The Billionaire Alpha’s Secret Heirs

The grandfather clock in the hall struck twelve times. Deep heavy thuds that vibrated through the floorboards. Elena sat on the edge of the velvet sofa, Elena's fingers digging into the fabric. Hidden under the throw pillow next to her was a white plastic stick. Two faint pink lines. Elena is pregnant. Three years of waiting for being the wolfless wife everyone whispered about behind closed doors and finally a miracle. The front door slammed open. Cold rain rushed into the foyer, bringing with it the smell of pine, wet asphalt, and an unfamiliar sweet floral perfume. Damon stepped into the light. He soaked his dark hair slicked back, his black coat dripping onto the hardwood. He wasn’t alone. Chloe was clinging to his side, her small hands wrapped tightly around his forearm. She wore one of his dress shirts, the hem bare around her knees, shivering dramatically. “Damon,“ Elena said, standing up. Elena felt her knees weak. “You’re late. Elena waited” Where are the house servants?” Damon’s voice cut through Elena’s voice devoid of warmth. “Elena sent them to bed. Elena wanted it to be us tonight. Elena has something to show you"Don't bother,“ Damon said. He didn’t look at Elena’s face. His eyes stayed fixed on the wall behind Elena. Chloe let out a pitiful cough, tucking her face into Damon’s chest. “Damon, please… Don't be harsh with her. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t collapsed at the boundary, you would have been home hours ago.” “It’s not your fault, Chloe,“ Damon said gently, his hand moving to rest on her shoulder. The tenderness in his tone made Elena’s stomach turn. He hadn't spoken to Elena like that in months. He looked down at Elena, his expression hardening instantly. “We need to talk, Elena.” “Who is she, Damon?” Elena asked, Elena’s voice a whisper. “Why is she wearing your shirt?” “She was freezing,“ he replied, walking past Elena toward the heavy mahogany desk in the corner. “She had a fever flare-up. The pack doctor said her wolf is weak because of the silver poisoning she suffered years ago. She needed shelter.” “She has her apartment in the city,“ Elena said. “You’ve spent the three weekends there.” “That’s enough,“ Damon snapped, tossing a black leather folder onto the glass coffee table. It hit the surface with a metallic clatter. “I’m not desiring an interrogation.” Elena looked down at the folder. “What’s this?” “Open it.” Elena’s fingers trembled as Elena unzipped the folder and pulled out the sheets inside. Bold black lettering stared back at Elena. LEGAL DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND PACK SEPARATION DECREE. Elena’s breath caught in her throat. “A divorce?” “And a formal rejection,“ Damon added smoothly, leaning against the edge of the desk, crossing his arms. “As Alpha of the Shadow Blood Pack, I am officially voiding our mate bond.” The words hung in the air, heavy, and suffocating. “You… You can’t do that,“ Elena stammered, looking from the paper to Damon. “We’re married, Damon. We swore” “We swore based on an arrangement my father made,“ Damon interrupted, his eyes cold, grey, and entirely detached. “A wolfless Luna is a liability to this pack, Elena. The elders have complained for three years. The pack members don’t respect you. You can’t shift. You can’t protect yourself. You can’t even hold your own during council meetings.” “I ran your logistics!” Elena raised her voice, the frustration boiling over. “I managed the pack’s supply chain while Damon was out fighting rogue border wars! I kept this family afloat!” “You organized paperwork, Elena,“ Chloe said softly from the couch, pulling Damon’s shirt tighter around Chloe’s shoulders. "That is work. An Alpha needs a Luna by Damon’s side. Someone who can stand in the moonlight with Damon. Someone with blood.” I glared at Chloe. I was not talking to Chloe. “Watch your tone,“ Damon growled, his voice dropping an octave, carrying the weight of an Alpha’s command. The invisible pressure slammed into Elena’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. "Chloe is a guest in this house.” Chloe is taking Elena’s place! Elena stepped toward Damon, pulling the pregnancy test out from under the cushion and holding it tightly in Elena’s fist. "Damon, listen to me for one minute. Just look at this. Please.” Damon did not even glance at Elena’s hand. “Sign the papers, Elena.” Look at what Elena's holding! “I do not mind what you are holding!” Damon yelled, his voice echoing off the ceilings. “I'm not concerned about Elena’s gifts or Elena’s notes or whatever desperate attempt Elena is making to keep me here! It is over. Chloe’s condition is worsening. Chloe’s wolf needs the Alpha aura to survive the poison. I am taking Chloe as my Luna.” The room went dead silent. “You are replacing me… Because Chloe is sick?” Elena asked, tears finally spilling over Elena’s lashes, hot and stinging against Elena’s cheeks. “I am doing what is necessary for my pack,“ Damon said, walking over to the coffee table and unscrewing the cap of a fountain pen. He thrust it toward Elena. “Sign it. You will receive a settlement. Five hundred thousand. A townhouse in the lower district. You leave tonight.” “Tonight?” Elena’s voice broke. “It is pouring outside! I do not have a car, Damon!” "The guards will escort you to the border,“ Damon said, not meeting Elena’s eyes. “Your things will be. Sent to you by the end of the week.” “Damon, please,“ Elena pleaded, taking a step closer, reaching out to touch Damon’s arm … … …… …… …… …… “Don’t touch him.” Chloe suddenly shrieked. Chloe gasped loudly clutching Chloe’s throat. Tumbled off the sofa onto the hard floor. Chloe’s body began to tremble. "Damon… It hurts… The poison… I cannot breathe.” Damon did not hesitate. He dropped the pen, completely pushing Elena out of the way. His heavy shoulder slammed into Elena’s chest. Elena lost her balance. Elena’s foot caught on the edge of the rug, and Elena fell backward, her head striking the stone edge of the marble fireplace hearth with a sickening c***k. Pain exploded behind Elena’s eyes. Darkness blurred the edges of Elena’s vision. Elena lay on the stone, unable to move, feeling something warm and wet trickle down the side of Elena’s face, mixing with Elena’s tears. Above Elena Damon had not even turned around. He was down on his knees, lifting Chloe into his arms, kissing Chloe’s forehead, and murmuring promises. “I am here, Chloe. I have you. Hold on.” “Damon…” Elena choked out, her voice a raspy whisper. He carried Chloe toward the door his eyes fixed entirely on Chloe’s face. He did not look back once. Elena’s fingers slowly uncurled on the floor. The white plastic stick rolled out of Elena’s palm, coming to a stop near the edge of the divorce papers on the table. Two pink lines, stained with a drop of Elena’s blood. The front door slammed shut, leaving Elena alone in the dark.