The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 97

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

**Chapter 97**

**NATALIE.**

After the much-needed encouragement from Theo, I felt a surge of determination wash over me. I stood up, brushed off the lingering doubts, and made my way to the little store just around the corner from our apartment. The air was crisp, and the scent of fresh pastries wafted through the streets, invigorating my spirits. I picked up some delightful cupcakes and a couple of board games for the boys, envisioning the joy they would bring. With my arms laden with treats, I returned home, my heart lighter as I began the task of packing.

Packing our clothes was a simple affair; after all, we weren’t moving away permanently. The apartment would remain our cozy haven. I was nearly finished with my own belongings when a sudden, relentless knocking on the front door interrupted my thoughts. Instantly, I knew who it was.

As I swung the door open, the boys burst in like a whirlwind, their little bodies colliding with my legs as they wrapped their arms around me in an enthusiastic embrace.

“Mummy!” they shouted in unison, their voices ringing with pure joy. The sound filled the room, and a smile broke across my face, warming my heart.

I closed the door behind them and knelt down, bringing myself to their level. “Oh, my sweet boys, I’ve missed you so much! It feels like ages since I last saw you. My goodness, you’ve both grown so tall in just a few days!” I exclaimed, marveling at how quickly they were changing. Their faces lit up with wide grins, reflecting their happiness.

“We missed you too, mummy!” they chimed back, their voices still bubbling with excitement.

I helped them remove their bags, and we made our way to the kitchen. “Guess what? I brought you cupcakes to celebrate your first time at camp! Now, tell me everything—how did it go?” I prompted, eager to hear their stories.

Without hesitation, both boys launched into a flurry of chatter, their words tumbling over one another as they recounted their adventures. They spoke of different teachers, one of whom taught them about werewolf culture, sharing tales of the first werewolf and the transformation from curse to blessing. Another instructor had introduced them to the world of herbs, particularly the dangerous ones like wolfsbane. They even had a fighting instructor who showed them some basics.

“Well, it sounds like you guys had an absolute blast!” I said, sliding the box of cupcakes toward them, inviting them to choose their favorites. But then I caught sight of their expressions—a hint of gloom shadowed their faces.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen at camp? You didn’t have fun?” I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

“No, we did have fun, it’s just…” Xavier’s voice trailed off, and he glanced at his older brother, seeking assistance.

“At camp, we were asked to introduce ourselves and say what pack we were from. You always told us we were our own pack—just you, us, Ed, and Theo. But when we said that, some kids laughed at us and called us rogues,” Clayton explained, his brow furrowing in disappointment.

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I had completely forgotten how cruel children could be at this age. The concept of packs and origins had never really been an issue before; I had always reassured them that we were a family, a pack in our own right. But now, faced with the harsh reality of their peers, the truth seemed to sting.

“So, is it true, Mom? Are we rogues?” Xavier asked, his innocent eyes searching mine. They might be clever, but their hearts were still tender and young, leaving me uncertain about how to navigate this conversation.

Taking a deep breath, I grasped both of their small hands in mine, hoping to convey warmth and understanding. “Yes, my loves, we are rogues. But that doesn’t carry a negative meaning. Many wolves have given that name a bad reputation, but it simply means we don’t belong to any specific pack,” I explained gently. They nodded, absorbing my words, though I could still see the sadness lingering in their eyes.

“Why not?” Xavier inquired, his curiosity piqued.

“Most kids in packs say their parents and grandparents come from the same pack,” Clayton added, his expression mirroring his brother’s confusion.

Wow, perhaps sending them to camp had been a miscalculation on my part. I had thought we had more time before needing to delve into these complexities.

“Remember my friend who joined us for dinner the other night?” I prompted, gauging their reactions.

“Yes, Alpha Bowers!” Clayton replied, his tone suddenly cautious.

“Well, he needs my assistance with a case and has invited us to move into his pack temporarily. This way, you’ll get to experience pack life firsthand. How does that sound?” I asked, my heart racing at the thought of their excitement.

“Amazing!” Xavier shouted, his voice echoing with enthusiasm. But Clayton remained silent, his expression still thoughtful.

“What about you? What do you think?” I asked him gently.

“I guess it’s fine,” he replied, his voice measured, but I could sense he was warming to the idea.

“Well, you both need to pack some clothes. Also, Samuel has a son and a daughter who are the same age as you two, but Sophia has aphasia. She’s getting better at speaking, but I’m going to need you both to be patient with her. Do you understand?” I asked, hoping they would grasp the importance of empathy.

They nodded, their earlier gloom completely washed away, replaced by excitement for the adventure ahead.

“Alright then, go pack your things. We leave first thing in the morning!” I declared, a sense of anticipation bubbling within me as I watched them scamper off, ready to embrace whatever awaited us.

**Chapter 98**