The Alpha’s Unwanted Bride

The air was thick with fury as Xaden stormed out of his room, the echo of the slammed door still reverberating through the hallway.

His chest heaved with pain—physical and emotional—and his fists were clenched so tight his knuckles cracked.

He didn't get far before a voice called out behind him, smooth and familiar.

"Xaden."

He turned sharply.

Uncle Uther.

The man walked toward him with a wide grin, arms already open for an embrace.

"By the goddess, you're alive," Uther said, pulling him into a hug before he could react. "I thought I'd lost you, nephew."

Xaden was stiff at first, still caught up in the whirlwind of anger, but eventually he returned the hug.

Not because he wanted to—but because it was expected.

He was overwhelmed with emotion and he knew that they all cared about him.

But all he cared about at the moment was Jasmine.

"I was worried sick," Uther continued as he pulled back to inspect him. "You've been gone too long. And when the news came that you were injured… gods, it tore through the entire pack like fire."

Damian and Erik had now caught up with Xaden behind.

Both men stood behind him now—Damian visibly tense, his jaw clenched and shoulders stiff.

Erik said nothing, but his gaze remained locked on Uther with guarded suspicion.

"I tried to do my best while you were away," Uther said, motioning around them with a casual sweep of his hand.

"Kept the pack together, managed the council, gave orders. The warriors respected me. I did what had to be done."

Xaden gave a small nod. "I'm grateful for that, Uncle."

Uther smiled, but Damian scoffed low under his breath.

Xaden turned to glance at him, but Damian quickly averted his eyes.

"Now," Xaden continued, his voice laced with steel, "I'm going to bring her back."

Uther raised a brow. "Her?"

"Jasmine."

Uther didn't flinch. In fact, he smiled broader.

"Good," he said easily. "Very good. I was hoping you'd say that. She should be brought back home. She belongs here. Especially with the child."

Xaden's lips pressed into a tight line. "It's what I should have done in the first place."

"And you will," Uther said smoothly. "I even tried to send men out to look for her when I realized she wasn't with you. As soon as I found out she wasn't brought back, I gathered a group of our best warriors. I was ready to send them out immediately."

At that, both Erik and Damian's heads snapped toward him.

Uther didn't miss it.

"But of course," he added with a heavy sigh, "Erik and Damian insisted we wait. Said it was best not to act hastily."

Xaden asked. "You tried to send men after her?"

"Yes. That very night." Uther placed a hand on his chest, as if offended. "You were barely breathing. She was missing. I thought, surely, we must move at once. But I was told to hold back. For your sake. I argued with them against it. I know you might not care about the girl. But the child she carries is our blood line. And even if you were dead today, I would still look out for our blood. They don't understand that blood is thicker than water."

Xaden turned to Erik and Damian.

Erik's lips were pressed thin, but it was Damian who finally snapped.

"Really?"

Xaden's eyes narrowed.

Uther raised both hands. "Now, now, let's not argue over details. What matters is that she's still out there. And you're alive now. Stronger than ever. We'll get her back, nephew."

"Thank you for all the effort and assistance but this is on me," Xaden said flatly.

"Of course," Uther said with a polished grin. "But should you need support, you know I have your back. I always have."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The tension was palpable.

"I need to prepare," Xaden said abruptly, stepping away.

Uther bowed his head slightly. "Of course. Take your time. You know where to find me."

As Xaden walked away, Erik and Damian stood standing in their places.

"You conniving son of a bitch." Damian swore.

"You really need to take things easily." Uther warned. "Cursing doesn't do you or anyone here any good."

Damian wanted to attack him, but Erik coughing him before he could.

"What's going on?" Erik asked once he had Damian standing straight. "You're usually calm and collected. Better than him."

Damian was breathing so hard and his wolf fangs were now baring view.

"This bastard." Damian said sneering at Uther. "Tried to run a fucking coup. I didn't have the time to tell you since you returned amidst the chaos going on the pack. He had gathered some members of the pack to be loyal to him. We almost clashed."

Erik stopped and turned to look all over the older man.

"You're really that low?" Erik asked in disbelief. "Blood is thicker than water and yet you wanted to snatch the pack from your missing nephew."

"Damian is not blood related to this pack, neither are you. If anyone was going to handle the pack when Xaden isn't around then it should be me." Uther snapped back.

Erik rubbed his eyes and shook in disgust at the man before him. "You are just like Anna. You don't care about anyone but your comfort. Xaden was dying, hell could have been probably dead and you wanted to steal the pack. It's what you have always wanted in the first place. It's why I never liked you."

Erik grinned. "But you know what? Xaden left the pack to me, and I in turn handed it to Damian. No one cares about you. And until I remain in this pack. That seat. You would never get it."

And with that they brushed past him, with Damian purposely hitting his shoulder on the way out.

"We'll see about that dog." Uther spat and then headed to Anna's room where he was going to plan seeds of destruction.