The Alpha's Secret Legacy

Chapter 8

Niall's POV

The moment Clifford stepped inside, the air changed.

Not in a dramatic "movie moment" way.

In a quiet, wrong way.

Like something in the room didn't want him there.

"Hi guys," he said again, smiling like nothing was happening.

None of us smiled back.

Harry stood closest to the door, arms crossed.

"Why are you here?"

Clifford raised his eyebrows. "Nice greeting."

"Answer the question," Zayn said flatly.

Clifford sighed, stepping inside anyway like he owned the place.

"I came to talk."

"About what?" I asked immediately.

He looked at me.

Then at all of us.

And for a second, his expression changed.

Just a flicker.

Serious.

"...Christine."

That name hit like a punch.

Louis straightened. "What about her?"

Clifford hesitated.

"She didn't tell you everything, did she?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Tell us what?"

Clifford glanced around the room again.

"Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

"No," we all said at the same time.

He exhaled slowly.

"Right. Of course."

Then he leaned forward slightly.

And said something none of us expected.

"She didn't leave because she wanted to."

Silence.

The entire room froze.

Liam frowned. "What does that mean?"

Clifford looked uncomfortable now.

"It means... she was being watched."

My stomach dropped.

Harry stepped forward. "Watched by who?"

Clifford didn't answer immediately.

That alone made it worse.

Then—

"People who shouldn't exist in your world."

Zayn let out a short laugh. "That's not helpful."

"I'm serious," Clifford said sharply.

His voice changed now.

Less casual.

More controlled.

"She's not just missing."

Louis frowned. "We already know that."

"No," Clifford corrected. "You think she left on her own."

I felt my chest tighten.

"...She didn't?"

Clifford shook his head.

"No."

A long pause.

Then he added quietly: