Stealing the Alpha’s Heritage

Chapter 30

Three months later

"You've been avoiding me for three weeks," Thorne says from my doorway, not asking permission to enter anymore. "Every time I come for the boys' lessons, you find somewhere else to be."

"I've been thinking," I tell him, not turning from my work. "About what you asked on their birthday."

"And?"

"This is my home, Thorne." I finally face him. "This cottage, this independence, this life I built without you."

"I know that." He steps closer, and I don't move away. "I'm not asking you to give it up."

"Then what exactly are you asking?"

"For a chance to share it." He stops just outside arm's reach, respecting the distance I've maintained. "As equals."

"Equals?" I laugh, but it's not bitter anymore. "You've never seen anyone as your equal, Thorne."

"I never had to before. Being Alpha meant everyone was beneath me by default." He runs a hand through his dark hair, and I notice more silver threads than before. "But I'm not Alpha anymore."

"I'm still working on trust," I remind him, returning to my bread.

"What would it take?" He moves to lean against the counter where I can see him. "Tell me what you need from me."

"Three months isn't long enough to prove change after years of damage."

"I know." His voice drops.

"It goes deep." I abandon the bread entirely, needing him to understand. "You made me doubt my worth. Made me believe I was failing you by not immediately producing heirs. You destroyed my confidence, my sense of self."

"Aria—"

"Let me finish." I hold up a flour-covered hand. "When I ran, I was broken. It took three years to remember who I was before I became your Luna."

"And who are you now?" He asks quietly.

"I'm a woman who makes her own choices." I step closer to him. "I'm someone who won't settle for less than a complete partnership."

"That's what I'm offering." He reaches out slowly, giving me time to pull away, and wipes a streak of flour from my cheek. "Complete partnership."

"No Alpha commands? No possessive declarations? No making decisions about my life without consulting me?"

"None of that." His hand drops but he doesn't step back. "I want to wake up beside you because you choose to be there."

"What about the boys?" I ask, voicing my real concern. "If we try and fail—"

"Then we handle it like adults who put their children first," he interrupts gently. "But Aria, we've already been doing this dance for months. I come here, we parent together, we work as a team. The only thing missing is honesty about what we both want."

"And what do you think I want?" I challenge him.

"The same thing I do." He moves closer, and this time I don't maintain the distance. "A second chance to get it right."

"Papa, can you stay for dinner again?" Kael's voice comes from the doorway.

"Actually," I take a breath, making the decision that's been building for months, "I was thinking he could stay longer than dinner."

"Really?" Kael bounces excitedly. "Like forever?"

"Let's start with tonight and see how it goes," I say, but I'm looking at Thorne when I say it.

"I can work with that." His smile transforms his face entirely. "Should I get my things from the inn?"

"After you help me finish this bread." I hand him an apron, enjoying his surprised expression. "Partners share the work, remember?"

"Partners," he agrees, tying the apron without complaint. "I like the sound of that."

Before I can respond, he kisses me. It's soft, questioning, asking permission rather than taking.

"Mama and Papa are kissing!" Kael shouts, making gagging sounds while Finn covers his eyes.

We break apart laughing, and I realize I haven't felt this light in years.

A knock at the door interrupts our moment. Jules stands on the porch, looking oddly formal for the man who's been serving as Silverfang's interim Alpha.

"Sorry to interrupt," he says, though his scarred face carries a knowing smile. "But I have news and an invitation."

"Come in, Jules." I wave him inside. "What's the news?"

"Evander's getting married." He pulls out an elegant invitation. "To a she-wolf from the Northern territories who apparently keeps him in line better than anyone expected."

"Evander found a mate?" I take the invitation, scanning the details. "Good for him."

"Her name's Grace. Met her at a pack summit. From what I hear, she challenged him to single combat on their first meeting and nearly won." Jules grins. "He's been properly humbled ever since."

"When's the wedding?" Thorne asks, reading over my shoulder.

"Two weeks. You're all invited—specifically requested by Evander himself." Jules glances between us. "He wanted to show there are no hard feelings."

"We'll be there," I decide. "All of us."

"Together?" Jules asks carefully.

"Together," Thorne confirms, his hand finding mine.

Jules nods approvingly. "The pack will be glad to hear it. They've been hoping you two would figure things out."

Later, after the boys are asleep, Thorne and I sit on the porch watching stars appear in the darkening sky.

"Thank you," he says suddenly. "For giving us another chance."

"Thank you for becoming someone worth taking a chance on," I reply, leaning into his warmth.

"I love you," he says simply. "Not as my Luna, not as the mother of my heirs, but as Aria. The woman who's strong enough to save everyone, including me."

"I love you too," I admit, the words coming easier than expected. "But if you ever lock me in a basement again—"

"You'll destroy me completely," he finishes. "I know. And I'd deserve it."

We sit in comfortable silence until movement in the yard catches my attention. The twins are outside, supposedly asleep but clearly drawn by something.

They stand face to face in the moonlight, and their eyes begin to glow—not the violent red of Kael's rage or the empty black of Finn's shadows, but a pure silver light that seems to pulse between them.

"The curse," I start to stand, but Thorne holds me back.

"Look closer," he says softly. "That's not curse magic."

He's right. The light connecting them feels different—warm, protective, powerful but not poisonous. They're still holding hands, the glow intensifying before fading completely.

"What was that?" I whisper.

"The leaders they'll become," Thorne answers.

The twins notice us watching and wave before heading back inside, as if supernatural glowing is perfectly normal for five-year-olds.

"Our boys are going to be extraordinary," I say, not sure if that terrifies or thrills me.

"They already are," Thorne pulls me closer. "Just like their mother."