My Alpha's Wolfless Daughter
My Alpha’s Wolfless Daughter – Chapter 50

Nate

I was riding shotgun with Jonathan, driving to my pack with two more warriors riding with us. There were two more SUVs following us with warriors. Alpha Atlas had called Alpha Matt after seeing us this morning to inform him of another body.

I was brooding in my seat as I stared out the window. I’m even more worried about Ayla now. I didn’t even want to think about them ever getting a hold of her.

My new phone chimed in the pocket of my jeans. I pulled it out to find a text message from Ryan. f**k, what could have possibly happened now?

Ryan: Princess Ayla told us the victim was a part of King Kaden’s kingdom.

“For f**k sake,” I growled.

“Everyone okay?” Jonathan asked me and I grumbled.

“The victim is from the eastern sea kingdom.” I g*****d.

“Is that bad?” One warrior asked, from the back seat.

“It is when Ayla’s ex is the king.” I scuffed.

“f**k, dude. That’s rough.” Jonathan breathed out.

“She dated a king?” The other warrior asked and I cursed.

“It’s a long story,” I growled, looking out the window again. Can this day get any fucken worse? And then my phone rang. The number was unknown and I was immediately worried it was about Ayla.

“Beta Nate,” I answered.

“Nate, where’s Ayla?” King Kaden yelled into the phone and I growled.

“She is with Xander. Not that it’s any of your fucken business,” I snapped.

“She’s my queen, so it is my business, Wolfboy!” he retorted.

“What the hell do you want?”

“I’m going to the Diamond Mountain Pack to collect a body and I wanted to make sure Ayla was okay. I called her and she didn’t answer.” He said and I growled.

“That’s my pack and you don’t need to go there. And Ayla is fine and you shouldn’t be calling my mate.” I said through gritted teeth.

“Then I guess I’ll see you there then. I’ve already spoken to the Alpha.” He told me before he hung up.

I squeezed the phone in my hand, taking deep breaths before I crushed it. I wish it was his body we found.

“Good, now I get to eat the fucker.” Duke growled.

“Nate, what was that about?” Jonathan questioned.

“Apparently the king feels he needs to visit my pack,” I snapped.

“This day just keeps getting better and better for you.” Jonathan chuckled.

It had to be the longest drive of my life getting back to my pack. I needed to go for a run and to rip something apart. The only good thing is that Ayla isn’t here to see King Kaden. I hate their relationship and I wish she could cut him off completely.

“Or we can kill him and hide his body in the mountains,” Duke chimed in.

“Don’t fucken tempt me, right now. I was having such a great morning with Ayla until all this bullshit happened.” I snapped at him.

“It’s not my fault you didn’t kill the bastard when we had the chance.” He scuffed.

“And that would have hurt Ayla!” I retorted. And he shrugged.

“She will get over it.” And I sighed.

“We would hurt her and I don’t want to do that. I hate him but I can’t kill him.” Duke grumbled as he returned to the back of my mind.

Finally, we pulled up in front of the pack house. The alpha and his very pregnant Luna were waiting on the front steps for us.

“Dad, we’re here.” I mind-linked him.

“I’m with the body. I’ll be there soon. Make sure you see your mother.” He answered.

I exited the vehicle to greet my alpha and Luna. As of right now, it’s probably best for me to stay a part of this pack until Ayla and I have figured everything out.

“Alpha Atlas, Luna Thea,” I greeted them. Alpha gave me a nod while his Luna wrapped me in a hug.

“It’s good to see you, Nate. How are you and Ayla doing?” She rushed out.

“We are both doing well. A little on edge after this morning, but she headed back to the palace,” I answered.

“Auntie, Uncle,” Jonathan came up beside me.

“Jonathan, look at how much you’ve grown.” Luna Thea exclaimed, wrapping her nephew in a hug.

“My man,” I heard Mitch call out to me.

“Mitch, how are you, man?” I smiled, greeting my best friend.

“What, too good now to text us, peasants, back?” He teased.

“If I knew where my old phone was, I would have. But I think it’s at the bottom of the northern sea.” I chuckled.

