ISABEL POV I woke up the next day in an empty room, Alpha Xavier was nowhere to be found. The night had been one of the most difficult nights in my life. I turned and twisted all through the night.I had woken up intermittently, frustrated but each time I looked to the couch where Alpha Xavier laid, he had a smile plastered on his face like he was mocking me even though he was fast asleep.I'd overheard him talking with someone about the date with my father, Alpha Dario but I didn't really think much about it since I was half asleep, or should I say half wake. But it was beginning to make sense to me now that I was awake."Hello, I'm looking for Kira." I asked the first person I saw outside Alpha Xavier's room. "Where is her room?" The lady paused to get a good look at me. "Please." I added when I felt she would not answer."Third floor, first turn, fourth room by your left." She said and was off before I could offer her my thanks.I knocked on the door I was directed to and waited.
ALPHA XAVIER POV I was surprised when Valerian knocked on my door and informed me that today was the day I promised Alpha Dario that I would send military aid and kept asking me to keep my word."We are nothing without our words." Valerian said when we got outside the castle. I dragged him outside as our shouting match up took on a crescendo, as I felt we must have woken Isabel. "Isabel running away from the mating ceremony didn't do any damage to your reputation." He scolded me.I looked at him mysteriously, Valerian had disappeared on me since after we had gotten into a fight. I had made some crazy accusations of him being attracted to Isabel, which made me love Isabel even more, even though I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was all acting up. "Do you know what would make you lose your reputation?" He asked softly, breaking through my thoughts."What?" I paused and regarded him, and Marita who was standing a step behind him. He was not aware of my deal with Alpha Dario, Ma
ISABEL POVLuc and Samon led me back into the heart of Wolfshade, but a different part of Wolfshade, I've never been here. "This is not Wolfshade, take me to Wolfshade."Their mocking laughter made me cringe. "This is Wolfshade," the one called Samon spoke for the first time. "This is a dungeon that is meant for spies." He explained as we stopped in front of an ugly looking building. "Here in Wolfshade, we cut down spies mercilessly." Luc said as he bound my hands. I had thought of making a run for it while we rode here, but I am not a good horse rider."Send for the mistress of spies." Samon told one of the guards, "tell her we've caught one." He said and left.The guard held the rope they had used to bind my hands and led me down a staircase that I didn't know was there. Instead of going up, we went downward, which made me believe the house had an underground, as there was no way it would have had all the sections given what was visible on the outside."Excuse me good sir, there's
ALPHA XAVIER POVThe morning sun was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen, and it made me recall days I woke up earlier in the morning to see the sunrise, and also go up the hill to watch the setting sun. A lot seems to have happened between then and now, and I have become a different man ever since. A wave of nostalgia washed through me as I stepped out of the inn I had stayed for the night. The stable man already had my horse saddled and waiting for me. I had rejected Dario's best rooms, as it was not wise to spite a man and still stay in his house. You'd be lucky if you see the light of day.Valerian had gathered the fighters when I finally rode to meet them just at the outskirts of a community far from the city. They had all decided to leave when word got out that I had rejected Dario's offer.They were in no mood for the long journey but there was no way we would remain in Thornridge. "Alpha Xavier, you have a message." Turak announced as Valerian and I approached."A message
ALPHA XAVIER POV My bath had been drawn by the time we got to the bathroom, I climbed into it and sat down. The water was hot, just the way I usually like it. I stretched and submerged my body, such that only my head was above the water. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment and soon felt someone climbing into the bathtub with me. I opened my eyes and got a good view of Theodrin's body before she submerged herself in the water."Wow, the water is better than I could have imagined." I felt her slender feet close to my groin. "Theodrin," I studied her, fixing my gaze on her and she held my eyes. There was lust and desire behind those eyes and something more. For the first time, I became uncomfortable being alone with her. "You are an amazing and irresistible woman.""Yet you've meticulously avoided me." She wrapped her feet around my cock. "I guess I have Dyelin to thank for such an opportunity." She was fishing, she was daring to be bold, I found a sudden desire to see her endgame."T
ISABEL POVThe cells in the dungeon stinked but that didn't seem to dissuade the guard who seemed determined in his belief that all spies are liars, and all liars are spies. The atmosphere was always changing, some days it was very cold, and I slept folded up, and other days it was so hot that I would rather sleep nude, if I had my ways of course. "You have to hang in there, Alpha Xavier will come for when he comes back and find out you're missing." I could hear Livia's voice in my head, and it was the only thing that was keeping me going.Livia was someone I had come to cherish a lot, she had ensured that I always had food to eat. I didn't know how she was getting the food until she came in yesterday with some bruises on her face and her arms. A fellow serving girl had observed her always going out with food and decided to rat her out.Her Madame had accused her of stealing her food but Livia had swore that she didn't. It broke my heart when she told me that the food she brought to
