Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

AUTHOR’S POV

Perry bites down on her nails anxiously as she stares at Nia’s back. She looked happy, laughing at something her cousin said. She took a quick look at her phone again. How is she supposed to break the news to her friend, knowing this is the time Nia needs her the most? At the same time, the offer is something she has wanted all her life, and it would be an excellent push for her growing career.

“Is everything okay?” Kylie asked, standing next to her.

Perry turned abruptly, almost twisting her ankle, causing Kylia to hold her in place. “I am so sorry, and I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She chuckled awkwardly. “No, it’s fine. I was in my head, and it made me slip.”

“Why do you look so tensed? Please, is something wrong with Nia? Your eyes keep going back to her.”

Perry let out a frustrated sigh. “I am worried, and I feel like a bad friend. But I need this. I wasn’t expecting the offer to come so soon.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There is this art exhibition tour in Europe that I applied for long before Nia came to stay with me. I just got an email now that I have been there, and the ticket is ready. So I am due to leave by the end of the week, and I will be gone for three months.”

Kylia smiled widely. “But that is good news. Why do you look so bothered? I am sure Nia would be happy for you.”

“Yes, she would, and I know she won’t admit it, but it would be hard for her to be all alone.”

“Is it because she is pregnant?”

“That and because she has been through a lot lately and needs people around her. There is Kingston, but he wouldn’t be able to live in the same space as she does. I am worried she would be lonely with me going away.”

“If you want her around someone so bad, she can stay here. Mum will love the company even though she doesn’t say much. I know the loneliness gets to her after a long day at the clinic, and the staff have all retired for the night. I try my best to show up from time to time. But it is not easy juggling the business, looking after my family, and coming down here. I think they will be best for each other.” Kylia suggested.

Perry glanced at Nia again. “It won’t be easy to convince her. She dislikes it when someone treats her like a child. She thinks I am trying to make a project out of her as much as I try not to. I find myself becoming extremely worried about her. Aside from my brother and dead parents, Nia is someone that I hold dear to my heart. If anything happens to her under my watch, I will never forgive myself.” She mumbled.

She sniffed back the tears in her eyes. Kylia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t you think you are doing too much to yourself? She is your friend, and she loves you too. I am sure Nia is aware of how much you care for her. You don’t have to doubt that. Talk to her and express your worries. If she still insists on living by herself, it is fine. We would all respect her decision and ensure to be present as much as possible.”

“She might refuse it.”

“Then it’s fine. There’s no need to feel bad about it. Let Nia make the decision herself.”

Inhaling deeply, Perry mumbled a thank you and made her way towards Nia. “Hey.” She called out softly.

Nia looked up, grinning. “hey, girl. Have fun?” 

She looked around, nodding. “It’s more than fun. There is so much to eat and do. How about you?”

“It’s the best time of my life.”

“I am glad you feel that way. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Perry requested.

Nia squinted her eyes when she noticed the stiffness in her friend’s tone. “Is everything okay? You don’t look much like yourself.” She said, following her to where there wasn’t anyone standing.

She cleared her throat and held Nia’s gaze.

“I have a request to make of you, Nia, and I hope you won’t overthink it and just do as expected.”

“What is this about?”

“So, I got invited to Europe for a three-month exhibition tour.”

Nia gasped excitedly, jumping at Perry and hitting her with her small bump. “That is such good news. Why, then, do you look so sad?”

“That is because I am worried about you. I will be gone for three months, and my heart will be in turmoil knowing you will be in the house all by yourself for so long.”

“But Kingston will always be there to check on me.”

“Kingston won’t be enough. You are pregnant. Since the day I knew you had a little one growing inside you. I have been reading books about the things close relatives need to take note of to help the journey go smoothly. And you are a half-breed. Anything can happen. Being pregnant alone puts you at stake.” She reaches for Nia’s hands.

“I am not trying to scare you. I want you to be in safe hands. Stay here with your newfound family, and I promise you that the moment I arrive, I will be taking you back home with me. Please.”

Nia blinked slowly, trying to process everything Perry said. She held her gaze and could see the sadness written in her eyes. Moments like this are the reason Nia feels she doesn’t deserve Perry. Her love for her is unconditional. Even though the situation is a happy one for her, she still worries about her friend. Nia reached for Perry’s cheek and stroked it with her thumb.

“You have done a lot for me, Perry. Your happiness is solely mine, too. I don’t know what I would do without you. And I know that the house won’t be the same without you in it. First, I am so proud of this new feat of yours. I trust that you will go places. As for staying here, it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I can continue my healing spree here with the holistic clinic. Myself and Catelyn have bonded, and we have quite a lot in common. Three months shouldn’t be too much to spend here and get to know my new family more. Moreover, what can happen within three months? I will gladly wait for you to return.”

Perry laughed as she pulled Nia into a tight embrace. “Thank you so much for understanding me. Now I know there is someone to look after you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I will be fine. When are you due to leave?”

“The end of this week.”

“That means you can spend the next few days with me.”

“Of course. I will go a day before departure

to have your things sent here. I wouldn’t pack too much, either. Will do some shopping when I get there.”

“I am going to miss you.”

“I will miss you more,” Perry mumbled, caressing her hair. Nia’s belly growled in protest, and she laughed. “someone is hungry again.”

Her face flushed. “I wish I could help it. Do you mind?”

Chuckling loudly, she held her hand, leading the way. “Not at all.”

*******************

“Is that so? So you won’t be coming back?”

