Alpha’s Hybrid Cinderella
Chapter 88

Evan

The pregnancy was hard on Claudia. She had every symptom you could think of, and she was eager to have our next baby. It was even worse because Claudia didn't want the boys to feel neglected so every time, she got sick or felt too tired to play she felt like she was being a bad mother. Her labor was even worse than the boys. I got kicked out of the room because she started hemorrhaging. I've never been so scared that I would lose her, there was so much blood, and she was so pale.

The nurse brought out our baby and told me they were doing what they could for Claudia, but they weren't sure if she'd make it. I held our child in my arms, and I knew in that moment that I was happy with the kids that we have. We don't need any more for our family, it's not worth the risk of Claudia's life.

I have never felt such relief as I did when they said Claudia was stabilized and I could see her. We learned our baby was a girl and Claudia asked if we could name her Alita, after her biological mother.

As our kids grew up we realized that Alita was like the missing puzzle piece in our lives. The older she got it became apparent that she was just like her mother and could listen to people's thoughts. Alita constantly repeated things that she heard and would respond to people's thoughts which became very entertaining and even embarrassing at times.

There was one time where her Uncle Leon had stomach problems and had let out a silent fart and thought, "I hope no one knows that was me!" and Alita yelled out, "Uncle Leon, that smells disgusting!"

After that day everyone learned to be very mindful of their thoughts around her, especially while she was little.

Around the time Peelle and Osborn were 10 years old, the two of them were polar opposites. Peelle was a lot like Claudia and Alita, and we wondered if Peelle could have more elf qualities than what we originally thought. Claudia has been talking to her family more frequently and researching trying to figure out what kind of abilities that boy elves have.

She and Alita are able to hear others thoughts and have green thumbs and can heal plants and others. Although, they are hesitant to heal people because that comes with a price. But they can help work in the greenhouse to grow helpful herbs and plants. Peelle has a green thumb, but he isn't able to grow plants the same way his mother and sister can. He has never tried to heal a person, but we suspect that he wouldn't be able to because he can't heal a dying plant. There's something different about him, but we haven't been able to figure out what it is yet.

Osborn is exactly like me. It worries me at times... I became the way I am because of the trauma I went through. It makes me fearful it there was more to what happened when he was taken than what he told us.

He's very serious for a ten-year-old and takes the thought of being future Alpha to heart. Everything he does, he does it with the idea that he needs to be the best Alpha he can be.

At first, Claudia and I thought it was cute how he wanted to be 'just like daddy', but now it seems to be more than that. Although Claudia tried to respect the boy's privacy, it was hard not to listen in on their thoughts. It alarmed her how different they were.

Peelle thought the way any normal 10-year-old would. He wanted to have fun and play games, do pranks, and explore his interests in gardening, martial arts, and swimming. Osborn's thoughts were sometime so heavy and clouded it was hard to navigate and she said it reminded her of how my mind was during our early relationship.

Claudia knew that Osborn went through some trauma, but she didn't realize how much it would impact his mind as he grew older. It didn't help that in all these years they were still unable to find the people who took him.

It kept me up at night, the memory of my son being taken from our home. I swore that I would make those people pay, but here we are, years later and there's no trace of our enemies.

They wanted elf blood, everyone assumed that one day they would be back to collect. They took a blood sample from Osborn, but it'd be surprising if that was enough for whatever they wanted. Especially because Osborn doesn't seem to have any elf abilities. Whatever he got from Claudia's side must've been little.

When the boy's turned 13 we finally learned that Peelle did have an elf power and he had just never mentioned it before because he didn't know that it was unusual. He could speak to animals, any and all kinds. He could understand what they were saying and most of the time could speak to them and they would understand him.

Peelle begged to have a pet and they eventually we agreed and let him pick his own pet under the condition that he would be the one to care for it. Peelle did lots of research and decided on have a sugar glider.

