The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 95

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

**NATALIE.**

As Samuel slid into the driver’s seat, I settled into the passenger side, a mixture of anticipation and concern swirling within me.

“You better buckle up,” he warned, his voice steady yet laced with an urgency that sent a shiver down my spine. Before I could even fasten my seatbelt, he slammed his foot down on the gas, and we shot forward, the tires screeching against the pavement.

“Are you trying to kill us?” I exclaimed, my heart racing as I glanced at him. His focus remained unwaveringly fixed on the road ahead, his foot pressing down harder as if he were trying to outrun his own thoughts. It was as if he were trapped in a whirlwind of his own making, lost in a maze of worries.

Feeling a surge of determination, I placed my hand gently on his thigh, hoping to anchor him back to reality. “Samuel,” I called softly, my voice cutting through the tension. He didn’t respond verbally, but the flicker of emotion that crossed his face told me I had reached him, if only for a moment.

“We can’t help Sophia if we end up in an accident,” I urged, my voice steady but filled with concern. “She’s a smart and resourceful little girl—she’s your daughter. So please, just ease up on the gas.” My plea hung in the air, heavy with the weight of our situation.

Finally, his gaze flickered towards me, and with a reluctant sigh, he lifted his foot from the accelerator, the car gradually slowing down. Just as I thought to retract my hand, he captured it with his other hand, holding it firmly in place.

“This helps,” he murmured, and I felt a rush of warmth at his words. If my presence could soothe him, I would keep my hand right where it was.

The rest of the drive unfolded in a tense silence, punctuated only by the notifications pinging on his phone. I read them aloud, relaying updates from his Beta, Mark, and Steven, detailing the areas they had covered in their search. Suddenly, a new message lit up my screen—Mrs. Clarke had spotted little Sophia wandering around in tears and was with her now.

“My neighbor found her; she’s safe in her house,” I informed Samuel, an overwhelming wave of relief washing over me. My heart swelled with affection for those kids; they felt like my own.

Samuel closed his eyes momentarily, letting out a breath that seemed to carry the weight of the world.

He quickly typed a message to his Beta, instructing him and his team to return.

When we finally arrived at my house, urgency propelled us out of the car and towards Mrs. Clarke’s home. Just as we reached the door, it swung open, and Sophia burst out, her little arms wrapping around my legs with an intensity that melted my heart.

Looking up at Samuel, I noticed a glimmer of tears threatening to spill from his eyes, but he blinked them away, masking his vulnerability.

“Mrs. Clarke, thank you so much for looking out for her,” I expressed, my gratitude palpable.

“Oh, it was no trouble at all! She’s such a sweet girl; she reminds me of your boys, Natalie,” Mrs. Clarke replied warmly, her eyes twinkling with fondness.

“Thank you so much, ma’am. If there’s any way I can repay you, please let me know,” Samuel said earnestly, his voice sincere.

“Oh my goddess, Alpha Bowers, you don’t need to give me anything! I’m just happy to help,” she reassured him before bidding farewell to Sophia, who was still clinging to me like a lifeline, and retreating back into her home.

Gently, I pried Sophia off my legs and knelt to meet her gaze. “Sophia, sweetie, were you looking for me?” I asked, noticing the redness in her eyes from all the tears she had shed.

His deep baritone voice sent shivers down my spine as he replied, “Do you care if I’m sad, Natalie?”

“Let’s say that I do. Will you tell me what Sophia was talking about?” I probed, my heart racing with anticipation.

“I want to, but I can’t,” he admitted with a heavy sigh, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

“Why not?” I pressed, desperate for an explanation.

“Because you’re not ready for it. Every time I try to show you how I feel, it only seems to push you away. I’m not going to tell you why I was sad, Natalie, because at this point, it would do more harm than good.” His honesty stung, leaving me momentarily speechless.

I swallowed hard, searching for the right words, but none came.

“I’m not a patient man, Natalie, but for you, I’ll try. Just know that my patience has its limits. I’ll give you time to come to me, to open up, but if you take too long…” His voice trailed off, leaving a chilling promise lingering in the air. “I will come and take what is mine. You are my mate, Natalie, and I am yours. I won’t let you slip through my fingers again.”

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**Chapter 96**