Alpha's Secret Baby

I take a deep breath calming my nerves.

After five years, I am finally coming back to the place that holds my most beautiful memories as well as my sad and painful ones.

" It's all in the past Illebaye, you are different, we are different."

I mumble to myself.

Yes, that is what I tell myself everyday and the statement that finally gave me the balls to face my reality.

Reality that my mate rejected me after we had our hot night together and the fact that he made me a mother at an early age.

And I will never have my happy ending with him since my brother told me he has a luna.

I have been driving for hours now and my son is in the back seat of the car sleeping.

The park is not near the city.

Today is an important day in my brother's life. It's his birthday so I decided to come around.

" You can't escape forever, Illebaye.

It's about time you return home.

Dad and mom miss you and their grandson."

Those were my brother's exact words when we talked last time.

I know for a fact that my parents miss me and my son.

I can still remember the looks of pain and sadness they wore five years ago when I decided to leave the pack.

They love me and because of that pure love they have for me, they let me follow my heart.

" As long as this is what you want,as long as it makes you happy, I will support you."

My father had said to me when I broke the news of leaving the pack.

Leaving the people behind did not make me happy , it made me miserable but I knew that I needed to leave.

Leaving was the only way I could cope up with the pain in my heart back then.

I park my car at the entrance of the pack for inspection.

A new face approaches me and I roll down the window mirror to have a word with him.

" I'm Illebaye,Neo's sister." I will introduce myself.

" The Brook family only has a son. I have never heard about a daughter."

The man replies, his eyes regarding me suspiciously.

He seems to be new in the pack, Maybe that's why he doesn't know me.

After All,it's been five years.

Just when I open my mouth, a cheerful voice filled with disbelief calls

" Illebaye, is that really you?"

I whip my face around and I come face to face with Marcus.

" Long time huh? You can't recognize me anymore? Does that mean I am no longer your favorite person?"

I joke and Marcus bursts out laughing.

" How is that possible?

You have always been my favorite person in my heart.

" Marcus replies jokingly but I still trace the sincerity in his words.

Life can be fucked up sometimes especially when it happens that whoever you love doesn't love you and who loves you, you don't love him.

Marcus has always been in love with me but to me, he's nothing but an elder brother.

He is just another Neo in my heart.

The one I love however...

" I'm glad to hear that." I say, smiling back at him.

" You just arrived and you must be tired. Go ahead,Aunt and uncle must be waiting for you."

Marcus says. He is still that caring and loving man from five years ago.

" Let's chat when I'm settled. I want you to fill me with all the details."

Marcus nods and I drive to our house.

Our house is in the opposite direction of the pack house.

As I close by the white painted Villa, my eyes water.

I am not sure if it's because of sadness or happiness.

Three years have passed and everything seems like it was five years ago.

I have changed over the years.

I am no longer that weakling who knew nothing but weep when faced by a difficulty.

I have learnt the art of concealing my true feelings with a smile and fighting back and I could do that all thanks to my son.

'Yes, smile all through until it passes or kills you.'

Time changes everything, I wonder if the people I left behind changed too.

I guess I will find out soon.

I park my car and take deep breaths to calm myself.

Stepping down, I walk to the other side of the car and wake my little boy up and I see my lovely parents standing at the entrance of the house.

The smiles on my parent's faces bring tears to my eyes.

Unable to stop myself, I rushed to them with my son in my arms, crashing into my father's arms.

" Hush now baby.

You are finally back home. I am happy to see you and my grandson." My father consoles me.

His hands rub my back slowly. And he took my son from my arm and carried him.

" I'm sorry, father." I have been a bad daughter, an unfilial child.

For three years,I stayed away from the people who love me the most.

I was hurting but they must have hurt more knowing that they could not be there when I needed them.

I made that decision rashly, a decision that must have brought immense pain to my parents and the others who loved me.

My mother joined us and we hugged. I could hear her sniffles.

" There is nothing to be sorry about, child.

As long as you are fine,I will never blame you."

My father's soft and loving voice calmed me down.

" Look at you two, crying like children."

