The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 94

**Chapter 94**

**NATALIE.**

“So, you’re really considering moving forward with the case?” His voice was laced with curiosity, but I caught that playful spark in his eyes—an indication that he was trying to mask his true feelings.

“Yes, I genuinely want to pursue this. Back then, I felt powerless to save those people, and now I believe I possess the knowledge and insight that could make a difference.” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced with the weight of my conviction.

“Ms. Edmund, it’s no secret that you harbor a certain disdain for me. How do you envision us working together under such circumstances?” His words were casual, but beneath the surface, I sensed a flicker of vulnerability that tugged at my heartstrings.

“I don’t dislike you, Alpha Bowers,” I stated firmly, hoping to dispel the tension that hung in the air. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Well, you certainly had me fooled,” he quipped, and I let out a soft sigh, feeling the heaviness of our unspoken grievances.

“Be that as it may, this isn’t about us. It’s about saving innocent lives,” I insisted, my resolve hardening.

“You’re absolutely right. But if I do agree to bring you on board, you must be prepared to take orders from me,” he challenged, his gaze piercing through me.

“As long as those orders are reasonable,” I countered, my heart pounding as I met his intense stare. He shook his head, a wry smile forming.

“You are incredibly stubborn. On any other day, I might find that charming, but this is a different matter altogether. I am the Alpha, and in our pursuit of this killer, I may have to make decisions that you won’t agree with. You’ll need to follow them—can you handle that?” His challenge hung in the air like a storm cloud.

He had me cornered, yet I knew I had to be part of this investigation. “As long as it doesn’t endanger me, I’ll adhere to your directives,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. A smile broke across his face, but it quickly faded.

“What’s on your mind?” I inquired, sensing something deeper.

“Nothing much. I’ll just believe it when I see it. The bodies are here, and your chief assured me he’d send over all the necessary files. You’ll need to be moved in by tomorrow,” he stated, and I felt a jolt of disbelief.

“Did you just say ‘move in’?” I echoed, my mind racing.

“Yes, Ms. Edmund. We’ll be working closely together, which necessitates your proximity. I can’t have you commuting back and forth,” he explained, as if uprooting my life were a mere triviality.

“Samuel, I have children,” I reminded him, my voice tinged with urgency.

“I am aware of that, Natalie,” he replied, his tone softening.

“I can’t just leave them behind; they’re only five years old,” I pressed, watching as a flicker of pain crossed his features before it vanished.

“Do you truly believe I’m a monster, Ms. Edmund? Is that the impression you have of me?” he asked, and I found myself at a loss for words.

“I, no… that’s not…” I stammered, struggling to articulate my thoughts.

Before I could process the implications, Samuel was on his feet, his phone already in hand. “Mark, sound the alarm and alert the guards. Sophia is missing. Everyone needs to spread out and search for her. She was last seen at the training center, so we’ll start there,” he instructed, his voice steady yet laced with an underlying fear.

I could feel his anxiety radiating off him, a mirror to my own. As a fellow parent, I understood the depths of that fear.

“Samuel,” I called, and he turned his attention to me.

“Sophia is intelligent, you and I both know that. She wouldn’t just leave the school without a valid reason. Has anything unusual happened recently that could give us insight into her state of mind?” I asked, my instincts kicking in.

“No, nothing out of the ordinary. I came home last night, and she was still awake. I stayed with her until she fell asleep and took her back to her room,” he said, but then his breath hitched as if a realization struck him.

“What is it?” I pressed, sensing the shift in his demeanor.

“It’s you,” he said, his eyes widening with understanding.

“I’m confused,” I admitted, trying to grasp the connection.

“Last night, Sophia and I were discussing you,” he revealed, and I could see the unspoken layers of the story beneath the surface, but he didn’t elaborate.

“So, as Steven suggested, it’s possible she’s on her way to my house. She’s been there before, so she knows the route. I’ll call my neighbor to keep an eye out for her,” I said, pulling out my phone to dial Mrs. Clarke, my heart racing with a mix of fear and determination.