The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 63

NATALIE.

Even though a part of me longed to feel safe, I found it impossible to fully trust—not the feeling, and certainly not him.

“Alpha Bowers, I can’t stand it when people try to test me,” I said sharply, my senses sharpening with every word. “Stop wasting your energy on me. Why not direct it toward Yara instead?”

In my eyes, anyone who stood by Yara was automatically my enemy. That list had just grown to include Samuel.

I struggled to pull away from Samuel’s hold, desperate to escape the shame of the closeness we found ourselves in.

We were so near—just a thin layer of fabric separating us—and I couldn’t ignore the warmth radiating from his skin or the way his scent seemed to wrap around me like a cloak.

When I attempted to move, he whispered softly, “Don’t move.”

His voice carried a weight, as if I had crossed some invisible boundary, and I froze immediately. It wasn’t fear of Samuel that held me still; it was simply that I wasn’t used to such intimacy with anyone.

“Who told you I’m on Yara’s side?” he hissed close to my ear.

“Do you think I’m a fool?” I pursed my lips, refusing to back down. “She stormed into the Bowers residence like she owned the place, and you expect me to believe you’re not on her side?”

He smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Didn’t you march into the Bowers residence just as boldly?”

His words hit me with a jolt of truth. I couldn’t deny it—I had.

“If you don’t like her, then I won’t allow her to set foot in the Bowers residence again,” he promised firmly.

Promises, promises. He seemed to be full of them today.

There was something unreadable in his dark eyes, but the intensity with which he looked at me made his promise feel genuine.

As I stared into those eyes, my urge to question him faded away.

“Natalie, you can doubt the whole world if you want,” he said quietly, “but I just wish you’d try to trust me.”

Once, I had been naive—a fool who didn’t know how to protect herself. Because of that, I’d been deeply wounded by those closest to me. I’d been abused, used, and even lost my virginity through my own foolishness.

Trust? Such a simple word, yet for me, it was the hardest thing to give.

“Alpha Bowers.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry. But I don’t trust anyone but myself.”

He narrowed his eyes, studying me. I couldn’t bring myself to reveal all the pain I’d carried for so long. Still, I hoped the sorrow etched on my face would be enough for him to understand—and to stop all this.

“I’m sorry, Natalie,” he said softly, as if apologizing for more than just this moment. He released me and rose from the couch.

“I don’t know who hurt you before, but I’ll prove that I’m not like them.”

My fists clenched tightly as I watched him walk away, every part of me—including my wolf—screaming for me to call him back.

I knew I shouldn’t trust Samuel, yet my heart pounded painfully at his apology. As he left the house, tears slipped down my cheeks, and I didn’t understand why.

When I finished, I packed away my equipment and said, “Grandpa, the toxins in your body are nearly gone, but you’ll still need to take the medicine I prescribed. It will help you recover fully.”

“I understand.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Max cleared his throat and looked toward Shawn. “Shawn, what are you waiting for? Take Natalie out to a meal on my behalf.”

I opened my mouth to decline.

Before I could speak, Shawn said, “Ms. Edmund, please allow us to repay your kindness.”

I exchanged a look with them both, realizing it would be rude to refuse.

“All right then. Thank you.”

Instead of dining at the Watson residence, Shawn took me to an upscale restaurant owned by the Watson family.

As we entered, the restaurant manager’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of me.

He stared blankly at my freckled face, too stunned to say a word.

I wasn’t bothered—I had grown accustomed to people’s reactions by now—but Shawn was visibly unsettled.

He stepped in front of me, shooting the manager a sharp glare, as if silently warning him to back off. Get lost.