My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 37

Ayla

“Ayla,” A voice called my name and goosebumps covered my body. The voice filled me with dread as I glided through the darkness.

When did I shift? And why is it so dark? When I’m shifted, being underwater even in the dark, I can see, but right now it’s like I’m swimming through a void. Wasn’t I just in a chopper with Nate?

“That’s right, Ayla. Keep swimming into my trap.” A voice boomed out before menacing laughter rang out and I stopped in my tracks.

I was frozen in fear as my breath became lodged in my throat. I could feel eyes on me and I shivered, trying to see in the darkness. The only sound I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. Where the hell was everyone and how the hell did I get here?

I wanted to scream, to swim as fast as I could away from this place, but I couldn’t move. Fear kept me from moving as the current carried me forward.

The idea that I was alone makes the fear stronger. I was alone and no one would be able to hear my cries for help. I realized at this moment that I feared loneliness above anything else. I didn’t fear death, I feared being alone again. I never wanted to be alone. I craved having a family that wasn’t broken. To have people truly care about me.

I let out a gasp when I felt a hand wrap around my throat. There was nothing but darkness in front of me until a sinister smile came out of the darkness. The pressure on my neck increased and I fought to get a breath in.

A cackle rang out against my ear and I jumped, fighting harder to get away from whoever or whatever that was. I could feel its breath on my ear and tears streamed down my face.

“Breaking you princess is going to be so much fun.” His voice sent shivers through my body and before I knew what was happening, I was screaming as the feeling of falling consumed me.

My body was engulfed in coldness and I let out another scream as pain exploded through my body. Someone grabbed my hand and I thrashed, trying to get away from whoever was touching me.

I was hit with a force before my chest hit something hard, knocking the air from my lungs. I was held in a tight grip as cold rushed through me. When warmth hit my face, I opened my eyes to be blinded by the sun.

My eyes weren’t open, but how? And why are we no longer flying in a chopper? My mind was racing as I tried to find my bearings. What the hell happened? Tingles covered my cheeks and I was pulled out of my thoughts. Nate was staring at me. But if his hands were on my cheeks, who were wrapped around my waist? My heart raced and I started to panic. I couldn’t shake the fear I felt earlier.

“Ayla, it’s me. Breath.” Xander’s voice sounded.

“Baby, what happened?” Nate breathed out. And I was frantically trying to look at my surroundings.

It wasn’t until I saw the blades sinking beneath the waves did my stomach twist painfully.

“I made us crash,” I gasped before my breathing became labored.

“Hey, breathe. It’s okay, we are all okay,” I heard Nate, frantically trying to calm me down.

“We needed a new one anyway, my princess.” I heard someone say.

My chest constricted and I could no longer breathe. How the hell did I take down a chopper? How did any of this happen? Was it all a dream? But it felt so real. I could still feel his fingertips pressed painfully into my neck.

“I’m so sorry,” I managed to choke out. I pushed away from Xander and Nate. Looking around, everyone was looking at me with pity, or was it confusion? Maybe worry. I did just blow up a helicopter.

“Princess, it’s fine. I have already contacted my kingdom. A boat is already on its way,” Prince Silas said.

“A boat?”

“Wolf boy will probably freeze to death before we even make it to my kingdom. And unless you want a wolf popsicle, we are going to have to wait for the boat,” he answered. My stomach and chest twisted painfully. I could have killed everyone. And there’s still a chance Nate could die.

“Baby, stop thinking whatever you are thinking.” We are all fine. And Duke is keeping me warm.” Nate pleaded with me. But this was all just too much.

I was trying to be okay with everything that had just happened, but I can’t be okay with almost killing people I care about. I’m a danger to everyone until I can figure out how to control my emotions. Even in my nightmares, where I have no control.

“Ayla, don’t you dare!” Xander yelled, moving so fast through the water, he was a blur until he grabbed my arm. I heard Nate growl while I stared at Xander.

“Breathe. I know this is a lot. And you feel guilty. But stop that bullshit, right now.” He scolded me.

“Xander, I could have killed all of you.” I cried out in despair.

“And you don’t think I would give up my life for yours, princess? I signed up to protect you with my life. Even if that means I need to protect you from yourself. You are not better off alone and we will figure this out together. Now, stop thinking whatever you are thinking and tell us what happened?” I just stared at him.

Ever since I found out I was a mermaid, guilt has been one of the top emotions I have felt. I always felt guilty about something. I didn’t want anyone to give up their life for mine. I didn’t want to hurt people with something I couldn’t control. No wonder my mother left. No wonder she isolated me from my father and his family. I’m just going to get everyone killed.

