THE Alpha GAVE ME THREE BABIES

The ride to Seacrest had seemed endless. Olivia silently watched the landscapes pass by from the car window, one hand placed on that of her son who was sleeping peacefully, while her daughter, sitting next to him, let herself be lulled by the music from her headphones. It had been six years since she left this city, six years since she fled, heartbroken, with the certainty of never returning. But life is sometimes a vicious circle, and the accomplished healer she had become knew she had no choice but to confront this past for the sake of her children and her own peace.

Seacrest finally appeared, nestled between green hills and bordered by the sea. The town seemed asleep, as if time had not touched this place where it had left everything behind. But as she walked through the streets lined with familiar houses, she felt overcome by a strange nostalgia, a mixture of comfort and pain. Memories of her old life resurfaced, every street corner, every shop recalling fragments of the happiness she had known with Victor, fragments of their love that seemed so invincible... before everything collapsed.

They finally arrived in front of the small house by the sea that she had rented. It was a pretty building with stone walls and blue shutters, simple but welcoming. She hoped that this place would offer her children a peaceful refuge, far from the tumult of werewolf high society, far from the pressure of ranks, alliances and power struggles. She took a deep breath, took her children's hands, and they entered together, greeted by a wave of sea scents that warmly enveloped them.

Over the next few days, Olivia and the twins took time to settle in and acclimatize. Everywhere she went, she felt eyes on them, curious, intrigued, sometimes even accusatory. The people of Seacrest hadn't forgotten, and every whisper she passed reminded her that here, she wasn't just Olivia, the talented healer. She was Olivia Prescott, the ex-wife of Victor Leer, this imposing and respected Alpha, with whom she had shared a life, a life that she had abandoned when she left.

One afternoon, as she strolled with her children through the busy downtown streets, a group of women turned abruptly as she passed, observing her with thinly veiled attention. One of them, a woman with graying hair and a stern look, whispered loudly enough for Olivia to hear:

"She dared to come back, here she is, this woman who broke our Alpha's heart..."

Olivia felt a surge of anger and shame rise within her. She knew that the werewolf community was particularly attached to its leaders, and that she had been blamed for the breakdown of her marriage. But they didn't know the whole story, no one really knew what she had endured or why she had made the decision to leave.

"Mom, why are they looking at us like that? » her daughter asked softly, looking up at her with eyes full of worry.

Olivia leaned over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, darling. They're just... surprised to see us here, that's all. »

They continued on their way, and little by little, the tension faded. The next day, Olivia received an invitation to a reception in honor of the pack. The invitation was signed by Victor himself. She stared at the scroll hesitantly, her heart racing. She wasn't sure she was ready to see him again, and even less so in such an official atmosphere. But something inside her told her that this moment was inevitable, that it was time to face her past.

The night of the reception, she chose a simple, but elegant dress. Her children encouraged her with a smile, visibly proud to see her so beautiful. She felt a ball of anxiety inside her, but also a new determination. As she walked through the door to the large reception room, she instantly felt eyes on her. The conversations gradually died down, the guests turning towards the woman who now appeared as a ghost. She faced them calmly, her chin slightly raised, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

Suddenly she saw him.

Victor stood across the room, surrounded by members of his pack. His imposing figure, his broad shoulders, and that intense look... He hadn't changed. He always had this magnetic aura that attracted attention, that inspired respect and fear. When he met her gaze, he hesitated for a moment, as if he was as surprised to see her as the others. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a strange mix of emotions crossed his face: surprise, anger, but also a touch of sadness.

She moved slowly, each step requiring considerable effort, her heart beating harder and harder. When she arrived near him, the silence in the room had become oppressive. He looked at her for a long time, without saying anything, before whispering in a hoarse voice:

"Olivia...you're back." »

She nodded, searching for words. " Yes. I... I wanted our children to know their roots, their heritage. »

He stared intently into her eyes, as if trying to read her, to understand the real reasons for her return. He took a deep breath, then, in an almost bitter tone, added:

"After all this time... Why now? »

She felt a shiver run through her, and the pain of their separation resurfaced. She pulled herself together, holding his gaze, and replied calmly, "Because they deserve to know where they come from, and who they are. »

He seemed unsettled by her response, and for a moment she thought she saw a glint of regret in his eyes. But before he could respond, one of his advisors approached, interrupting their exchange with an urgent question. She took advantage of this moment to walk away, catching her breath with difficulty.