My father reprimanded but I did not miss the doting in his voice.

" Who is crying? I'm no child to cry "

My mother retorted, pulling away, making me smile.

" That was supposed to be my line,you know?"

My questions make both my parents laugh. Infected by their laughter, I find myself laughing along with them.

" Seems like there is a family reunion here and I am not invited.

Sometimes, I wonder if I am truly part of this family."

My brother complains, walking to us.

" Neo," I called out, running into his arms.

Neo embraced me warmly just like he always did before I left.

" I missed you so much," I confessed but Neo snickered.

" Yeah sure. Those words coming from someone who would only talk to me when I call.

I don't know if it's sincere." Neo mocked me outrightly.

He's right though.

Only he would call me for the past years. If he didn't, then we would not talk.

" Leave your sister alone. You are the elder brother,you should be responsible."

My father says in my support, making Neo arch his eyebrows at me.

" See what I was talking about? It's confirmed that I was adopted."

Neo jokes lighten the mood.

Wow!

This small grand frere has grown big.

Neo said while taking my son from dad so he could carry him too.

"Lunch is ready, we were waiting for you both."

My mother announces and my stomach chooses that moment to grumble.

" Seems like someone is starving here." My father comments and I hide my face in embarrassment.

It took me seven hours to drive here and to get here on time, I skipped breakfast.

Neo takes my hand, leading me inside the house.

I smell an unfamiliar scent in the house and that's when it clicks, Neo has a mate.

" It's nice to see you again, Illebaye!"

I stiffen at the familiar voice. A voice that reminded me of my terror filled university days.

Tolani!"

I greet her with a smile.

Of course, it's a fake one. I hate the woman before me with passion.

I don't know what kind of a joke was the moon goddess playing to make her my brother's mate.

" You are finally home. I can't wait for us to bond again."

Tolani says with a sickly sweet smile which I respond with on my own.

" Me too. I'm looking forward to it."

I reply, feigning enthusiasm.

Wow! I must say your son looks very handsome. She said and I responded with a thank you.

I can't have anybody finding out about our past, not even Neo.

Looking at him gazing lovingly at her, I know that I have to make a sacrifice for him.

Not to mention that Tolani is heavily pregnant.

" Look at that, darling.

I told you that our baby will Love Tolani.

Of course, she's such a lovable girl. Who would not love her?"

My mother said, nudging my father lovingly.

Seeing how happy the family is, I can only smile and mask my pain.

I help my mother to serve lunch and we all sit by the table with my son beside his grandmother, enjoying our lunch.

Having my family here with me, what else could I ask for?

Over the past years, food was never something I enjoyed.

To me, it was more of a necessity.

I only ate to keep living.

Today for the first time in years, I was enjoying dining.

All thanks to my family.

" Illebayyyyye!

In the middle of our lunch, an excited voice blasted through the four corners of the dining room.

Seconds later, a racing Uriel emerged forcing me on my feet.

There's no way I'll be waiting for that crazy woman to send me flying on the ground.

Bracing myself, I prepared myself to catch the woman who would throw herself into my arms.

But to my surprise, she halted millimeters away from me, making me release a breath I did not know I was holding.

" You are a bad friend."

The first words that leave her mouth are accusations

But she's right, I am a bad friend.

" Won't you hug me? It's been years."

I say in an attempt to placate my friend.

" Since you asked for it so nicely, I'll be magnanimous enough and hug you," Uriel replies.

I catch everyone at the table trying to stifle their laughter.

That's Uriel for you. She brings happiness everywhere she goes.

" If Marcus did not tell me that you are back, I would never have known."

Uriel complains.

" Surprise!" I say excitedly but the lady simply shakes her head.

" Ladies, it's lunchtime as you can see. Uriel, join us for lunch.

You girls can catch up later."

My mother interrupts saving my ass.

It slipped my mind to inform Uriel about my return, not like we have kept in touch while I stayed in the city.

" Thanks, Aunt. Then, I will not stand in the ceremony."

Uriel replied enthusiastically, her earlier grievances all forgotten.

