My Claimed Mermaid Queen

Chapter Twelve

Alpha Nate

I exhaled as I watched my mate walk outside with her father. I knew what she was telling him and wanted to be there for her.

“Nate, what’s going on?” My mother questioned and I turned my attention from the door to my mother.

“Ayla’s mother died in childbirth. Her child survived because Ayla was there.” I sighed as everyone at the table gasped.

“Where is the child?” Thea asked.

“Matt and Julia adopted her. She is healthy and Matt says she looks just like Ayla when she was born.” I replied. “She worried about how Atlas would take the news.”

“Is there more?” My father said, and I pushed my lips in a line.

“There is, but it’s not something we should discuss here. I haven’t told Ayla yet.”

The atmosphere changed while everyone continued eating. I couldn't eat after that as I was worried about my mate. I could feel her sadness through the bond.

"Kaia is taking care of our pup while Ayla handles this with her father. They are both okay," Duke assured me.

"Nate?" My mother pulled my attention from my wolf. "Are you sure everything is okay?"

"Just a lot going on at the pack. Ayla has also been through a lot.”

“And she has such a wonderful mate to support her,” the former Luna leaned over and patted my hand. I gave her a small smile. I felt like a failure when it came to my mate. She went through so much because I wasn’t there to protect her.

Ayla and her father still hadn’t returned by the time everyone finished eating. I wrapped up her unfinished plate and put it in the fridge before helping the others clean up the kitchen.

While we were cleaning, Ruby pulled me in for a side hug. “I’m so proud of you, big brother.”

“Thanks, sis,” I kissed her head.

“How is my Dukey doing?” She cooed and Duke purred in my head. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. He’s an alpha, not some puppy.

“He’s good. Has your wolf shown up yet?” I asked her. She was going to be eighteen in a few months.

“Not yet,” she sighed, resting her head on my shoulder. I looked at Mitch and he shrugged.

“She’s being shy, she’ll show up soon,” I reassured her as I wrapped an arm around my little sister.

“Let’s go sit in the lounge, I have a surprise for Ayla,” the former alpha, Jim said. I pinched my brows together as I followed behind everyone.

“Son,” my father stopped me outside the lounge doors.

“We can talk later with Atlas. I have Xander working on it while we are here. I haven’t told Ayla yet.” He gave me a nod before we both entered the room.

I was greeted by an over-excited blue-nosed bully whose back end was shaking.

“Bluey,” I exclaimed. I knelt to give her some pets. She was so excited, and I chuckled as she licked my face.

“Your momma is going to be so happy to see you,” I told her as I squished her muzzle. She tried to lick me but couldn’t reach me, and I laughed at her tongue going wild.

“She has been such a good girl. We are going to miss her when you and Ayla take her back to your pack,” Jim patted her before he took a seat beside his mate.

I didn’t say anything, since I didn’t know if we could take her back with us or not. We still have so much to deal with, and I know Ayla trusts her grandparents to keep Bluey safe.

I stood when Ayla and her father entered the room. Her eyes were red and her cheeks blotchy from the tears she had cried. A smile returned to her face when Bluey rushed to her.

“My girl,” she knelt and hugged her dog.

Thea walked over to her mate and wrapped her arms around him. She was very supportive of his past life, and I didn’t know how. I would hate to see my mate grieving over another male.

“Did you tell him?” I linked her as I knelt beside her. She was sitting on the floor with Bluey trying to sit in her lap. She didn’t realize she was about seventy pounds, but it didn’t stop her from trying.

“I told him about my mother. Did you tell the others?” She linked as she looked at me.

“Did you want to tell them the other news or wait?”

“I don’t know, what do you think?” She bit her bottom lip as she watched me.

I helped her to stand, with Bluey protesting. I’m sure we just gained a bed buddy.

“Dad, Thea, I have something else I need to tell you,” Ayla said and everyone’s attention snapped to us.

“Mom, Dad,” I started.

“Nate and I are having a baby,” Ayla finished. Everyone gasped while Atlas stared at his daughter.

“Dad?” Ayla ignored everyone else and watched her father. He had just become a dad again, and now he was going to be a grandpa.

“Atlas?” My father said. I looked at my mother, and she had tears streaming down her cheeks.

I was worried about Ayla as I couldn’t read her father. I didn’t know if I was going to have to get ready for a hit or a hug. He let go of his mate and stepped towards his daughter. My heart skipped a beat as he pulled her in for a hug.

“That’s wonderful news, sweetie,” he mumbled and I exhaled. That was more stressful than it should have been. My mother let out a squeal before she wrapped me in her arms.

“I’m so happy,” she cried.

“I’m going to be an auntie,” my sister exclaimed, joining my mother.

I looked at my mate who was still hugging her father. I could feel her relief through the bond.

“I love you,” I linked her before Thea pushed her mate out of the way and hugged Ayla.

“I’m going to be a grandma,” my mother pulled my attention.

“Okay, you two, give the man some space,” my father scolded his mate and daughter before he pulled me in for a hug.

“Congrats, son,” he patted me on the back.

“Thanks, Dad.”

My mate and I were pulled in different directions as everyone was congratulating us on our growing family. I still didn't understand how any of this was possible, but I was happy that it did.

"f**k, man, that was quick," Mitch clasped me on the back.

"It was bound to happen," I shrugged with a chuckle. "I'm fully claimed by a mermaid princess."

"Cheers to that," Mitch handed me a drink, and we clanged glasses before downing the whiskey. I looked at my mate and Luna, who was getting smothered by my mother, Thea, and my sister. She had a beaming smile on her face and I could feel her happiness.

"Didn't feel like waiting?" Atlas questioned as he stepped beside me. Mitch took that moment to run, and I don't blame him. I turned to face my former alpha and father-in-law.

"This wasn't planned. She only claimed me a few nights ago." I confessed.

"Nate, I don't understand. What are you saying?"

"She got pregnant after the first time we were together." I exhaled, feeling weird about saying that to him.

"How the hell is that possible?" He gasped and I shrugged.

"I don't know, sir, but I'm happy it did."