Chapter 6. Danger

* Isabella *

There is almost a thousand acres of land which belongs to the leader of the Bannister and about a quarter is inhabited and well develop by my father and uncle. After the recent meeting with the Alpha of the Cold mountain pack my father called out my cousins and other relatives together with the people who works at the ranch and the farm.

"Today I would like to announce the new leader of the Bannister hunters! None other than, my only child! Isabella Abegail Bannister!"

My Aunt and Uncle clap their hands as both of them stand up from their chairs to give me a formal greetings. It was a brief introduction from my father since it is pre determine that I would replace him of the title.

"Congratulations Isabella! I know you can make it, you have the blood of your father running through your veins! We are here to give you our full support just like how we supported my brother!"

The smile on my uncle's lips might look genuine but I could see the disappointment deep inside of him. My Aunt Sandra, did not even smile which I could understand.

"Congratulations Isabella." Her voice lack of warmth when you greet someone of a good achievement. She wanted my uncle to take my father's place or even my cousin Richard.

"Thank you Uncle Rodolf and Aunt Sandra. Thank you all! It was a pleasure to take the responsibility on my father's shoulders. As we all know, he needs to take care of himself and relax. Now that the leadership is under my name, I would like to inform everyone that whatever your concerns in the Bannister lands we can sort it out. I am always here to listen, and I will ensure that our safety is always the priority. Thank you all for coming, food is ready! We can have a feast tonight and also unlimited drinks!"

My cousins from the back cheered and shouted my name. I look at them with a smile, while hoping to see the face of my boyfriend in the crowd but he just texted me that he has an urgent job to do. My father is so proud of me as he talk to the old employees of the farm while I walk towards my cousins. I could still hear my Aunt talk behind my back.

"How nice it must be, to take the leadership without hard work."

My Uncle stopped her from saying things out loud but I know he also dislike the title under my name.

"Congratulations Isabella!

Richard was the first one to stand up from his chair and greet me followed with a bear hug. I like how genuine he is to me, despite his parents.  "Where is Bernard? I thought he wouldn't missed the occasion."

I let go of him and shrug my shoulders. "He said that he has evening duty this week and will come to greet me tomorrow."

"Oh! I see. Too bad, he's not seeing how bad ass girlfriend you are! Taking over as the head of the Bannister hunters? I mean how cool is that?"

"Shut up!" I rolled my eyes upward and greeted my other cousins.

"Congratulations Isabella!"

Sheena, Richard's younger sister gives me a hug together with my friend. "Come on everyone! Let's eat and drink. My father spend a considerable amount just for us to enjoy tonight and this is not happening everyday."

"Maybe that would change now that you are the new leader Isabella, I mean maybe Uncle Lorenzo would let us party now that you are the leader."

I grinned to Richards thoughts, he is not as matured as I am Afterall. "I don't think so my dear cousin, I wouldn't want that either. I have more things to do with the people in the farm and also keeping us all safe. The few businesses that my father own in the City as well those are in my shoulders now."

"Oh, well then. Good luck to you my dear cousin. I hope Bernard will help you with those and maybe he will if you two marry each other."

The smile faded from my lips, I haven't thought about marriage yet. And with Bernard? It is a fact that we are in relationship however, I am more focus in the Bannister lands while Bernard is a cop in the City.

"Well see about that, right now it is too early to tell."

We started to enjoy the night when all of a sudden someone from the guest screamed. "Wolves!?"

I furrowed my brows and look around us, then the music in the air stopped playing. The growling of the wolves coming from the entrance of our gates. The thick railings showed three of them outside showing their fangs. My father runs towards me holding his shotgun with silver bullets.

"Mister Bannister! Hear me out! We did not come here to fight, we are from the Southlands!"

"Dad! Don't go near the gates let me handle this."

I remained calm as I take my small gun strap around my leg. They have their eyes blazing with anger as they look at us and the people in our farm shook in fear and some are already fainted.

"What do you want? I am Isabella Bannister the new leader of the hunters. State your reason for coming here before we put silver bullets against your skull!"

The hunters in our group gathered all together beside me, each one of us is armed by silver bullet as we waited in silence for the wolves to talk. One of them is bigger than the rest as he walk near the gate and look at me.

"This land belongs to us. It is not a part of the North anymore, you can all leave in peace and go back to the City where human are more protected. The Alpha of the South is giving you a month to get out of this lands!"

My father gritted his teeth. As he holds the big gun with both his hands aiming for them outside the gates. 

"No! That is bullshit! This land belongs to the Bannister family ever since I took over from my great grand father and our ancestors live here!" Leave now! Before we start firing you with silver bullets!"

I place my hand against my father's shoulders. 

"You are wrong Mister Bannister! And this is none negotiable, you stayed in this lands longer than necessary when this aren't yours. It belongs to the South now! We would come back after a week and see what is your decision, but be wise or the blood of your people will be spilled and this will end up badly for all of you!"

The shocked at everybody's eyes remained, even when the wolves have already leave. My cousins are all holding their guns but the workers of the Bannister lands did not own any. 

Father looks at me with his eyes full of anger and hatred towards the wolves of the South. They are not rogues who are suffering from hunger and lack the ability to fight strongly to us. The wolves from the South are strong, same like the cold mountain pack. They have a good leader and they are warriors too.

"Dad, please don't think too much about it. We can get through this, if they want a fight! We will give them that. We are ready, this lands is ours! This is the North."

I look at him deep in the eyes but the next thing my father did is unexpected. He clutches his chest and painfully called my name.

"Isabella..."

"Dad? What's wrong? Are you in pain? Oh my God please, tell me what can I do?"

I hold him as he is about to fall down but my father is heavier than me so we both sat on the ground. He couldn't talk anymore as he struggles to breath. My Uncle went to help us and took him to stand but he suddenly collapsed. "Lorenzo!?"

"Dad!?" I shouted to the top of my lungs, not believing what has happened. Richard reach for his phone and just like a slow motion. I watch them carry my father into the car and then pushed me inside the passengers.

"Isabella! Snap out of it, we will take Uncle Lorenzo to the hospital. Be strong maybe he is just having an attacked and he will soon recover. Tears fell down my cheeks as we followed the car of my Uncle who's taking my father into the nearest hospital.

"He can't die Richard! My father will soon recover, we have to defend our lands. I need him!"

So many things running inside my head as we drove to the hospital. The fear of losing my father is already gripping my heart.