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of conversations and introductions, some members of the pack giving him approving looks, others carefully avoiding speaking to him. Many asked her about her children, and she sensed that many were wondering about the absence of Victor in their lives. But she just answered politely, dodging too insistent questions.

At one point, she saw Victor observing her from afar. His gaze was intense, piercing, as if trying to understand who she had become after all these years. She then realized that the Victor she knew was perhaps no longer quite the same. Neither does she, by the way. They had each evolved, changed, and she didn't know if these changes had brought them closer together or, on the contrary, separated them forever.

At the end of the evening, as she was about to leave the reception, she felt a hand placed delicately on her arm. She turned around to see Victor, alone this time, his face softer, more vulnerable.

"Olivia...I didn't think you'd ever come back." » His voice was a whisper, almost pleading.

She held his gaze, feeling her own heart tighten. " Me neither. But here I am, and I think that... that we have to face what happened. »

He nodded slowly, and for the first time in a long time, she thought she saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes, a hope that she hadn't dared to feel herself.

Olivia was seated at a table on the small wooden terrace overlooking the garden, enjoying the calm of the afternoon. His twins, Ryker and Luna, were playing further away under the watchful eye of one of the helpers Victor had insisted on assigning to him. Returning to Seacrest, she knew this peace would be short-lived. She knew that coming back here would bring back many memories, and she already felt the weight of them. But she hadn't anticipated the sudden interest her presence aroused, nor the special attention some Alphas seemed to pay her since she returned.

As she watched her children laugh and play, a deep voice pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up and saw a man standing before her, tall and imposing, dressed elegantly. He had a confident smile and a look that seemed to weigh every detail of her, as if he was trying to understand the strength she exuded, the strength that had made her famous far beyond their community.

"Miss Prescott," he began, bowing his head slightly, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Elias, Alpha of the Vaux-Noirs pack. » His smile widened, and he added in a soft voice: "I have heard many things about you, and it is impossible for me to miss the honor it would be to know you better. »

Olivia kept her expression polite, without revealing too much, although she felt her discomfort growing. The years had passed, but the attention she attracted here seemed almost oppressive.

"Nice to meet you, Elias," she replied, holding out her hand, which he shook with a little too much enthusiasm.

"You are remarkably calm and elegant," he continued without letting go of her gaze. "It is said that you are an exceptional healer, that even the deepest wounds, both of the body and of the mind, find a remedy in you. »

She smiled, feigning a lightness that hid her distrust. "These are rumors that travel quickly. »

He nodded, then paused as if choosing his words carefully. "I don't want to sound too blunt, but...do your children have a father in their life? »

The question took her by surprise, and Olivia felt a wave of heat rise within her. The question of Victor's place in Ryker and Luna's lives was a subject that she herself had not yet had the courage to openly address. But this man she had only just met took the liberty of questioning her as if he already had a specific idea in mind.

"They do have a father," she replied calmly, intentionally putting a barrier between them, although she wondered if Elias would get the message.

He smiled slightly, insisting: "But are they happy, this father, is he really here? You know, an Alpha like me... could take care of them like they were my own. And if you want, I could offer them the stability they deserve, the security of a home. »

Olivia felt a wave of anger rise within her. This speech brought back painful memories. She had heard similar promises from Victor, at a time when she still believed everything would be okay between them. But she didn't let anything show. She remained impassive, studying this man with a polite smile.

"That's... generous of you," she replied gently, although she would have preferred to end this conversation. "But my children already have a home, and they are happy with me. »

Elias seemed disconcerted for a moment, but he quickly recovered, as if his ego did not allow such a subtle refusal to be conceived. "I understand, of course. But know that I am here, if you change your mind. Seacrest can sometimes be...a lonely place, especially for a woman like you. »

Olivia nodded, content with that answer, hoping it would be enough to make him go away. At that moment, she felt someone looking at her. Turning her head slightly, she saw Victor, not far away, observing the scene with an expression she knew too well. His gaze was dark, his fists clenched, as if he were struggling to contain a rage that he could not explain or hide.

