Her Broken Alpha - Isoellen Page 0,84

at me. I tried to have him followed, hoping he'd lead me to you. I'm sorry it took me so long. I'm sorry I failed you." His shoulders drooped, his expression crestfallen.

Darre didn't feel sorry for the boy. He wanted to hit him upside the head, break a couple fingers, maybe remove a toe. There was something wrong with him, blathering on so like some pathetic beta.

It wasn’t surprising, considering the family he came from. He smelled and looked like an alpha, but his words, the dart of his eyes, and his body language were all wrong.

But Naya offered the gentle forgiveness the boy was seeking. "Crispin, it's all right. I wasn't harmed. Not really."

"I knew he was doing something. But when word went around of you having gone missing, some things from the scribe house came up and I knew that he was behind your kidnapping.

“But it was more than just wanting another omega breeder. I went to the Administration. They found out that... Well, that you were here in the tower."

"And then you came for me?"

"It's all my fault."

"My monster saved me. It ended as it should. Are you going to be okay?"

Darre lifted his legs, jostling Naya to distract her. He didn't want her caring so much about this boy. There was no reason to encourage him.

Her voice was too calm, filled with an open-hearted generosity he wanted all for himself. He reconsidered the idea of stirring her up and taking what was his right in front the other males.

"You forgive me?" the boy asked.

Darre looked at his father, appalled at the mewling softness coming out of Crispin's mouth. Rhineholth didn't seem to share his disgust. He didn't seem to think much of the young alpha's blathering either way.

"Yes,” Naya said. “Of course."

"Then yes. Knowing that you are safe, I will be fine."

"What of your father?" Darre demanded. "The man is my enemy."

"Crispin's father is already dead. Ratmhir dragged him to the sector court arena and challenged him," Rhineholth interjected.

Naya gasped. "My father did?"

Rhineholth nodded.

"Does my family know where I am?" she asked.

Darre could feel a swirl of confused emotions from Naya and responded with a purr that morphed his father's expression to one of fatherly pride.

Both males were wearing on his patience.

"They do," Rhineholth assured Naya. "They are waiting to hear from me that you are well. The rumors of your bond have already reached them. I think it brought them a measure of comfort, knowing you'd chosen. My own mate was quite distressed before we heard the news."

Darre didn't understand the way his father was smiling, but Rhineholth was quick to elaborate. "Annalise thought you had died. Your connection with your mother has been weak for years. She told me she could always feel you, but that she thought she was losing you.

“When your bride-mate severed that connection by bonding you, my queen woke up crying and confused. Knowing that there had been reports of a female in your tower, it wasn't hard for me to put the pieces together."

Darre glared at his mate's former intended. "You have anything else to say? If not, you can leave."

Naya opened her mouth to speak, but Darre gave her a warning look. He hadn't killed the young alpha yet, but he would if she tried to do something impulsive like hug him.

"Naya." The boy took a step forward, one hand out as if to reach for her.

Darre snapped his teeth and growled. He'd bite off that hand first, and the last thing he wanted today was more blood on his tongue.

Crispin startled, eyes going wide as he bared his throat in deference. Darre could see the resemblance to the half-brother, Tenbel, now.

Crispin backed out of the room, eyes on the floor, instead of turning his back on Darre and walking away with pride like an alpha should.

"You have been spying on me," Darre accused, his attention returning to his father now that the boy had left. Fuckin' meddling parents. Darre wondered who in his tower had been reporting news back to his father. Normally he was able to sniff out infiltrators and beat them into submission.

"You are my son. Even if you hate me," Rhineholth said.

Darre wanted to spit on him. This humble version of his father was difficult to reconcile with the memories he had of the demanding, controlling man who had raised him.

"Your mother wanted me to come, to be sure of the truth. She would like to see you soon. We are not young, and