Hiding the Alpha’s Heir

“Sander?” I was shocked to see my son here.

“Are you my Mama’s male friend? Greetings!” I flinched when Sander bowed his head at Nicklaus. “I am Sander Verlice, son of Papa, Desmond Verlice, and Mama, Seraphina Beryl.”

I chuckled as I smiled wryly when he already introduced himself before Nicklaus. When I looked at Nicklaus, he was already smiling, nodding his head.

“Greetings to you, too, young lord. I am Nicklaus Romero. Yes, I am your Mama’s male friend.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Mama’s male friend, Sir Romero.”

“Sander!” I scolded him. I suddenly felt bashful when Nicklaus even joined in the way Sander addressed him. “My apologies, Nicklaus. It is rude that my son addressed you that.” I smiled apologetically.

He gestured his hand as if dismissing it. “It’s fine. He looked respectable with the way he greeted me.”

Even though he didn’t mind it, I felt like it still felt wrong that Sander had to call Nicklaus like that. “What are you doing here, sweetheart? Are you supposed to have a class with Baron Geiger?” I caressed his face, getting confused as to why he was there.

I roamed my eyes around to look for Niscia but I was surprised that she was not sitting next to the table. Since when did she leave?

“Baron Geiger has something urgent to settle, Mama. And I have an hour break so I come here to the town and walk around, Mama. Then I got hungry so I came here.” He was smiling so brightly like a sun that had risen to the east. It really looked so refreshing seeing my son being like some sun rays of the sun.

“Did you come here alone? Aren’t you supposed to have your butlers with you? Where are they?” Desmond assigned two butlers to be by his side and to serve his needs.

He shook his head. “They are in the mansion, Mama.”

I gasped. “Then, who allowed you to come here alone?” I felt like I was going to have a heart attack right now. “Did your Papa know you are here?” I sniffed him because Desmond’s scent lingered with him.

Sander nodded. “I have come here with Papa.” With that, he gestured his hand to the entrance of the cafe.

I held my breath as soon as Desmond entered. His scent as my mate immediately stirred me and my wolf. Our eyes met when he walked in our direction. I could have sworn to myself that I gulped upon seeing him in his casual clothing but still, he looked so expensive and screamed wealthy.

He still held the power of the Marquis of Blackmont. No doubt about that.

“What a coincidence!” Desmond said with an earnest smile. “I did not know you are also here, Seraphina, the mother of my two pups…” I arched my eyebrow with the way he just addressed me. Mother of his two pups? “And…” he paused, looking at Nicklaus. “Ah… Seraphina’s male friend as what my son proclaims, right?”

I looked at him in disbelief. What was this man doing? He knew that was Nicklaus. “Desmond-”

Nicklaus chuckled. “Indeed. I am Seraphina’s special male friend.”

My eyes widened when Nicklaus said that. With what he said, Desmond squinted his eyes at him. “Special?” he uttered bitterly.

“I am. I believe Seraphina told you who I really am to her before, right?”

Desmond’s hand clenched. “Son of a-”

“Desmond!” I immediately halted him before he could finish his cussing. I didn’t want my son to hear it.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

He flinched and looked at me. His expression softened. “Is there something wrong, seraphim?”

I was dumbfounded at what he called me. Wait… He never called me ‘seraphim’ when we were already divorced. Why would he call me like that as if we had fixed our mate bond? And his tone… There was a dreamy sound on it as if he was worshipping me.

I stood up and made Sander sit on my chair. “Order whatever you want. I’ll be right back.” Sander smiled and nodded. I turned at Nicklaus, nodding apologetically at him before I glared at Desmond. “Can we talk outside?”

Desmond shrugged. I didn’t wait for him to say anything as I walked away from him so I could go outside. I held my stomach, caressing it while I was waiting for Desmond.

“Your father is giving me a headache, sweetheart…” I said to my stomach before I glanced up when Desmond went out.

“So? What are you going to talk about?” he asked nonchalantly. It was as if he had done nothing wrong.

I grabbed him by his collar. “Are you freaking jealous right now, Desmond Verlice?” I didn’t beat around the bush. I wanted to be direct with him because I already knew the behavior he was showing.

“Oh? Me? I am not.” He acted like he was surprised. “What makes you say that?”

I squinted my eyes and grabbed him more on his collar but Desmond didn’t falter. “We may be divorced but I still know how you act.”

Desmond grinned. Moments later, I heard him purring. “I really missed those moments you are ordering me around, Seraphina.” He took my other free hand. “I can be stubborn for you so you can scold me more,” he said dreamily.

That made me release him. Shit. This was pretty annoying.

“You are not going to touch my stomach later.” His eyes enlarged in horror.

“W-Wait!” Desmond panicked when he held me in my arm. “I-I will behave now.”

“Prove it.” I yanked my arm back and went inside. “My apologies about that, Nicklaus.” I glanced at Sander who was already munching on his snack.

“Take a seat, Seraphina.” Nicklaus pulled me another chair for me to sit in. “Sander looks so famished. He must have had tough training as the son of the Alpha.”

