The Alpha's Secret

Prologue August 26th, 2008 — Stockholm, Sweden Alpha Kane Hemming sat at the large, circular dining table, watching his closest friends, King Ulf Havaror and Queen Freya, struggle with their grief. The King tried to conceal the heartache in his eyes, while his wife sobbed into her hands. “We need you to do something for us,” Ulf began, his voice low. “But we're asking as your friends, not as your King and Queen.” Kane nodded. He would do anything for the man who had stood beside him through countless battles. Their friendship had begun in childhood, despite growing up in different countries, and had endured everything life had thrown at them. But this time, their enemy was Ulf's own brother, Axel Havaror. And the reason was a three-year-old girl. Princess Athena Rieka Havaror. For years, Axel had believed his brother's wife was barren. Convinced he would eventually inherit the throne, he had grown comfortable with the idea of becoming King. Then, through what the royal couple believed was a miracle bestowed by Gaia, Freya had fallen pregnant and given birth to a healthy daughter. Athena was the long-awaited heir to the throne and the future Queen of the Werewolves. Axel's hopes of becoming King had been shattered, and his jealousy soon turned murderous. He plotted to have his own niece killed, but his wife discovered his intentions and warned the royal couple. Her loyalty cost her her life. With Athena's life in danger, Ulf and Freya had no choice but to fake their daughter's death and send her somewhere Axel would never think to look. England. Kane listened carefully as his friend explained the plan. The little princess would be placed under his protection, far from the dangers of the royal court. “I'll protect her with my life,” Kane promised. The King reached across the table and clasped his friend's hand, gratitude shining through his grief. From that moment on, Princess Athena Havaror would cease to exist to the world. And a little girl called Thea would begin a new life. August 31st, 2008 — Oxfordshire, England Five-year-old Alaric Hemming Junior was confused when his father returned from a business trip with a little girl, but he accepted Kane's explanation without question. “This is Thea,” Kane explained. “She's lost her family, and she doesn't have anyone to look after her. So I've brought her home to live with us. Would you like to help me look after her?” Alaric studied the frightened three-year-old clinging to a small doll. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried for her mama. “Why is she crying, Daddy?” “Do you remember how sad you were when Mummy passed away?” Kane asked gently. Alaric nodded, lowering his eyes. “Well, Thea has lost her mummy and daddy, too. She's frightened and doesn't understand what's happening.” The little boy looked at Thea before slowly approaching her. “Don't cry,” he whispered. “You'll be okay. I'll show you my toys and books, and I can read you a story. I promise I'll look after you.” Thea peered at him through her tears before slipping her little hand into his. Alaric led her towards his bedroom, chattering excitedly about his toys until her crying subsided. Kane watched them disappear around the corner, relief washing over him. He had brought Thea home to keep her safe, never imagining how quickly his son would take her into his heart. The dove had met her falcon. October 2011 — Oxfordshire, England “Girls can't climb trees like boys can!” Elias Benson shouted at the stubborn red-haired girl inspecting the enormous tree in the mansion grounds. “Yes, they can!” Dhalia Calahan retorted, folding her arms. “Alaric, tell them girls can't climb trees!” Elias demanded. Alaric barely glanced up from the stones he was throwing into the lake. “Girls can climb trees.” Dhalia grinned triumphantly. “See! I told you!” Elias stamped his foot. “Fine! But six-year-olds can't. Only eight-year-olds can, and you and Thea are only six!” “Six-year-olds can climb trees!” Dhalia screamed. “Actually, six is probably too young,” Alaric agreed, earning himself an outraged glare. While Elias and Dhalia continued arguing, Alaric glanced around. Thea was gone. “Thea?” he called, suddenly concerned. “Alaric! I'm stuck!” He looked up to see Thea clinging to a branch several feet above the ground, her little face pale with fear. “I'm scared! I can't get down!” Alaric's heart lurched. He remembered the promise he had made her three years earlier. “It's okay! I'm coming. Just hold on tight and don't let go!” Without another thought, he began climbing towards her. He might have agreed that six-year-olds were too young to climb trees, but he wasn't about to let his little dove face her fears alone. September 2012 — Oxfordshire, England “But I don't want you to go!” Seven-year-old Thea clung desperately to Alaric, tears streaming down her cheeks. At nine, he was leaving home to begin his formal education and training as the future Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack. “I