The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER TWENTY- NINE

BRINLEY.

"Because I love you,"

I froze, unable to move or speak. I've waited so long to hear those words I never thought he would say. I thought he was ashamed of me and hated my age, but Xander Caputo, the Alpha king, just said he loves me.

"Say something,”

I shook my head as I looked into his eyes, "Don't say you love me if you don't mean it,"

Xander opened his mouth, but Gabriel pushed Xander from behind before he could say anything. His hard body slammed into me, knocking me to the ground.

"What's wrong, King? Afraid fight back?" Xander ignored him and crouched down beside me.

"Are you okay?"

I nod my head, "I think so,” Xander grabs my hand and pulls me from the ground.

"My sister is pregnant. You could have hurt her,” Kelsy says, getting up in Gabriel's face.

"One less half-breed running around,” Gabriel mutters, pushing past Kelsy and stepping in Xander's face.

I grab Xander's arm, and he glances down at me, and I shake my head. "Please, no fights,"

"What's wrong, omega? Scared the King will get hurt?"

Xander's muscles in his arm tightened.

"Gabriel, please.” Amanda grabbed his arm, pulling him away, but Gabriel won't budge.

"I'm not afraid for Xander," I paused, looking Gabriel into his eyes, "I'm afraid for you,"

"That's cute," Gabriel laughs, "Is this how it is now, King? You let this mutt make your decisions?" "Gabriel, please,” Amanda pleads more.

"Listen to your mate Gabriel before you get yourself hurt,” Xander tells him, and he grabs my hand, leading me off the dance floor.

"I don't take orders from my mate," Gabriel grabs my free arm and jerks me from Xander's hold. Xander growls and goes after Gabriel.

"Hold it; now you don't want your precious half- breed getting hurt, now do you?"

Xander stopped. His eyes met mine, and I saw Something flash through them; my stomach dropped, and my body trembled at what I saw swirling in those beautiful silver eyes.

Rage.

"Let her go,"

Gabriel laughed, and his hold on my neck tightened; my fingers sank around his arm; he was cutting off my air supply.

"Gabriel let Brinley go,” Amanda said, trembling with fear of her own mate.

"Stay out of this, Amanda,”

Gabriel leans his face onto mine and whispers, "He doesn't love you," The liquor on Gabriel's breath was strong. He had to get drunk to pull this off, ashamed that Xander showed him up in front of his pack today on the field.

"No one could ever love you. Just ask your daddy,"

Gabriel is out of his mind if he thinks he is causing problems between my dying father and me. I know what horrible things Papa used to say; he would tell them to me. But the past is the past, and Papa and I have grown close over these days.

"If you let my mate go, I'll spare your life,"

"Gabriel, please. I love you so much. I don't want to lose you over a stupid game,” Amanda cries. I've been upset with Amanda since she told me Gabriel was her mate. I wasn't jealous that he wanted to be with her and didn't me. What hurt me was Amanda knew how Gabriel treated me my whole life, yet she mated with him. I couldn't understand it before, not until I found Xander Thomas Caputo, my mate, the love of my life. I know now why Amanda did it.

She loves Gabriel like I love Xander.

"Gabriel, please.” Amanda snubs. She falls to the ground, and Kelsy runs to her side, holding her while she cries.

"Here," Gabriel says, shoving me to the ground. I crawl over to Amanda and run her hand; she meets my gaze and mouths, I'm sorry," I shake my head and wrap my arms around her.

Gabriel grabs my hair and pulls me to my feet.

"I didn’t say you could talk to my mate, you fucking half-breed,"

I pulled my arm back and slapped Gabriel across the face without thinking. I wasn't thinking how much trouble it would cause, and I was so sick of hearing him call me that.

I watched as Gabriel's arm drew back, and I saw his fist coming at me. Instead of blocking my face, I secured my stomach. The next thing I remember was being on the ground, and the right side of my face was throbbing; Kelsy and Ryder were both at my side, and Xander was on top of Gabriel throwing hard blows at his face.

"Please, don't kill him,"

I blinked and saw Amanda trying to pull Xander off Gabriel.

"Ryder," I muttered, trying to sit up, "Stop him, don't let him kill Gabriel.”

"He hurt you, Brinley," Kelsy says.

"Please, Amanda loves him,"

Ryder sighs, shaking his head, "I'll do my best," He says, standing to his feet.

"Come on," Kelsy says, helping me stand, "The Doctor is with Papa. Let's get you checked out,” I shook my head, “I can't leave; if I do, he'll kill him,”

"Ryder can handle this," Kelsy says, pulling towards the door.

"You said you've had an ultrasound before?" Russel, the shadow packs doctor/and Katie's dad asks. I nod my head.

"Just a few days ago,"

"The doctor told you everything was good?"

I nod again.

Russel hums.

I frowned, "Russel, is something wrong?" I got this bad feeling that Something was wrong from the way Russel looked concerned.

He sighs, "Something's wrong with the baby's heart. The valve isn't pumping as it should,”

"No, Dr. Gram said everything was fine last week,"

"I'll send this over to her and make a call,”

"Russel, please. I can see how concerned you are; how bad is this?"

