Chapter 8. Unwanted Visitors

* Isabella *

The new day comes just like any other normal day in the Bannister mansion. Yet my heart is still filled with sorrow and grief from the loss of my father. My Dad, who tough me everything I needed to know to be a good hunter. So I enhanced my skills more on daily training with the hunters in the Bannister mansion. We need to be always ready when the wolves of the South come back. Richard is staying by my side as we keep our lands safe and going.

"Miss Bannister!"

I stop the treadmill and turn around to face one of the hunters asking for my attention. "Yes, what's the matter, Dino?"

Richard who was holding the weights on both his hands stopped and walked towards us. "Miss Bannister, guests are asking to come in. They said they are a friend of Mister Bannister and they wanted to visit his grave and talk to you."

"Where are they from? Did you ask their identity?"

I glance at the door of the training room at the back of the mansion. "Yes, Miss Bannister. He is Alpha Charles Vernice and his father is Zero of the Cold Mountain pack. They are the wolves that used to talk to your father. In my own opinion, I think it is safer to keep a good relationship with them now that the wolves in the South are threatening to take our lands."

My brows quickly furrowed and before I could oppose him, Richard spoke from behind me.

"Thank you, Dino, let them wait in the library and we are grateful for your suggestion. Isabella and I will be discussing the terms with the wolves of the North so keep the other hunters on guard."

"Sure, Richard!"

Dino took a step back and headed out of the exit. "Why would you say that to him, Richard?"

I raised one brow and took one of the clean towels being folded on top of the table. My back and legs are sweaty but I haven't done with the warm-up for today's activity.

"I apologize Isabella but we must have an open mind concerning our fellow hunters. They are also concerned for the safety of everyone. I know that you believe we don't need the Vernices but we cannot decline the thoughts of our family directly."

I sighed. "Yeah, I guess you are right. Thank you for always being calm about these matters my dear cousin. If it was only me, I am not sure if Dino would like to hear what I have to say to him. And now that these wolves are here we must talk to them regarding my thoughts."

"Yes, of course, my dear Isabella."

The smile on Richard's face had put me at ease. "Let me take a quick shower Richard, can you go ahead and meet them first."

"Take your time cousin! You are the leader of the Bannisters so they have no choice but to wait for you if they want to speak with you."

We parted ways at the exit of the training room and then I took the stairs of the back leading to the terrace of my bedroom. I must take a quick shower as I don't want them to stay longer inside the Bannister mansion. Thinking about the face of the Cold mountain pack Alpha sent shivers to my spine. 

He and his father just came without any invitation. Maybe they feel bad that my father died and they did know about it, but I intentionally did not send a message to them. I don't like their kind stepping inside the Bannister lands.

After my shower, I took a long-sleeved body-tight black top and dark leggings. I am still mourning the death of my father. As I walk towards the library I could hear the three men talking and they stopped before I even turned the door knob to open the door. It's like they know that I am about to get inside.

"Good morning guests! Mister Vernice and Alpha Charles."

My eyes directly pointed out the old man sitting on the couch as his father. His grey hair is an odd combination on his face with fewer wrinkles compared to my father. He would still passed as Alpha Charles's older brother if I did not know that he was his father. Wolves seemed to age slower than humans.

"Good Morning Miss Bannister."

I walked towards the old man who stood up and gave me his hand for a formal handshake. His expression is cold and his eyes look at me like he can see through my very soul. I am also aware of the look on Alpha Charles's eyes looking at me up and down.

"Please have a seat gentlemen. But before we discuss the reason for your visit can I offer you anything to drink?"

Alpha Charles cleared his throat and looked at me. He is towering above us when he walks to choose the seat near me. His well-built muscles and strong presence made my blood rise and the hairs on my exposed arms stand.

"No need for that, but thank you for the offer, Miss Bannister. My father has something to say that is why we are here."

I can't avoid his gaze when he sits down on the single couch in front of me. His father looking at the books in the library but I know that his mind is not on the surroundings. Richard is seated closer to me while I wait for the next words that the old wolf will utter.

"Your father and I have known each other ever since he was just a little boy, the same goes for the previous three leaders of the Bannister clan. You, are the youngest of them all Isabella if I can call you that."

"Yes, you can."

I was quick to permit him as I could hear the sadness in his firm voice. I also wanted to hear him talk about my father.

"I could not believe the news of him passing away, my son spoke to you both last few weeks."

"Unfortunately Mister Vernice, my father had an illness which made him vulnerable. None of us could have predicted that he would die only because we received threats from the wolves of the South asking us to leave this land which belongs to my ancestors since the beginning of time."

A sudden reaction from Alpha Charles made me look at him as he growled. "What!? Is that true?"

"Yes, Alpha Charles. They said they would come back and evict us from our lands that is why my fellow hunters and I are busy gathering our weapons and strengthening our force the next time they come back." 

"But are they the reason why Lorenzo had an attack?"

The question from the old wolf. "Yes Mister Vernice, maybe not a dangerous threat but after we talked to the wolves of the South my father had the worst heart attack which led to. To his death."

The old wolf looked at Alpha Charles and they exchanged glances. But before they could say anything, I beat them to it.

"It does not mean that I and my fellow hunters are vulnerable. We don't need any help from you or anyone from the Cold Mountain pack."

There was a moment of silence in the air before the old wolf spoke up. "I admire your courage, Isabella. You are a true Bannister, but I hope that you would think of what is best for your family and your group. My wolves are trained and we care about your kind, if you change your mind I am willing to accept you in the Cold Mountain pack."

I shook my head while Alpha Charles groaned. His nose made me aware of his presence near me. "That is not going to happen Mister Vernice. I stand by the human race and against the wolves that might endanger us. I hope you understand that as well."

Alpha Charles looks at me. "You have pride bigger than the Bannister lands, do not expect me to help you when the time comes Miss Bannister. If you are to face the wolves of the South please be aware that this land has no strong defence without help from us."

I gritted my teeth. He wanted to speak up some more but I saw that his father raised his hand to stop him. "We just wanted to pay our respect to your father Isabella, Lorenzo is a friend of mine and let us keep it that way no matter if he is not around here anymore."

I sighed and nodded while meeting the gaze of my cousin Richard who stood up to let them follow him into the graveyard.