know, Pixie,” he whispered, holding her close. “But Dad says it's time. I have to learn how to be an Alpha.” “What am I supposed to do without you?” Alaric hated seeing her cry. Ever since she'd arrived at the mansion, he had been the one to comfort her, and leaving her was harder than he wanted to admit. “I'll be back at Christmas,” he promised, rubbing her back. “I'll miss you, too.” “Promise?” “Promise.” He brushed a strand of red hair from her face before reluctantly pulling away. “I have to go now.” Then he hurried from the room, determined not to look back. Because if he saw her crying again, he wasn't sure he could leave at all. September 2016 — Oxfordshire, England Thea sat beside Alaric at the long dining table, listening as Kane explained that his thirteen-year-old son would soon begin intensive Alpha training. “What about Thea?” Alaric asked, concern evident in his eyes. “Our little dove will be attending a girls' boarding school,” Kane replied. Thea's heart sank. “But I don't want to go,” she protested, her hazel eyes pleading with the man who had raised her. “Poppet, you need an education,” Kane said gently, brushing a strand of red hair from her face. “Why can't I stay here?” Alaric offered her a reassuring smile. “It's okay, Pixie. You'll come home during the holidays.” “I'm afraid not,” Kane interrupted. “You two are a terrible influence on one another. Alaric needs to concentrate on becoming the best Alpha he can be, and you need to focus on your education.” He softened his expression. “I'll visit you whenever I can. I promise.” Thea looked towards Alaric, who was watching her sadly. They had grown up together, sharing toys, secrets, laughter and tears. He had always been her protector, the person she turned to when the world felt frightening. Now they were being separated once again. Neither knew how long it would be before they saw each other properly, and neither could bear the thought of saying goodbye. July 2023 — Devon, England Thea sat in the back of the car sent to collect her from boarding school, watching the English countryside pass by. After seven long years, she was finally going home. And all she could think about was seeing Alaric. Would he still have the same smile? Would he still tease her and pull her into his arms when she needed comforting? Or had the years apart changed him beyond recognition? Kane had kept his promise, visiting her during the holidays to make sure she was behaving and keeping up with her studies. But Alaric had become increasingly distant. For the first three years, they had written to each other every week. His letters had been her lifeline, little pieces of home she treasured whenever loneliness threatened to overwhelm her. Then, as he grew older, his replies became less frequent. Weeks passed, sometimes months, until eventually the letters stopped altogether. Thea had convinced herself that he was simply busy with his Alpha training. She understood that his responsibilities were growing, but that didn't stop the silence from hurting. Sometimes she wondered whether he had forgotten her. Whether their childhood friendship meant as much to him as it did to her. Those thoughts were harder to bear than she cared to admit. Without his letters, she had been left alone with her memories, especially those of the day she had lost her parents. She could barely remember their faces now, but she remembered how they had made her feel. Loved. Safe. Cherished. She often wondered what her life would have been like had they survived. Would she have grown up surrounded by her family? Would everything have been different? If her parents had lived, she might never have met Kane or Alaric. She might never have known the man who had raised her with such unwavering love, or the boy who had promised to protect her when she was too young to understand the world. Perhaps fate had taken everything from her only to lead her towards them. Or perhaps that was simply what she told herself on the nights when missing her parents hurt too much. Thea rested her forehead against the cool window as the car continued towards the mansion. She was eighteen now, no longer the frightened little girl who had arrived clutching a doll and crying for her mother. She had grown up, learned to stand on her own two feet, and spent years convincing herself that she didn't need anyone to feel whole. Yet as home drew closer, she realised that some things had never changed. She still missed her parents. She still loved Kane. And despite the unanswered letters and years of silence, a part of her still belonged to Alaric. She didn't know what awaited her when she stepped through the mansion doors. She didn't know whether the boy who had once promised to look after her would still be there, or whether they had become strangers. But she knew one thing with absolute certainty. She had spent too many years losing the people she loved. And whatever happened next, she would never willingly let them go again.