The Alpha's Secret Legacy

Chapter 30

Niall's Pov

Greg really surprised all of us when he brought us to the zoo.

It sounded childish at first—like something you do just to pass time—but honestly? I didn't mind it. I actually like animals. Always have.

They're simple. Honest. They don't lie, don't pretend, don't stab you in the back for no reason. Wolves, dogs, cats... even the weird ones.

Okay fine, maybe not cats.

They're creepy. Don't argue with me. The way they purr feels like some kind of engine vibrating through their bones and honestly? I don't trust it.

But anyway... today wasn't really about animals.

Not anymore.

Because something felt off the moment we arrived.

At first, everything looked normal enough—people laughing, walking around, taking photos. Dani and Liam were together, Harry and Louis were arguing about something stupid, Gemma was already judging the zoo layout like she owned it.

But then I noticed it.

Tim. Chrissy. Basty. Liam.

They were gone.

Just... gone.

One moment they were right there with us. The next? Nothing. Like they had been erased from the crowd entirely.

I frowned. "Zayn?"

"Yeah?" he answered immediately.

I didn't look at him at first. I was scanning the area, trying to pick up even a scent, a sound, anything.

"Niall?" he tried again.

"Hm?"

"I hate to say this... but Tim, Basty, Chrissy, and Liam aren't anywhere."

That made me look up fast.

I turned in a full circle.

Nothing.

"Dani," I called out. "Have you seen Liam?"

Her face changed instantly. "No... wait, what?"

Zayn shook his head. "They were literally just here."

Harry stepped closer, frowning. "Same. One second they were walking beside us... then gone."

Gemma crossed her arms. "That's not normal."

"No shit," Louis muttered.

Dani looked around faster now, panic rising in her voice. "This isn't funny. Where did they go?"

I opened my mouth to say something dramatic—something heroic, probably—

But then the sound hit us.

Music.

Not random music.

*Our* song.

My body froze.

Zayn's head snapped toward me. "Tell me you heard that too."

I swallowed. "Yeah."

Harry frowned. "What the hell is happening?"

The sound grew louder. Clearer. Familiar.

Little Things.

A song that didn't belong here... unless someone wanted it to.

Then everything shifted.

We turned toward the open space near the zoo's central garden.

And there they were.

Liam. Gregg. Basty. Chrissy.

All standing in a line.

But not how we last saw them.

Liam was wearing a tuxedo.

Gregg too.

Basty as well.

And Chrissy...

Chrissy was in a dress.

Beautiful. Calm. Completely different from the chaos of earlier.

Dani gasped beside me. "Liam?"

He didn't answer right away.

Instead, he stepped forward.

And dropped to one knee.

The world went silent.

Even the music felt softer now.

Liam opened a small box in his hand, voice shaking but steady at the same time.

"When I first met you... I was really out of my world," he said. "I liked every piece of you. And I can't picture my life without you."

Dani's hands flew to her mouth instantly.

Liam smiled softly.

"Now we're having a baby in less than eight months... and this is already the greatest time of my life."

He took a breath.

"Danielle Peazer... will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Silence.

Then—

"Yes!" Dani cried instantly, tears already falling. "Yes, Liam!"

The entire group erupted into cheers.

But I barely had time to process it before—

Gregg stepped forward.

Wait. What?

He knelt too.

Gemma froze completely. "Oh my God..."

Gregg exhaled sharply.

"I might've been the worst person before," he said. "And I know I made things hard. But I've changed. Chrissy, Tim, Liam, Basty... they helped me plan this."

Chrissy smirked slightly, arms folded like she was proud of herself.

Gregg turned back to Gemma.

"That scene earlier? That argument? It was all part of it. There was no Maricar drama. It was... just a distraction."

Gemma blinked. Slowly.

Gregg swallowed.

"Gemma Edward Styles... will you marry me?"

Dead silence.

Then—

"YES!" she shouted immediately. "YES, GREGG!"

And just like that...

Two proposals. Two yeses.

The whole place erupted again.

I stood there completely frozen.

"...Since when was *any of this* happening?" I muttered.

Zayn chuckled beside me. "I think we missed a lot."

"Understatement of the century," Harry added.

Louis shook his head. "I didn't even get a warning for emotional damage today."

Dani ran straight into Liam's arms, still crying and laughing at the same time.

Gemma was doing the exact same thing with Gregg.

And somehow...

It felt good.

Not calm. Not normal.

But good.

Zayn leaned slightly closer to me.

"I love you, Niall."

I turned to him instantly.

And smiled.

"Yeah," I said softly. "I love you too."

For once...

Everything felt like it might actually be okay.