Alpha Female - Book 1 -Under Major Editing-

Chapter 16

Nicole stirred in her sleep as she felt the bed dip as someone moved to get up. She smiled slightly once she remembered who the male was that was in her bed, her wolf going crazy at the thought of him. "Where are you going, Aldrich?" she mumbled, bending her head to look at his naked form standing up from the bed. The muscles in his back moved as he stood up, the muscles in his legs flexing as he walked over to the dresser by the bed. Nicole's wolf went crazy as she stared at the male, biting her lip at his tanned, muscled up body.

Aldrich grabbed his clothes from the dresser, sliding them on as he turned to Nicole, not making eye contact and keeping his eyes trained on his jeans. "I need to speak with Josh about some things. Go back to bed, Baby. I'll be back soon."

Sighing and nodding her head, Nicole let out a quiet, "Okay." and rolled back over in the bed, ignoring the voice in the back of her mind telling her he was lying.

Aldrich sighed as he watched her breathing slow back down as she drifted back to sleep. He hated lying to her, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her of the dream-or memory he had. He wasn't all too sure what to call it, and no matter how wrong his alpha genes told him it was, he couldn't help but feel scared. If it was a memory, why was he seeing it? Questions and concerns ran through his mind, all with no answers or explanations.

   When he was finished dressing, Aldrich grabbed his phone and keys and made his way out of the bedroom. He walked into the kitchen, grabbing a water from Nicole's fridge and then began walking to his car. Pulling his phone from the back pocket of his dark jeans, he checked the time and growled. 4:15 am. Deciding it was urgent, he quickly dialed Andrews number, (since he couldn't mind link him) and fidgeted nervously as he sat down in the car. After a moment, Andrew answered, his deep, but sickly voice filling Aldrich's ear.

"Hello?" Aldrich could hear the anxiety in his voice at the late night call.

"Hey, Andrew. It's Aldrich. I'm so sorry for calling you this early. Did I wake you?"

Andrews sickly voice filled the phone after he cleared his throat. "No, I've been awake a few hours. What's wrong? Is Nicole okay?"

"Nothing is wrong! Nicole's in bed asleep. Are you still at the pack house? I need to speak with you about something if you're feeling okay enough."

Andrew had been moved from his home in the country to the pack house where he could be monitored by the pack doctors more closely. He had objected at first, but with Nicole and her grandparents insistence, he finally had agreed.

"Yeah, I'm in my room. Just walk straight in the pack house. I'll let the nurse know you are coming and have someone unlock the door for you."
Aldrich mumbled an 'okay' and hung the phone up, turning on the car and driving to the pack house. Once he arrived, he shut the car off, stepping out and walking up the large steps. Walking in, he glanced around the familiar foyer, heading up the wrap around stairs and to Andrews room. He knocked lightly, opening the door and walking in as Andrew beckoned him in.

  Andrews large room had been turned into a makeshift hospital room, fit with a state of the art hospital bed, patient monitor, EKG/ECG machine, and anything else you would find in a typical hospital room. Andrew was laying on the bed, his once large and strong body now frail and weak. He looked like he had lost at least a hundred pounds; his cheeks were sunken in and his hair was thinning. He looked like a completely different person in the short time Aldrich had been around him.

  Aldrich hid the shock on his face as he walked to sit by Andrews bed. Andrew watched him, staring at the male with curiosity. He smiled and took a sip from his drink sitting beside him. After swallowing, he asked, "What do I have the pleasure of your early morning visit?"

Aldrich didn't really know how to start, which was very unusual for the alpha male. His wolf paced around, his anxiety eating away at him in a way it never had before. "I had a dream, well, I think it was a dream. It seemed more like a nightmarish memory."

Andrews eyes furrowed as he nodded his head slightly. "A memory? Of what?"

Aldrich took a deep breath as he felt a bead of sweat form on his brow. "Luna Nicollet's...death."

Andrews back stiffened at the mention of his late mate. "What did you see, Aldrich?"

"Six rogues herded Luna Nicollet into the forest. They...killed her, took her canines, and...skinned her."

A weak growl sounded from Andrews chest. "Yes, that's what happened to my dear Nicollet. We never found the rogues who did it, nor did we ever find her hide or canines. What made you dream this?"

Aldrich shrugged. "I'm not sure, Sir. Me and Nicole laid down for bed and went to sleep. I woke up around midnight after having the dream."
Andrew hummed and scratched his chin. "How odd. Let me make a phone call later, I have a friend from another realm I would like to consult about this."

Aldrich furrowed his eye brows. "You know someone from another realm?"
Andrew chuckled and nodded. "Yes, through Nicollet. She was quite a popular luna."

Aldrich nodded, his eye brow raising in amusement. "I would assume so if she knew people from other realms."
"She was an extraordinary shewolf, that's for sure. An amazing luna, mother, and mate. I see Nicole in her more and more everyday."

Aldrich felt his heart swoon at the mention of his mate. "Thank you, for raising her into the female she is. For giving her a chance instead of shipping her off to the highest bidder."

"My daughter had potential, why would I sell my pack to some random male? The audacity of some of the countries alphas." He paused, taking a deep breath as his expression turned serious. "Aldrich, I know my daughter is an amazing alpha and wants nothing more than to join to the packs. But please, if you must, put your foot down. Make sure she assumes her role as Luna, like nature intended. Sell the pack if you must, but she deserves to be happy, with you. Please do not let this pack hold the two of you back. That is my dying wish to you."

Aldrich felt tears barely brim his eyes. He blinked them away, taking the former alphas hand in his. "Don't talk like that, Sir."

Andrew chuckled dryly. "Son, you know as well as I do that I'll be dead in another couple of months, if not weeks."

"Son?"

Andrew chuckled again. "Yes, I've always wanted a son. Sadly, my beautiful Nicollet couldn't give me one before she... passed. But, I guess you will do. Either way, you are family now. So you don't have a choice."
Aldrich felt a smile grace his face as he nodded to Andrew. "I wouldn't want it any other way, Sir. And for the record, I'd be honored to call you Father."
Andrew smiled and squeezed Aldrich hand that was still in his. "Good. Now, get back to that daughter of mine. And keep this between us. I don't want her worrying."

Aldrich nodded, and stood, releasing Andrews hand. "Yes, Father. Please, call me if you worsen or need anything."

Andrew nodded, watching as Aldrich left the room. Taking another sip of his drink, he looked over to the picture of his late mate on the bedside table. "She'll be fine, My Dear. I will be with you soon, and she will be taken care of like you wanted."