" Always a foodie," I whispered to myself but being a wolf, Uriel heard it.

" Thanks for reminding me.

I will make sure you have nothing left to eat." She says, a grin on her face.

Please make sure you leave my son some because he is a foodie like you.

Don't worry, only my godson will have something to eat.

Uriel takes a seat opposite Neo.

I catch them occasionally looking at each other.

Five years ago, everybody in the pack was sure that Neo and Uriel were mates.

That was until the moon Goddess slapped a cruel card on them.

Neo found his mate and that mate was not Uriel.

A year later, Uriel found her mate.

I was not there when all the saga happened but I could tell that there was bitterness between the two with how awkward lunch turned out to be.

I don't see a reason for them to be awkward with each other though, considering that each found their mate.

If my guess is right, something happened between them.

Since I cannot ask my brother about it, Uriel will be the one to fill me in the details.

After lunch, Uriel dragged me to my room.

My son. I said to her, Don't worry he is with his grandparents.

Watching her, you could think that the room was hers and not mine.

" I know what you are thinking. Don't worry, your room is my room."

Uriel says immediately she locks the door.

I can only shake my head helplessly.

" Feels so good to be home."

I say the words absentmindedly, gazing around the room which was still the same as five years ago.

" Yeah, home to finally face the skeletons in your closet." Uriel retorts.

" When you say it that way, it sounds horrible." I smile nervously.

She is right though. It's about time I bury the past behind me and start afresh.

" That's a fact you cannot erase. What do you plan to do?"

Uriel's question throws me off the hook.

What do I plan to do? Do I even have a plan?

" Honestly, I am clueless.

I am still figuring out what to do next but one thing is for sure, I have to put a stop to all this madness and focus on my future."

I replied.

I might not have a solid plan but I am sure about one thing, I will finish what was left undone five years ago.

" That's the way, girl. Show that asshole that you are better off without him.

Make him regret ever wronging you.

You're a woman of talent and beauty and that should be known across all the land." Uriel's words bring a smile to my face.

" Is he your sworn enemy and not your brother?" I ask, perplexed at how much anger her words carry.

" He is my brother, my blood but apart from that, nothing binds us together.

On the other hand, I have you, my sworn sister."

That's what Uriel and I are to each other. Sworn sisters.

Our sisterly bond goes back to when we were pups.

" Tell me, do you have a boyfriend?"

Uriel's question makes me choke on my saliva.

What the hell!

" Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can tell that you are still a semi-virgin.

Do you intend to die without giving my godson another sibling?"

Uriel asks, making me cough awkwardly.

She has always been a blunt person but doesn't she know that her bluntness can be embarrassing at times?

" I have been busy with studies and work. I don't have time for such stuff." I answer immediately.

Date?

That never crossed my mind.

Getting rejected by the one chosen for you by the moon goddess, where could I get the confidence to date some other man?

" Don't worry, you are here just in time. Today is Neo's birthday.

We have a lot of handsome and eligible bachelors attending the party.

Six pm, I'll be here to prepare you for your first day of suitor hunting."

Uriel said, her voice full of excitement.

" Suitor hunting?"

True to her words, Uriel arrived exactly at six. The party will be kicking off at half past seven.

Without knocking, Uriel kicked the door open before sauntering with a smile plastered on her face making me scoff.

" It's hard to get rid of old habits," I comment and she giggles.

That's Uriel for you.

The girl would rather kick the door open than push it with her hands.

The girl who would rather jump over the window than walk out through the door.

She has always been someone who does what's not expected of her and gives no damn about it.

I used to admire her in the past, but I still do.

While growing up, Uriel was the kind of girl

who would take no nonsense from anybody?

The number of brawls she was involved in before we graduated from high school cannot be counted.

On the other hand, I was that shy nerd who would endure anything.

I would rather cry by the washrooms silently than confront my troubles.

Growing up, I had to depend on Uriel, Neo, and Marcus to defend me.

That's just how useless and weak I was.

It's no wonder my mate rejected me.

" Not only are you woof less, you are worthless.