She felt a strange satisfaction seeing that he was visibly annoyed by Elias' presence. It had been a long time since he had been jealous, or at least since he had expressed something so obvious. For a moment, she wondered how he felt seeing her surrounded by men ready to court her, when he himself had destroyed their marriage with his negligence and pride.

"Well, Olivia, I'll leave you for now," Elias concluded with a charming smile, royally ignoring Victor's presence. "But know that my doors are open to you, and I am convinced that our paths will cross again. »

He finally walked away, letting Olivia catch her breath. She then felt a presence at her side and turned to see Victor approaching. Her dark gaze betrayed her irritation, and she stared at him unblinking, almost daring him to make a comment.

"This guy..." he whispered in a voice full of restrained anger. "What exactly did he want from you? »

Olivia raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. "He just wanted to know me. And offer support, if ever I needed it. »

He gritted his teeth, looking away for a moment so as not to let his rage explode. She knew he didn't like seeing other Alphas approach her, but she no longer had to answer to him, and she intended to remind him of that.

"These kinds of men don't try to offer support, Olivia. He seeks to appropriate what he cannot have. »

She held his gaze with cold determination, bringing back memories of all the times she had expected Victor to behave like a real husband, a real father, rather than a pack leader preoccupied with his duties and appearances.

"You no longer have a say, Victor. This sort of thing doesn't concern you anymore, does it? »

She could see the conflict in his eyes, the pain and frustration mixed together. But he had no valid argument to make against him. She was right, and he knew it. At that precise moment, he understood that she had gone much further than he had thought, and that regaining her trust would not be as simple as in the past.

Their exchange was interrupted by Ryker, who came running towards them. The little boy grabbed Olivia's hand, unaware of the tensions that reigned around him.

"Mom, who is the man who was talking to you earlier? He said he was an Alpha! »

Olivia smiled softly at her son, brushing her fingertips through his hair. "It's just a man who came to say hello to me, sweetheart. Nothing more. »

Victor watched the scene, his eyes fixed on their son with painful intensity. He knew he had missed a big part of their childhood, and the way Ryker spoke about this other Alpha without any hesitation stirred up a jealousy in him that he couldn't contain.

"You know, Ryker," he said in a softer voice as he crouched down in front of him, "being Alpha isn't just a title. It's a responsibility. A commitment. »

The little boy looked at him, intrigued, then nodded his head, without really understanding the full significance of his father's words. Olivia felt her heart sink as she watched Victor try to get closer to his children, a struggle that she knew was sincere, but which still reminded her of past failures.

As he stood up, Victor met his gaze. She could see in his eyes sadness, guilt, but also a flame that she had not seen in a long time. He suddenly seemed ready to fight, ready to do what he hadn't done before. But she couldn't forget. Not yet.

Without a word, she shook Ryker's hand and turned away from Victor, leading him away from him, leaving behind a silence heavy with regret.

Morning light streamed through the clinic's large windows, bathing the space in sunlight and warmth. Olivia slowly walked around her new workplace, a small clinic nestled in the heart of Seacrest. She had spent months planning her return and building this space that would be both a refuge and a place of care for those who needed it. She paused for a moment, observing every detail of the consulting room. The plants she had carefully placed along the shelves, the bottles of herbs and potions with carefully handwritten labels, the sweet scent of eucalyptus and lavender that she loved so much.

This place was his sanctuary.

As she adjusted the ceramic pots containing her preparations one last time, one of her first customers entered, an elderly woman with a tired smile. Olivia turned to her warmly, inviting her to sit down.

"Thank you for taking the time to see me, Olivia," the woman said as she sat down. "You know, I've been suffering from joint pain for years, and I hope your remedies will be more effective than anything I've tried so far. »

Olivia smiled at him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll do my best, I promise. » She listened to him patiently, taking notes, asking questions about his state of health, and began to prepare a special infusion for him. Her movements were precise, diligent, and she felt that quiet satisfaction that she had always felt in helping others, a feeling that fulfilled her much more than the old worldliness of werewolf high society.

As the morning progressed, one patient followed another. There were mothers with their children, youngsters seeking cures for small wounds, and even members of other packs curious to see the famous healer back in town. She felt a peace settle within her, despite the trials of her past, and she almost began to tell herself that she had made the right choice in coming back.

