The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 139

**The City That Drowned in the Sound of Its Own Heartbeat by Erynd Cal DusK 139**

**Chapter 139**

**NATALIE**

I can hardly believe that I am on the verge of doing this. The weight of uncertainty presses down on me, yet I know I must seek the truth. Samuel had called ahead, his voice steady but insistent, informing my father that a specialist would be arriving shortly. He made it clear that no objections would be entertained.

This was not how I imagined seeing my father again after all these years. Yet, here I am, compelled to confront him. Samuel had mentioned that my father expressed regret for his past actions. If there is indeed someone poisoning him, manipulating his health and mind, then I owe it to him—and to myself—to uncover the reality of the situation.

Samuel had offered to accompany me, but I declined. He had pressing matters to attend to, and I didn’t want to burden him with my anxieties. As I sit in my car, the familiar hum of the engine fills the silence, but I can’t shake the feeling of unease. Ever since the truth came to light, I have been preoccupied, and I realize I haven’t spent nearly enough time with the children. Franklin and Sophia, especially, have been so understanding. They were overjoyed at the thought of spending the day with their Uncle Steven, their excitement a bittersweet reminder of the years I had missed.

After exchanging my farewells, I slid into the driver’s seat, my heart racing. The nerves coursing through me were reminiscent of the first time I had driven away from home. The journey to the Moon Shadow Pack felt like a pilgrimage, each mile steeped in memories both painful and poignant. I was terrified—terrified that I would find my father in a state similar to what I had witnessed with my mother. The thought of being turned away, of not being welcome, gnawed at my insides.

Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the present. This wasn’t the time to indulge in the past; I was no longer that lost girl.

As I drove through the gates of the Moon Shadow Pack, a chill settled over me. The atmosphere felt heavy, as if a somber cloud had enveloped the entire pack. My heart sank as I navigated the familiar path, a stark contrast to the vibrant memories I once held.

I parked my car and stepped out, scanning the surroundings. A sense of foreboding washed over me, and my instincts screamed that something was amiss. Approaching the door, I was greeted by a man who introduced himself with a curt nod.

“You must be Miss Edmund. I’m Troy,” he said, his tone professional yet devoid of warmth.

“Nice to meet you, Troy,” I replied, forcing a smile despite the tension in my chest.

“Please, come with me. I’ll take you to the Alpha,” he instructed, gesturing for me to follow.

As I stepped inside, a wave of disquiet washed over me. The house, once a symbol of strength and grandeur, now felt desolate. The furnishings were draped in sheets, the light dimmed, as if the very essence of the place had been suffocated.

What on earth has happened here?

Troy led me up the staircase, pausing before a set of double doors that I recognized all too well—the entrance to the Alpha’s quarters. He knocked twice, the sound echoing ominously, before pushing the door open. I took a steadying breath, my heart pounding as I crossed the threshold behind him.

Inside, the scene was jarring. There, in the bed, lay my father, a shadow of the man I once knew. He was propped up against the pillows, glasses perched on his nose, surrounded by a disarray of files.

When our eyes met, I felt a sharp pang in my chest. The fierce spirit that had once defined him had dimmed. His skin was pale, his frame frail, and he looked older than I had ever seen him. Gone was the imposing Alpha I remembered; he seemed so vulnerable now.

“Ah, you must be the doctor,” he said, a flicker of a smile crossing his lips. It was a strange sight; my father had never been one for smiles, especially not for me. I had always seemed to provoke his anger.

“Yes, I am. Ms. Edmund,” I introduced myself, the words spilling out before I could think. His eyes widened in surprise, a spark of recognition igniting within them.

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