THE ALPHA EX-MATE RETURNS WITH TRIPLETS

09:SHOCKED

RAYMOND

"What was the conflict about?" I asked my Beta as we approached my office in the packhouse. I had just finished speaking to some business clients and also went to visit my father. I closed my eyes tight at the thought of that man and quickly took my mind off him.

The Alpha King, Asher, already promised to send someone capable to help us with the situation. I’d hope so. Emphasis on someone capable.

"The new doctor that came. the guards had mistakenly attacked them." He informed me.

I halted to a pause. "What? attacked?" I asked, my brows scrunched up together.

"Yes, but it has been sorted out. I already gave her a space to stay and she has been taken care of alongside her kids." He quickly added.

My brows etched together at that. "Kids? She is married?"

Something passed between his eyes but he just simply responded, "It didn't appear to me like that."

I nodded, pushing the door to my office open and tugging at my tie. "Any news from Kieran yet?"

He shook his head. "They are still working on it."

I scoffed. "Working? they are still working on it? my father is so close to taking his final breath and they are still working on it?"

“You need to relax, Ray.” He cautioned me.

I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nostrils. “Get the new doctor to meet them as soon as possible and make sure she starts working," I ordered before focusing on the files before me.

“Are you not going to meet her?” He asked, c*****g his head to the side slightly.

I lifted my gaze to him. “Is there any reason I should meet her?” I arched a brow.

He shrugged. “I just think it is common courtesy to meet her. I mean, after what happened, you should meet her to apologize.” He said, pursing his lips.

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Are you hiding something?” I asked him.

His eyes moved in their sockets before he snorted. “Am I?” He walked out of the office, leaving me in a state of confusion.

I was already behind when it came to the pack work and Zonal already made it clear that he was not going to deal with them for me. I let out a deep sigh, focusing on my work.

Somehow, my mind wandered to the doctor who arrived at my pack. Maybe I should check up on her. I dropped the pen, unable to decipher the feeling I had in my chest. I stepped out of the office and went to the apartment I knew Zonal had prepared for her. The lights were not out yet which was shocking.

I stood at a distance, watching the shadows through the window. I contemplated going to meet her but it would be creepy to her, right?

I turned around and returned to my office to continue my work. I would meet her during the day.

• • • •

“Alpha!” The head guard called me through the mind link and I jolted up, my elbow hitting the opened drawer beside me. I let out a wince as I rubbed the place.

I squinted my eyes to get familiar with the background and knew that I was in my office. Where else would I be anyway?

“What is it?” I groaned, rubbing my eyes.

“You need to see this.” He told me. From his voice, I could tell that it was urgent so I rose to my feet and made my way to the border. It was very early in the morning. I doubt the pack members would be awake by now. On getting there, I saw a number of the pack guards. Moving closer, they all paved the way for me as they bowed in greeting.

“Alpha,” I nodded at them, stopping the view before me- A burnt corpse. I blinked, the stench making its way to my nostrils.

Tim, the head guard, handed me a nose mask which I collected from him.

“Whose corpse is this?” I asked him, trying to figure out the person but the fact that it was burnt made it hard to do so.

“We don't know. Hart here,” He pointed to a bulky man. “-was patrolling alongside the guards when they smelled the stench and came to call me. We have also gone to check if everyone is safe and complete.” He answered.

“And?”

“They are. Apparently, the body does not seem to belong to us.” He added.

“Then whose body is this? And why was the corpse dumped on my pack land?” I didn't know that I was clenching my fist but I closed my eyes, letting out a deep breath.

With the threat of the plague still affecting my pack, I didn't need this to add to my workload. “Get Zonal for me,” I ordered, the cold of the morning seeping into my skin.

The weather in the north was always unpredictable. Warmth and cold was the order of the day for us and we were used to it. I just doubt the new doctor that was brought could adapt. Either way, for Asher to send such a person, it must mean he trusted her. This thought did nothing but piqued my interest to meet her.

Not long after, Zonal arrived. “Alpha,” He must have seen the sight before us because he moved closer to inspect it.

“Contact the nearby alphas and see if their pack members are missing.” I turned around, leaving the scene, and made my way back to the pack house.

I needed to see my father. I walked through the halls and came to the floor where he was being attended to by the servants.

“Alpha,” The guards opened the door for me to enter, passing me a handkerchief to cover my nose.

My father lay on the bed, his eyes closed and my heart skipped at how lifeless he was. I rushed to his side immediately.

“Father!” I called, scared to the core.

A groan from him indicated that he was not dead and relief flooded me. Even though he had been sick for two years, I still couldn't accept the fact that he could die. I didn't want to lose him. After losing my mother to the same illness, my father came down with a fever a day after, and since it has been hell.

“Raymond… is that you?” He slid one eye open, unable to move or twist his body.

I nodded, clearing my throat to find my voice. “Yes. It is me, father.”

His stiff hand moved and I quickly reached to grab it. I took a seat beside me, looking at him.

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be attending to your Alpha duties?” He demanded. I scoffed. Even if in his sick state, he was still worried about me abandoning the Alpha duties.

If there was one thing my father does, it is making sure everything is running well without complaints. He didn't like any act of slacking or slouching when it came to work. In his sick state, he still reprimands me and blames me for what happened years ago.

“You have to let me go.” He grunted, shifting gently to look at me. His eyes had lost their color and I could no longer feel his wolf on the surface either. The old man must have given up already.

“No.” I gritted out stubbornly. “I always lost mother. I cannot lose you as well.” My jaw hardened.

This has always been what he said every time I came. I should let him go. I cannot. He was my father and he brought me up so well. He taught me about the best fighting skills and how to be a good Alpha. There was no way I would let death take such a good man away from me.

I had the doctors who were treating him place him under medical supervision. I also ordered the guards that must not to tell him any agitating news.

“Ray…” He let out a cough. “You know you can keep here forever. The doctor…” he closed his eyes, his condition visibly deteriorating.

“Dad, I don't think you should speak.” I tried to stop him but he shook his head.

“The doctors are trying. They take my blood samples and keep doing what they do but… there is more to it than you know, son.” His chest heaved at every word he uttered.

“You need to find out the truth about your mother’s death and also...”

“Dad.”

“Also, try to find her. Find Shantelle, son. You and her… you are made for each other. She is your Luna. Your true Luna… you need to…”

“Dad.” I bit out, rage coursing through me. I gently retrieved my hand from his palm and rose to my feet. “You need to rest. You are starting to say things that are impossible. I will have Keiran check up on you.” With that, I stepped out of the room.

As the doors were shut behind me, I closed my eyes tight, my fist clenching.

Not her again. Not Shantelle.