The Alpha's Student: His Forbidden Mate

CHAPTER005

NIKOS'S POINT OF VIEW

"Nikos..."

A gentle voice awakened me from my slumber and carried an unmistakable heaviness. Something painful. My mother hovered above me in the darkness with a shadowed face while her eyes sparkled with tears she hadn't yet shed. Her long lashes slowly dripped in silence while catching the moonlight that shone through the gaps in the wooden walls.

I stood up slowly and wiped away the sleep from my eyes with my fingers. "Mom?" I spoke softly to ensure I didn't awaken anyone else who slept in the house. "What's wrong?"

She drew in a deep breath while clutching her body like she was keeping something delicate intact. "Your father is dead."

The words struck my chest forcefully but not in the anticipated manner. My life never included him as a part. He existed only as a name. The shadow of his presence hung over us but never emerged into visibility. Her delivery of those words knotted my stomach.

She said to me again in a soft voice so soft that it was almost a whisper, "He's gone sweetheart."

But why did she sound afraid?

"His Beta is coming to collect you. You have to go with him."

I shot up so quickly that my head started spinning. "What?"

She extended her arm and pressed her shaking hand onto my face. "I know this is sudden. Your role is now the Alpha of Thalassa. I never wanted you to face this destiny at such a young age, my baby.

Alpha, of Thalassa.

The title felt foreign. Heavy.

The concept of leadership was completely foreign to me. I was nine years old. I spent yesterday barefoot chasing fireflies in the fields with my friends. I couldn't envision waking up the next day to become the leader of my entire pack.

"You'll come with me, right?" My voice was small. It sounded like a child's plea.

A gentle sob escaped her lips as she moved her head from side to side. "I can't, my love." She wrapped her body around me in a close embrace while her trembling form pressed against mine. "My place is here. Yours is there."

"I don't want to go without you," I breathed out while my throat burnt from emotion.

"Listen to me." She stepped back and held my face between her two hands. "Your father... he did terrible things. He inflicted pain on a multitude of individuals. Your journey to Thalassa will uncover stories of past events. You will discover the full extent of his destructive actions. He took and took until those like us had nothing left. You possess the power to make a difference because you are my precious son. You can make them better."

"How?" My voice cracked. "I'm just a kid. What can I possibly do?"

Her eyes lost their hardness but remained filled with perpetual pain. "You will grow, Nikos. You will learn. You will grow beyond his strength and power. One day you will restore balance and justice. You will become the defender for those who have no protection.

I inhaled deeply as her words weighed heavily on my chest. "I promise."

I held her close with my arms while holding on to the warmth I had ever known. I will reach the top and then return to you. I will fix what he destroyed. I will make this world safe again."

The moisture of her tears penetrated my shoulder while she gave a silent assent with a nod. "I know you will, my love. I know you will."

"Alpha Nikos, did you hear me?"

The voice pulled me from my thoughts. The act of blinking helped me regain clarity about the conference room environment. The long table occupied the center of the space, while the other Alphas maintained their watchful gaze. The aroma of cigars and whiskey lingered in the air.

Christos took his seat opposite me while he scrutinized my features intently.

I exhaled, leaning back in my chair. The professor position requires me to step in as your replacement.

It wasn't a question. It was a fact.

Christos nodded. "Yes." Would you be willing to do that?"

Would I be willing? No. But did I have a choice? Also no.

Among the committee members, I was considered the youngest Alpha. The newest. Refusing this assignment would lead to increased scrutiny because I was on probation. To solidify my position among them and advance further, I had to accept.

Teaching, though? I found the prospect of training multiple students unbearable. No one could learn what I knew. All their training wouldn't enable them to fight battles as effectively as I did.

But I nodded anyway. "Yes, sir."

Christos looked toward his companions before turning his attention back to me. The student council has requested a meeting with you. I'll inform them to expect you."

With that, the meeting concluded. The group discussed their plans to visit the local tavern while laughter spread throughout the room as they collected their belongings.

"Nikos!" He placed his hand on my shoulder. "Join us for once! Will you think of another reason why you can't join us?

"Yeah, man, it's Friday! Have some fun while you still can."

Fun?

The idea of drinking with those Alpha types I could only stand seemed pointless to me. My best way to spend an evening involved returning home to read a book while enjoying quietness.

I completed my task of putting all my documents inside my briefcase. "Maybe next time."

I always said that. They were aware that my declarations of future participation were insincere. But they didn't argue.

As they left, Christos lingered. "Hey, Nikos."

I reduced my pace to create space for him to approach.

"I appreciate you stepping up for this." He clapped me on the back. Teaching doesn't line up with your interests, yet I believe you'll benefit from this experience.

I offered a small smirk. "Maybe it won't be so bad."

Christos laughed. "You might even enjoy it."

Doubtful.

There was no better choice for the Alpha position than myself. His tone was sincere. "You're going to do outstanding things. Having you join the committee brings me immense satisfaction. Enjoy your weekend. Limassol Shifter Academy will have you attend the student council meeting on Monday.

His words reverberated in my thoughts as I walked away from the building.

"You’re going to do great things."

My mother once said the same.

I wanted to believe them both. Despite my achievements, I remained haunted by the fear that I would become like my father.

My understanding of him deepened while the stories about him grew increasingly disturbing.

They claimed his life ended because of an Aether wolf. His love for an Aether wolf led to his death.

Before this situation, I had not encountered any information regarding Aether wolves. Based on my understanding, they existed only in folklore. The elderly whispered the legend among themselves.

But if the rumors were true…

Could my father's weakness have stemmed from the Aether? Or was it love itself?

I swore to myself that I would prevent this tragedy from happening to me.

My wolf stirred in my chest when I entered Alpha Christos’s house on his daughter Elena’s eighteenth birthday night, which caused ice to settle in my veins.

The husky whisper from him clawed at my mind's edges while sending a spine-chilling sensation down my body.

"I can feel her… our mate…"

No.

Not now. Not ever.

I had no idea what my next move should be.