The Alphas Daughter

Elliot Manning

2 years later

“Elliott baby, come get pancakes” I shout into the living room

“Ok mama” Elliott replies

The scent of pancakes engulfing the flat.

Elliott Manning, my precious boy, born 1st March weighing 7lb7oz. The light of my life. Named after my darling Grandpa.

Life hasn’t changed too drastically in the last two years, all my time was taken up by Elliott and motherhood was the best. We are best friends.

I had done it all alone, obviously Zak and sally helped out when they could, but they both had their own lives.

I still worked in the pubs on Saturdays and Sally watched El for me. It was nice to have some freedom.

“Mama can we go zoo” Elliott asked. He loved any type of animal, he loved the zoo, aquariums or farms. The zoo was by far his favourite though.

“Okay baby, but only if you eat all of your yummy pancakes I reply”

“Zak come too?” He asks sweetly

“Not today El, he’s working” I say

“Oh kay” he says with a sad face

Goddess, this kid does things to my heart I didn’t think was possible. He had my bright blue eyes, but every other part of his DNA was his father… sadly. He was so gorgeous though.

As I was sipping my coffee my mind wondered back to the pack house and like I often do, I wondered what everyone was doing, how they all were. My thoughts were quickly broken by the sound of my phone ringing, I expected it to be Zak asking to speak to Elliott like he did most days” but the name that appeared took my breath away, I was winded, why was Mark calling me.

“I’m not answering it” I say out loud. El looks at me confused, I give him a quick smile and walk into my bedroom

Before I realise what I’m doing I’ve pressed accept

“Riley. Hello, you there” I hear Mark say, but I can’t answer

“Riley, it’s Mark. Are you there?” He asks again

“Hello, yeah, sorry I’m here. I’m just shocked that you’ve called Mark. Are you okay?”

The line goes silent and I start to panic

“Mark. Talk to me” I say

“Riley, the pack was attached by rouges” he says with a hint of anger

I gasp. This hasn’t happened in many years and I never thought in a millions years rouges would try to attack when Mark was alpha

“Dad was seriously injured Ri, he saved a lot of people by letting himself be a target” Mark says softly

“You need to come home and say goodbye to him Riley, he’s not going to make it” he says his voice starting to c***k

“I can’t Mark, you don’t understand. I can’t come home” I say through sobs

“Riley, stop being so f*****g selfish and self absorbed. Dads dying. He has days left and your answer to his last wish is no- you b***h” he shouts.

I’m not angry, honestly I don’t blame him. But I can’t go home, I can’t leave Elliott, but I can’t take him either. f**k.

“Riley, it’s Beth, Marks a bit emotional right now, he didn’t mean what he said, he’s just scared right now an”…

“I’ll be home tonight” I say without even realising what I’ve said. And I put the phone down. I look down to see Elliott hugging my leg. “You Kay mummy” he says with pain in his voice “you got boo-boo” he asks.

“No bab, mummy’s not hurt, well not on my skin anyway but my heart is hurting, we need to go for a long drive, and we can go and stay in a big house with a big pool and Lots of other children to play with” I explain

“Zoo?” He asks sadly

“Not today my boy, but soon” I say. I hate letting him down.

I pack our stuff in a suitcase and start loading the car, I’ve text Zak and Sally and explained I have a family emergency and I need to go home for a few days, I shouldn’t be longer than week.

As I set off in the golf I stole 3 years ago, out of town back towards the place I pledged never to return to, I know I’m not getting out of this one. I can hardly hide a 2 year old for 7 days… f*****g hell, my life is about to become a s**t show. “Goddess save me I beg”