The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 113

**The City That Drowned in the Sound of Its Own Heartbeat**
**by Erynd Cal DusK**
**Chapter 113**

**NATALIE**

As we walked away from Amy, a wave of concern washed over me. Her expression had been one of utter despair. Perhaps she and Jeremy had shared a bond deeper than I realized.

“Samuel,” I ventured, breaking the silence that had settled like a heavy fog in the car. “Could we swing by a store? Maybe grab some cake or ice cream for the kids?” The thought of sugary treats seemed to lighten the mood, even if just a little.

He looked at me, a hint of incredulity in his eyes. “We have plenty of that at home,” he replied, his voice steady yet puzzled.

I raised an eyebrow, recalling our previous discussions about sweets. “But I thought you didn’t allow Franklin and Sophia to have sweets. Are you secretly indulging your sweet tooth, Samuel?” I teased, hoping to coax a smile from him. He shook his head vigorously, a faint smile creeping onto his lips.

“No, that’s all Steven. He eats like a ten-year-old,” he chuckled, and I couldn’t help but join in his laughter.

“Oh right, your brother! We’ll need to tell him too,” I said, a sudden wave of anxiety prickling at the back of my mind. The thought of sharing our news was overwhelming.

“Look, we don’t have to tell him if you’re not ready,” he suggested gently, reaching for my hand.

“No, it’s important. He’s your brother, and he spends a lot of time with the kids. If we don’t tell him, they might spill the beans. That’s it—just him and the kids. I can’t have Yara finding out that I’m alive just yet.” I felt a sense of urgency in my voice, and he nodded in agreement.

“So just the kids and my brother,” he confirmed, his tone serious yet reassuring.

He glanced at me as we settled into the car, a question lingering in the air. “So, are you planning to keep wearing the mask?”

“For now,” I replied, adjusting the fabric against my face. “It’s not really a bother; I’ve grown accustomed to it.”

“I’m sorry you have to go through this,” he said, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as if he were trying to crush his frustration. “You shouldn’t have to hide your face because of her. She’s the one who should be in hiding for what she did. I mean, I don’t even think she has a heart.”

His words resonated with the anger I felt. I placed my hand over his, hoping to calm him. “Yara will face the consequences of her actions, but right now, we have more pressing matters to attend to.” He nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go see our kids,” he said, a smile breaking through the clouds of worry that had gathered.

As we approached the pack’s home, an inexplicable wave of nerves washed over me. Why was I feeling this way? Shouldn’t I be bubbling with excitement? After all, this was everything I had ever wanted.

“I’m feeling a bit nervous too,” Samuel admitted as he parked the car in front of the house, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You are?” I turned to him, surprised.

“Yeah, I didn’t exactly make a stellar first impression on Xavier, and I have a feeling Clayton isn’t too fond of me either.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Clayton just takes a while to warm up to new people. Trust me, he likes you. And what do you mean you didn’t make a good first impression on Xavier?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. He looked a little sheepish, and I could sense a confession brewing.

“Okay, confession time. The night we had dinner at your house wasn’t actually the first time I met Xavier. But in my defense, I had no idea he was your son,” he admitted, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

“When did you meet him?” I demanded, my mind racing. Why hadn’t Xavier mentioned this to me?

“Not now, Samuel. We need to focus on talking to the kids first,” I insisted, and he nodded, understanding the urgency in my voice.

We stepped out of the car and made our way into the house, heading straight for the playroom, which looked like a tornado had ripped through it. Four kids can really create chaos.

“Nat!” Sophia squealed, rushing over and wrapping her tiny arms around my legs. I dropped to my knees, enveloping her in a warm embrace, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. My daughter, she had known before I did. She had called me ‘Mom’ that day at the airport, and I had thought she was mistaken.

“Why are you crying, Mummy?” Clayton asked, his innocent gaze searching my face.

“Because I’m just so incredibly happy to see all of you,” I replied, my heart swelling with joy, though I could see skepticism still lingering in his eyes.

“Gather around, everyone! There’s something important we need to talk about,” I announced, trying to maintain a sense of calm amidst the excitement. Franklin and Sophia looked eager, while the boys appeared a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension.

We all settled onto the floor, with Sophia perched on my lap and Samuel sitting beside me. As I looked into their innocent faces, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. How on earth was I supposed to explain this to them? Where would I even begin?

“Xavier, Clayton, do you remember that day at the airport when we first met Sophia, and you said she looked like me?” I asked, hoping the familiarity of the memory would bridge the gap. They both nodded eagerly.

“Franklin, you know how Sophia keeps calling me her mum even though I look nothing like her?” I turned to him, and he nodded, his curiosity piqued.

I glanced at Samuel, who offered me a reassuring nod. “You’re doing great,” he whispered, his encouragement bolstering my confidence.

Taking a deep breath, I hooked my fingers around the edge of my mask and slowly began to peel it away, revealing my face to the children for the first time.