The Alpha's long lost heir
Chapter 147: Dora’s difficulties

Chapter 147: Dora’s difficulties

Oberon stood frozen, his thoughts a chaotic storm, as the words Neriah had spoken earlier played over and over in his mind. He could not believe it. Dora was going to be pregnant, carrying Neriah’s pup. The shock was so overwhelming that it took a moment for him to remember to breathe. How had it come to this? How could Neriah have done such a thing?

His gaze darted around the room as if searching for an answer in the shadows, but none came. His hands trembled, and the tension coiled in his chest until he could no longer hold it in. With a sudden burst of anger, he slammed his hand down on the nearest chair, the loud crack of wood echoing through the room.

Dora flinched at the sound but quickly moved toward him, her face crumpling as she approached. She reached out, wrapping her arms around Oberon’s rigid form, as if trying to keep herself from falling apart. She buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with sobs that she could no longer contain.

"I am so sorry, Oberon," Dora cried, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I did not want this to happen. I swear I did not!"

Oberon’s anger melted away as he felt her tears soak through the fabric. His initial impulse to pull away was overtaken by the deep ache of compassion that welled up inside him. He knew she was as much a victim in this as he was. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she broke down in his embrace.

"We will figure this out," Oberon murmured, his voice soft yet strained. "I will think of something... But first, we need to tell Elena. She deserves to know the truth."

Dora’s sobs quieted slightly, but she did not let go. Her fingers clung to Oberon as if he were the only thing keeping her from collapsing completely. The thought of facing Elena with this truth—this betrayal—filled her with a deep sense of dread. How could she face the woman who had taken her in, treated her like family, knowing she had been used like this?

He used his thumb to gently wipe across her cheek, wiping away the tears that clung there. "Elena will not blame you, Dora. She knows you. She knows your heart. This... this is all on Neriah. He manipulated you, used you for his own purposes, and that is something I will not let him get away with."

Dora’s eyes searched Oberon’s, looking for some reassurance, some sign that everything would be okay. But the uncertainty in his gaze mirrored her own fears. Still, his words gave her a small measure of comfort, enough to help her catch her breath and calm the storm of emotions inside her.

"We will go together," Oberon continued, his voice resolute. "We will tell Elena everything. She deserves to know the truth, and we owe her that much. But you do not have to do this alone. I will be right there with you."

Dora nodded slowly, though the fear had not entirely left her. She knew that Oberon was right—they could not keep this secret. But the thought of confessing everything, of facing the disappointment and hurt in Elena’s eyes, made her stomach twist with anxiety.

"What if she... what if she cannot forgive me?" Dora whispered, her voice barely audible.

Oberon sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He did not want to think about that possibility, but he knew it was something they had to face. "We will cross that bridge when we come to it. But for now, we can only be honest and hope that she understands."

Dora looked down, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of Oberon’s shirt. She could not shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her. "I... I should have known something was wrong," she said quietly. "Neriah, he... he never treated me like you do. But I thought... I thought maybe it was just different, that maybe I was imagining things."

Oberon’s heart ached as he listened to her, feeling the depth of her pain. He wanted to tell her that everything would be okay, that they would get through this together, but he knew that would be a promise he might not be able to keep.

"This was not your fault," he repeated, his tone gentle but firm. "Neriah took advantage of you, of all of us. He was calculating, using everyone as pawns in whatever game he is playing. But now... now we know the truth, and we can make sure he does not get away with it."

Dora looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. "Thank you, Oberon," she whispered. "For standing by me, even after everything."

Oberon shook his head. "There is nothing to thank me for. You are a part of this family, Dora, and I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to protect all of us."

She took a deep breath, trying to gather her strength. "Okay," she said finally, her voice steadying. "We should go see Elena. We cannot put this off any longer."

Oberon nodded, though the thought of confronting his mother made his stomach churn with unease. He knew that Elena was strong, that she had faced more than her share of challenges over the years, but this... this was something different. The betrayal cut deep, and he had no idea how she would react.

As they made their way to Elena’s chambers, the weight of what they were about to do pressed down on them both. Each step felt heavier than the last, the silence between them filled with unspoken fears and uncertainties.

When they reached the door, Oberon hesitated, his hand hovering over the handle. He could feel Dora trembling beside him, and he wished he could offer her some comfort, some assurance that everything would be okay. But he knew better than to make promises he could not keep.

He glanced at Dora, who nodded slightly, giving him the smallest of smiles, though it did not reach her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Oberon pushed the door open.

Elena looked up from where she was sitting, her expression softening as she saw them enter. "Oberon, Dora," she greeted them warmly, though her smile faded as she took in their tense postures and troubled faces. "What is wrong? What has happened?"

Oberon’s throat tightened, the words he needed to say catching in his throat. For a moment, he could not speak, could not find the strength to break the news that would shatter everything.

But Dora, despite her fear, stepped forward. "Elena," she began, her voice trembling but determined, "there is something we need to tell you. Something... something terrible."

Elena’s brow furrowed in concern, and she quickly rose to her feet, crossing the room to stand before them. "What is it? You are scaring me."

Oberon finally found his voice, though it was thick with emotion. "It is about Neriah... and Dora."

The room seemed to grow colder, the warmth draining away as the weight of what they were about to reveal settled over them. Elena’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of understanding and dread crossing her face.

Elena’s eyes locked onto Dora, her expression a mix of shock and compassion. "What has he done to you, Dora?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.

Dora took a deep breath, the words spilling out of her like a confession. "He has used me, Elena. He has never mated me, but I am pregnant. His pup."

Elena’s face paled, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt. She turned to Oberon, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is this true? Has he really done this?"

Oberon nodded, his jaw clenched. "I am afraid so, Mother. Neriah’s actions have been unforgivable. He has manipulated and used Dora, and he will not get away with it."

Elena’s gaze returned to Dora, her expression softening. "Oh, Dora, I am so sorry. You do not deserve this. You have not deserved to be treated this way."

Dora shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I have been so blind, Elena. I thought he loved me. I thought he would never hurt me."

Elena’s face twisted in anguish. "He does not know the meaning of love. He has never loved anyone but himself. And he will pay for what he has done. He will not be able to hide from the consequences of his actions."

The room fell silent, the weight of Elena’s words hanging in the air. Oberon could see the wheels turning in her mind, planning her next move.

"We will get through this together," Elena said finally, her voice firm. "As a family, we will support each other. We will protect you, Dora, and that pup. And we will make sure Neriah faces the consequences of his actions. He will not be able to escape them."