During a break between two patients, she noticed a small, nicely wrapped package, placed discreetly on the corner of her desk. She frowned, wondering who could have left this for her. Curious, she slowly undid the ribbon, revealing a thin silver bracelet adorned with amethyst stones. A little note was slipped inside the box: "For a woman with a heart as pure as her talents. May this bracelet protect you, just as you protect others. »

She stood still for a moment, observing the gift in silence. The delicacy of the present troubled her. Who could possibly give him such a gift? She looked around, but there was no one there. She bit her lip, hesitant. Was it a sincere gesture, or an attempt to get his attention? The mystery only revived the doubts that had been dormant in her since her return. At Seacrest, every gesture could hide a much more complex intention.

Later that day, after a long series of consultations, she decided to close the clinic early to reunite with her children. As soon as she got home, she saw them playing in the garden, their clear laughter filling the air. She approached them, smiling, happy to find this simplicity again.

" Mom ! » cried Ryker, running towards her, his little arms open, his eyes shining with joy. She held him close, breathing in his sweet scent of soap and earth. Luna followed right behind, her face serious, but her eyes sparkling.

After kissing them both, she observed them for a moment. Returning to Seacrest seemed to do them good, and seeing his children happy alleviated some of his worries. However, as she asked them how their day was, Ryker asked a question that surprised her.

"Mom, is it true we have a dad here? »

Olivia's heart sank. She had prepared herself for this type of question, but hearing it brought her back to a reality she would have preferred to avoid, at least for now. She crouched down at their height, searching for the words.

"Yes, sweetheart," she said softly, "you have a daddy. »

Luna, more reserved than her brother, observed him with a seriousness that went beyond her years. "Why didn't he ever come see us? Doesn't he love us? »

Olivia felt a pang of pain pass through her heart. She had tried to protect her children from this complex truth, from the tumultuous relationship she had had with Victor. How could she explain to them that their father, although he undoubtedly loved them in his own way, had never been able to fill the void he had left?

"It's not that he doesn't love you," she whispered, caressing Luna's cheek. "Your dad... he always had a lot of responsibilities. Sometimes adults have to make difficult choices. » She forced a smile to hide the sadness she felt.

Ryker frowned, as if trying to understand. "So he's here now? Is he going to come see us? »

Before she could respond, a voice sounded behind her, a familiar voice that sent a shiver down her spine. "I am here, indeed. »

She turned around abruptly and saw Victor standing near the garden fence. His face was inscrutable, but his eyes seemed vulnerable, full of emotions that he hid with difficulty. The twins stared at him curiously, a mixture of wonder and uncertainty in their eyes. For them, this man was only a distant figure, an unknown father who suddenly reappeared in their lives.

Victor walked forward slowly, crouching down to be at eye level with the children. Olivia felt her heart beat faster, torn between fear and hope. She knew this meeting was inevitable, but she never imagined it would happen like this, so unexpectedly.

"Ryker, Luna," he said softly, his voice laced with an emotion he no longer tried to hide. "I'm your daddy. » He held out a hand towards them, hesitant, waiting for their reaction.

The children looked at him for a moment, then Ryker, with characteristic frankness, asked, "Why haven't you come to see us before?" »

The question, asked so innocently, had the effect of a blade on Victor. He looked down for a moment, searching for the words. Olivia watched the scene, feeling the weight of this question falling on her as well. Victor finally looked up, speaking directly to his son.

"Because...because I made mistakes," he admitted hoarsely. "I thought I had time to fix things. But I understand today that I missed a lot of important moments. »

Luna, who had remained silent until then, timidly approached him. "Do you love us? » His voice was barely a whisper, but the question betrayed the depth of his doubts.

Victor placed a trembling hand on his daughter's head, stroking it gently. "Yes, Luna. I love you both more than you can imagine. And I'm here now to make up for lost time, if you don't mind. »

Olivia felt a tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped her cheek, refusing to show too much emotion. She wasn't ready to forgive so easily, but seeing her children finally receive the answers they were looking for touched her deeply.

The twins exchanged a look, then Ryker nodded. " All right. But you don't have to leave us again, promise? »

Victor smiles sadly, visibly moved by his son's naivety and sincerity. "Promise," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The children approached him, each taking one of his hands. Olivia, watching them silently, wondered if she could really trust him again. She knew the road would be long, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope light up their uncertain future.