The Alpha's Hidden Heir

Chapter4

: THE BLACK HOWL RIDERS

CHLOE'S POV

For four years, I had imagined what I would do if Darius ever found me. Sometimes, I pictured myself standing fearlessly in front of him, telling him exactly what I thought of his betrayal. Other times, I imagined disappearing before he could get close enough to recognize me.

Not once had I imagined my legs would feel like they were about to give out.

The motorcycles approached in a tight formation, their engines roaring through the otherwise quiet streets of Raven's Hollow. Black leather vests flashed beneath the afternoon sun, and the familiar insignia on their backs made my stomach twist.

The Black Howl MC had never been a group that traveled quietly, and their arrival announced their presence to everyone within earshot and at the front rode Darius.

Even from a distance, I recognized the way he held himself on a motorcycle. His broad shoulders, his confident posture, and the unmistakable black machine beneath him were burned into my memory. He had changed little in appearance, although there was something harder about his face now, as though the years had sharpened every dangerous part of him.

I couldn't move. "Chloe." Talia grabbed my arm. "We need to get Kael inside."

Her words snapped me out of my daze. I turned toward the clubhouse, where my son was still playing with his toy motorcycle, blissfully unaware that the man I had spent years hiding from was approaching.

"Take him to the back room," I told her. "Keep him there, and don't let anyone bring him outside."

"What are you going to do?"

"Make sure they don't come looking for him." Talia's expression hardened. She knew enough about my past to understand why I was terrified, but she didn't waste time asking questions. She hurried inside while I remained near the garage, forcing myself to stand straight.

I was no longer the frightened woman who had fled Ironfang with a bag of clothes and a stolen motorcycle. I had survived pregnancy, childbirth, financial struggles, and years of uncertainty. I had built a life from nothing, and I wouldn't let Darius destroy it simply because he had finally decided to come looking for me.

The motorcycles stopped outside the garage and several riders dismounted, spreading out along the road. Their eyes moved over the buildings, the parked bikes, and the people who had begun gathering to see what was happening.

A few of our local riders emerged from the clubhouse, their expressions turning suspicious when they noticed the strangers occupying our territory.

Then Darius removed his helmet and his dark eyes found mine immediately.

I had forgotten how intense his gaze could be. It was the kind of stare that made people feel exposed, as though he could see every weakness they were trying to hide. Once, I had loved the way he looked at me. Now, I wanted nothing more than to put several miles between us.

His gaze traveled over my face before dropping to the motorcycle beside me and the expression that settled over his features was almost frightening.

"You've got some nerve," he said as he approached. I folded my arms. "And you still have a problem with personal boundaries."

His jaw tightened. "Four years, Chloe. Four years of searching, and this is what you have to say to me?"

"You found me. Congratulations."

A muscle jumped in his cheek. "You disappeared without a word, stole my motorcycle, and left me to deal with the consequences."

I glanced at the motorcycle. "You seem to have survived perfectly well."

"This isn't funny." He said and I scoffed. "I'm not laughing."

He stopped a few feet away, his imposing presence bringing back memories I had tried very hard to bury. The mate bond stirred beneath my skin, responding to his proximity with an ache that made me want to step closer despite everything I felt.

I hated that the connection still had such power over me. Darius studied me, his eyes narrowing as though he had noticed my discomfort.

"Come home," he ordered.

I stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You're coming back to Ironfang with me." A short, disbelieving laugh escaped my lips. "You ride into my town after four years and expect me to follow you home because you say so?"

"You are still my mate."

"And you're still the man who decided another woman could carry his child without even discussing it with me."

His expression darkened. "That arrangement had nothing to do with our relationship."

"Then you should have had no problem telling me about it before making the decision."

"The pack needed an heir."

"And I needed a mate who respected me. Looks like neither of us got what we wanted."

Several of his men exchanged glances behind him. I didn't care who heard us. I had spent too many years swallowing my anger to protect his reputation.

Darius stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't understand what you've done. Do you have any idea what it cost me to find you?"

"Did it cost you as much as it cost me to leave?" He hesitated and the silence between us stretched, filled with four years of unanswered questions and resentment. I wanted him to admit that he had hurt me.

I wanted him to acknowledge that I hadn't left because I stopped loving him, but because I could no longer bear what our relationship had become. Instead, his eyes hardened again.

"Give me the keys." I glanced at the motorcycle. "No."

"Chloe."

"It's my bike now." I snapped at him and immediately,his expression became incredulous. "Your bike?"

"I've maintained it, repaired it, and ridden it across half the country. You haven't touched it in four years."

"Because you stole it!"

"And you betrayed me. We all make choices." His hand flexed at his side. For a moment, I thought he might reach for me, but he stopped himself.

"You've changed," he said.

"That's what happens when you leave someone to survive alone."

His gaze lingered on my face, and something unreadable crossed his expression. Before he could respond, one of his men approached and whispered something into his ear. Darius listened without taking his eyes off me, then gave a curt nod.

Whatever he heard seemed to make him even more impatient.

"We're leaving," he said. "Get your things."

"I'm not going anywhere with you." His eyes flashed gold.

The sudden flare of his Alpha aura pressed against my senses, a silent command designed to make everyone around him submit. Several nearby riders shifted uneasily, but I planted my feet and refused to lower my gaze.

He might be an Alpha, but I was not standing in his territory anymore.

"You think living among humans makes you untouchable?" he demanded.

"No. I think being a person gives me the right to choose where I live."

Before he could answer, a small voice called from behind the clubhouse. "Mommy?" My blood ran cold and I turned sharply.

Kael stood near the entrance, clutching his toy motorcycle. Talia was behind him, looking as though she had only just realized he had slipped away from her.

"Kael, go inside!" I shouted but it was too late. Darius turned toward the sound as his eyes settled on my son.

Kael looked back at him with wide, curious eyes, seemingly unaware of the tension surrounding us. He was wearing the little brown jacket Talia had bought him, and his dark hair was sticking up in several places because he had refused to let me comb it properly that morning.

I hurried toward him, but Darius spoke before I could reach him. "Who is that boy?"

"My son." The answer came out too quickly.

Darius's gaze moved from Kael to me. Something in his expression changed, and I felt a sudden, terrible certainty that he was putting pieces together.

"Your son?" he repeated.

"Yes."

"How old is he?" I stepped between them. "That's none of your business."

His eyes narrowed as he studied Kael again. The boy had inherited my eyes, but his dark hair and the shape of his face carried traces of a man I had spent years trying to forget.

Darius looked back at me, suspicion slowly replacing his anger.

"Chloe," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "How old is your son?" I tightened my grip on Kael's shoulder.

Behind Darius, his men had fallen silent. Even the local riders seemed to sense that something far more serious than a dispute over a motorcycle was unfolding.

I could lie,I could deny everything but standing there with Darius staring at my child, I knew the truth was already threatening to surface.

Darius's eyes flashed gold as he looked from Kael to me. "Tell me you haven't been hiding my son from me for four years, Chloe.”