Kingston said into the phone receiver, squeezing his face.

Nia coughed on the other end. “I am sorry. I know you offered me a job. But I think this is where I should be. It’s just for the next three months until Perry returns.”

“Come on, you don’t have to be sorry. What matters is you being fine where you are. Is it okay if I come to visit you sometime?”

“I would love that.” She replied excitedly.

“I will come around then. Take care of yourself and say hello to your family on my behalf. Bye.” He muttered, ending the call.

Caleb cleared his throat, crossing his legs. “You are still not over her.”

Kingston eyeballed him. “what do you mean? How would you know that from just one call? Moreover, she is my sister. I have always loved her and will keep loving her.”

“You know it is beyond that. You can’t even pay attention to another female. Your closest female colleague gives you all the signs of wanting you in a deeper sense, and for some reason, you have chosen to be closed up with your feelings. I don’t think any sane person would be so nice to keep baking different pastries and bringing them to your doorstep at different times if they aren’t head over heels in love with you.”

Sucking his teeth, Kingston turned away from his brother and stared blankly at his laptop screen. His brother is correct, but he has no intention of admitting it. It is hard for him to keep approaching Nia like his heart isn’t breaking at the thought of him never getting the chance to be the only one in her life. Now that she is pregnant, he has to keep a distance to avoid taking advantage of her vulnerable moment, but he can’t blame his heart for still desiring her. It was hard for him to tame it to accept that Nia would never harbor any feeling towards him that was different from that of a sibling.

Caleb stared at his brother for a long while. He feels pained that Kingston keeps hoarding his pains to himself and refusing to share. Kingston isn’t at fault. It’s not like they shared the best relationship back in the pack. It surprised him that Kingston didn’t turn him away when he had left their parents and came knocking on his door without prior notice. Calen felt terrible for bringing up the issue, so he apologized.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up your emotions.” Caleb mused.

Kingston looked at him in surprise. “Did you just apologize?”

“W-what?”

He scoffed out a laugh. “You have never admitted to your wrongdoing, Caleb. It is always about you.”

Caleb snorted, “what do you even mean by that? I am not that bad, you know. And like I said before, I have been able to come to my senses with the help of Nia. Now, I know better than to be an absolute nuisance and make others miserable.”

Kingston hummed in pride. “It is so relieving to hear that you are on the right track. I knew you weren’t much of Nia’s friend. But you were the one who told me about the trouble she went through also since you both have an understanding now. Why did you tell me not to inform her about your arrival? It’s been a month now.”

He looked away in discomfort. “There is no reason to remind Nia of the things she went through. I am fine wishing her well from afar.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good enough reason to me. What does telling have to do with looking from afar?” He pestered.

“Can we not talk about this?”

“We have to. You started the talk about Nia, and I have been curious about what suddenly changed. Nia spent ten years of her life with us, and you never for once acted nice towards her, even though she has never been rude to you. You always sided with our parents without bothering to find out who was wrong. Majority wins is your mantra, remember?” Kingston pressed on.

Caleb pulled at his ear in frustration. “That is enough! I know I was an asshole in the past, but everyone does deserve a second chance. Why are you being so judgemental?”

“You know I am not! You are hiding something from me. Just because I pretend unaware doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention.”

“Please, Kingston. Let’s not talk about this.” He pleaded in frustration.

“Why don’t you just tell me what it is?”

“If I tell you, you must promise to keep cool and not meddle. It happened months back, and everyone has moved on. Especially, Nia. Even if she does love you and might be interested in being with you, she wouldn’t want to because of all that happened. Anyone in their right frame of mind wouldn’t stay so close to their enemy.”

Kingston’s wolf rose to the surface. He could fully sense that something horrifying had happened back home. “Tell me what happened right now!” He ordered.

“The reason I can’t go to see Nia, even though I am so anxious, is that everyone except you signed a court order to stay away from her and never cross Nia’s path.”

“How? Why?”

“Our mother tried to kill her. She would have died if Nia didn’t have a poison antidote among her healing potions.”

His eyes fluttered in shock. “What? Mum, did what?”

“I am sorry. Nia made me promise not to tell you. I guess she didn’t want you to turn cold and blame yourself. That would have hurt her more. I had to respect her decision. Mum had no remorse for what she did. Mom justified her actions because Nia was beginning to look her in the face. Mum claimed it was what she deserved for being ungrateful after everything they did to nurture her. Nia didn’t want to involve the Alpha and have her locked up, so we were made to sign the order. I came to my senses then and realized how blinded I had been all these years. Our mother is evil and nothing more. I never did fancy Nia, but I would never have wished for her to be dead.”

Tears rushed to Kingston’s eyes as he held his chest, feeling suffocated. He has always heard about evil stepmothers. But never did it occur to him that his mother would harbor that much hatred towards an innocent orphaned child that she took in of her own free will. Kingston feels more betrayed that he wasn’t aware and shamelessly lusted over the poor girl, not knowing what his family had done. He staggered to his feet, feeling his body sway weakly.

Caleb rushed towards him. “what’s wrong? Are you having difficulty breathing? Do you need some air?” He questioned.

Kingston yanked his arm away from his brother’s hold and growled viciously at him. “Don’t you ever lay that hands on me again!” He warned.

Making his way to the door, Kingston slammed it shut in anger and began running like someone was after him. All he wants is to be far away as much as he can from the people he calls family who have turned cold-blooded murderers.