What were you thinking? That someone like you deserves to be my Luna.

A weakling who can only cry when faced with danger can never be my Mate."

Those were the exact words my mate told me after we spent the night together.

Ugly right? But he did not even flinch when they left his mouth.

The hate and disgust reflected in his eyes make me shiver every time that scene replays in my mind.

" Down to earth Ilebaye! What are you thinking about?"

Uriel's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

" It's nothing," I reply, forcing a smile.

" From the look of things, I can tell that it's something."

Uriel insists, her eyes regarding me suspiciously.

Unable to hold her stare, I look away.

" Don't tell me you are thinking about that asshole again?"

I could hear the disappointment in her words.

" Ilebaye, when will you ever learn that he is nothing but an ugly past, a past you ought to flush and get rid of?

He has made you suffer for years, are you still thinking that there's a chance for the both of you?

Women like you are the reason men continue to trample on your dignity and see you as desperate."

Uriel's words come out harsh but she is right.

What am I thinking about the man who drove a dagger in my heart and watched me bleed to death?

I am supposed to hate him because that's what he deserves, hatred.

But I can't control myself from thinking about him, whether it's cursing him or wishing things did not end the way they did.

Blame the stupid mating bond for making my life so messed up

He rejected me but did not bother to make it official.

Now, I not only swim waters of pain and bitterness, I have to endure my stupid Wolf longing for her mate.

My Wolf, Haven, resurfaced after I left the pack.

I was woofless before but the birth of Ethan Jnr back when I was in the city caused her to wake up from her slumber and she healed me fast from the pain of childbirth.

Of course, nobody knows about that, not even my parents.

" Do you honestly think I want to have him occupy my mind?

I detest him to the core but you of all people should know what the mating bond can do.

I hate myself each day for thinking about him."

and don't forget he is the father of Ethan who is your nephew and godson.

Unable to control my tears, I let them fall.

They are tears of frustration and helplessness.

Sometimes, I wonder what sin I committed to earn such a bitter fate.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry but I don't want to see you in this situation forever.

You gotta move on Ilebaye.

Prove to him that he is insignificant in your life.

That you deserve better and he isn't even good."

Uriel's words bring a smile to my face.

Yes, I can't continue like this, or else why did I even leave five years ago?

I left to make myself better and this is the best version of myself I have managed to mold over the years.

How can I let emotions take control and get the best of me?

" You are right.

I need to erase him from my mind and heart. I will not think about him anymore because he is not worthy of it."

With that newfound determination, I smile to myself.

' Wait and see. I will prove to you that I am not useless, worthless, and a weakling '

" That's the way to go girl.

Let's get you dressed for the party."

Uriel says pointing to the two dresses sitting on the table.

" Red color symbolizes fierceness.

Tonight, you will grace that party with the looks of a Queen because that is what you are, a queen."

One hour later, Uriel and I made our way downstairs to find my parents waiting for us with Ethan in my mother's arms.

The gasps that escaped their mouths did not go unheard.

" My princess has transformed from a girl to a beautiful woman.

I am so proud of you."

My father showers me with compliments.

" Of course she is beautiful. After all, she takes after me, right?"

My mother comments and we all burst out laughing.

She is not wrong, I am a replica of my mother.

Starting from my hazel eyes to my brown-colored hair and my hourglass figure.

I have to thank her for passing me such excellent looks.

" Mom, you look beautiful.

My son said to me that my Junior is looking very handsome.

I said to him while pecking his chick.

Thanks, Mom. He answered.

" Are you girls coming with us? Your brother and Tolani already left."

My mother offered but we turned her down.

We will be heading to the party in my car.

The pack house is not far from here but we can't just walk to the place, not with the stilettos gracing our feet.

We watch as our parents' car drives away.

Suddenly, I start feeling nervous.

He will be there tonight.

Will he come to greet me or should I be the one to greet him?

It's been five years, will he look at me differently?

I immediately shake away those haunting thoughts.

Tonight is about me and not him.

" Are you ready?" Uriel asks.

Taking a deep breath, I nod.

" Let's do this."