The Alpha’s Feisty Mate
Chapter 17: Grief and change

Alpha Drake POV

I watched Declan physically Pry Isabella from her deceased father’s body. She was a sobbing mess, and my heart broke for her. Seeing her so vulnerable was hard. She’s always so strong.

So many emotions swirled in those gorgeous eyes of hers, anger and pain being at the top of the list.

I knew what she wanted. She wanted revenge. Knowing how headstrong she was, that’s the only thing she will think about until Derek is dead.

She still does know that she was the main target of the attack. I sighed to myself.

I needed to have that discussion with her. I was a little nervous about it. I’d come to understand over the last week what makes that pretty little head of hers tick. She’s a natural leader. She was born to protect and take care of her people.

I knew exactly what she would think when I told her the truth. That all those deaths could have been avoided if she had surrendered herself to the rogues. Maybe she could have saved her father if she had. I would never let her surrender herself to those rogues. That’s ridiculous. Maybe I should hold off telling her for a while. She’s already grieving the loss of her father. I don’t want her doing anything rash.

The other discussion I needed to have with her made me cringe even more. I needed to return to my pack territory in a few days after Declan was sworn in as the new Alpha, and the pack had enough reinforcements to protect their borders. The thing is, I made a promise to her father that I would protect her. I couldn’t do that unless I brought her with me.

This was her home, and I knew for a fact she was not going to come willingly. Just the thought of that argument made me internally wince. She would fight me till the bitter end. I just knew it.

Once Declan helped Isabella out of her father’s office, I made my way to my own room.

I mind-linked Erik to meet me in my room, and a few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Erik walked in with a serious expression on his face. It’s weird seeing him serious. He’s always the goofy, carefree guy.

Erik still didn’t know who the rogues were after or what Alpha Blain had said to me in private. I could see the curiosity in his face, but he said nothing. That’s what I like about Erik, he knows that if I wanted to tell him, I would, and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t.

I trust Erik with my life, and I think his knowledge would be beneficial to me. Plus, maybe he’ll have some tips and tricks on how to break it all to Isabella.

Well, today was a bit of a s**t show.” I started off the conversation with a huff.

“Ya, tell me about it. That wasn’t a normal rogue attack. They usually don’t work together like that.” He replied while deep in thought.

“No, it wasn’t. The rogues have formed their own pack with a leader. Derek had bragged about it to Alpha Blain after he stabbed him.” I informed him.

“Derek also confirmed that his new rogue leader wants Isabella as his mate. She was the main target for the attack.” I continued as my jaw clenched at the thought of someone else wanted to claim my mate. I watched Erik’s shocked face process the news. He remained silent and was just listening to what I was saying.

“Alpha Blain told me before he died that Isabella and Declan are descendants of the royal bloodline. Their mother was the princess of the royal kingdom and was the only survivor when the kingdom was attacked years ago. Alpha Blain kept this a secret from everyone, including his children, knowing it would put a target on their backs if others knew. He made me promise to protect her. That was his dying wish.” I said while rubbing both my hands over my face in frustration.

“Oh s**t, how are you going to do that? Don’t we have to head back to our territory?” Erik asked in a confused tone.

“Yup, we sure do. We’re going to have to bring her with us.” I said and watched his face turn to a grimace.

“Ummm, boss? How? There’s no way she’s going to agree to that, and we both know how feisty that little thing can be.” He said with a nervous chuckle.

“Trust me, I know, but she will be safer in our pack. We are bigger and have more warriors to protect her. Now, if only I could get that into her thick skull.” I said while shaking my head at the thought.

“I’ll have a meeting with Declan once he’s sworn in and discuss this with him. Hopefully, he will understand and help us convince her. He’s going to have his hands full as it is. Being a new Alpha, this would be best for his pack.” I said.

“I hear you, boss. I got your back. Whatever you decide, just let me know, and I’ll help.” Erik replied and patted me on the shoulder.

