The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 135

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

**Chapter 135**

Alpha Samuel Bowers.

With a swift motion, I pivot to face Kataleya, my expression a mix of frustration and confusion. “What do you mean it’s separating?” I demand, my voice edged with urgency.

She meets my gaze, her eyes wide and searching. “Do you have another brother?” The question hangs in the air, heavy with implications.

The realization hits me like a cold wave. My mind had been consumed with rage over my half-brother’s betrayal, the thought of Steven had slipped away amidst the chaos. “Yes, I have another brother,” I confirm, the weight of the revelation settling in.

“Then you should have mentioned that earlier,” she snaps back, her tone sharp as we all focus on the map where fresh blood seeps, marking yet another ominous location.

“Looks like he’s down by the docks, at the old shipyard,” Kataleya announces, her tone steady yet laced with an undercurrent of concern.

“Are you absolutely sure it’s him?” I press, a sense of dread creeping into my chest.

“Yes, I’m sure,” she asserts, her voice unwavering.

“I’ll keep the map open. If his location changes, I’ll let you know,” she adds, her practicality grounding me momentarily.

“Okay, thank you for your help, Kataleya,” I reply, my gratitude sincere, and she nods in acknowledgment.

“I take it you don’t want to make that long walk to your car, do you?” she inquires, a glint of mischief in her eyes that momentarily confuses me.

“Well, it’s not like we have a choice, do we?” I respond, a hint of exasperation creeping into my tone.

“Actually, you do. Hold on tight,” she instructs, and before I can process her words, a blinding light envelops us. In an instant, the ground beneath my feet shifts, and I find myself standing a few feet away from my car, the familiar sight grounding me.

Natalie, who has been silent until now, breaks into a chuckle. “So witches do teleportation too? That must be nice.” The absurdity of the day catches up with us, and we both erupt into laughter, the tension briefly lifting.

As our laughter fades, a silence settles between us, heavy with unspoken fears. “The kids,” Natalie suddenly whispers, her voice trembling with worry.

“I know,” I reply, my heart aching at the thought. “Don’t you worry. I promise you that nothing is going to happen to them, alright? I will do everything in my power to keep them safe.” I can see the flicker of doubt in her eyes, but she nods, trying to mask her anxiety.

Drawing her close, I envelop her in a protective embrace. Her fears are valid; we are venturing into the unknown, facing threats that could upend our lives. But I refuse to let any harm come to my family. I’ve just found them, and I will fight tooth and nail to protect them.

“So, do we tell them?” she asks, her voice muffled against my chest, a hint of tears threatening to spill.

“Of course not,” I reply firmly. “I know our kids are smart, but I don’t think we should burden them with this unless it’s absolutely necessary. Now that we know, we’ll have to take some precautions.” I feel her tension ease slightly, but her eyes remain clouded with concern.

“What kind of precautions?” she asks, lifting her head to meet my gaze.

“Well, for starters, no more trips to the training center until all of this is over. The kids have already snuck out of there twice, so I don’t trust their security,” I explain, my tone serious.

“Thank you, Mark. You’ve done well. Go clean up and get some rest; I’ve got it from here,” I instruct, watching as he nods and departs.

I take my time making my way to the dungeon, knowing that fifty percent of torture is psychological. The anticipation builds as I imagine my captive hanging there, forced to confront the impending agony.

Upon reaching the building, the guards bow their heads as they open the door for me, a sign of respect that I’ve come to expect.

“What cell is the new prisoner in?” I ask, my voice steady.

“The one right next to Jack,” one of the guards informs me.

That’s perfect; they can hear each other scream.

I stride down the corridor to the cell, pulling it open with a sense of purpose. To my surprise, the prisoner isn’t connected to a wolfsbane drip. As I assess the situation, a quick listen to his heartbeat reveals the truth: he’s not a werewolf, but he’s certainly not human either.

He must be a warlock. He’s still unconscious, so I instruct the guards to administer another dose of chloroform.

These cells were designed to contain wolves, not witches. I quickly dial the one person who can assist me in this predicament.

“Alpha Bowers, you just left here. Are you seriously missing me already?” Kataleya’s voice comes through, laced with sarcasm.

“I need your help, Kataleya. How soon can you get here?” I reply, urgency threading through my words.