“Baby, stop. I can feel your emotions. s**t happens.” Nate said before swimming up beside Xander.

“s**t happens! I blew up a fucken helicopter over the damn ocean. We are in the middle of nowhere and you could freeze to death. But before all that, all of you could have burned to death. This isn’t a ‘s**t happens’ moment. This is I’m a danger to everyone and this just proved it.” I screamed before I started to sob into my hands. Nate wrapped his arms around me.

“I don’t know what happened.” I sobbed and Nate squeezed me closer.

“Well, you fell asleep and then you screamed. And then the chopper went poof!” Prince Silas exclaimed and Nate growled.

“Wait! It was a dream?” I lifted my head out of my hands.

“Ayla, what did you dream?” Xander asked me.

“I didn’t even realize it was a dream. I don’t remember falling asleep. I was shifted and it was black. And then there was this voice,” I explained.

“A voice? Was it a man’s voice?” Nate questioned.

“It terrified me. And then there was a hand around my neck. I couldn’t make out any details except for his sadistic grin.” I said, shaking my head. I didn’t want to remember.

“Did he say anything?” Prince Chase asked and I chewed my bottom lips before I nodded.

“But it was just a dream, right? It can’t possibly be real.” My voice cracked.

“Whatever it was, it triggered you. It would seem your outbursts are a defense mechanism of some kind. When you feel threatened or upset, that’s when it happens.” Xander told us his theory.

“But how am I supposed to control it? I can’t control my dreams or, in this case, a nightmare.” I shivered.

“I have no idea, but we may need to find a witch.” Xander pondered the idea.

“And maybe we should keep you out of small spaces.” Prince Silas chimed in and I whimpered.

“I’m so sorry.” I cried, resting my forehead against Nate’s shoulder.

“Princess, it’s fine, really. My people will be out here soon to clean up the mess and take us to the palace. No one was hurt. And Nate’s right, s**t happens.” Prince Silas tried to reassure me but my guilt still ate away at me.

“Was it King Kaden?” Nate asked me and I lifted my head to look at him.

“No. I know you might not trust him, but I do. I trust him with my life. And I know he would never hurt me on purpose.” I answered, firmly.

It felt like hours before we could see the boats in the distance. Poor Nate was shivering and his lips were blue as he used my tail as a pool noodle. His legs wrapped around my tail, keeping him afloat. I could feel his exhaustion through our bond. I tried to snuggle him but he would always turn it around and snuggle me. He didn’t want to show his weakness.

But I’m the one that got us into this mess and my guilt was eating at me. Any longer in these northern seas and my mate would freeze to death. And I did that. I may not have meant to, but I still caused it. And not only that, I destroyed millions of dollars worth of flying equipment.

“It’s okay, baby. Everything is okay.” Nate’s shriving voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Nate, you are freezing. And not only did I destroy a helicopter worth millions, but then the environmental impact it will have on the ocean. I’m a terrible mate and mermaid.” I said in despair.

“Princess, my people will get the mess all cleaned up. You think it’s the first time a chopper has gone down?” Silas said and I sighed.

“Besides, insurance will cover it. I’ve been asking for a new one anyways.” The pilot chuckled.

“See, it all worked out, baby. No need to feel guilty.” Nate said, before kissing me.

I decided to keep my mouth shut. Nothing I had to say would change their minds. They may not want to admit it, but I’m sure they were terrified. I know I would have been if the helicopter I was in just exploded. I know they just didn’t want to make me feel more terrible than I already do.

Finally, the boats were close enough to us. I swam with the others, still holding on to Nate. I didn’t need him to start sinking because he was exhausted and too frozen to swim. As much as he tried, he was out of his element here. While Nate was climbing up the ladder to board the deck of the boat, Xander was nudging me.

“Shift, Ayla.” But I hesitated. I didn’t want to blow up the boat either.

“Nothing is going to happen.” Xander tried to reassure me.

“I think I’ll follow the boat,” I finally said. And I heard Nate growl from above.

“Ayla, get on the boat.” He demanded. And I shook my head.

Just then I was pushed hard from behind and let out a squeal. I whipped around to be face-to-face with a baby orca. The pandas of the ocean.

“Stay with the pod and the boat. I’ll deal with Nate.” Xander told me. I couldn’t take my eyes or hands off of the baby whale in front of me.

