates."

For a moment, Alfie just stared at me, his face a mask of shock and confusion. "What? No, that's not possible. She told me you two were together, but I didn't believe her. You would never move on from Mom. Frida was everything to you."

I felt a pang of sadness at the mention of Frida. "Frida was a wonderful woman, Alfie, and I loved her deeply. But she wasn't my true mate. Vanessa is, despite the decades that separate us."

Alfie shook his head, disbelief etched into his features. "No, this doesn't make any sense. How could you...?" His voice trailed off, unable to fully grasp the situation.

"I know it's hard to understand," I said gently, trying to bridge the gap between us. "But the bond I share with Vanessa is unlike anything I've ever experienced. She's my true mate, and I need to be with her."

Vanessa's eyes were filled with a mixture of hurt and confusion. "I thought you would never move on from Mom. You always said she was your everything."

"I thought so too," I admitted. "But Vanessa has shown me a different kind of love, one that's destined by fate. It's not about replacing Frida, but about finding where I truly belong."

Alfie stood there, processing my words. The shock in his eyes slowly gave way to a deeper, more complex emotion. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white as if he was struggling with something he wanted to say. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, frustration evident on his face.

I watched him closely, sensing the turmoil within him. "Alfie, if there's something you need to tell me..."

But before I could finish, he balled his hands into tight fists and turned abruptly, walking away with quick, determined strides. His retreating figure was tense, shoulders rigid with unspoken words.

I stood there, the lilies still in my hand, feeling a mix of sadness and concern. Alfie's reaction left a knot in my stomach, but I knew I couldn't force him to talk before he was ready.

As I stood there, still processing Alfie's abrupt departure, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching again. I turned to see Alfie marching back towards me, his expression fierce and resolute.

"Dad," he called out, his voice steady and laced with intensity. "There's something else I need to say."

I braced myself, sensing the storm of emotions within him. He stopped a few feet away, his eyes boring into mine with a mix of anger and determination. I raised a brow in silent command.

"Listen to me," he began, his voice trembling slightly with suppressed emotion. "Vanessa is my best friend. She was everything to me before all of this. And I don't know how or why you two ended up together, but if you hurt her... if you make her suffer in any way, I will hunt you down."

His words were like a punch to the gut, each one carrying the weight of his protective fury. I understood where he was coming from, but she was my mate. Why the hell am I jealous of my own son? Damn it.

"I will give her up," he continued, his voice hardening. "Because I see that you've already planted your seed and she's carrying what is yours. But one wrong move, just one, and I will be back. I will claim her like I should have in the first place."

Alfie's eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and resolve, the rawness of his emotions making it clear how deeply he cared for Vanessa. I opened my mouth to respond, but the intensity of his gaze held me silent.

He stood there for a moment longer, his fists clenched at his sides, before turning sharply on his heel and walking away. His departure was swift, leaving me standing in the hallway, the lilies still clutched in my hand and my mind swirling with confusion.

I watched him go, the echo of his words ringing in my ears. The reality of his threat was undeniable, but so was the depth of his care for Vanessa. It was a stark reminder of the precariousness of my situation and the heavy responsibility I bore.

I turned back to Vanessa's door, my heart heavy with the weight of the encounter. I knew that I had to tread carefully. Alfie's warning was clear, and the stakes were higher than ever.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what lay ahead, determined to prove that I could protect and cherish the woman who had come to mean so much to both of us. I also needed to find out what Alfie meant by those statements.