“And where is Ayla?” He asked.

“She’s safe at the palace,” I answered.

“Mitch, take Jonathan and the warriors to see Beta Will for their orders,” Alpha Atlas commanded.

“Yes, sir.” Mitch nodded.

“We’ll talk later,” I told him.

“Nate, to my office.” The alpha growled. Great, what the hell did I do now?

“Be nice,” Luna Thea told her mate, grabbing his arm.

I nodded to the Alpha before I made my way into the pack house to his office. I’m not sure why he would be pissed at me. I made sure Ayla was safe before I came here. Even though she was pissed at me about it.

I pulled out my phone to text her. I knew she was probably still in the middle of the ocean and I didn’t know if she even had her phone with her.

Me: I miss you baby. Be safe. Xoxo.

I didn’t have to wait outside Alpha’s office for long before he came marching toward me. He threw his office doors open before stomping in. I followed and took a seat in front of his desk while he paced behind it.

“Alpha Atlas, did something happen?” I asked him when the silence became too much.

“Nate, why the hell is the man who I was told would be trying to kidnap and rape my daughter calling me and demanding to see the body?” He yelled. His aura hit me but I was able to fight it.

“Right, well, it turns out that King Kaden was actually Ayla’s ex. They met when she moved away from the city after running from foster care. He told her his name was Kyle.” I explained. He took a deep breath before he took a seat.

“And why is he coming here?” He growled.

“Ayla saw the report and told us that the body was from his kingdom,” I answered.

“How the hell would she even know that?” He questioned and I shrugged.

“I was already on my way here. One of Xander’s warriors texted me. And then King Kaden called me. He wants Ayla back.” I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Do I even want to know what happened?” He sighed. I went back and forth about whether I should tell him about Melody or not. I decided to let Ayla handle it. And hopefully, King Kaden keeps his mouth shut.

“His father, the king of the eastern kingdom, killed his mother and he had to leave to protect his brother. They were planning on moving to the city so Ayla could work at the law firm and attend night classes. He left her without a word while she was in the city for her interview.” I informed him.

“I hate this fucker already.” He growled.

“You and me both. But Ayla trusts him. So just be smart when he gets here.” I told him and he raised an eyebrow at me.

“No disrespect, Alpha. It would hurt Ayla if anything happened to him,” I said, and he sighed.

“Fine, I’ll refrain from killing him.”

“And I’ll try to keep Duke under control. He really wants to eat him.” Alpha Atlas chuckled.

“I heard my brother couldn’t give you a spot in his pack?” He asked and I nodded.

“No hard feelings. But I would like to remain a part of your pack until Ayla and I have a plan. With everything going on, we still don’t have a plan,” I explained.

“Nate, you are always welcome here. Even if Duke is the size of a grizzly bear. I think he made my brother s**t his pants when you shifted.” He laughed.

“I wish I had been there to see his face.”

“All but Ayla was terrified of him. We are happy to become a lone wolf if that’s what has to happen. Duke just wants to be with his mate and so do I.” I told him.

“I think my brother is making a mistake. Having a wolf-like Duke in his pack would be beneficial. And you are also well trained and a great leader.” He praised me.

“Thank you, sir.”

“We are family now. If you are worthy of my daughter, then you are worthy of a spot in my pack.”

Ayla

We finally arrived at the palace. Not even the hours of swimming could improve my mood. I know women love a big strong man to save them, but I didn’t want to be saved. I wanted to be his equal. I’m at the center of all of this and I need to know what is going on.

Nate shouldn’t have just run off without at least going over a plan with me first. I had no idea what he was walking into and I was terrified. This could all be a trap and I wouldn’t be there to protect him. Or to protect my family. I hated that they held my life above others.

I waded out of the water and onto the beach, tying up my dress so that it would cover my lady bites. I haven’t said a word since my last conversation with Xander. I just wanted to get here and get this over with.

I marched through the sand and up the stairs to the palace with Xander and the warriors following me. I didn’t expect to find my grandmother waiting at the front door.

“Ayla, my goodness, are you alright?” She exclaimed, rushing over to me. She threw her arms around me.