"It's not good,” Russel shook his head, "He will need surgery to replace the valve,”

"Is he going to live?"

"There is a chance he could die before birth or on the operating table," I covered my face and cried. I was in Russel's office alone. I sent Kelsy to check on Xander.

Russel placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "The baby could be fine. I had to let you know the outcome,”

I nod my head.

"Here, keep this on your face. It will stop your face from swelling, but you will be black in blue," "Thanks, Russel,”

"Come on. I'll give you a ride back home,"

The ride back to my parent's house was in silence. I mostly cried as Russel drove.

The car stopped, and I opened the door and glanced back at Russel, "Will you let me know what's being said between you and Dr. Gram?"

Russel nods, "Of course. Again, I'm sorry to have been the one to deliver the news,”

"I'm glad you found it. My baby wouldn't have had a chance if you didn't,”

Russel nods, "Goodnight, Brinley,"

"Goodnight,"

"Brinley, your dad wants to see you," Delores said as I came through the door.

"How are you feeling?"

Numb, sick to my stomach, guilty, sad.

"I'm fine,” I smile at Delores as I walk into Papa's room.

What's taking so long for Kelsy and Ryder to bring Xander back here? I shake my head; I can't think about whats" happing there now. Not when I got so much on my mind.

"Hi, Papa,” I reached for his hand, his boney fingers laced through mine.

"Delores told me what happened tonight. Are you okay?"

I shake my head and give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Oh, sweetheart," Papa's voice sounds weaker now, as a rough whisper.

"Papa, I saw Russel. He said my baby might not live,”

"Tell me what Russel said exactly,”

I cried as I told Papa what all Russel had said.

"The baby will be fine,"

"How can you be so sure?”

Papa smiled, "He is stronger than you think,"

"I can't lose my baby boy. I don't think I could take it,"

“You won't,"

Papa tapped the bed for me to lay beside him. He wrapped his arm around me as I cradled myself against him

"Have you thought of any names?"

"Only one,"

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Dominic,"

"You're naming him after me?"

"You're the strongest person I know. I chose your middle name Because Kelsy always said she was naming her first son Owen,"

Papa started crying, and I held him tighter.

"I love you, Papa,”

"I love you too, sweetheart,”

I felt strong arms wrap around me, and I knew it was Xander because of the tingles I felt when he touched me. I cuddled into his chest as he carried me from Papa's room.

"Lay here. I'll get you Something comfortable to sleep in,"

I opened my eyes and watched Xander as he looked around through my bag for clothes. I can't believe he is taking care of me and not himself. His knuckles are swollen and bloody. His shirt is torn, probably from Ryder and the guys trying to pull him from Gabriel.

I got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom for the first aid kit.

"Sit," I told Xander, still looking for clothes.

Xander doesn't argue or say anything as he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Give me your hand,”

He does, and I start to clean him up.

"Why did you make them stop me? That Fucker hurt you,"

"Amanda loves him as I love you. I wouldn't want Something to happen to you," I pause applying the ointment, "I couldn't let you hurt him because that would only hurt her,”

"I was going to do more than hurt him, Little mate,”

"I know," I whispered, glancing up at him through my lashes.

"I wanted to rip him to shreds for all the stuff he said, but I was helpless when he had you by the neck. He could have killed you,"

"But he didn't,"

"You don't know that," He says through clenched teeth.

"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Little mate, your right side of your face is black in blue, and your throat is also blue,”

"Xander, I'm fine,"

He fisted his palms, "Now that it's out that you're my mate, my rivals will come for you to get to me,"

I shake my head, "Knox's place is guarded twenty-four/ seven.”

"And you think you're going back there? My kingdom is like a fortress."

"But, I thought..."

"Well, you thought wrong," Xander says, cutting me off, “You will be with me in the palace," He says softly, stroking my cheek, "I will never have you leave me again,”

"Xander, I need my Dr."

"Jacob is the best Doctor around. You can see him,"

I sigh, "What about Julia?"

"What about her?"

I arched my brow, "You're with her,”

Xander shook his head, "I couldn't be with her the way she wanted, so she went back to Jerry,"

I mouth an "0".

"I meant what I said,”

"About what?"

"When I said that I loved you, I meant it. I love you, Little mate,”

"Even though I'm seventeen? And wouldn't let you kill my friend's mate, even though he hurt me?" He chuckles, "Yes,"

"I love you too, Xander,"

He smiles and looks at the bandage job I did on his hand, "Thanks. You know I heal quickly,”

"I know,"

"Now, let's get you taken care of," He says, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the bathroom. "You know I can walk,"

"I know, but I like you close to me,"

Xander sits me on the counter as he fills the tub with warm water. My body is aching, and the water looks so good. I know I will have to tell Xander about Dominic's condition, he didn't take the pregnancy well, and I'm not sure how he will take this news. But for sure, I won't be able to keep it a secret for long, and I know when he finds out, he will make us leave, and I need this time with Papa while I still have the time to spend with him.