The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 78

**Chapter 78**

**YARA**

So, the audacity of that woman! To show up at the children’s family day of all places, and now it feels like the entire town is buzzing about her presence. Who does she think she is, waltzing in and stealing the spotlight?

As I tumble out of the minivan, my heart races, fueled by a cocktail of anger and disbelief. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I step onto the familiar pavement outside the school.

“We need to do something about this woman, Yara,” my wolf, Cindy, insists, her voice sharp and urgent, slicing through my thoughts like a knife.

“You think I’m unaware of that?” I snap back, irritation lacing my words, my frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

“I’m just trying to help you. You’ve been fixated on Samuel for five long years, and what do you have to show for it? This woman, who is utterly forgettable compared to you, has already charmed the kids. And if the teachers are to be believed, Samuel seems to have taken a liking to her as well.” Her sneer echoes in my mind, biting and relentless, like a persistent itch I can’t scratch.

“Who knows? She might even be your sister, back from the dead,” she adds, her mocking tone hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

“Shut up!” I shout, the words escaping my lips before I can rein them in, the sound reverberating in the confined space of the minivan.

My assistant, who had been quietly absorbed in her phone, glances up, concern etched on her face. But as my glare meets hers, she quickly redirects her attention to the screen, avoiding my fiery gaze as if it were a live wire.

Fortunately, my outburst seems to have silenced Cindy, at least for the moment. I nervously chew on the edge of my sunglasses, her taunts swirling in my mind like a tempest.

Could that woman with the freckles really be Natalie? Just the thought sends a chill racing down my spine. How could those wicked twins possibly show any affection for someone as plain as her? And now, Samuel?

Before today, I had dismissed Natalie entirely, convinced that someone as unremarkable as she could never catch Samuel’s eye. But now, everything has spiraled beyond my expectations. The snippets of conversation I had overheard earlier felt like a slap, a harsh reminder of the reality I was facing—and I refuse to let this Natalie become a thorn in my side, just like the other deceased woman had.

“Jeanne, get Lewis to dig up some information on someone for me,” I instruct my assistant, my voice steady yet firm, a mask of control over the storm brewing inside me.

“Who do you want us to look into, Ms. Yara?” she asks, her brow furrowing in curiosity, clearly intrigued by my sudden urgency.

“Natalie Edmund,” I reply, my tone icy and resolute. “Make it a priority. I need to know what her game is.”

“Understood,” she nods, her expression shifting to one of determination.

“And tell him that if he can’t find anything on her, he should use Nichols as her last name,” I add, my voice dripping with disdain, a hint of malice coloring my words.

“But Ms. Yara, isn’t that your last name?” she questions, her eyes wide with confusion, clearly puzzled by my request.

“Of course I know what my last name is! Just do as I say, instead of asking pointless questions!” I snap, irritation bubbling to the surface, my patience wearing thin.

—

**NATALIE.**

After leaving the school, the four of us made our way to Acapella for dinner, just like any ordinary family would. I didn’t even protest when Samuel suggested it; guilt gnawed at me for the hurt I had caused Sophia and Franklin.

As we arrived at the restaurant, the twins seemed to have bounced back to their usual cheerful selves. I had also received an email from the camp where the boys were staying. The sight of their beaming smiles, clad in their camp uniforms, filled my heart with joy and brought tears to my eyes.

I missed them dearly, but knowing they were having a blast brought a warmth to my soul, a soothing balm against the guilt that clung to me like a shadow.

However, it appeared Samuel anticipated my move. He gently grasped my chin, ensuring I could look nowhere but into his intense eyes, a magnetic pull drawing me closer.

What would I even say if the twins woke up and caught us like this?

“Alpha Bowers… Can y-you calm down?” I breathed, my voice trembling as I tried to keep my tone low, not wanting to disturb the sleeping children.

I had thought Samuel would be more considerate in front of his kids, but I had clearly underestimated his boldness. More importantly, I had underestimated my own resolve against this man; it felt as if I were being pulled deeper into his gaze, unable to break free.

“I… I’m sorry, Miss Edmund. I… I can’t do that,” Samuel replied, his voice deep and resonant, sending shivers down my spine, a promise of something more lingering in the air between us.

—

In the aftermath of this tumultuous day, both Yara and Natalie find themselves at pivotal crossroads, their emotions tangled in a web of jealousy, longing, and unspoken desires. For Yara, the arrival of Natalie has ignited a fierce determination to protect her place in Samuel’s life, leading her to plot and scheme against the woman she perceives as a threat. Her anger and frustration have transformed into a mission, a desperate attempt to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers. Yet, beneath her bravado lies a vulnerability that she struggles to acknowledge, one that hints at the depth of her feelings for Samuel and the fear of losing him to someone she deems inferior.

Conversely, Natalie experiences a bittersweet awakening as she navigates her burgeoning connection with Samuel and the innocent joy of spending time with the twins. The accidental brush of lips between her and Samuel signifies a shift in their relationship, igniting a spark that both exhilarates and terrifies her. As she grapples with her feelings, the weight of her past and the guilt of her choices loom large, yet the warmth of newfound affection offers a glimmer of hope. In this moment, both women stand on the precipice of change, their hearts racing with the promise of love and the threat of heartbreak, each unaware of the other’s struggles but bound by the same man who holds the power to alter their lives forever.

—

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension between Yara and Natalie escalates, readers can anticipate a gripping confrontation that will unveil deep-seated insecurities and hidden agendas. Yara’s relentless pursuit of information about Natalie promises to reveal shocking secrets that could alter the dynamics in their small town. With her wolf, Cindy, whispering provocations and doubts into her mind, Yara’s obsession with Samuel and the newcomer will reach a boiling point, leading her to make choices that could have dire consequences for everyone involved. Expect a clash of wills, as Yara’s determination to reclaim her place in Samuel’s life pits her against Natalie in a battle that could expose more than just personal rivalries.

Meanwhile, the simmering chemistry between Samuel and Natalie will take center stage, as their accidental brush ignites a whirlwind of emotions neither can ignore. As they grapple with their undeniable attraction amidst the chaos, readers will be left wondering how their connection will evolve. Will they give in to their feelings, or will external pressures force them apart? The stakes are higher than ever, with Yara’s machinations lurking in the background. The next chapter promises heart-pounding moments of passion, jealousy, and the looming threat of betrayal, ensuring that the hearts of both characters—and readers—will race as they navigate the precarious balance between love and rivalry.