ISABEL POV I decided to head back to the Castle of Serenity, my meeting with Eira, if anything, only made it more obvious that I have been boxed to a corner. The last thing I wanted was to have Alpha Xavier, the love of my life and Alpha Dario, my only remaining family, have a go at each other."What can we do for you?" I heard a beautiful voice that broke through to me. I came back to myself and couldn't figure out where I was."I'm sorry, where is this place?" The girl simply stared at me with a smile playing on her face."I understand what you need, we usually don't have gigolos. Perhaps, a happy ending massage with one of our skilled masseurs will have you leaping for joy." She said but none of what she had said made any sense to me. I confess I am not very experienced in the act of pleasure."Don't worry Solina, I'm not sure she understood anything you just said." I heard a familiar voice and turned to find Verin standing a bit off and watching me with cat-like eyes."Verin, I c
ALPHA DARIO POVThe knock on the door woke me up with a startle. "Come." I tried to seat up and be ready for whoever was coming in. In the last couple of days, Aria has changed all the guards who were loyal to Alpha Emrys, posting them to the outlying towns and villages. The most loyal, she posted to the border town, very far from the city. It would take a week on a fast horse to get to the capital.She had demanded that guards and the council retake their oaths, but a different one which was to the crown and Lunaria and not to Alpha Emrys. "I'm sorry for disturbing you." She said confidently as she strode into the room. "Seeing your hairy chest almost makes me want to place my hand on your chest and ride that weapon of yours.""I live to serve you, Aira." I held her palms, they were soft and tender, and brought them to my face while I swung my legs to sit on the edge of the bed. She looked down at and pulled me close, such that my head was resting on her stomach. "Something is bother
ISABEL POV "Hey Marita, have you seen Alpha Xavier?" I forced myself to maintain a stoic expression. I could still visualize her on her knees, begging to be molested by Theodrin."I don't understand." She smiled mischievously."I'm sorry, but you've lost me." I couldn't understand if she meant it or if she was kidding."Oh, are you lost? Let me say it in words you can understand." She moved closer, practically invading my personal space. "You don't get to bang him and expect me to keep tags on his whereabouts.""Marita!" I was quite taken by the words coming out of her mouth."He's off on a business trip." She strode off swaying her hips like Theodrin. "Stupid girl." Did Theodrin give her a piece of herself. I watched her disbelievingly. I had heard Theodrin give her and Dyelin their charge. As far as I'm concerned, the whole of Wolfshade thinks my father is guilty. But, I don't have to standby and allow them to continue in error. "What's eating you up, I've been watching you since.
ALPHA XAVIER POV The trip to Rosevale was important, I needed to make an economic and a military alliance. Rosevale is a mysterious country, although they are small in land mass, they have the highest number of cities that a single country could possibly have. They are hospitable and open to all, their towns quickly metamorphosed into a city at a faster rate. I had come to understand that having a large population meant that you become the darling of all nations. People usually want to get into trade deals with you, while Wolfshade and Lunaria could boast of having powerful military and being self-sufficient. Rosevale prides themselves of being the richest. "We can not deny the fact that Wolfshade and Lunaria are powerful nations, but we are also unique in our own way." Alpha Hector, the leader of Rosevale said."Yes, I understand that you don't need us. But times are changing, perhaps, we could come to some sort of arrangement and strike a deal if it favors both parties." I said s
ALPHA XAVIER POV It was much later in the evening, after we had checked into the Mist Blessing Inn, that I came back out to the common room of the Inn to find Valerian dancing with a girl. The atmosphere seemed warm and lively, but I was not in the mood for any of that."I was wondering when you'd get out of your room." Valerian came to me with his dance partner. "This is Shira, my dance partner. She's been showing me some unique dance steps here in Mistwood.""Oh, is she now?" I raised my eyebrow at Valerian and that dampened his mood. What is wrong with me, I didn't want that. "I'm sorry Val, enjoy your dance. I'll just have an evening walk." I said quickly and left.I was just about to enter the woods when Valerian caught up with me. "Wait up Xavier, what is going on?" "Nothing, I'm just trying not to get emotional." He rolled his eyes at me and I knew this was going to be a long night filled with interviews that would seem like interrogation."Emotional?" He repeated and I nodde
ALPHA XAVIER POV The trip from Azurevale and Mistwood was quite eventful, especially with Shira sharing some of her cultures, traditions and customs that would be described as interesting. I didn't know such cultures existed and felt many people south of this part would consider their tradition too lewd.My girls led by Marita, Dyelin and a few other officials gathered at the entrance of the castle of serenity to welcome me when we arrived at Wolfshade, amidst sounds of joy and happiness. Some grains had arrived at Wolfshade already before me. I had struck some other deals with a few other kingdoms before proceeding to Rosevale. So I was not surprised by the level of welcome that greeted us. I did a quick scan of everyone gathered and found out Isabel is not there."Wolfshade welcomes you back, Alpha Xavier. The peace has been kept and fruits of the success of your travels had arrived long before you got here!" Dyelin intoned in a loud voice. She's usually in charge when Valerian an
ALPHA XAVIER POV The group was already assembled by morning before I was roused from bed. Valerian wanted just twenty trackers but many had come when they heard Isabel was missing. Wolfshadans have fallen in love with her."Good Morning fellas. My wife Isabel is missing. I don't know how long she's been gone but we intend to find her." I had Marita pass around a few of her clothes since most of them were werewolves. "Find her and don't engage if the enemy is too strong. If you can't find her after three days of searching, set a course to return home by sunrise on the fourth day.""Yes Alpha!!!" They choursed and Valerian went about giving out further instructions and grouping the team."Dyelin, you must hold the fort again, I'll be back soon." Dyelin simply nodded although with an expression I couldn't quite understand."I will advise that you don't go out on this search Xavier, we have the best trackers in the whole universe. You are needed here, here in Wolfshade." Valerian advised
ISABEL POVI sneaked out of Wolfshade and took a route that would not lead me straight to Thornridge. This was a sacrifice I had to make to avoid bloodshed between the two most important male in my life. It was easy for me to sneak out and avoid being caught. I had taken time to figure out where all the border guards were and tried to avoid Luc and Samon as much as possible. "This is going to be very difficult, remember what happened the last time you tried to leave Wolfshade." Livia had reminded, since her boarding house was at the outskirt of the city."I know Livia, but this is something I have to do. I have to try at least, even if I get caught in the process. It's better than just sitting down and doing nothing." I said pleadingly. "You just have to be careful, now that things are going so well with Alpha Xavier, I'd hate to see you spoil all of that." Livia cautioned again."I know, I'll be careful." She hugged me and I left, in the middle of the night on foot. I had decided t
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