“Thanks, Erik, means a lot. I’ll give her the next few days before I pour any gasoline on that fire.” I said with a dry chuckle.

“One more thing, boss,” Erik said seriously before continuing.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but is she your fated mate?” He asked, but the look on his face said he already knew the answer.

I didn’t reply, just stared at him, knowing that my lack of denial was an answer on its own. Erik nodded and walked out of my room, shutting the door behind him.

After Erik left my room, I had a shower and threw on some loose black shorts before climbing into bed. I had so many thoughts going through my mind it was hard to fall asleep.

I just kept picturing Isabella sobbing for the loss of her father. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.

The next morning I woke up feeling tired, sleep did not come easy, and I tossed and turned most of the night, wondering how Isabella was holding up.

As much as I don’t want a mate, I’m starting to replace it harder and harder not to think about her. I know that’s only going to get worse when she’s living on my territory.

Honestly, even when she replaces out on her birthday that I’m her mate, I’m not sure she wants me anyway. I guess I’m going to replace out since she’ll be living in my packhouse. So much for the idea of avoiding her for the rest of my life. I sigh.

The training was canceled today. It was going to be a day for the pack to mourn the loss of their Alpha. Alpha Blain would be buried later in the day.

Tomorrow would be the ceremony for Declan to officially be named the new Alpha. I figured I would wait for that to happen before I chatted with him about his sister.

I figured it would be easier if I told him his father’s secret. I mean, it’s not really a secret anymore since the rogues knew and also made it clear that not only was Isabella a target, but so was Declan. They wanted him dead after all. It was only fair that I warn him about that fact. That way he could actually prepare himself incase of an attack.

The morning went by fast. I didn’t see Isabella at all. I even walked around the packhouse and garden area, hoping I would run into her. It was driving both my wolf and I crazy, knowing she was sad and we weren’t there to comfort her. I would go and knock on her bedroom door, but honestly, I think seeing me might just cause her more heartache, so I decided against it.

Later in the afternoon, a funeral was held for Alpha Blain. It was a somber atmosphere. I could see it clear as day how much the pack members loved and respected him. There were a lot of tears shed, and sorrow filled the room.

Isabella stood by her brother at the front of the hall. She was wearing a knee-length tight fitted black dress with long lace sleeves. Her face was flush and her eyes puffy, making it clear she had been crying. It took everything in me not to go to her and comfort her.

Once the burial was finished, everyone headed back into the packhouse. Some went to the bar next to the dining hall to have a drink in memory of their deceased Alpha, and others returned to their homes.

I watched Clair help Isabella walk up the stairs towards her room. Isabella was still sobbing and had her face buried in Clair’s shoulder while Clair comforted her and guided her toward her room.

Oh, how I wanted to be the one who was comforting her right now.

I decided to head back to my room. I poured myself a glass of Scotch and sat on the couch in silence with nothing but my thoughts.

The following morning, I woke up early and headed to the training grounds with Erik.

All of the warriors were back to their schedule, but Isabella was nowhere to be seen.

Declan was at the front, looking tired and still mourning the loss of his father. I could tell he was doing his best to put on a strong face for his pack.

I sparred with a couple of the warriors, but I really wasn’t in it today. Lots had happened, and the atmosphere was heavy.

This afternoon Declan would be officially announced to the pack as the Alpha. Once that was done, I would need to have a chat with him about everything.

I planned on giving Isabella a day to pack her belongings and say her goodbyes before we traveled back to my territory.

After training, I went back to my room to take a shower. I got dressed in a pair of black slacks and a navy blue button-up dress shirt.

I made my way down to the hall where the Alpha ceremony would take place.

The room was already filled and on the stage stood one of the elders who would lead the ceremony.

I saw Isabella standing by Clair off to the side. She wasn’t crying anymore, but I could see the pain in her eyes. I know she’s proud of her brother for taking on the role of Alpha, but it has to be hard knowing it’s because her father is no longer with her.