“Grandmother, what’s wrong?” I asked, worried.

“I’ve been waiting for you, my dear. I needed to make sure you were safe.” She explained.

“I’m okay. I just came to find that book. I didn’t mean to impose,” I told her as she led me into the palace.

“This is your home, Ayla. You can never impose. I’m worried about you, granddaughter. Atlas called me, informing me about another body.”

“The victim belongs to the eastern kingdom. And no, I have no idea how I know that. Nate is there now, helping my father. I’ll be heading back tomorrow after I find that book.” I told her.

“Ayla, you aren’t heading back until Nate is back,” Xander informed me and I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest.

“I’m pretty sure I can protect myself. I’m here for the book, not because there was another body found. Now, please excuse me, grandmother.” I said, kissing her cheek.

“Your room is ready for you. And please come to dinner. It will be ready in an hour.” She said and I nodded.

“Thank you,” I told her before I left to find the library.

“Ayla, I know you are upset but this is all being done to keep you safe,” Xander said, catching up to me.

“So I’m more important than that mermaid who was kidnapped and murdered?” I exclaimed and he sighed.

“You’re a princess. It’s our job to keep you safe. If we can’t keep the princess safe, what kind of message does that send to the people?” He retorted. I stopped walking and pinched the bridge of my nose. I’ve felt nothing but anxiety and fear for the last two weeks and my mind and body are exhausted. How can anyone run a kingdom for a lifetime?

“Ayla, did something happen with Nate?” He asked and I looked at him.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because you haven’t asked to call him. I have your phone. I’ve already checked mine to find messages from King Kaden. I’m sure Nate has left you a few.” He said and I sighed.

“I’ll call him after I find the book. I’m sure he’s busy.” I said before I continued to the library.

“I understand, both of you are just trying to protect me, but I should be included. This is my life.”

We walked in silence after that, and Xander had to lead the way since I was only getting myself lost. I don’t remember this place being so big. When Xander opened the door to the library, my stomach twisted into knots.

I was finally going to get some answers but I’m not sure if I was ready for them. I rushed to the back of the room where the wall had disappeared the first time. I know I dropped the book on the ground but no one was able to find it before.

“Ayla, what are we looking for?” Xander asked behind me.

“A book that glows blue.” I shrugged.

The more I looked, the more anxious I grew. Where the hell could it have gone to? I should have brought it with me. But the goddesses wouldn’t have let just anyone be able to read it, would they?

I took a moment to sit down on the floor across from where the wall opened up. I was looking up at the bookcase, trying to slow down my breathing. This could be everything and I lost it.

“If you could fall off the self again, that would be wonderful,” I called out, and Xander chuckled.

“Do you really think that will work?” He asked, sitting down beside me.

“I don’t know. I thought about it before and the book fell. I thought I would test it.” I shrugged.

“We’ll find it.” He tried to reassure me.

“Is there something about Nate that you’re not telling me?” I blurted out and Xander’s body tensed.

“Xander, what the hell aren’t you telling me?” I yelled. But before he could answer, a book fell off the shelf in front of us. It wasn’t glowing but there’s no way it could have fallen on its own. I reached for it. My heart was pounding in my chest. Finally, some fucken answers.

The book didn’t have a title embossed on the leather binding. There was nothing to indicate what the book could actually be.

“Is this the book?” Xander asked as I sat back.

“It has to be,” I said as I held my breath before flipping open the front cover. The page was blank.

I kept flipping to find all the pages were blank. I started to panic as I looked through the book again to find all the pages were still blank.

“What the hell is happening?” I exclaimed.

“Ayla, calm down. It must not be the right book.” Xander said.

“But it has to be. What other book would fly off the shelf like that?” I yelled.

“I’m sorry to disturb you both,” a voice said, and I snapped my head up to find a young woman standing by the bookshelf in front of us.

“Dinner is almost ready.” She announced before she left the room.

“Come on, princess. I know you are hungry. We will come back after and keep looking.” Xander told me, standing up. He reached down to help me up and I followed him out, still clutching the book in my hand.

I had a feeling this was the right book, but now it was empty. What was I going to do now?