Page 63 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

“Ah, yes. Patience,” Nathaniel muses, as though tasting the word. “Perhaps that’s the problem. You’ve shown too much of it… with her.”

I bristle immediately, knowing where this is going. “If you’ve come to insult Aria, I suggest you rethink your words.”

His smirk deepens. “Insult her? No, Alpha, I’m merely observing the facts. She has acted precisely as one might expect from a human—impulsive, disloyal, and entirely self-serving.”

I slam my fist on the desk, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. “Careful, Nathaniel,” I warn, my voice a low growl.

But Nathaniel doesn’t flinch. He never does. Instead, he steps closer, his calculating eyes boring into mine. “You think I speak out of turn? Tell me, Alpha, where is she now? With her father. The very man who’s threatened your pack time and time again. And you call that loyalty?”

My jaw clenches so hard I can feel the strain on my teeth. “You don’t know what’s going on here.”

“Don’t I?” Nathaniel challenges. “She left of her own accord, didn’t she? Didn’t even say goodbye. You welcomed her into your pack, gave her the protection of your name, and how does she repay you? By running back to Vittorio.”

Rook shifts uncomfortably in the corner but wisely stays silent.

“She didn’t run,” I snap. “She wouldn’t do that.”

Nathaniel tilts his head, his expression smug. “Wouldn’t she? Or are you blinded by whatever spell she’s cast over you? You’ve allowed her human emotions—her human weakness—to cloud your judgment.”

I lunge forward, closing the space between us in an instant. “Watch your tongue, Elder,” I growl, my claws itching to extend.

For a moment, Nathaniel’s steely gaze holds mine, unyielding. Then, with an infuriating calm, he steps back. “I only speak the truth, Alpha. As much as it may sting.”

Silence hangs between us like a taut wire, and for a moment, I consider throwing him out of the room. But then his words hit me again, burrowing under my skin like poison. She left of her own accord.

“Why are you really here, Nathaniel?” I demand, my voice cold.

“To save this pack from further disgrace,” he says bluntly. “You’ve allowed her to bring weakness into our midst, and now she’s abandoned us. Worse, she’s abandoned your heir.”

My blood runs cold. “What did you say?”

“Your son,” Nathaniel says smoothly, as though he’s delivering a sermon. “Do you think Vittorio will allow him to remain with you? He’ll claim the boy, twist him into a weapon, and use him against you. Against us all.”

I feel the room tilt slightly as his words sink in. “He wouldn’t dare,” I hiss.

“Wouldn’t he?” Nathaniel counters. “The man’s already taken Aria. Do you think he’ll stop there? You’re a fool if you do.”

“Enough!” I roar, my voice reverberating through the room.

But Nathaniel presses on, his tone as calm and cutting as ever. “You’ve made a mistake, Bane. A critical one. But it’s not too late to fix it. Take back what’s yours. Your son belongs to this pack, not to Vittorio. And certainly not to her.”

I slam my fist into the desk again, the wood splintering under the force. “She’s still part of this pack,” I growl. “I don’t care what you think.”

Nathaniel chuckles darkly. “Still defending her, even now? How noble of you, Alpha. But tell me, how many more betrayals will it take before you see her for what she truly is?”

I don’t respond. I can’t. The anger coursing through me is too strong, too consuming.

Nathaniel takes my silence as victory. “You’re a strong leader, Bane. But strength isn’t enough. Wisdom is required, too. And wisdom dictates that you cut your losses before they destroy you.”

“I’ll decide what’s best for this pack,” I snap, my voice low and dangerous.

“Of course,” Nathaniel says with a mock bow. “But remember this: Vittorio is playing the long game. If you don’t act now, you may not get another chance.”

He turns to leave, his words lingering in the air like smoke. But before he reaches the door, he pauses and glances back over his shoulder.

“Alpha,” he says but then shakes his head and leaves.

Rook leans against the wall, watching me carefully. “You okay?”

---