Four.

Alpha Zach’s POV

I had never really dealt with someone crying before, well not someone that I was attracted too and as she sobbed into the pillows I just watch felling completely powerless, what could I do, should I comfort her, or should I leave her?

Standing by the door I just watch her, her shoulders juddering up and down under the blanket with the sobs but they were soon replaced with those little snuffles, signalling that she was asleep.

Moving towards her, I pull back the blanket from her face, it was red and tear stained whilst her eyes were sealed shut, little puddles sitting in her eye sockets. Maybe bringing her here was the wrong choice after all.

Kissing her on the forehead I feel the sparks spread across my lips, there was no doubt about it, Charlie was indeed my mate but would she accept me after her rejection of Alpha Max. I could offer her more than him after all, he was just a werewolf whereas we were Lycans and she belonged here with us.

I could sit here for hours watching her but I could not waste any more time, it was time to see Sophia.

Sophia knew her daughter was coming, I had already mind linked her to let her know but she didn’t seem happy about it and she wasn’t the only one.

We were furious to find out that she had a daughter, an heir to the throne. For a long time the Queen had been worried that there would be no one to take over when she passed, she had even begged Sophia to mate with any male to produce an heir but Sophia had always refused.

A few months ago, word had spread that a girl with dark hair and grey blue eyes had appeared in a wolf pack, severely malnourished and without a wolf.

Malnourished wolves is a common thing to hear, especially if they had been used as slaves but what had piqued my interest was the description of her, she looked just like Sophia and the Queen, the family resemblance was unmissable.

I was going to wait to make an appearance but when the call came asking for help, I jumped at the chance to meet her, normally I would take some time to think things over and figure out what I could gain from the pack but knowing this girl was there changed everything.

As soon as I stepped on to Alpha Max's land i could scent her and knew immediately that she belonged with me, the only problem was, she was our future Queen and I could not make my advances on her like I could of if she was just anyone

Leaving Charlie and ordering guards to stand at her door, I head out the packhouse. Sophia lived a couple of miles away on the edge of our pack, she preferred to keep herself as far away from us as possible, yet at the same time she was to fearful about leaving and she had good reason to be. I just hadn't figured out a way to tell Charlie.

Being an Alpha enabled me to travel where I wanted, when I wanted although I knew there would still be warriors close by, watching and waiting just in case something was to happen.

My feet crunched across the gravel of the driveway as I walk towards the small home where Sophia lived. The land was pretty quiet considering it was late, I thought it might be busier with some Lycans out hunting but I only passed a few people who waved at me before carrying on with whatever they were doing.

The door to Sophia’s house was slightly open which was unusual and as I knock there is no answer, pushing the door open and stepping in I remember to duck, she had low ceilings that were not suitable for my six foot frame. Nothing seemed out of place as I call out to her but there was no answer.

Sniffing the air, I knew she was here, her scent was strong which meant she way nearby.

“Sophia, I need to talk to you”

The wall to my right moves a little and she steps forward, she had blended herself into the background trying to hide.

“Are you alone?” she questions me, her eyes darting around the room.

“Yes, Charlie is asleep in the packhouse”

Her lips curve up at the edge “Is that what she calls herself?”

Sophia didn’t know much of Charlie’s history and as I look at her, her expression changes

“What are you not telling me? Please tell me Damon protected our daughter”

“No Sophia, quite the opposite”

“He abandoned her for that whore?”

“No he abused her”

She slumps down into a chair looking completely horrified

“He promised he would look after her, he said if I left she would have the best life”

I shake my head, I knew it was a lot to process and I honestly couldn’t believe how much she had been through.

“Alpha Zach, I am asking for permission to hunt him down”

“There is no need Sophia”

“But I need to make him suffer for what he has done”

“Sophia, you are not listening to me, Charlie killed him”

Her blue grey eyes are brimming with tears “Charlie killed him?”

“She ripped his head from his spine”

Sophia falls silent, she fiddles with the ring on her middle finger, refusing to make eye contact.

“Sophia, I am requesting your presence at the pack house tomorrow morning at nine sharp, do you understand”

She doesn’t answer me, she may have been the Queens daughter but other than that she has no ranking and therefore has to follow my orders

“Do you understand Sophia?”

“I can’t Alpha Zach, I am not ready to see her”

“It does not matter, she is here and you WILL come to the packhouse”

She nods, a tear sliding down her face “Yes Alpha”

I leave her sitting on the chair and walk back up towards the packhouse, the sky was dark and not a single star could be seen yet the moon was full and bright and I had this strange feeling that Charlie being here was not going to be easy.