Sugar gliders had to be kept in a group of two or more so they bought him two males so they didn't have to worry about procreation and if he did well with them then he would be allowed to have more.

Peelle told us that their names were Francois and Gus. He loved having his animals and they were always on him, normally sitting on his shoulders or hiding in his shirt or pants pocket.

Osborn was the opposite. He didn't care for animals and now that they were older, he asked if he could have his own room. It hurt Peelle's feelings that his brother suddenly seemed uninterested in being around him, but Claudia and Evan did as Osborn requested and arranged it for each of the boys to have their own space.

After feeling rejected by his own brother, Peelle asked if he could spend the summer with Claudia's uncles and aunt to learn more about an elf's lifestyle. Her family was thrilled that he wanted to come visit and he left for the summer. He continued to do this every year as he grew up. Every single summer, without fail, he wanted to be with Claudia's family.

Once Alita turned 10, she started going for 1 month every summer with him, but she would get too home sick and want to come back to be around her family. But Alita loved spending time with her Great Aunt Alena and learning more about being an elf. The older Osborn got, the more he threw himself into training. He seemed unaffected by Peelle's decision to leave for three months every year. He never really connected with Alita the same way Peelle did. Peelle and Alita were very close growing up while Osborn distanced himself.

As Osborn and Peelle's 18th birthday approached I called the two of them to my office. I observed my sons as they both took a seat. Even just their appearance was so... different.

Osborn sat up straight, looked serious, and wore a button-down long sleeve shirt with slacks and formal shoes. His dark hair was styled so it wouldn't get in his face and his facial hair was perfectly maintained.

Peelle wore a t-shirt, an open buttoned shirt that had a pocket where his sugar gliders were at, and cargo shorts. His long sandy brown hair was pulled back into a bun, but random strands framed his face. He smiled when he saw me and his eyes shined with kindness meanwhile his brother looked like he was ready to get a tedious business meeting over with.

I sat down and said, "Boys, I wanted to talk with you about your upcoming birthday. Osborn... I know you've been eager to take the Alpha position and I know you are ready and capable for it. But... I strongly advise you to wait until you have found your mate." Osborn looked at me with wide eyes, shocked that I wanted him to wait. He breathes out and decides to remain calm and says, "Okay, dad, you're right. Things are best with a mate by your side."

I smile, pleased by my son's understanding and then look to Peelle and ask him, "Peelle, what are your plans after you turn 18? Do you want to be Beta? Are you going to just be a pack member? Do you want to live more of an elf lifestyle?"

"Um," Peelle pauses and glances over at Osborn. Osborn doesn't look at him as he answers, "Probably just be a pack member. When I find my mate maybe I'll join her pack, or she can come here...whatever works best."

I nod and ask, "What kind of a party do you guys want? Something big to celebrate the big 18 or something small with just our family."

Osborn surprised both Peelle and I when he says, "I want the biggest party we can have."

Peelle looks at him in shock and asks, "Really?"

He looks at Peelle and questions, "Why would I joke about that?"

Peelle nods slowly and looks at me as he says, "I'm happy to have a big party."

I nod, "Great, well I'll let your mother know and I'm sure she'll talk to you guys about the details."

Osborn shakes his head, "I don't need to waste my time deciding on stupid things like centerpieces. I want it to be classy, I want everyone we can invite to be here. The more people there are, the more likely that I will find my mate. I only want to know the date and time."

I press my lips together and nod and Peelle says, "I'll talk to mom and help her plan."

Osborn scoffs, "If you plan it then it will be all hippy."

Peelle looked annoyed and says, "If you want it to be in a specific way then put time into it. Otherwise, shut up."

Osborn's teeth clenched together; he didn't like the disrespectful manner that his brother spoke to him. He snaps, "Just make sure it's classy."

With that, Osborn stood up and left the room. I breathe out; I don't know what to do to help my son. I tried to be a good father and provide a good example, but I don't know what happened to make Osborn grow up and be so cold.