Chapter 16 Meanwhile , Alpha Alaric walked into his study room , Aiden trailing behind him . " Father , " Aiden called . Alaric turned abruptly , jaw clenched , fists tight , the veins on his forehead bulging . His eyes burned with rage . " What was that ?! " he snapped . 52 % 55 vouchers Aiden stared at his father , mouth dry , mind spinning . He didn't know what to say . Inside , everything was tangled , rage , guilt , confusion . It was all crashing down . " While your wife was mourning her dead child , you were busy fucking your ex - girlfriend in a hotel . Aiden ! " Alaric roared , his eyes glowing bright red . Fury pulsed through him . Aiden flinched at his father's words , shame flooding him . He dropped his gaze . " Dad ... Sofia must be mistaken ... she's not pregnant , " he murmured . " You think she would walk into this house and lie to our faces about a pregnancy ? " Alaric growled . Aiden felt his chest tighten , a crushing weight settling there . His breath hitched . Yes , he'd spent time alone with Sofia in a hotel ... but he was always drunk when he was around her , he didn't have memories of the both of them ever doing anything together . He never thought , he didn't think it could end like this . Not now. Not when everything else was already falling apart . He dragged his hand through his hair and collapsed into the nearest chair . His legs wouldn't hold him anymore . " I ... I don't know what to do , Dad ," he admitted , standing again , pacing the room . His steps were restless . He looked like a caged animal . His chest rose and fell heavily . He felt like screaming . Like ripping something apart . The rage inside him didn't know where to go . He was losing it . His father watched him in silence . This wasn't the Aiden he raised . This was a broken man . Alpha Alaric sighed . " There's only one way to fix this ," he said finally , stepping closer , placing a heavy hand on Aiden's shoulder , squeezing firmly . " Son , you'll have to marry the girl . " Aiden recoiled , eyes wide , shaking his head . " I can't ... I don't love her . She's not my mate ... " Alaric's expression hardened . " The thought of finding another mate is foolish . Yours is dead . Your mother wasn't my mate and yet I had you . Damn the moon goddess and her rules . You'll marry that girl . You'll raise the child ." He took a breath . 1/3 Mon , 13 Chapter 16 " You're the Alpha . The entire pack looks to you . You know what to do ." And with that , he turned and left . 52 % 55 vouchers Aiden sank back into the chair , head pounding . His temples throbbed . His wolf growled in his mind , snarling in protest . Marrying Sofia ? It felt wrong . Every instinct in him resisted it . His wife had just been laid to rest . And now this . He closed his eyes . You're the Alpha , he reminded himself . It wasn't about him anymore . It was about the pack . About duty . About survival . He stood up , shoulders heavy , and walked out of the office . Downstairs , he found Sofia and James still exchanging dagger - like stares . " James , " Aiden said . James turned . " Alpha ? " " Bring Sofia to the press room . " James blinked , confused . " But ... why ? " " Just do it , " Aiden cut him off sharply . His voice was a low growl , his eyes glowing red , his wolf flashing through . James lowered his head in submission . " Yes , Alpha ." He watched Aiden stalk off toward the press room . A sinking feeling crept into his gut . Gods , please don't let him ruin himself with this decision ... James turned to Sofia , his expression hard . " Follow me , " he said . Sofia smirked . " Your eyes have nothing on me , " she sneered. " You might as well drop that glare . Because whether you like it or not... I'm going to be your Luna . " James said nothing . Inside the press room , Aiden stood at the podium . James took his place beside him . Sofia stood on the other side , smug and composed , fixing her hair like she was preparing for a coronation . Cameras flashed . Aiden's face was cold , blank . But inside him was filled with chaos . He stared at the crowd . " I called this press conference because of the whispers I've heard throughout the pack , " he began . " Rumors that my mate ... was murdered here . " He paused . 2/3 15:49 Mon , 13 Oct AG Chapter 16 He could barely breathe . He looked at his father , who nodded once . Aiden turned back to the cameras . " A few days ago ... I came home and found my daughter dead . Poisoned . And the one who did it ... was my wife ." His voice cracked . He swallowed hard , the tears threatening to spill . His fists clenched . " When she realized I knew the truth ... she ran . And she killed herself . " Claws extended from his hands , digging into his palms . Blood began to drip slowly onto the floor . James's head snapped toward him in alarm . He could see the blood . He could hear the lie . Aiden continued , voice raw : " I loved my wife . And I loved my child . I never rejected her . I would never hurt her . But she betrayed me . " A long breath . " May her soul rest in peace ." He paused . " The pack is safe , I assure you all ... " And then , he delivered the final blow . " I am the Alpha . I must continue the bloodline . With or without a mate . " His chest constricted . སོ ཊཱི 52 % = 55 vouchers " That is why ... I am announcing that my fiancée , Sofia Devereux , is expecting my child . And I am going to marry her . " Blood trickled from his fists . James stared at him , disbelieving . He couldn't recognize this version of Aiden . The cameras continued to flash . Sofia smiled . TBC 3/3