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 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
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 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."
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,
ISABEL POV"Isabel! Isabel!" I heard my name and snapped back to reality. "What? You lost me there for a moment."Sara smiled. "Are you alright Isabel? you seem to zone out a lot more these days."I shurgged my shoulders. "I don't know what to say about that, I guess it's the up coming Belleteyn festival and jousting tournament that is unsettling me.""But why?" She asked, looking surprised."I don't know, I just don't know why my father keeps declaring this stupid events. Everyone gets to enjoy it except me." I sighed."But that's not true, the Belleteyn festival is an opportunity to open our community to others, werewolves from far and near come around to be part of it." Sara explained and it sounded like news to me.I sighed, suddenly feeling tired. "You see, that's precisely my point. I never get to go to this events because I'll most certainly be busy serving and keeping my duty to my pack." Sara looked at me with compassion in her eyes. "Come here." She said, spreading wide he
ALPHA XAVIER POVAs I walked away from the beautiful lady, I knew that at the very least, something positive has come out of my trip to this town. My inner wolf was excited but I was not in the place where I really wanted a mate.Isabel was on my mind all through the night, there was something about her I couldn't quite figure out. So early the next morning, I sought her out. "You again." She said with a little bit of excitement that was masked in seemless grin."Isabel, right?""Yes.""I keep running into you, if I didn't know better I'll think you are stalking me.""Stalking you?" She asked, looking shocked. "I'd never...""Isabel!" I heard her name and turned to the direction and saw Alpha Dario walking towards us."Please don't say anything," Isabel whispered, with fear in her voice."Isabella," Alpha Dario paused and looked from Isabel to me. "I see you've met our guest Alpha Xavier already.""Our guest? Alpha?" Isabel asked, looking more confused."Yes, I personally invited Alp
ISABEL POVThe sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the ceremonial area. I stood by the waiting chambers close to the flower-adorned archway. My heart racing in my chest, waiting for the moment I would have to step forward and fulfill my duty. "Are you okay Isabel?" Sara my best friend asked, looking concerned."I really don't know how to answer that.""What do mean 'you don't know how to answer that' by the gods. You are about to commit yourself to him." Sara asked, a bit agitated."I don't know Sara, I don't know anymore, I thought I did but I really don't." I confessed as rivulets of tears came running down my cheeks ruining my makeup."Oh, come here." Sara held me in her hands while I wept. "If I may, are you being forced to marry this Alpha Xavier."I looked up at her, unsure if she'd understand if told her the truth. "Don't worry, I'll understand." She said, recognizing the unasked question.I took a deep breath before speaking. "Most people may not know, but th