chapter 9

EAMON'S POV

I paced back and forth in the dimly lit study, holding a glass of whisky in my palm. My heart hammered against my chest, anxiety clawing at my thoughts. The rescue operation had taken longer than expected, and every second that passed without news about Isadora's safety only intensified my worry.

Victor sat in a chair nearby, pouring himself a drink, the bottle on the table, his typically stern expression etched with concern. The tension in the room was palpable, and the minutes felt like an eternity.

"Where are they?" I muttered, my voice edged with frustration. "They should have returned by now."

Victor, unhappy about not leading the rescue, spoke up. "Eamon, we have to trust Luka and the others. They're doing everything they can to bring Isadora back safely."

I ran a hand through my hair, the worry etched across my features. "I know, Victor, but I can't help but feel this overwhelming sense of dread. Isadora's life is in danger, and I should be out there with them."

Before Victor could respond, the door to my study burst open, and a group of pack guards rushed in, carrying Isadora's unconscious form. My heart leaped into my throat as I saw her pale and still, her condition far worse than I had feared.

"Isadora!" I exclaimed, rushing to her side, my panic taking over. "What happened? Is she okay?"

The guards gently laid her on the couch, and I noticed the bruises and scratches on her face, evidence of the ordeal she had endured. My hands trembled as I reached out to touch her, relief flooding through me when I felt the faint pulse of her heartbeat.

"She's traumatized, Alpha," one of the guards reported, his voice filled with urgency. "She passed out amidst our escape. We rescued her with this young lady named Lisa, but we were detected by Alpha Jack's pack as we tried escaping. We couldn't save everyone."

My blood ran cold at the mention of Alpha Jack. I've had enough with his nonsense. I couldn't help but blame myself for not being there to protect her.

"We shall deal with that Jack ass later," I said through gritted teeth, my focus solely on Isadora's well-being.

"Right now, we need to get her the medical attention she needs."

Victor nodded, taking charge as he always did in times of crisis. "I'll summon the pack doctor immediately."

As Victor left the room to make the necessary arrangements, I remained by Isadora's side, my heart heavy with worry. She was so still, so fragile, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing her.

I knelt by her side, gently taking her hand in mine, and whispered words of reassurance, even though she couldn't hear me in her unconscious state.

"Hang in there, Isadora. You're strong, and so is our baby. We'll get through this together."

The pack nurse arrived with a sense of urgency, and I watched as she immediately got to work, running a thorough check-up on Isadora. Every passing second felt like an eternity, my anxiety growing with each examination. I had to know that both Isadora and our child were alright.

As the nurse worked, her face remained composed and focused, betraying nothing of her findings. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she stepped back, her expression softening.

"Isadora is stable, Alpha Eamon," she informed me.

"And the baby appears to be unharmed, but we'll continue to monitor them closely," she added.

Relief washed over me, a weight I hadn't even realized I was carrying lifted from my shoulders. I offered the nurse a grateful nod before turning my attention to Isadora, who still lay fast asleep.

After a few hours of rest, she began to stir, her eyelids fluttering open. At first, her gaze was unfocused, but as her senses returned, her eyes settled on me. The expression on her face, however, was far from welcoming.

The tension had been building, and it was time to confront the storm that was brewing within our relationship. I couldn't deal with the silence anymore. Her eyes met mine, and I could see the anger and hatred smoldering in her gaze.

"Why did you run away, Isadora?" I demanded, my voice tinged with frustration.

"You put yourself and our baby in danger. We could have easily talked it out and worked through whatever was troubling you, rather than get yourself killed, by that guy."

Isadora's lips twisted into a bitter smile.

"Talk, Eamon? Is that what you call it? All you ever do is talk. You say the words, but your actions speak a different language."

I felt a pang of guilt and anger rise within me.

"What are you talking about Isadora.?"

I was taken aback by her words, the bitterness in her tone like a knife to the heart. The nurse, sensing the tension in the room, discreetly excused herself.

Her voice grew sharper, the accusations pouring forth like a floodgate had been opened.

"Your fake love, Eamon. Your empty promises. You claim to love me, but you don't. You're only playing with my emotions for the sake of power and affluence, or are you going to deny it?"

I was taken aback by her words, my heart clenching with the weight of her accusations. "Isadora, you don't understand the position I'm in. I have responsibilities, a pack to protect."

Isadora's anger boiled over, and without warning, she slapped me across the face. The sting of her palm against my cheek sent shockwaves of surprise and hurt through me.

"Shut the fuck up Eamon? Responsibilities my foot. That's all you do, hide behind them," she spat, her eyes flashing with anger and tears.

"You're just like the rest of them. Power-hungry and willing to sacrifice anything, even the woman you loves you so much, you disgust me Eamon."

I clenched my fists, my own anger threatening to consume me.

"I love you, Isadora, more than anything. But I won't be made a fool of. I won't let you belittle my position as Alpha."

With those words, I turned and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind me.

"Alpha, alpha, alpha that's all I hear, fuck off Eamon!!!. To hell with you."

She screamed, but I paid no attention.

Victor, my ever-loyal beta, was waiting in the hallway, concern etched into his features.

"Alpha," he began, but I held up a hand to silence him.

"Not now," I ordered tersely.

"Let's get a drink first."

Victor nodded, understanding the need for a moment's respite from the turmoil that had engulfed us.

Victor and I entered the bar, the dimly lit atmosphere a stark contrast to the fiery emotions that coursed through us. We found a corner booth, and I signaled to the bartender for two drinks, my mind still weighed down by Isadora's attitude. But my brief respite was shattered when Victor's expression darkened.

"Alpha," he began, his voice low and filled with tension.

"I received a message."

My instincts instantly went on high alert, and I leaned in closer, my eyes locked onto Victor.

"What is it?"

Victor slid a wooden box across the table.

I lifted the lid of the box, revealing its macabre contents - a pile of ashes.

"Luka's remains. Alpha Jack had it sent over," Victor spoke, rage in his eyes.

I clenched my fists, a surge of anger welling up inside me, threatening to consume everything in its path.

"That son of a bitch ... I hissed through gritted teeth.

Victor's jaw tightened, his eyes reflecting the same fury that consumed me.

"He's crossed the line, Alpha. This is a direct challenge, he didn't just kill them, he sent their ashes over."

The weight of Alpha Jack's threat bore down on us like a suffocating blanket, and I could feel the rage building inside me, an inferno that threatened to explode.

Ahhhhggggg!!!

Without a second thought, I grabbed my glass and hurled it against the wall, the shattering sound echoing through the bar.

"Enough is enough!" I roared, the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

"I've had enough of his madness already, We're going to make him pay for this. I'll make him beg for death!"

My anger drove me to my feet, and I stormed out of the bar, my mind a whirlwind of plans and strategies. Alpha Jack had awakened a beast within me, and he would soon regret it.