Chapter 4. The Protector

* Isabella *

"Good morning Dad!"

I give him a peck on the cheek while he folds the daily newspaper on his lap. A wide smile curved his lips. "Good morning my dear. Are you going to the ranch early?"

Looking at my cowboy outfit, he doesn't even need to ask where I'm going. I haven't slept well thinking about what happened last night. I took a deep breath in.

"There is something I wanted to ask you, Dad."

He put back the cup of coffee in the saucer and looked at me. "Hmmm, what is it, Isabella? You seemed anxious so early today. Did something happen last night?"

I cleared my throat when Martha came in the dining room bringing the usual breakfast. The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs made me look at her. I waited until she was done putting a cup of coffee in front of me. 

"Thank you, Martha."

"My pleasure Miss Bannister, please enjoy your breakfast, and you also Mr. Bannister."

My father nodded towards her and waited until I started talking. "I had a great time with Bernard last night Dad. Thank you, the food in the restaurant was delicious. However, there was someone I talked to that almost ruined the evening."

"Who?"

He put some toast on his plate and I continued talking. "He said he would come visit you here and he asked about your condition. Do you know a certain Charles Vernice?"

My father put back the bread on his plate and exhaled. "Oh, he is the son of Alpha Zero. Did he say he would come this week?"

I shook my head. "Not the exact day, but he introduced himself to me as an arrogant Alpha. He said he would come to visit you."

He smiled. "Then Zero is no longer the Alpha of the North. He has passed on the title to his son, I saw him once when he was still young but after that Alpha Zero sent him to the other parts of the world to train and be stronger. I guess I need to meet him as well and inform him that you will take the title of the head of the Bannister soon. You will lead the protection of our vast lands Isabella, I have faith that you can do it. You took your courage from me and your beauty from your mother."

I returned his smile. The happiness I felt grew when he said that I would take the role of the leader of the hunters. 

"Thank you, Dad. But I must tell you that I don't like Alpha Charles, we should not trust them. If I have to protect the people in this land of ours then I must forbid the wolves from entering the mountains here."

My father took a bite of his toast and nodded. After chewing the food in his mouth he continued talking. "The Vernices are Different Isabella. They have their word, and they will always help the humans. I had a good relationship with Zero when he was still the Alpha, So there is no reason why you and Alpha Charles couldn't do the same."

"I just don't like him, Dad. They were sitting back at the restaurant, intimidating everyone. Acting like they own the place, my God Dad. If the staff there knows that Alpha Charles is the wolf then they would panic. Even Bernard did not feel comfortable talking to him."

My father raised his brow. "Did Bernard talk to him?"

"No. I talked to him, and I felt that he was uncomfortable so I told him to go back in the car."

He let out a deep breath. "You impressed me by not getting intimidated by the Alpha's presence sweetheart. They are really strong creatures that unless you have a silver weapon, you can never talk to them."

I smiled at him. "I did not go unprepared Dad."

"Very good, although I trust the Vernices but you have to be extra careful at all times. Since he said that he is coming to visit me I will expect it no later than tomorrow. I know how Zero's thoughts are working and Alpha Charles is probably like him."

"I have to be here when he comes Dad. I still don't trust them, maybe I should invite a few of the hunters tomorrow just to witness how he is talking to you."

My father shook his head. "There is no need for that my dear. You and I are enough and you have your weapons ready in the drawers of the library, I will talk to him there. But rest assured, Alpha Charles will be a better ally than an enemy. Please consider this Isabella."

"I don't think so Dad, our numbers are growing and soon maybe the wolves will be eliminated from the other parts of our land. We have to work together to help our fellow human beings to survive. The wolves are predators, unless they change into eating fruits and vegetables then I don't trust them."

My father took his cup of coffee and amusedly watched me finish my breakfast. "I should admire your courage my dear but your stubbornness is making me nervous. Are you going to the gym with your cousins?"

"Yes Dad, but that is after I make one round at the ranch. I miss seeing the cows and horses."

He nodded. "When my feet are better I will go out with you, I have not seen the ranch in a long time."

The smile on his lips did not reach his eyes. "Oh, not a problem Dad, I could take photos using my phone and then I will show them to you. I would even take the horse's pictures one by one if you like."

"You kidding my dear. That would look different from experiencing their presence and staying with them for a bit."

I laughed and held my father's hand. "You will be alright Dad, you still young and strong. When you feel better we can go together. By the way, is your doctor coming today?"

"Yes, he will be here any moment. The therapy has very slow progress, I am not sure if my feet will be normal again. Or I could walk without using this cane."

I glance at the silver cane beside him. My father has a hard time walking alone, he cannot stand without the support of the cane. His dominant foot is weak and is under therapy.

My phone notified me of a message coming from my cousin Richard asking if it was true that I had met an Alpha last night. How did he know that I did yesterday evening?

"I am going Dad, see you later."

"Alright sweetheart, take care, and don't worry about tomorrow. The Vernice's family are good wolves you will see that."

I shrug my shoulders. Maybe I don't like finding out if they are good are bad. Remembering his good-looking face made my heart race but it's too bad that he is a wolf. I do not admire their physical looks because deep inside they are predators and the same goes for how they look at us humans. They will never say we are beautiful because we are just prey. But the rogues are the worst, that's why we have silver bullets to protect us.

I walk out of the mansion and admire the peaceful surroundings. We are lucky to own a big part of the North, making us fearful against the rogues. It was sad that some of our family members have lost their lives protecting this land. And when times comes that I must give my life to protect this peace then I would gladly do so.

"Good Morning Miss Bannister! Are you ready to go?"

Our family driver brought the car towards the gate and waved at me while asking. He must have thought that I was not paying attention and I did not see him.

"Yes, Oscar!"

I walked fast towards the old pickup and opened the door beside him. He is the one who drives me around whenever I go out on the ranch. When he started driving I opened my phone and asked Richard whom he learned that I met with an Alpha last night. He answered that it was Bernard, so he called him just to talk about our encounter.

Bernard was afraid of him. I saw how his hand trembles in the presence of Alpha Charles, and he can't even look at him straight in the eyes. I was afraid too, but being a Bannister forbid me from getting scared of wolves. It doesn't matter if he is the Alpha, he could still get hurt if I shot him with silver bullets.