The Alpha's Heir Secret

The loud music from the party downstairs thudded like war drums last night, but now, as the morning finally came, the music was gone. Silence hung heavy in the air like nothing had happened. Ariel’s eyes blinked open to a dim, unfamiliar bedroom. Her eyes wandered around the room, which was bigger than her entire apartment, the curtains sagged halfway across the window, letting in the pale light of the morning. Empty bottles and crumpled cups sat abandoned on the desk. A jacket was hung over a chair, a pair of trousers grazed the floor. The carpet was littered with panties, a bra and a heel lying on its side near the bed. The sheets were soft but tangled around her bare legs and still holding the warmth of whoever had been beside her all night. Her face was bloated and her hair scattered like she was fighting in a group fight. She turned her head to behold Daniel, who lay beside her, his golden hair tousled and chest rising slowly and steadily. Even in sleep, his face glittered in bliss, his jaw sharp like the kind of bone structure that made people look twice. His succulent lips were slightly parted, his breathing steady. There was a shadow of stubble along his jawline and a faint bite mark on his collarbone. Her stomach tightened, the sound of her heartbeat could be heard from any angle in the room. Her hand went to her own neck. The skin there burned under her fingertips. It was a claim mark. From him. A faint mark near his collarbone caught her eye; her teeth had been there. Her eyes widened more. Her breath was cut, she gasped in terror. Daniel, her mate. Jayden’s boyfriend. The Alpha heir. "What have I done?" She breathed out these words in teary eyes while her mouth was still aja. She hurriedly reached for her underwear on the floor, her fingers brushing the silk fabric with some level of numbness. Her body felt like a heavy weight, strange and unfamiliar. And his scent still lingered in the air, persistent and irresistible. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go. Her heart pounded as a vivid memory slammed into her like a wave. Last night, Jayden, her best friend, threw a party at his family's house. He invited her over along with his boyfriend and a bunch of other people. In the chaotic music and noise of the crowd, Jayden handed her a red Solo cup. “Loosen up, girl!” he shouted, grinning, spinning to the music. One drink turned into two. Then three. Then suddenly, somewhere between the lights and the laughter, a scent hit her. Her wolf snapped to attention. It was Daniel. She hadn’t known why then, hadn’t even seen him in the crowd, but that scent pulled her through the sea of bodies like gravity. That was it. She remembered nothing after that, only fragmented flashes: a white-sheeted bed, heat, and slow moans. She yanked her dress over her head, hands fumbling. Her knees threatened to buckle. How could the Moon Goddess be this cruel? A rustle behind her froze her in place. Daniel sat up, confusion clouding his eyes. He rubbed his face, grunted while he stretched his body, then froze when he saw her struggling with her clothes. “What the f**k?” He cut through the silence and urgency of her well-being. He lifted the duvet which rested on him and, behold, he was naked as well! “I don’t, Daniel, I don’t know what happened.” Her voice shook, her words tripping over each other. “What?” His tone was sharp now. His face twitched, and his wolf alerted in dismay. “I swear” She took a step back, her chest heaving. “I don’t know how.” “Jesus Christ.” His voice was low, dangerous. He stood, clutching the duvet around his waist. “I didn’t Daniel, please” She whispered like she was sentenced to destruction. His eyes burned. “What kind of sick game is this? You think getting me drunk would make me. What? Forget who I am?” “No! I was drunk too.” “Bullshit! "You never drink. "You hate alcohol.” He cut her short, like she didn't deserve to speak. “I” She faltered. “Don’t act like this was some accident. "God, I can’t even remember coming to you!” His jaw tightened. “You planned this, didn’t you?” “What? No!” “You and my father, what, trying to fix me? Make me straight?” His voice cracked into a bitter laugh. “I’m gay, Ariel.” She flinched. “I’ve never even spoken to your father.” “You knew Jayden was downstairs. You wanted to ruin everything. Jealous little omega slut.” His voice pierced through her ears and burned her heart. Her stomach dropped. Her lips parted, the truth of the bond trembled there, but she stayed silent. Her wolf whimpered and went still inside her. She swallowed. “The bond, you felt it?” His jaw clenched. “Don’t ever say that again. You’re nothing to me. This never happened.” Her throat burned as she turned for the door. Just as her fingers touched the knob, a knock rattled it. Jayden’s voice came through, sharp with worry. “Ariel? Daniel? Are you there?” Neither of them breathed. More knocks. Harder this time. “Daniel, open the door! I’ve been looking everywhere for Ariel. She’s drunk, and I can’t find her.” Daniel went pale. “You have to hide.” “Where?” “I said hide!” He shoved her toward the bathroom and shut the door hard. “Give me a sec!” he called, yanking on his trousers. He opened the door to Jayden, who was frowning. “What took you so long? Have you seen Ariel? I honestly thought I heard her voice here.” “She’s not here,” Daniel said quickly. She was probably in one of the other rooms. "Come here.” He stepped close, fingers brushing Jayden’s cheek. “How’s my love this morning?” Jayden’s expression softened, though suspicion lingered. “You look pale. Last night was wild.” “Shhh.” Daniel pressed their lips together. “I just want you.” Jayden melted into him, the kiss deepening, but Daniel’s pulse was still racing. “No, my parents are around,” Jayden whispered through his mouth. “Let’s get you home. You smell like alcohol.” Daniel hesitated, then nodded and pulled on a shirt. But before opening the door, he pinned Jayden gently to the wall. “I love you,” he murmured. “Nothing will come between us.” Jayden smiled faintly. “I know. I love you too.” They kissed again until Jayden’s gaze dropped to Daniel’s neck. His smile faded. “Daniel, what’s this mark on your neck?” He let the question linger in the air.