Stealing the Alpha’s Heritage

Chapter 29

Eighteen months later

"Happy fifth birthday, my boys!"

The cottage overflows with laughter as Kael and Finn race around the breakfast table, their faces glowing with excitement. Today should have been the day the curse claimed one of them. Instead, sunlight streams through windows decorated with paper chains they made themselves, and the only battle is over who gets the first slice of birthday cake.

"Mama, look at all the presents!" Finn points to the pile of wrapped packages that arrived this morning, his gray eyes wide with wonder. "There's so many!"

"Both packs sent gifts," I tell them, though the sight of packages bearing Silverfang and Moonveil crests still surprises me. "Seems everyone remembers your special day."

"Even though Papa's not Alpha anymore, they still send us things," Kael observes, already reaching for the biggest box. "That's nice of them."

"That's because you're still loved by many wolves," Thorne says from the doorway, carrying more packages. "Being Alpha or not doesn't change how people feel about you boys."

"Papa, did you get us swords?" Kael asks eagerly, shaking one of the boxes. "Real ones this time?"

"You're five years old," I remind him, taking the box before he can tear into it. "You'll stick with wooden ones for a few more years."

"But Mama, we're not cursed anymore," Finn points out with his logical mind. "We won't hurt each other."

"That doesn't mean you get sharp objects for your birthday." I ruffle his lighter hair, marveling at how normal this all feels. "Now, who wants cake for breakfast?"

"Me! Me!" Both boys shout in unison, scrambling onto their chairs.

As I cut the chocolate cake I baked last night, Thorne catches my eye. We both know what this day means. The weight of that knowledge sits between us, unspoken but understood.

"I need to visit someone today," I tell the boys as they demolish their cake slices. "But I'll be back before your party this afternoon."

"Where are you going, Mama?" Finn asks, chocolate smearing his chin.

"To see someone who helped us once," I say carefully. "Someone who deserves to know you're both safe and happy."

Thorne's expression darkens slightly, but he doesn't protest. He knows where I'm going.

The walk to Silverfang's detention center takes an hour. The guards recognize me and step aside without question—Jules arranged permanent visiting privileges months ago. The stone steps descend into darkness, each footfall echoing off damp walls.

Rowena sits in her cell, aged beyond her years. Her once-proud silver hair hangs limp, her shoulders curved with the weight of her crimes. When she sees me, something flickers in her eyes—surprise, perhaps, or hope.

"Today's their birthday," I say without preamble, gripping the bars.

"The day the curse should have claimed one." Her voice cracks with disuse. "But you broke it."

"We broke it," I correct her. "And despite everything you did, I came to thank you."

"Thank me?" She looks up sharply, confusion written across her weathered face. "I nearly killed your son."

"But first, you helped me escape when Thorne locked me in that basement," I remind her. "You gave me money, arranged transportation, sent me to Evander."

"I was protecting my grandchildren the only way I knew how," she says, moving closer to the bars. "Even if my methods were monstrous."

"They were monstrous," I agree without softening the truth. "But that doesn't erase the good you did first. I'll never forget that you saved us that night."

"How are they?" The question escapes her in a whisper. "Kael and Finn?"

"Happy. Healthy. Normal five-year-olds who argue about toys and love chocolate cake." I pull out a small drawing from my pocket, one Finn made yesterday. "Finn drew this. He said it's for the sad grandmother who lives underground."

Rowena takes the paper with trembling hands, tears streaming down her cheeks as she studies the childish drawing of a family—including a figure with silver hair standing slightly apart.

"He remembers me?" Her voice breaks completely.

"They both do." I grip the bars tighter. "Maybe someday, when they're older..."

"No." Rowena shakes her head firmly. "They should remember me as the villain who tried to hurt them. It's safer that way."

"That's not for you to decide anymore." I step back from the cell. "But for what it's worth, I forgive you, Rowena."

I leave her crying in her cell, clutching Finn's drawing.

When I return to the cottage, I find an unexpected visitor. Evander stands in my garden, keeping careful distance from the house.

"I wasn't invited," he says before I can speak. "But I needed to apologize properly."

"Evander—"

"Please, let me finish." He pulls out an envelope, sealed with the Moonveil crest. "This is a formal offer of alliance—no strings, no conditions. Just two packs that can help each other."

"Uncle Van!" Kael bursts from the house before I can respond, running full speed toward Evander. "Did you come for our birthday?"

"I brought gifts," Evander says, catching Kael as he launches himself into a hug. "But only if your mother says it's okay."

Finn appears more cautiously, studying Evander with those perceptive gray eyes. "The sha—I mean, I used to see bad things about you. But not anymore."

"That's because I was a bad man for a while," Evander says honestly, kneeling to Finn's level. "But your mama helped me learn to be better."

"Mama helped Papa be better too," Finn agrees solemnly.

"Speaking of Papa," Thorne emerges from the cottage, his expression carefully neutral. "Evander."

"Thorne." Evander stands, and the two men size each other up. "I came to apologize and offer an alliance."

"We want Pap back living with us," Kael announces loudly, grabbing Thorne's hand.

"Kael!" I feel heat flood my cheeks.

"What? It's true!" Kael looks between us with innocent confusion. "We like Uncle Van too. Can't we have both?"

"The boy has a point," Thorne says, surprising everyone. "They could benefit from different influences. Learn different skills."

"What are you suggesting?" Evander asks carefully.

"I'm suggesting we stop making this about us and focus on them," Thorne responds, gesturing to the twins. "They've been through enough.”

"Papa asked Mama if he could come back," Finn announces suddenly, making me want to sink into the ground. "As her mate. Mama's thinking about it."

"Finn!" Now I'm mortified.

"These boys and their honesty," Evander actually chuckles. "Well, Aria? What are you thinking?"

I look between them—Thorne, who destroyed us but chose love over power when it mattered; Evander, who tried to own me but learned to let go. Then I look at my boys, five years old today, alive and whole against all odds.

"I'm thinking my boys need both influences," I say finally.

"And what about you?" Thorne asks quietly. "What do you need?"

"Time," I answer honestly.

"I can give you time," Thorne says.

"As can I," Evander adds. "The alliance offer stands regardless."

"Uncle Van, come see our birthday cake!" Kael tugs at his hand.

"Papa, you too!" Finn grabs Thorne's hand.

As the boys drag both men toward the cottage, I stand in my garden feeling absolutely complete.

My boys need both influences, and maybe, just maybe, I do too.