Chapter 4

Supreme Alpha Jade

Just as expected, Duke tailed behind me to my office. There was so much to do but I couldn't concentrate on anything. I was grateful for his company.

"You know you can't hide it for long right?" He asked with concern. I knew he was right but I couldn't admit it. I massaged my nape thoughtfully. "Yes, but I can reject her."

He scowled, seemingly displeased. "You will regret it."

"My father regretted having a mate so how would I regret not having one? It's for the safety of our pack. She isn't from here which makes her allegiance questionable." 

I was trying to find a way to justify my decision. My pack has become the strongest because I heeded the warning against mates. All the defeated Alphas had mates and it made it impossible for me to be defeated because I had none.

"How do you know if you haven't spoken to her? My mate saved my life." I turned to the window. Recalling how I saw life draining out of him as a sacrifice for using my hidden powers, I can't explain the fear I felt. He was my childhood friend and the only one who stood by me at all times. I would have died if I had lost him so I wanted to take his place but the sacrifice was meant to be someone I loved. There was no way it would take me. I didn't know before using the power.

That was when Blevine made him drink her blood. I thought they were both going to die but they rather survived. A new blood had countered the curse laid on him because of me. So my two best warriors Jack and Stem were taken instead. Blevine is a hybrid - half werewolf and half-vampire. Being from a royal lineage, her blood carried powers that heal. That's why she chose to be our pack doctor. She was always passionate about helping the injured. I was glad she was strong enough to save her mate. That was an exception. I knew that Duke was worried about me. His blonde hair was a mess, thanks to his fingers constantly running through the strands.

"I intend to. The best I can do is to send her back to her pack."

I was upset with my utterance when I imagined another man having her. More like a second chance mate. I don't think I can accept that either. I felt Duke's right hand patting my back. "You have already sacrificed so much. You deserve to be happy. I know why you can't accept her and I understand that you don't want to be weak in times of taking life decisions for the safety and happiness of our pack but I will also stand by you no matter what. Till I met Blevine, I didn't fully understand the bond. You need to allow yourself to experience it too."

"I don't have the opulence." Duke was trying to convince me to accept my mate but I couldn't. I would rather sacrifice my mate than lose another member of my pack. I don't even know her.

“Oh, she's ready," Duke announced after mind-linking with someone who I knew was Blevine. I felt tense. “Let her in,"

I permitted him but I didn't miss the smirk that formed on his face when he whirled towards the door. 

"What is it?" I asked him, curiously studying his mood.

"You just have to see it yourself," he smiled, "and by the way, Luna Crane has been seeking an audience to speak with you," the amusement left his eyes at his second statement.

"Tell her I'm busy."

Respite returned to his face at my utterance. "If you won't accept your mate, she's available, you know. I don't remember your father saying anything against having a mistress," he winked.

"Get out Duke!" I snarled but he just laughed and shut the door. He knows exactly how I feel about Luna Crane yet he decides to tease me like this.

I felt the hairs on my skin stand straight when my unwanted mate stepped into my office. She was deafeningly glorious. A replica of the moon goddess but much younger. Her long white wavy hair covered her shoulders and she looked elegant in Blevine's simple turtle neck and jean trousers. Her face was white as cotton and delicate. Her bright blue eyes held so much fear I wanted to take them away.

Uneasiness clad me, I felt locking up Navajo was the best decision I took. But something wasn't right. She stood frozen at the door like she had seen a ghost. There was also something extremely wrong. She didn't have a scent. I could smell her shampoo and lotion. She doesn't smell like us. Our eyes locked and she lowered her head. 

"My name is Alpha Jade. Please sit." I beckoned to the chair in front of me as I moved from the window to sit in my chair. I didn't add the supreme title because I detested it. Her eyes roamed my office as if she was searching for something.

There was an uncomfortable silence stretching for twenty seconds but it seemed like minutes. She nodded her head and sauntered elegantly to the Fritz Hansen Oxford Premium chair. Her eyes roamed everywhere, except on me. I felt a little neglected but it quickly ranged clearly in my mind that my mate wasn't feeling the bond. 

"What is your name?" I tried to lighten the mood. I could see her tense at my question. 

"I...I don't know, b.. but the lady who helped me..." She paused and looked worried. I knew she was referring to Blevine. I guess she didn't ask for her name.

"Her name is Blevine," I said as softly as I could. She looked so fragile.

She nodded and I could see her swallow tightly because my eyes never left her. She blinked severally, bright blue eyes teasing me each time under her long lashes. Omegas were the ones known to have blue eyes but not as bright as hers. Alphas in the Underworld are identified with red eyes and yellow for Betas but when it comes to Alphas' the more the glow, the greater your power. Natural werewolves are easily identified with green eyes.

"Blevine calls me Isabella. It's inscribed on my pendant," she trailed her small hands around her neck, pulling out the pendant from the neck of her dress. Her action was quite cute and innocent.

"Isabella," I repeated. Nice name but I didn't tell her. "Where are you from?" I noticed her becoming uneasy with the question and I wondered why she felt that way.  

"I..I don't know. I don't remember anything," she muttered, almost as if she was whispering. There is just something about her. I have the sense that she is hiding something. Memory loss right after falling into a ditch? Tell that to the dogs.

"What is your favourite food?" I asked a trick question.

"I don't know," she simply responded. All this while, she was avoiding my eyes. I was a little disappointed because I felt she was lying to me. 

"What do you remember?" I asked again.

"I woke up with a lady staring intently at me. You said her name was Blevine." She was playing smart and I was getting irritated.

"If what you say is true, then look into my eyes and tell me you have no memories. I watched her intently. Suddenly, she stiffened, her hands clinging to her blouse, rolled into fists. She seemed to be fighting the shivers she felt but it didn't seem to work.  Beads of sweat hazed her cotton white face entirely and she had still not lifted her head as I asked.

"Do you have something to say?" I asked suspiciously, noticing the change in her demeanour. Isabella couldn't stop shivering. She was shivering so bad I could hear the crackling sound of her teeth.

I haven’t even begun the interrogation so what do I do? I'm I being too hard on her? What if she was pretending? The only way to find answers to my questions will be to calm her. I stood from my chair and ambled close to her. The sparks began so I tried to keep a distance but how could I maintain the distance? Isabella’s eyes widened, panic flashing them.

“Please d...don’t hurt me.” Her voice was teary, making my heart sink. 

I took a step back. “I won’t hurt you,” I said softly. Perhaps she was just scared. She might be telling the truth after all.

Her bright blue eyes pleaded with me when she lifted her head and our gaze connected. Instantly, she rose from her chair. Taking a step away from me, she charged for the door…