ISABEL POVThe whole Wolfshade was up and about as preparations entered top gear for Valerian's mating ceremony to his wives. There was excitement all around and Alpha Xavier had declared that it would be a feast. Alpha Xavier and Valerian are more like brothers, he considers Valerian his brother. So, he took the whole ceremony and preparations very seriously.So many people were surprised since it was the first time a male would be mated to two females. The moon goddess doesn't allow it but somehow Valerian and his would-be mates were clearly excited to be the exception and they didn't hide.Thalia and Shira spent the day leading up to the mating ceremony to visit the elderly, the orphans, the families that lost loved ones during the invasion of Wolfshade by Alpha Dario, and just about everyone. They were radiating love and always wanted others to share in their joy and happiness. They always seemed to spare time to come look for me. Each would come alone at different times and then,
ALPHA XAVIER POV It was around past midnight when I perceived a familiar smell, I knew that smell and the owner. "Alpha Xavier, are you still awake?" The voice whispered, whilst he crept in."Ace, I told you to remain at the border and wait for Dario to bring Rose to you." I whispered, trying not to wake anyone."Don't worry, it's too late already, I think they are holding little Rose in the main building." He said while he gently unlocked the chains around me. “I had a few of the fighters scout and find out what was happening.”"Hurry up," I whispered, "Dario's security comes to check in every fifteen minutes." Ace motioned for two other persons with him and they quickly got the chains off."What do you want us to do?" Ace asked, looking intently at me."Have you located where they are holding Rose?" I asked again and Ace was shaking his head when the other person beside him replied. It would all be for nothing if Dario finds out that a break is in and decides to kill little Rose."
ALPHA DARIO POV I left Alpha Xavier angry and struggling to come to terms with what he was saying. Surely Isabel would know better to keep to her duty, she should understand at least that I won't deliberately hurt her. Kidnapping Rose, Isabella's daughter, was not the best of strategies but it was important to bring Alpha Xavier to kneel before me.A glorious future awaited Thornridge, but sacrifices were necessary to achieve it. I had envisaged this day and thought all Thornridgens that duty to the pack should always come first before anything else. I hoped that Isabella would still remember her duty and follow suit.I deliberately refused to go back into the chamber to torture Xavier anymore. He had somehow found a way to rattle me by bringing up Isabella. My actions were unbecoming of a parent, I should be ashamed and embarrassed by my actions, but I wasn't. There was no way that I'd ever have had Alpha Xavier bound and almost at death point if I had not done what I did."What hap
ALPHA XAVIER POV The journey to Thornridge was an emotional one. The Wolfshadan guard insisted on following me despite my orders that they don't. There were Thornridgen fighters already waiting when we got to the border. "Alpha Xavier, I see you have come to surrender to the Lord Alpha Dario, just as he predicted. Stand your army down." A male spoke, I guess he was the leader of the fighters gathered here.I paused and took in the fighters that had come to welcome me and turned to see the fighters that had come with me. "What is your name?" I asked softly."My name is not important to you, I'm here to lead you to the Lord Alpha Dario." I noted that Dario had added another title to his name. The man was really pitiable, he has not yet gotten his victory but he is drunk by it already."I have journeyed for days from Wolfshade, but I will not move an inch if you don't answer me. You can tell your Lord Alpha to go fuck himself." I smiled and nodded behind him, for him to run along.Ther
ISABEL POVThe days following the disappearance of Rose were the worst days of my life. She had been my only source of joy and happiness. I was suddenly tired of everything, my depression had a relapse and I became suicidal. Life was not worth living, why should I be alive in a world filled with so much hate.While I was nursing my loss, Alpha Xavier was trying to cheer me up but I could see that he was not normal. He looked like someone who had so many emotions that he was trying to rein in. It was important that the Alpha always showed strength at all times but I could see beyond the façade, and so did many others.So when the lady Alanna came with news about Rose, everyone like me was excited that finally, a way has been chosen through the mercy of the moon goddess. "Read it." Alpha Xavier had said and Alanna began to read.I was not really paying attention, patiently waiting for her to finish and tell me who was responsible. For the first time I was going to cheer Alpha Xavier as
ALPHA XAVIER POV I was excited when Verin started going out for evening walks with Isabel, she usually returns home calmer and would sleep like a baby through the night. On one of the occasions, she had come home in high spirits and demanded we make love but it didn't quite go well, as planned. Especially, after the last time we had tried but failed.I could see the sincerity in her eyes, in as much as I was bitter, I dare not lay this on her feet. I knew I was responsible for whatever she was going through. Verin had cautioned me against sleeping with another female, saying that it would destroy all the success we've made. But that was difficult, chiefly because I had a band of beautiful females who would only require a moment's notice to warm my bed.Alanna, the new Mistress of Spy was one who had subtly suggested that we could be more. She had gotten so under my skin that I had taken to avoiding her, and mandated that Valerian do the usual check in with her and hold strategy meeti