ISABEL POV The camp broke quite early and everyone sensing Alpha Xavier's mood decided to tread cautiously. Alpha Xavier and Valerian rode on either side of me and no one said anything. Which placed everyone on the edge. Dried meat and bread was shared around midday but everyone ate on their mount. Valerian slowed the pace to a slow trot to allow everyone to eat.Soon the soldiers gave up and started singing as we approached Wolfshade, I guess it was impossible to have ridden all day in silence.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.In moonlit nights, their bond unfolds,Silent whispers, tales of old,Through challenges, their hearts remain,A love enduring, free from stain.Upon the hills, where shadows dance,They find in each other, sweet romance,With every sunrise, love's flame's sustained,In the Alpha's embrace, forever chained.The song made sense, it was the song the child had sung
ALPHA XAVIER POVBinding her and leaving her powerless gave me a new feeling. I felt the urge to take her there and then but how could I do that? I was surprised that my wolf was not as surprised as I would have expected. If anything, I missed her and had been looking forward to seeing her and bedding her especially since leaving Rosevale.These are serious issues, what if she's a spy? I tried to flash back to the moment when I first made a demand for her, did her father really refuse or was it all an act? Has she been feeding her father information about Wolfshade? I had questions, lots of them that needed answers yesterday.It is no secret that every kingdom has spies in every other kingdom, so who are Thornridgen spies here in Wolfshade? It was common practice to pretend not to know the spies of other other kingdoms in your country, so long as they don't undermine you. But is that a chance I want to take?I stopped listening to her at some point and just pretended that I was but th
ISABEL POVAlpha Xavier entered the room just when I was about to give over, Theodrin was even more wicked than I thought. I was more surprised that I had held on and had given nothing out. Including her secrets about Dyelin and Marita, I can't deny the fact that I wasn't tempted to be a smart idiot.As Alpha Xavier quickly unfastened the restraints on my hands and feet, I blew her a kiss and winked at her. No matter what she thought, I've won this battle, we shall meet again. As Alpha Xavier held me, I cleaved to him like my life depended on it. I maintained my stare, looking at Theodrin who wore a defeated and dejected look. "Thank you for coming." I said softly as he carried me through a string of connecting doors to our bedchamber.He gently laid me on the bed and inspected my body again, just to be certain that I was unhurt. "She didn't hurt me if that's what you are looking for." I saw the surprise in his eyes and smiled. "Yes, she didn't hurt me, she used some rather very unor
ISABEL POV Alpha Xavier looked like a child who had just been told he had lost his father. Valerian didn't say much and left, but Xavier looked on like he was looking at something, so fixated that I had to glance at the direction of his sight to see if he was seeing something that I couldn't see.I sat down with him on the bed and held his hand but we remained there. I couldn't tell what was going on through his mind but I didn't want to find out either. I suspected he'd snap at me and transfer the aggression to me. I may not have known who this Alpha Emrys was, but he was obviously very important to Xavier and my father had killed him. How was I to justify that? There was no justification for his actions. From what I understood from the reports, my father, Alpha Dario had gone to Lunaria to seek help to take down Alpha Xavier, and was successful in forming an alliance against Wolfshade that was insured by Lunaria who had a non alignment policy. He then decided to bed the wife of h
ALPHA XAVIER POV Isabel has turned out to be just the lady I wanted her to be. She understands my needs and desires and is not ashamed to meet them. Making love to her has become something I look forward to every day. It was like our minds were connected and we sought creative ways to achieve greater heights of pleasure.Cuddled up to her after an intense sex, I knew I'd love her forever. "I'm glad you are beginning to realize that people are who they want you to see them as. I can understand that he is your father and so, I can tolerate your bias.""Tolerate huh?" She gently squeezed my member but I refused to give her the pleasure of dancing to her tune."I'd be biased too, if my father was in the same situation." I kissed her and snuggled closer to her.I could anticipate her next question but I have not decided what to do about it. "What happens now to my father, Alpha Dario?""What do you want to happen to him?" She turned to face me, so she could look me in the eyes."Now you a
ISABEL POVI woke up the next day excited but Alpha Xavier was not in the bed with me. I had half expected him to eat me out while I was still sleeping. I've always thought about that ever since he used his tongue on me but it has not happened again."Wakey wakey" I heard just as I was just as I was stretching, the door opened and Alpha Xavier walked in carrying a tray that had steam oozing out of it, and smelled so pleasant that my stomach grumbled in excitement."I figured I should start making up for my ill thought action yesterday." He gently placed the tray on a table and had me adjust to a sitting position before he dropped the tray on my lap."You know Xavier, I could get used to this." I smiled as I closed my eyes and moved my head from side to side, to allow the aroma to fill my nostrils."Well, I am a terrible cook. But I did stand and ensure that the cook gave it their best. Oh, Livia, your friend suggested one of the recipes." He sat there, trying to mask his expression."
ALPHA XAVIER POVIsabel and Valerian and their delegation arrived during the darkest hour of the night. I had expected them to be attacked but Balecheya, like every other member of the alliance against me where lily livered and would not move against me, if it had not been that the force asking them to do it was as strong as me."Isabel, I see you are unhurt." I said the moment she walked through the castle of serenity, along with Thalia and Shira who were obviously having a good time in each other's company."Were you expecting something to happen?" She asked nonchalantly. Foolish girl, she doesn't know the amount of enemies that would rather take Wolfshade from us."No, I'm just excited that you are back." I pretended to yearn. "I've been up for a while now, I'd love to catch some rest." Which in itself was not a lie, but I didn't want to listen to whatever she and her dad had spoken of for now.Early the next morning, Isabel decided to return the favor and this time, she brought me
ALPHA XAVIER POV With the recent happenings, it was difficult trying to figure out my world. The death of Alpha Emrys was a lot to take in. Isabel's assertions yesterday did prove my suspicions to be true. Aria had a hand in the death of Emrys, that was the only reason Dario has that kind of influence amongst the royal guard.There were even more serious issues at hand here in Wolfshade. The separate eyes and ears of Valerian and I had similar reports, yet Dyelin's reports were always different which was at most quite unsettling. She is the flaming Mistress of Spy, and is supposed to have superior reports. "What troubles you my love?" Isabel startled me, breaking into my thoughts. I turned and found her looking worriedly at me. "It's nothing love. A lot is happening at the same time and it's becoming quite worrisome." She tilted her head at an angle and looked at me. "Yes, I think Queen Aria means to really sponsor this alliance, and we'd be lucky if we are not invaded.”"But why?
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