ALPHA XAVIER POVThe dungeon was damp, dimly lit, and echoes with the distant sounds of dripping water. I stood at the entrance, having told the other guards at the common room to be silent. Dyelin, the mistress of spy, had met me the moment I stepped out of the castle of serenity."Have you been waiting here for me?" I was surprised to see her in the common room."I'm not the mistress of spy for nothing Alpha Xavier, I know the comings and goings of every Wolfshadan that matters." I nodded in satisfaction but then Theodrin's words flash before me and I tried to imagine her doing what Theodrin said she did, or does."Yet, you dimmed it fit to leave my mate to rot in this dungeon." I asked weakly, "or would your defense also be that you don't know she's mates to me?""Oh, I do know. I only chose not to get involved. Like you, this is the first time I'm visiting this outpost in a long while."I did not know if I should be angry or grateful. "Why?" I asked softly and closed my eyes, even
ISABEL POVThe damp dungeon suddenly felt very hot, the guards had rushed towards the cell when they heard me shouting at Alpha Xavier. But now, Viandrin and the rest of the guards were trying their best to be invincible.Alpha Xavier got to the intersection of the underground cell, where the staircase was, and turned and glared at me. I made a face at him, trying everything I could to communicate my dissatisfaction for his promiscuous tendencies.He stood there for a while before becoming conscious of the audience we had attracted. "Keep her here until I say otherwise Dyelin." He instructed a petite female in a very calm voice, who seemed to find the whole thing funny. I hoped I got to him, I wanted him to feel what felt, even though I believed he was masking his feelings and his smell. I had expected Alpha Xavier would be furious at Dyelin,the mistress of spy for laughing, and laughing so openly unlike the rest. But he simply moved past her and was off."Ahhhh!!!" I screamed and sat
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,
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."
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 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
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 I was excited when Verin started going out for evening walks with Isabel, she usually returns home calmer and would sleep like a baby through the night. On one of the occasions, she had come home in high spirits and demanded we make love but it didn't quite go well, as planned. Especially, after the last time we had tried but failed.I could see the sincerity in her eyes, in as much as I was bitter, I dare not lay this on her feet. I knew I was responsible for whatever she was going through. Verin had cautioned me against sleeping with another female, saying that it would destroy all the success we've made. But that was difficult, chiefly because I had a band of beautiful females who would only require a moment's notice to warm my bed.Alanna, the new Mistress of Spy was one who had subtly suggested that we could be more. She had gotten so under my skin that I had taken to avoiding her, and mandated that Valerian do the usual check in with her and hold strategy meeti
ISABEL POV Alpha Xavier's attempts to warm my spirits were admirable and commendable, I started to feel bad for his sake and wished I could become what he wanted. This version of him had been what I've always wanted, yearned for, prayed for, yet now that I have it, it didn't seem to matter anymore to me. Although I was back among old friends and family, the feeling was not quite the same. Something was off and I couldn't figure it out, the old me would have been worried but I didn't really care. I would have preferred if he had left me with Sulin and never come back, but seeing his efforts had me thinking about what I could do to meet him halfway.Alpha Xavier decided to name our baby girl Rose, after my mother and it meant alot to me. So, to show my appreciation, I decided to become intimate with him but I couldn't put myself in the mood.Alpha Xavier watched on as I shivered at his touch, not out of pleasure but out of fear and recoiled from his touch, from his lips. I knew that b
ISABEL POV I was shocked when I got his smell but I believed it was not possible, that probably someone else had been able to smell like him. But then he called my name and I knew who it was before I raised my head. I would never forget that voice, the voice was with me always. Somewhere in the back of my head.An argument ensued but Sulin had me packed and seated in a carriage soon afterwards, regardless of how much I protested, she made sure I was on my way back to Wolfshade.It took two days to get to Wolfshade and I refused to talk to him. He insisted I eat and not allow my pride to harm the baby, his baby and that irked me the most. "Last I checked, you broke our bond and had me banished, with an order to have me killed if I ever set foot in Wolfshade. Are you leading me back to have me killed?" He paused eating and just looked at me, with pain and regret in his eyes. "Yes, I did all of that. I don't know if I will ever be able to love you right and atone for all the hurt I've
ALPHA XAVIER POV My team and I searched and searched for Isabel with no luck for the next few days. On the tenth day of our combined search a certain fear gripped me. A small voice at the back of my head started to whisper the possibility that she could be dead. I felt the others had come to the same conclusion from their expression but no one wanted to say it."I want to thank all of you from the deepest part of my heart, for toiling with me these past few days." I gathered them all at sunrise, the moment we arrived at Wolfshade. "You have shared in my faith, my belief and my hope that she's out there. And have been relentless in searching for her, but I guess it's time I also share in your faith that maybe, she's not out there." I took a deep breath and wanted to howl, I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I wanted to punch the wall."Xavier, maybe you should..." Verin was still speaking when I raised my hand and cut her off. I may not have confessed my love for Isabel while she was