It wasn’t until he licked up my face did I squeal in laughter. More orcas breached the surface of the water and all my worries from earlier melted away. Right now, I am just a mermaid, hanging out with a pod of orcas and not the mess I’ve recently been. Or maybe I’ve always been a mess.

Future Beta Nate

“Are you insane?” I growled at Xander, who was just climbing onto the deck.

“She’s safe. We would be right here if anything were to happen. She’s terrified of getting on the boat. And she did want to swim with the orcas.” He answered. And I just shook my head.

I was freezing but I needed to make sure my mate was safe. And how was I going to protect her from the boat deck if she was in the water?

“And how are you going to protect her once you turn into an ice cube?” Duke shivered.

“I get it, the water is cold but seriously!” I huffed at him.

“Just go get changed, Nate. I’ll watch her.” Xander told me, pulling me from my wolf.

I pushed my lips in a line but I followed the princes as they entered the superstructure. The controls were on the other side in front of massive windows. I watched as another massive ship sped by us.

“That one is going to collect the remnants of the chopper,” Prince Silas said, before handing me a towel.

“Come on, Wolf Toy. Get yourself dry. I can see your n*****s through your shirt.” He chuckled and I furrowed my eyebrows. I looked at Prince Chase and he started laughing.

“They could probably cut glass,” Prince Chase joined in.

“Stop looking at my n*****s!” I exclaimed, shaking my head.

“They are just so perky,” Prince Silas teased.

“Fucker,” I growled, shaking my head.

I stripped off my wet clothes and dried off before pulling on the sweatpants and sweatshirt. There were also warm socks and shoes left in a pile for each of us.

My body ached as it warmed. I’d never experienced being cold like that before. I’m not sure why people soak in cold water for fun. I don’t think my balls are never coming back out.

“Gives new meaning to blue balls.” Duke snickered and I rolled my eyes.

I walked over to Xander, who was leaning over the deck. He was still wearing his mermaid shorts and I’m sure he was cold. The weather here is vastly cooler than in the western and eastern kingdoms. It’s like being in the mountains, but after being in the freezing water, it felt cold.

Leaning over the deck, I found my mate, swimming gracefully with the orcas. She was laughing and jumping through the wake of the ship. The speed at which she could swim was impressive. They were having no trouble keeping up with us.

“I can watch her now,” I told Xander.

“Warm?” He asked me.

“Getting there. More like starving now.”

“I’m sure there’s food somewhere.” He shrugged.

“I’ll find something once Ayla decides to board. I’m sure she is hungry as well.” I told him.

“I don’t think she is coming on board anytime soon. I know you are worried about her but this is her element.” He said, looking over the side again.

“I’m more worried about her mental state. A person can only take so much before they snap. And she just blew up a chopper over a nightmare. I can feel her emotions, she’s feeling guilty and scared.” I sighed.

“As soon as she finds some control, she’ll feel better. And hopefully, being back somewhere where she feels safe will put her more at ease,” he said.

“You don’t think King Kaden could want to hurt her?” I asked him, in all seriousness.

“Ayla trusts him. I don’t understand why, but she never mentioned being with Kyle before. I know she told us she lied about living in the city, but why lie about being in a relationship?” He asked me.

“She was probably embarrassed or she didn’t want the questions. She did say it was easier to lie than deal with the truth.” I told him.

“Well, I’m glad she has you. If not, I’m sure she would have gone running back to him. I know he had his reasons for leaving her but he could have handled things better.” Duke let out a growl and Xander looked at me.

“I’m going to go get dressed.” He said before he walked away and I let out a sigh.

“He was giving us a compliment.” I scolded my wolf.

“Maybe. But I don’t want to hear about her being with someone else. She is ours.” He snapped.

“I know she is, I marked her, remember?” I rolled my eyes.

It was another few hours before the palace came into view. The island was rocky with high cliffs, and it was covered in coniferous trees. This place had a familiar feeling of home. The ship slowed the closer we got to the rocky coastline.

“Cut the engines!” Xander barked out.

Ayla was saying goodbye to the orcas before she swam over to the ladder we had climbed up earlier. It didn’t take long for my beautiful mate to climb up the ladder in her gorgeous dress. I could tell the crew was in awe as I helped her up onto the deck. Xander quickly wrapped a blanket around her, then I wrapped her in my arms.

“Are you feeling better, baby?” I asked her as I led her into the superstructure to get changed. She was starting to shiver now that she was no longer shifted.

“I don’t know, Nate.”