The Alpha’s Dark Heritage

Chapter 12

***Nina***

The old oak tree cast feeble shadows under the bright morning sun, its gnarled roots a comforting sight, one I had come to cherish during countless waiting moments. I sat against the thick trunk, my focus drifting in and out as students shuffled through the school yard, laughter mingling with the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. But this year felt different. Where there used to be warmth, a heavy cloak of anxiety settled over my shoulders. It had been a week since I’d seen Mateo—my mate, my other half. A week without his reassuring texts, without the familiar cadence of his voice. Just the silence stretched thin between us.

A year ago, I would’ve been content to let the cosmos dictate my fate, but now, the universe felt like a cruel prankster, and I was left clinging to the fraying edge of my sanity.

“Hey Sis, you left without me,” Nevins’ voice cut through my thoughts, his hazel eyes glinting, though I could tell they were partially shadowed by the burden he carried. He took his usual spot beside me, each movement sending waves of unease through the air. "What’s on your mind?”

I sighed, wishing for the stubborn lightness he typically brought, but today felt heavier. “Have you heard from Mateo?”

He shook his head, scratching the back of his neck as he looked out at the sea of faces around us. “Nope. I thought maybe he’d reached out to you.”

My heart sank. I chewed on my lip, unsure if it was the worry for Mateo or concern over Nevins’ own predicament that twisted my insides. His silence spoke volumes; he was trying to hold it together, but I could sense the churning emotions beneath the surface.

I tried to lighten the mood, but the weight of Grandma Frances’ ominous warning loomed over us both. “Do you think..I mean, will it be weird for us?”

“Nina, do you really think it’ll be a problem?” He glanced at me, brow raised, still playful despite the tension. “Mateo’s is your mate and I’m sure he has explained to his grandfather how much you mean to him.”

“Right.” I shoved a loose strand of honey-brown hair behind my ear. “I meant finding out that Leo is responsible for all this. The war. The council.”

“Honestly? We are trying to move forward for all our sakes. I don’t think Mateo would linger on it. Besides family is family. That’s kind of how we operate, don’t you think?”

“You’re right,” I said, but the knot in my stomach remained. Would love be enough to fight that mating law that stands in the way? I had seen too much, and fear nudged at my thoughts. What if history repeated itself? My gift of sight, one I had long feared, had been hard to gain control over, but it hasn’t been wrong. Not yet anyway.

Before I could spiral deeper, Nevins stood, stretching his tall frame. “I’m going to grab my class schedule early. If you see the guys, tell them I’ll meet them at first period.”

“Sure,” I murmured, watching my brother walk away. He always kept himself busy when emotions ran high. I fought the impulse to follow him and demand he talk about his feelings. I knew he had a mate but he didn’t seem ready to tell me about her. Instead, I sat for a while longer, observing the students filter in. When the murmurs of their chatter faded into a tangible stillness, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of loneliness.

A familiar voice broke through my haze. “Nina!”

Sally approached, her curly brown hair bouncing with each step, but something felt off. The awkward aura that hovered around her spoke volumes—our friendship strained by the twist of fate that had tied her to my brother.

“How have you been?” I asked, striving for normalcy.

“Good.” Her response was clipped.

“Look, Sally, please don’t make our friendship awkward because of your mate bond with my brother. I really miss my friend.”

Sally's smile returned, softening her tense features. “I missed you too. I’ve just been… trying to figure things out.”

“Yeah, I think figuring things out is a trending theme.” I said sarcastically, Sally laughed at my word and so did I.

We talked about everything we missed about each other’s company and the good times spent last year. I made sure not to mention Issac to her not when I missed my friend.

“Can I ask you?” I started. “I haven’t heard from Mateo in a week. And I’m worried that the whole..Leo situation has complicated things..Is Mateo coming today?” I asked as we walked to the office to get our schedules, then heading toward the assembly hall.

“He didn’t tell you?” Sally c****d her brow in confusion.

“What? Tell me what?” Curiosity bubbled to the surface, igniting my pulse.

“The council is meeting them today. He did he did mention to Sam that Isaac would be attending in place of Asher. That’s why I’m the only one here today. Sam reassured me they will come tomorrow.”

I nodded, absorbing her words while mentally cataloging all the madness that engulfed us.

As we entered the assembly room, the familiar atmosphere added a layer of nostalgia to my unease. I scanned the crowd, hoping for the sight of Nevins or at least a sign that everything would be okay. My eye caught my brother talking with a brunette girl, and my heart sank when I saw how his eyes sparkled with mirth. It was the playful glint I had always seen in my brother. The female however wasn’t reciprocating the energy my brother had while taking to me and a thought had entered my head. Sally and I took a seat as a teacher announced for very on to take a seat and be quiet.

“Good morning, students, and welcome back to the start of the new year!” The principal’s voice boomed over the microphone, and I forced myself to focus as he droned on about schedules and extra-curricular activities.

Sally leaned closer. “Cheerleading for our final year?” She asked and I couldn’t help but smirk. “For fun memories,” her voice rang and I nodded in agreement. I might as well since it is our senior year.

“Sure.”

As the assembly dissolved into the recesses of memory, my heart pulsed with newly found determination. Today was only the beginning of a journey fraught with twists and turns—one I never wished to travel alone.