Once everyone arrived. The ceremony began. I watched Declan climb the stage and join the Elder.

Declan pledged his loyalty to the pack and was announced as the new Alpha of the B***d Moon Pack. Everyone cheered, and each member took their turn going on stage to join Declan and pledged their loyalty to him as the new Alpha.

Once the ceremony was done, I congratulated Declan and asked if we could have a meeting later in the day. He agreed, and we set a time after dinner to meet in his father’s old office, now his office.

The afternoon went by quickly. Erik and I had dinner in the hall before it was time to meet with Alpha Declan and discuss everything.

I made my way to his office and found the door open. He was already in there seated behind the desk.

I entered the office and greeted him with a nod before sitting in a chair across from him. I could see the curiosity in his eyes. He was probably wondering what his father told me in private.

“Alpha Declan, I have a few things I would like to discuss with you,” I told him before continuing.

“I have to head back to my pack territory in a day. I’ve been gone long enough. I’ll send some of my warriors to help protect your pack in my absence.”

“Thank you, Alpha Drake.” He said with a nod.

“I’m going to be completely honest with you since I think you have the right to know. Your father had been keeping a secret from you and Isabella that now affects the both of you.” I told him, and he didn’t say anything, just waited for me to continue.

“When I spoke to your father in private, he told me that your mother was the princess of the royal kingdom. The kingdom was attacked before you were born, killing everyone. Your mother survived, but no one knew, except for your father, or at least that’s what he thought. He kept it a secret, knowing that if your heritage was ever revealed, it would put a target on both your backs.” I told him and watched all the emotions swirling in his eyes, confusion, anger, shock, and so many more.

I took a minute to let him process everything before I continued. “Because you have royal b***d running through your veins, you’re stronger and more powerful than other Alpha’s. Some will see that as a threat and want to eliminate you, and as for Isabella, well, other Alpha’s will want to mate with her, guaranteeing them a strong heir for the pack.” I told him honestly.

“Derek revealed to your father after he stabbed him that Isabella was the target of the rogue attacks. The rogue Alpha wants her as his mate. They tried to kidnap her.” The concern was clear on Alpha Declan’s face when I was done speaking.

“So, you are saying they want my sister to breed, and they want me dead? My father kept all this from me?” He asked while looking shocked and betrayed.

“Your father would have done anything to protect you two. He did what he felt was right to keep you safe. He thought no one knew his secret.” I told him before continuing.

“He also asked me to protect and keep Isabella safe. It was his dying wish.” I said and watched his face turn to confusion.

“My sister is safe here with me.” He said pointedly, looking insulted.

“I know you would do anything for your sister, but you already have a target on your back. These rogues aren’t just going to walk away. There will be more attacks. My pack is bigger. She would be safer there.” I paused and continued.

“Your father made me promise, and I will keep my promise. I will keep her safe. You have my word.” I told him with sincerity in my words.

“Well, even if I agree to this, good luck convincing Isabella.” He chuckled dryly.

“Ya, I’m aware of that. I was hoping you could help me.” I said and watched as he thought about it.

“Well, honestly, as much as I don’t want her to go, I have to admit, I do think she will be safer in your territory, further away from those rogues. Plus, now that I just took over the Alpha role, there will be an adjustment period, and I’m not sure if I can keep a close enough eye on her while adjusting.” He said honestly and continued.

“She’s going to hate me. You know that, right? She won’t go willingly.” He said while shaking his head.

“I know.” I sighed.

“Well, I’ll talk with Clair. I think if Clair goes with you guys for a while, until Isabella settles, maybe it won’t be as much of a shock to her.” He said, and I couldn’t help but agree. That’s a good idea.

“Well, tomorrow, maybe we can meet with her together and try and talk some sense into her,” I said.

“Ya, let’s do it in the morning, so she has time to process it and pack.” He replied while rubbing his face with his hands in clear frustration.

I left his office feeling tired. Tomorrow was going to be tough.