Hiding the Alpha’s Heir

“Just drop me here to the plaza,” I said meekly when we were in the town where my flat was located.

“I’d love to escort you to where you are living, seraphim.”

I froze and glared at him as I could feel my heart pounding so fast. Blood rushed to my face, frightened at his words.

“No, thank you, Lord Verlice,” I said calmly, not wanting him to know that what he said was making me nervous. “I’d rather go there alone,” I said coldly.

Desmond stretched out a smirk. If I was still living with him and didn’t reject our mate bond, I could have sworn that I would get to be swooned by that kind of smile he was having right now.

“Now, now. Do not be so cold to me, Seraphina.” He leaned forward and took my hand. I felt shivers down my spine when he brought my hand to his lips. “It is not as if we did not share the same bed earlier. Hmm?” he said, teasing.

“Because you forced me to!” I said through gritted teeth and took back my hand.

“Oh?” He had an amusement smile smeared on his lips. He took my hand again. I was irked when he held it so tight it felt like he wanted to break my hand causing me to hiss while he was not breaking eye contact with me. “Do not act like you did not like it, seraphim. You still have the most beautiful melody I have ever heard compared to other women I had bedded with.” He grinned.

His words made me stiff. Did he say… other women he had bedded with? Does this mean that he had been fooling around with women for those years?

I smiled bitterly. “You never changed, Desmond. You still like sleeping around even before we get married. How much more when we got married years ago?” His smile gradually disappeared.

I caught him off guard. I took that as a chance to take back my hand. He didn’t say anything but he was surely rendered speechless.

When I looked outside and the carriage halted in the plaza, I glanced at Desmond who was still not moving. I took that as a chance to leave the carriage without saying anything.

Only then, Desmond realized that I was not inside anymore. He looked displeased when our eyes met after I closed the door.

I only curtsied one more time before I immediately transformed into my wolf form so I could get away from the plaza. Also, it was to get away from his eyes.

I went to check the river bank if Sander was there but he was not. I sniffed my son’s scent and went in the direction of where our flat was located.

I transformed into my human form when I arrived at my flat and opened it. “Sander?” I did not see him in the living room. I glanced at the bedroom where I could strongly smell his scent.

I went to check it and was relieved to see Sander sleeping. I smiled and sat on the edge of the bed.

“I’m here now, little man…” I whispered to his ear and caressed his golden locks.

Sander slowly opened his eyes. He rubbed his eyes before he smiled and hugged me. “Mama, you’re here.”

“Of course, I am,” I said and started raining some kisses on his face which earned him a giggle.

I helped him to get up and combed his hair when Sander gently tugged the dress I was wearing. “Mama, where’s your dress you wore this morning?”

I gasped softly and looked down at the luxurious dress Desmond had given to me. “Um… I spilled my drink on my dress. L-Lord Verlice is kind enough to lend me the dresses he has.” I castigated myself because I sensed bitterness in my tone.

I didn’t know that Desmond was living with another woman. I thought he was simply fooling around with someone. Perhaps, this dress I was wearing right now was from Hazel.

I excused myself and looked in the mirror, perplexed to see the dress was a perfect fit for me. I was surprised when I wore it after I had the corset and bralette with me. I didn’t know that his woman had the same size as me.

Odd…

I castigated myself and shook the thoughts off of me. I changed my clothes and glanced at Sander who was watching me changing into indoor clothing.

“It is surprising that I saw you taking a nap at this time around, sweetheart. Is staying at the river bank not interesting to you?” I asked when I finished dressing up.

Sander shook his head. “I have fun, Mama. I even studied there. Sire taught me something new.” He stood up and took the book. “He let me borrow this book, Mama.”

My eyes widened when I took it and was surprised that the book was all about war tactics. Creasing my forehead, I glanced at Sander. “Sweetheart… This is not a children’s book…” I said, shocked that Sander could read half of it.

“Yes, Mama. I know.” He giggled. “But it is interesting to read. I finished half of it.”

My jaw dropped. I pinched the bridge of my nose, calming myself. I knew already that Sander was a smart one. But I wasn’t expecting that he was already interested in these topics which could only be comprehended by someone at the age of a young adult.

“Are you more interested in this than the books I brought here?” I asked after a moment of silence, sitting beside my son.

Sander nodded and smiled. “Yes, Mama. Sire said that if I want to read more books, I can go to the public library.” He smiled sheepishly.

His amber eyes filled with excitement and enthusiasm. He suddenly reminded me of Desmond having the same behavior and couldn’t let go of something that would pique his interest.

I checked the time on the wall clock. “Why don’t we go there and take more books?”

His face brightened up. “Really, Mama?”

I almost gasped because I got to see how Desmond reacted when I got to allow him with an idea that would make him excited.

Ah… Sander. You are truly like your father…

I hate the idea that you were becoming a spitting image of him.

Nodding, I decided to change into an outdoor dress before I told Sander to get ready. It was still early which was why the public library wasn’t closed yet.

Also, I need to go to an apothecary shop to purchase fertility control. I wouldn’t say I could get pregnant so easily but it was better than I couldn’t get pregnant with Desmond’s other pup. I mindlessly caressed my stomach.

I was infertile before and yet I still got pregnant and bore my son into this world. It wouldn’t hurt if I started taking it and that would prevent me from getting pregnant. I was afraid that taking another pup into this world would have a hard time providing their necessities.

“Once we go there, you should remain quiet there. Alright, little man?” I was holding his hand as we were sauntering our way to the public library.

It wasn’t that far from here which was why it was a walking distance.

“Yes, Mama.”

Arriving there, Sander looked awed at the countless books that were displayed on the bookshelves. I couldn’t help smiling when he started pointing at the bookshelves he wanted to see. Nodding my head as an approval, Sander quietly and excitedly walked there.

