Page 51 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)

Hannah

Sitting at my desk, I listen to the interrogation of the female hunter that took place at the beginning of my heat.

Saben is still curled in my arms, his little snores seeping through the headphones I wear.

Aidan told me her name is Sabrina and that she is now tucked away in a room with her mate, Nelson.

Both the human and the rogue requested to join Haven Trail and become functioning members of the pack when they spoke with Aidan about the layout of the Hunters Association on the outskirts of Ottawa, but Aidan made it clear he first had to talk to me.

Is Saben still asleep? Speaking of Aidan, his voice pushes into my mind through our link, and I look up to see my office door opening.

He is. My poor pup must have really missed me, I answer, smiling at my friend.

He chuckles, quietly padding across the room and taking a seat in one of the two armchairs across from my desk.

Are you going to head to the company any time soon? Aidan asks as I carefully take off the headphones, feeling Saben shift slightly before settling against me, continuing to nap.

Maybe in an hour. I plan to have lunch with Saben before I leave, I say, slowly running my hand up and down my pup’s back.

Okay. Well, we need to talk about attacking the headquarters of this branch of hunters, Aidan says, and I frown.

Sabrina provided us with plenty of information about their headquarters, explaining the patrol schedule and when the next sale of wolves and vampires would be.

Thankfully, she has also been helping us by using her now-dead husband’s phone to stay in contact with his people, coming up with the excuse of tracking the rogues that escaped when their truck rolled over to explain the delay in their return from their current errand.

Has Sabrina given us an ETA for when the hunters expect them to return home? I ask instead, watching Aidan nod.

Two days from now. That’s when they expect to sell some wolves and vampires as slaves to some pretty influential people, Aidan explains.

I suppress the growl crawling up my throat and bury my face in Saben’s hair, breathing in his scent.

Schedule a meeting with Julian, Fabian, and Mikos for tonight, and bring Sabrina and Nelson. We will need their help with breaking into the headquarters and taking them out, I decide, watching a grin spread across Aidan’s face.

I roll my eyes at this, dismissing him from my office.

He chuckles, telling me to keep the link open while he goes to find the three men from the royal pack, and I return to listening to the interrogation tapes.

I still had to listen to that male hunter sitting in our cells deep in the pack house basement.

From what I was told by Claira, he still loudly screams that he will slaughter every last one of us for keeping him locked up.

Sliding the headphones back onto my head, I focus on the video paused on my screen and get comfortable.

***

Looking at Saben munching happily on an apple slice, I sip my peppermint tea while taking in the hustle and bustle of the pack house dining hall.

Saben had woken just before I could finish reviewing the videos of the hunter named Carlos.

He was the second-in-command at this headquarters and one of the men who raped and tortured many wolves for his pleasure before selling them off.

As soon as I felt my pup stir, I paused the video and changed the screen to some paperwork I was looking over, not wanting my pup to see how interrogations work in Haven Trail—not yet, anyway.

He is too young to witness any torture tactics used on those who do not cooperate by sharing the truth with us when we ask nicely.

“Hey there, enjoying lunch?” Looking up, I find Julian standing beside our table, his eyes shifting between Saben and me.

“We are. Want to join us?” Saben asks, his green eyes exact replicas of Julian’s. Julian lights up, reaching out and ruffling Saben’s hair before accepting the offer, sitting down beside me with the perfect view of Saben across from us.

“I heard you spent all day napping with your mama,” Julian says to Saben, who sheepishly nods.

“Yes. Mama wasn’t feeling good the last few days, so I had to stay with Granny Jiya. Now that she is better, she lets me nap with her,” Saben says before taking a bite of his sandwich.

“Well, I was there helping your mama get better. So maybe I can get a hug from you?” Julian says, his words making me nearly choke on my drink.

Saben thinks for a moment before sliding from his chair and scurrying to Julian’s side, wrapping his little arms around his father.

I watch as Julian takes a deep breath, inhaling Saben’s mango custard scent.

My heart clenches at this father–son pair, and I wonder if maybe I should tell Saben that Julian is his father sooner rather than later.

I know Julian will be leaving soon to continue his royal tour. It’ll be a while before he comes back to discuss where we will go with parenting Saben.

“Thank you for taking care of Mama,” Saben says, pulling away and looking up at Julian.

“It was my pleasure,” Julian replies, his green eyes watching Saben closely.

Saben returns to his seat, happily resuming his lunch. Noticing the plate of food Julian brought over, I swipe a sausage from his plate and munch on it, catching Julian eyeing me before shaking his head in amusement.

“Honey garlic is still your favorite?” Julian asks.

Swallowing, I nod and catch the curious look on my pup’s face.

“Wait, you already know Mama?” Saben asks.

I inwardly grimace, unsure how to answer my pup.

“I do. You see, Hannah used to be part of the royal pack. That’s how she knows your Uncle Fabian,” Julian answers without hesitation, and I glare at him.

“Oh…” is all Saben says, but I know my pup well. Questions are swirling in his little mind, and I have a feeling that he will be seeking out Julian and Fabian, wanting to know more. He is too smart for his own good.

“Anyway, baby, Mama has to head to the company today to finalize details of a project,” I cut in, deciding to change the subject.

“Would you like to come along and visit everyone working there? I know Auntie Claira would love to show you the new systems she is working on,” I continue.

Saben furrows his brows for a moment before looking at Julian. I can see the hesitation in his gaze.

“What about King Julian? Will he be coming with us?” Saben asks, turning to look at me. I suppress the sigh that threatens to escape. Great, my pup wants me to spend more time with Julian than I’m comfortable with right now.

“No, baby, you know we need to keep security in the building limited to those with authorization,” I answer, watching Saben pout.

“How about I take him for the day then? He seems to be interested in me,” Julian suggests, and I watch as Saben perks up at this.

“Please, Mama!” I sigh, seeing the puppy-dog eyes Saben throws my way. I know Julian wants to get to know his son, and this is the best opportunity to give him before we have to talk about introducing him to Saben as his biological father.

“Fine, but only if Auntie Aileen or Mavric is with you both,” I agree, stating my conditions.

Julian gives me a grateful look while Saben cheers.

Part of me feels like I will regret this decision, but I know Saben needs his father.

He is a wolf with royal blood flowing through him.

Sooner or later, my pup will feel the power in his blood, and Julian will be the only one who can help him navigate the power with which he was born.