Page 222 of Her Destined Alpha
“To protect your mate…” I finished, looking at the ground. My heart thundered. Fuck… Raf… Why? Was I fucking worth that much to you?
Memories of long ago flashed through my head. The way she hadn’t allowed the kids to come stay at my pack... the way she always stayed away from me…
“We both know your mate hates me. But yeah, it’s good. I am a fucking monster. Her attitude fucking pisses me off…”
“It’s not like that, Al... she isn’t like that…”
I had fucking said hurtful stuff about her, and he never once got angry. I must have hurt him so fucking much with my words, but he took it…
I looked up at her, seeing her in an entirely fucking new light.
“Why didn’t you heal?” I asked hoarsely.
“I was pregnant with Raihana. There was something wrong with me, I was ill throughout her pregnancy, we now presume it was due to her being a witch. I couldn’t heal well back then,” she replied quietly.
Another fucking slap to the face. I could have killed Ri… For her to risk her child meant I would have definitely killed Raf that night…
I stood up slowly, letting go of her hands.
“I’m sorry, Maria. I fucking am,” I whispered.
She looked up at me, confused, and for a moment, I saw Raihana. They had a lot of similarities, and I wondered how I had never seen them before. I cupped her face, surprising the both of us. But hey, if I could love my niece, then I could love her mother.
“I am fucking sorry, Maria… I wish I had done this sooner... but can we start afresh? I know I can’t makeup for all the shit I put you through, but I will be here for you just the way Raf was there for me. I fucking promise. For you, the kids, just give me one more chance,” I asked quietly.
I brushed her tears away with my thumbs, and she slowly gripped my wrists, seeming to hesitate.
“Just one more fucking chance. I promise this time I won’t fuck up. For Raf?” I asked. Fresh tears fell down her face before she nodded hesitantly, and I felt some relief. I smirked. She only agreed because of those last two words. “The fucker still wins,” I said softly.
She gave a small, weak smile, and I let go of her face, wrapping my arms around her tightly.I promise I will take care of her. I’ll be the best brother to her, the way I should have been to you, Raf. Forgive me.
Healing & Family
Delsanra
Three weeks had passed since Papa Raf left us for a better place. The pain of his loss was felt across the entire country. Alphas from all around came to pay their respects. I also realised Rayhan had made a reputation for himself as a dangerous alpha, one who would defy every law of the Council if need be.
I knew the King – or as he told me to call him ‘Al or whatever shit I wanted to’, so I settled for King Burrito – had a lot to deal with, but he had been there for us all. That day he was talking to Mama Mari, Kiara and I had heard the end of it, but we had walked away, leaving them to their moment. They had needed it, and both of us had been so happy that it had taken place.
Life had changed for us all. Papa Raf was someone who would never be forgotten. Although we had overcome all our troubles, never had we imagined that we’d lose a king in the process. I wanted to blame myself for Papa Raf, but I knew that wasn’t what anyone would want, and rather than wallow in self-pity, I wanted to be the pillar of strength for my family.
My greatest abuser was dead, and although I wasn’t the one to kill him, it didn’t matter. He was gone. The remaining handful of hunters belonging to the group were tracked and killed. They had been from many packs all across the country, much to the King’s anger.
Rayhan and I had become Alpha and Luna by default, but Mama Mari had said she wanted me to continue with my studies as Papa Raf and Rayhan had wanted. I realised then that Rayhan had refused the Alpha title so I wouldn’t be burdened with the job as Luna so soon. It warmed me that even then, everyone wanted me to continue to study. But although I insisted that it wasn’t important, Mama Mari had taken my hand and told me it would serve as a distraction for her too.
The Ahmar Qamar Pack was renamed the Dark Storm Pack, and Rayhan appointed Chris as Alpha for it. Although that meant Raihana had to move a half-hour away, we would still be going to university together onceI had caught up with the rest of my studies. She didn’t complain, being the woman she needed to be for her mate and now Alpha.
To make it clear that Chris was capable of the title, he had to fight the Beta and Delta of that pack. He had won the two against one match, and the pack had no reason not to yield to their new Alpha and Luna, not to mention Raihana had the blood of the Ali family running through her. Alpha Amir was there to guide them as well, and although he had been pained at his grandson’s loss, he knew Rayhan’s reasons. Even then, I knew it was going to take him time to be okay with it.
Zain’s mother had left the pack, returning to the pack she had come from, and as for Zain’s mate, she had committed suicide the day after his death. Yes, Zain was in the wrong, but it saddened me that an innocent person had suffered.
The truth is that no matter how much a person does something for the right reason, innocent people still suffer. More hate is bred, and I fear that the next generation will be the ones to suffer most because of it.
Rayhan had become an alpha that his father would be proud of. He sorted everything out, appointing a new Delta to replace Chris, and got to work instantly, taking over his father’s place with ease. I was proud of him too.
Night had fallen, and Chris and Raihana had come for the evening. Rayhan had been working late in the home office. I walked through the halls, wanting to tell him to leave his work and join us. I knocked on the door lightly.
“You don’t need to knock, Kitten,” Rayhan’s sexy voice called, and I opened the door.
