ALPHA XAVIER POVThe walk home became a procession. She buried her head in my chest and cried as we left the woods but stopped when we got to the village of the city. As I carried her, little girls and boys joined in my wake and started to sing.The Alpha and his mate,The love rekindled that should never wane,Love so strong that there's no hate,She is secure in his mane.What were they singing, she is the enemy. I could still hear Sue's words in my dream just a short while ago but I feared things were not working out in my favor. But the children sang on and kept following me.In moonlit nights, their bond unfolds,Silent whispers, tales of old,Through challenges, their hearts remain,A love enduring, free from stain.By the time we got to Tarrenhall, the inner city, their numbers had increased and their voices could be heard above every other thing. This was the least of my worries, the people of Wolfshade have accepted Isabel. First the women circle had a protest in her honor, n
ALPHA DARIO POV When I returned to my room, I had to shake my head a few times to get the thought out of my head. I couldn't stop thinking of Aria's lips, even though my wolf was warning me that I was treading on the edge of a knife.Daisy was no longer in my room, I guess I must have taken too long. I set about drafting different messages and instructions for my eyes and ears everywhere. Alpha Xavier will regret the day he looked down on me and considered me a persona non grata.I worked late into the night and dreamt of the glory days of Thornridge when I finally decided to have some sleep. I dreamt of an alliance gathering and marching to Wolfshade and sacking Alpha Xavier, led by me of course. The next few days went by and I kept looking for an opportunity to see Aria again but nothing came of it. Was she regretting her actions and has decided never to speak to me again? I deliberately sought her out but she seemed to always find a way to evade me. I gave up after the third day
ALPHA DARIO POV "That was incredible." Aria said breathlessly. "You are quite a strong male. I'd love to ride you every moment of every day." She snuggled close to me, with her thigh resting on my member while she used her nails to caress my nipple."There's more where that came from." I bragged. Truth be told, I never thought I'd ever be lucky to have Aria share my bed."I like that energy, you'll need it for what is coming." She slyly traced her hand down to my member and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We have a problem though.""Problem?" I tilted her head, so I could look into her eyes. "What's the nature of this problem?""I heard you say you, Emrys and Xavier used to be friends, was that true?" She asked and I couldn't imagine what she was getting at."Yes, Emrys and Xavier were closer, Emrys had Lunaria, I had Thornridge while Xavier had nothing. Even though he and Emrys were close, I didn't really start becoming close to him until he deposed Alpha Damian, the former leader of Wol
ISABEL POV I woke up the next morning, feeling stronger but with no proper recollection of what had happened. I could only remember leaving Verin and feeling sad that Alpha Xavier has been sleeping with her. The remainder of my day had been vague. A knock on the door brought me back to reality, Alpha Xavier was nowhere to be found. "Come." I said a bit louder, only then did I realize that I was very weak."Hi Isabel." Livia put her through the door. I understand why she had to. I waved her to come in, but she hesitated before coming in."Livia, by the gods. I've missed you." I stood up in pain, and only then did I realize I was nude. How did I end up like this? What happened to my clothes?"Don't worry, please have a seat." Livia was on me the moment I winced in pain. "You don't need to worry yourself." She sat beside me and held my hands. "The news outside is that you were attacked by the Blackclaw pack, in the Blackclaw wood.""Yes, I can't even remember how I got there." I sounde
ALPHA XAVIER POVI waited for the ladies to leave before I got back up and sat on the bed beside her but her expression was one that showed that she was scared, regardless of how hard she tried to mask her smell."I know I've been hard on you, but..." I trailed off, "how about we go on a picnic in the garden. The serving girls have prepared all we need."The look on her face was priceless, somehow I was glad that I could trigger such an expression from her. "Thank you Xavier."I gently carried her to the bathroom, took my time to clean her up and had her dress in a very beautiful dress I had the seamstress make for her. "Alpha Xavier, this is beautiful." Her joy was indescribable.I slowly led her out of the castle, where a carriage was waiting for us. Many Wolfshadans smiled and laid flowers as we passed through until we arrived at the spot I had chosen for the picnic. "I think we are here." I quickly got out and helped her climb down the carriage.Under the sprawling branches of anc
ISABEL POVThe rest of the day was blissful as the servants came and rolled everything away while Alpha Xavier led me to the carriage that had been waiting for me. As the carriage left the garden, I turned to Alpha Xavier, hoping to stretch the moment but what I saw shocked me.He seemed distant, as we got Tarrenhall, his expression darkened, it became even worse as we got closer to the Castle of Serenity. I felt a familiar knot in the pit of my stomach that suggested he was not in the mood to entertain any conversation.Sensing his mood, I kept to myself for the rest of the day. "Hi Kira, do you have a minute?" I saw walking to her room and rushed to her."I'll always have a minute for you." She smiled warmly at me. "What can I do for you?" "Well, I'd want to borrow that head of yours." I moved past her and headed to her room."Well, I'd give you a good head if you can withstand it." She said slyly but I didn't notice the sexual innuendos ladened in her words.I blushed when I final
ISABEL POVI felt excited that I was finally able to get through to Alpha Xavier, and our conversation did not drift away from the subject or even turn to an argument. Like Kira said, not being able to have hard and difficult conversations were what I feared had made him build a wall.As I got back on foot and turned to head for the door, he held my hand. "We have been talking about me, how about we talk about you for a bit." The coldness of his voice suggested that something was up. "Okay, what would you want to talk about?" I couldn't tell for sure but I felt the atmosphere in the room change. "Please sit down." He gestured to the empty chair close to him, he waited until I was seated before turning his chair to face me."Is this an interrogation?" I asked softly before catching myself. "No, are you scared?" He leaned forward and asked softly. I started to shake my head that I was not afraid, "Yes Xavier," I nodded my head, deciding to own up to it and accept that I was scared. I
ALPHA XAVIER POV "So you think you can usurp my authority and take Wolfshade from under me. You have greatly underestimated me." Alpha Damian said as blood spat blood out of his mouth.I leaned forward and turned my ear to face him. "Do you hear that?""Hear what?" He bragged."The silence." He rolled his eyes at me. "It's a testament that you are about to meet your end. Now you answer me this Damian, are you ready to meet your Maker?" "Are you, boy?" He snarled. "I always knew you were ambitious, it's a good thing you lost your girl. What's her name again.." he trailed off and a smirk appeared on his lips. My mouth suddenly felt dry. "Don't do it X, he's baiting you." I heard Valerian whisper."She died screaming your name and promising herself to me. She even promised to serve me in perpetuity, I spared her life." He snarled at me. "What is the problem boy? Have you lost your voice?""You are lying," I said with great effort, trying really hard to keep my voice leveled. "You were
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