“He is…” I softened and used the table napkin to wipe the crumbs on the corners of my son’s lips. “Slow down, little man.” He nodded.

Nicklaus looked up. “Have a seat, my lord?” He was talking about Desmond who had just arrived.

Desmond glanced in my way before he approached me. “Please stand up.”

“Why?” What the hell was he up to again? Even so, I stood up.

Desmond pulled me away from the chair and sat there. Before I could even scold him, in one swift motion, I was already sitting in his lap.

“W-What are you doing?” I asked in a sharp whisper. I inhaled sharply when his hand was placed on my stomach. I immediately got shivers down my spine. “Desmond-”

“It’s more comfortable, right?” Desmond asked, smiling from ear to ear. “If you are going to ask me, I am more comfortable.” His tone sounded arrogant.

I shot him a glare. I didn’t know what he was trying to play right now but this was not funny at all. “Halt this.” I was about to stand up but Desmond did not let me. “Desmond…” I pinched his arm.

I watched as he didn’t express that he was hurt. He only grinned and locked me in his arms. The way he was looking at me, it was as if he was telling me that I should deal with it with no other choice.

“Isn’t my Papa sweet, Sir Romero?” Sander asked after a moment. “Papa really loves Mama so much but Mama is so dense and ignores my Papa’s feelings.”

“Sander!” My eyes widened in horror. What the hell was he spouting again?

“I am just telling the truth, Mama.” He shrugged as he sipped on his tea.

I looked at Nicklaus with an apologetic smile. “It is not supposed to be like this, Nicklaus…” It was supposed to be us catching up with each other. How on earth did these two ruin it?

“It’s fine, Seraphina.” He smiled gently which made me feel guilty. “And I am well aware that this is intentional. Marquis Verlice is still your mate after all even if you two are divorced. But I hope that His Lordship still knows why your marriage ended up like that and I can see why.”

Desmond stirred and growled immaculately. “What are you trying to imply here, Romero?”

I panicked when Desmond’s face darkened while Nicklaus was meeting his eyes. “I-I think let’s end everything here, Nicklaus.” I decided to stand up. “We shall take our leave now.” I tapped Desmond’s shoulder but he was not leaving his eyes on Nicklaus. And so was Nicklaus on Desmond.

When I glanced at Sander, he didn’t seem like he was frightened by what was happening. In fact, he looked amused before he stood up. “I’ll be in the carriage, Mama.” He waved his hand before he ran to leave.

“You piece of shit…” I gasped when Desmond stood up and was about to lunge at him.

“My stomach hurts!” I said out loud to snap at Desmond. It was the only way to halt his madness of hurting Nicklaus.

I heard his gasp. He immediately tended to me. “Are you alright?” He looked so worried now. Gone was his darkened expression.

“I want to leave now.”

“Alright.” Then Desmond glared at Nicklaus. “Let’s go then.” He didn’t wait for my response as he gently guided me now to leave.

“I’m sorry, Nicklaus. Perhaps, next time?” Nicklaus nodded. I should probably write him a letter after this. I glared at Desmond and caught him looking at me. “We are going to talk about your behavior today, Desmond,” I said when we were on our way to his carriage.

Desmond frowned. “Why? Are you going to scold me again? I am not even doing anything. Can’t you see that he is ridiculing me?” He snorted, unhappy.

“What if he is telling the truth? You cannot accept that he spits some facts there?” That was the time he fell silent. “Realize your mistakes, Desmond and you must know how to accept them.” With that, I ignored him when we arrived at the carriage and didn’t speak to him until we arrived at his pack.

Upon arriving, Desmond helped me to get down. He was staring at me as if he wanted to say something. I only looked away so he could not engage in a conversation with me.

We were both snapped back when Harvey arrived to report something. He greeted me with a bow before he went to Desmond and bestowed a document.

“Is this everything?” Desmond asked when he was reading it.

“Yes, Alpha. Also, His Majesty wants your presence in the royal palace next week. He is summoning all the noble who have a Marquis title.”

“Oh? Why?”

“I am not certain of the reason, Alpha. That is his announcement before I left the palace.”

I ignored them and heard a few people calling someone.

“Young Mistress Harolyn! Young Master Hezekiah!”

“Harolyn! Hezekiah! These two…”

I turned my head upon hearing Hazel’s frustrated voice and a few servants from their mansion chasing the little girl and boy who I thought was the same age as Sander. They were running towards… the Verlice gates.

“Father! Father!”

They immediately hugged Harvey’s legs. Harvey was confused when he saw them. “Hezekiah? Harolyn? What are you two doing here?” he asked and looked at us with an apologetic smile.

“Are they your pups?” I asked, smiling. They looked so adorable together.

Harvey looked at me. “Um… They are my nephew and niece.” My eyes widened upon hearing that.

Nephew and niece..? Are they… Hazel’s pups?

“How old are they?” I secretly clutched my skirt, not wanting to conclude what I had in my mind.

“S-Seven years old, L-Luna Seraphina.”

I didn’t know why but my heart was racing rapidly.