Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

NIA’S POV

I laughed lightly at a joke Catelyn made. She is such a goofy person. At first, I was bothered that I might miss Perry’s presence, but with my grandmother, there is nothing to be bored about. She always has something to say, and her relationship with the staff is something to emulate. Even though she pays their salary, she still ensures to bond with them without feeling superior. Also, everyone in New Haven and beyond can attest to the good works of the medical center.

As regards my pregnancy, she is up on her toes every day. It turns out that Perry had handed her a long list of the possible reactions a pregnant she-wolf might encounter when pregnant. Catelyn took it to heart and has been monitoring my diet and pushing me to do mini-exercises.

I have much to learn from her, and I am glad I can do so easily. It’s been a week since Perry left for Spain. It’s not the same without her, but it isn’t all that bad. Kingston said he would be coming today, and I can’t wait to see him. He is why I am here in the kitchen with my grandmother and the head cook, Natalie, her best friend, to make him a sumptuous meal.

“Kingston sounds like a good kid.” My granny said. “I have never met him before, but we spoke twice on the phone. And your aunt won’t keep quiet about how handsome and responsible he is. I am more eager than you are to see him.” She admitted.

I giggled, chewing on a cucumber. “I am sure you both will kick it off with ease. Kingston is lovely, as Aunt Kylia said. He knows the right things to say and how to act without being told. It is what makes him so special.”

“Who is he to you again?”

“My adoptive brother.”

“I should thank that family for caring for you so long. We should all meet to eat dinner soon.” She said.

I shifted uncomfortably on the chair. I haven’t explained my situation back at the pack to my grandma. And I don’t think I am ready to have the discussion just yet. As I searched my head for a perfect response, one of the maids announced Kingston’s arrival. I have never been so happy to see him as I am at the moment. Knowing Catelyn, she would not mention the topic again until later.

“Kingston!” I called out in excitement, embracing him. He turned stiff in my hold. “Is everything okay?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Kingston nodded as he held up a stiff smile. “I am doing just fine. It’s nice that you are adjusting to your new environment quite well.”

I raised a suspicious brow. “Are you sure you are okay, Kingston? You don’t seem much like yourself.”

“I am fine. You probably think so because we haven’t seen each other yet.”

The urge to probe him further gripped me, but then I changed my mind. “come on in. I want you to meet my grandmother.” I said, dragging him along with me.

She had already stepped into the living room, smiling brightly. “Hi, granny. Meet Kingston, my brother. Kingston meets my grandmother, Catelyn.”

Kingston held out his hand to shake her hand, but she pulled him to her chest instead. “I have been meaning to meet you for so long. It is so nice to put a face to the name finally. How are you doing? Welcome to our humble abode.” She said, smiling brightly.

He nodded with a grin. “Thank you for inviting me. It’s nice to meet you, too. Nia wouldn’t stop talking about how much you do for her. Thank you.”

Catelyn waved dismissively, “You don’t have to thank me for carrying out my duty. She is my granddaughter, after all. I have you and your parents to thank for taking her in and helping her survive.”

Kingston looked towards me with sad eyes, and I could tell that something wasn’t right.

Chuckling awkwardly, I pulled his hand again. “How about you continue cooking Grandma while I show him around the house.”

She clapped her hands excitedly. “That would be perfect. Please excuse me. Make yourself at home, Kingston. See you at lunch.”

“She is bubbly,” Kingston commented while staring at her receding.

I rubbed at my belly absentmindedly, “Yeah. Do you mind taking a walk with me?”

“Not at all.” He mused. “This place is nice. It is your setting exactly.” Kingston noted.

“Is something on your mind? It’s almost like you want to tell me something, but you aren’t certain how to say it.”

“Your bump looks nice in that dress, and you make a pretty pregnant lady.” He commented, trying to avoid the conversation.

“Holding back won’t help you, Kingston. Talk to me.” I insisted, “Is something wrong at your workplace? Did I do anything wrong?”

His eyes watered suddenly, and he cursed under his breath. “That is exactly where the problem lies, Nia! You have never done anything wrong. Still, these horrifying people think it is okay to harm you and get away with it.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked in confusion.

“You do know what I am talking about. How could you hide the truth away from me, Nia? Why would you keep something as heartbreaking as that to yourself? Here I was, thinking that you didn’t care about how I felt after you rejected me. I didn’t know you were battling with your life after my mum poisoned you. It would help if you never had kept that from me. I don’t deserve to be in your presence. Not after everything they did to you. I feel so ashamed looking into your eyes right now.”

I huffed, “You weren’t supposed to know about it. How did you find out?”

“Caleb told me he has been in New York for weeks. I wondered why he wouldn’t try to visit you or at least hear from you on the phone, considering how concerned he is about you. I got tired of his flimsy excuses and nagged him to speak. None of us deserves to show our faces in front of you, Nia. I am so sorry.” He sobbed, digging his foot in the ground.

I reached for his shaky hands, wishing I could see Caleb and slap some senses into him. I know how sensitive Kingston is. That is why I didn’t want him to find out in the first place.  “You don’t have to be sorry for something you know nothing about, Kingston. You are my brother, nonetheless. No matter what happens, you will always hold a place in my heart.”

He wiped off the tears that rolled down his face.

“You don’t get it. How am I supposed to live with myself or face you now and then when I know my mother wanted to take your life? No matter how much you try to make it seem like it’s not a serious matter, it is to me. I only came here to say goodbye.”

My mouth was wide agape at his announcement.

“What are you talking about? You can’t just end everything between us because of that. I need you in my life more than ever.”

Kingston shook his head stubbornly. “No, you don’t need someone like me in your life. I would only end up bringing you trouble. If there is something, I know quite well about my mother. It is her vengeful spirit. Now that she knows you are out of the pack and away from the Alpha’s protection. If she learns we are close, she might come after you again. If anything happens to you, Nia. I will never be able to forgive myself.”

Sniffing, he reached for both my hands. “I need you to be happy from now on. Enjoy these precious moments with your newfound family, and never doubt yourself. Forget everything about the Hayes family. You wouldn’t have had to go through this much pain if not because of us. On behalf of every one of us, I apologize to you from the depth of my heart. Have a good life, Nia. I do hope in the afterlife, if there is something like that, we will meet on a more neutral ground. I would love to be the man of your dreams, then. Thank you for everything.”

He didn’t wait for me to respond to him before walking away. I stared at his receding, feeling a piece of me go with him. I wanted to call him back, but my words stuck in my throat. I felt my legs wobble, and I found myself falling deeper into the ground. The tears flooded my eyes like a closed-up dam just getting its first opening after so long. I teared up.