“Is this your first time coming here?”

I turned my head to see the librarian looking at me. I was surprised to see her arching eyebrow while she stopped writing.

“Ah, yes.” I smiled. “I have my son with me. He likes to read.”

“He must have been pretty smart,” she pointed out.

“Indeed.”

She stared at me for a moment before she started rummaging in the small cabinets that contained catalogs. “I’m Clariscia. What books is he interested in reading? Perhaps, I can help him find some interesting books for him.”

“Um…” How must I say this to the librarian? “Recently, he has been starting to read this book about war tactics…” I said, hesitant.

Clariscia looked surprised. “What? Is he?”

I nodded. “Yes.” I told her about the book she was reading. It was written by the first Alpha King that had been passed down to generations.

“Unbelievable…” She blinked, surprised. “And you said he finished half of that book within just a day?” I nodded. “Dear me…” She gasped softly.

“Mama.”

We turned our heads when Sander arrived and had three heavy books in his hands. “Let me help,” I said and quietly rushed to him so I could help him put the books on the table.

I felt the librarian’s presence behind me and heard her gasp when she got to know what books Sander took. Even I was surprised at the certain topics Sander took.

The books contained economics, political management, and social and cultural aspects.

“My word…” Clariscia spoke. Her astonished tone was enough that she was impressed with my son. “Child, are you certain that you are going to read them?”

Sander looked up and tilted his head in confusion. “Her name is Clariscia. She’s the librarian, sweetheart. She takes care of the books here,” I introduced.

“Oh.” Sander, who had a cautious look, suddenly warmed up. “Yes, Madame Clariscia.”

Clariscia had a look of curiosity and astonishment. “You are too young to read this. Are you certain that you can comprehend all the certain words written here? They are quite deep to comprehend for someone like you, dear.”

“I have a good sire that will help me, madame,” he said politely. “I can understand all the words. Mama has an encyclopedia back in our home. I even finished them within a week.”

Clariscia gasped and looked at me. I nodded my head, telling him he was telling the truth. “He can even recite them just by reading them at once…” I said shyly.

I was surprised when he borrowed one of the books before. Those encyclopedias I purchased were a cheap bargain from a market. I was awed at that time which was why I purchased it. I was surprised when Sander was the age of three, that he could recite the Patriotic Oath of the Sowinski Kingdom which he only heard once from me. It was why at that time, I started teaching him to read.

Even now, I am still teaching him to expand his knowledge.

But there were times that he would ask some questions that were beyond my knowledge. I told Sander that I did not know the answer and would do my best to know the answer for him.

“Incredible!” she exclaimed, blinking. But then she hushed herself from speaking out loud. “I must help you process them,” she said excitedly. She went to her desk and took something from her drawer. “What is your name again?” She looked at me. “And this little boy right here.” She smiled.

“I am Seraphina. And this little man right here is…” I paused.

“Sander,” my son said with a big smile on his face.

“Alright…” Clariscia said and bestowed each of us a parchment. “These are our library cards. Your son can try to go here and borrow books whenever he wants.” She winked at Sander. “All you need to do after you finish reading the books is return them here safely. Alright?”

“Hmm!” Sander nodded before he stared longer at her. He must have been starstruck at Clariscia’s beaming smile.

I looked at Clariscia who gave me a thumbs up. I couldn’t help smiling seeing how vibrant she was. If from earlier she looked like she had gone age, right now, she looked different.

“How old are you by the way?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Clariscia looked surprised before she answered. “Eighteen. You?”

“Thirty-five.” I chuckled quietly when her eyes widened.

“You don’t look thirty-five to me!” she exclaimed and immediately hushed down when she realized that she made a noise.

“I know it must be because of how I still looked young. But I am really thirty-five with a son turning seven in the next couple of months,” I said and caressed Sander’s head.

“Oh, I see. But you looked really young… I thought you were the same age as me.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I chuckled. “Thank you for the compliment then.” I looked down when Sander tugged my hand. “Is there something wrong, sweetheart?” I asked when his eyes still darted at Clariscia.

“He must have found me odd,” Clariscia said with a chuckle.

Sander shook his head before he turned at me. “Mama, when I grow up, can I force my wolf to have Madame Clariscia as my mate?”

“What?” I parroted, and couldn’t believe my son’s words. “What are you…”

“Madame Clariscia, can you be my mate at my coming of age?”

I chuckled nervously and looked at Clariscia who had a look of amusement right now. “Um… You do not have to answer my son’s silly question, Clariscia. He just didn’t understand what he was saying right now.”

She glanced at me and chuckled. She bent her knees a little and caressed Sander’s head which earned him a frown. “My, my. Unfortunately, I already have my mate, a young one.”

“Then I will steal you from him and take you by hook or by crook,” Sander insisted.

“Sander!” I scolded him, shocked at his words.

“It’s fine, Seraphina.” She winked at me. “Alright. But you need to hurry up because it shall be too late that I am going to marry him.” With that, she looked at me after standing up properly. “He is hilarious.”

I covered Sander’s mouth when he was about to say something again. “Indeed. I think we shall take our leave. This little man right here is trying to be comical here.”

Clariscia nodded and smiled. “I shall see you two again then.” She waved her hand.

“What in the Moon Goddess’s name is that about, Sander?” I asked when we left the library.

“I know she will be my mate, Mama.” His innocent expression made me think if he was pretending not to comprehend what I said or not. “I will have her soon. Age doesn’t matter. Right, Mama?”

My jaw dropped. His behavior suddenly reminded me of Desmond when he knew that I was six years younger than him. I even had chills down my spine hearing the exact words Sander said.

“I know you are my mate. I will have you soon. Age doesn’t matter. Right, Seraphina?”