BLOOD

Ryan.

I glare at Isabella, ready to shift. I feel my wolf whine and fight my will to attack her. I see fear in Isabella’s eyes and it helps me calm down. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and sigh. I sit back down.

I look at Isabella and her composure is back. It was as if she had never shown fear. “About your sister, I’m sorry about that but…” Isabella starts talking but I cut her off with a word.

“Stop.” I say.

Isabella clenches her fists, she’s clearly also holding herself back. I’m not aware of her intentions for coming to my pack but all I knew was that I had to tolerate her for my pack. I had no Luna and it was already public knowledge that she was my mate so I would keep her around. Even with those thoughts in my head, I felt a strong urge to get away from her, before I did anything I might regret later.

“I will tolerate you for now. But do not approach me again and it is not your business what I do with my time.” I tell Isabella. Isabella has an angry expression on her face.

“Do you understand me?” I ask.

“…” Isabella opens her mouth to talk but stops. She looks in my eyes. “I’ll accept any resistance you put off because I know you aren’t aware that we are going to be together but I won’t allow another lesser woman to have you.” Isabella says.

“We are never going to be together.” I say. Just the idea of it pissed me off greatly.

“Good night.” Isabella says as she turns with a flourish.

It is impossible not to notice her round ass as she sways it, it is covered by a thin sexy fabric. She bangs the door behind her and I hear her footsteps leaving the vicinity. I take another breath to calm down but it is futile. Isabella ruined my mood for the night already so I know that I won’t be able to get any work done.

It is disappointing because Hope, the daughter of Elder Lucius, had been helping me prepare for the council meeting I have tomorrow but she was driven off by Isabella.

I stand up from my desk. I will simply go to sleep, after all I have a long journey tomorrow. I walk to my room and manage to clear my head on the way. I nod at the guards at my door and they open the door.

“Sir Lady Isabella came looking for you earlier.” One of my guards says.

I stop in my tracks and turn to face him. “And did you tell her where to find me?” I ask. “Er, yes sir.” The guard says with a stammer. I take a step closer to him and tower over him effortlessly. I was aware that sometimes you had to enforce things properly.

“Do not attend to her if she comes here again.” I say.

“Yes sir!” The guard says with a salute. His hand is shaking barely noticeably.

“Good. Turn her back if she comes again.” I say as I walk inside my room. The guards close the door behind me.

I take off my clothes, lay on my bed and close my eyes. It was an exhausting day so sleep comes quickly.

---------

The sun shines brightly on me as I stand together in the palace courtyard.

“When will you be returning?” Elder Lucius asks me.

“Tomorrow. Please take care of the pack while I’m gone.” I say.

“Of course Ryan.” Elder Lucius says as he gives me a hug. “You have truly grown into a man worthy of rule.”

“You flatter me Elder. It’s only your guidance.” I reply.

Elder Lucius laughs. “I’ll say that your mother takes the credit for that.” He says.

I can only agree with him as I turn and see my mother standing a few steps away waiting patiently for us to finish. She smiles at me and I smile back.

I am traveling for the meeting with the council of werewolves to handle uprising matters. It is always a hassle but I already resigned myself to doing it.

Elder Lucius backs off and I go to meet my mother. She hugs me and holds my face in an endearing manner. The two guards standing close by avert their eyes.

“Don’t miss me too much when I’m gone mum.” I say. Mother pinches my cheek.

“When did you get so cheeky? I didn’t even notice.” Mother says and we both laugh.

“On a more serious note I’ll watch over Isabella while you’re gone.” Mother says. “Isabella…” Thinking of her brings a bad taste to my mouth.

“I know it’s hard Ryan but I’m proud that you did the right thing.” Mother says. I know that she is right and I grip her arm. Taking Isabella as my Luna even if it was just for show was the best option.

“I’m okay mother. I have to go now.” I say. Mother kisses my cheek and hugs me. I pull off and walk to my transportation. It was ironic how I felt relieved to get away from Isabella even though I have been searching for my mate for years. My wolf whines at my thoughts. He had mostly been quiet ever since I had rejected Isabella in my heart but I could make no assurances.

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I walk out of the meeting hall and hide a yawn in my palm. I had successfully gotten through it even though it was extremely boring. My two guards escort me and I get into my transportation back to the pack of Loren. My thoughts wander on the journey and I think about how I would handle the Elders that opposed my rule. The journey ends quickly in front of the palace courtyard.

As soon as I step on the ground I hear a panicked voice shout for me. “Thank the Moon Goddess that you’re back, Alpha Ryan!” It was the voice of Hope and she was running towards me from within the palace.

“What’s the matter?” I ask. She sounds hysterical but I’m not too bothered because she always makes unconventional moves to approach me. “Your mother! She’s in trouble and, and…” Hope starts but gets tongue tied.

“Slow down.” I say. “Where is mother?” I ask. She should have been here to greet me. “She’s in the palace! Please hurry.” Hope says. Her tone finally made me feel worried. My wolf growls and I know that I need to see my mother immediately.

I run, leaving my guards behind to chase after me.

I smell blood as I enter the palace. My speed increases. I make unconscious turns quickly, following the scent of blood. Finally I reach a room and kick down the door. Behind it I see a sight that makes me stop.

There is a pool of blood on the floor.

Mother is lying on the floor, unconscious. Isabella is also on the floor but my enhanced vision immediately sees that she has a stab wound. I freeze as fear overtakes me.