Chapter 38: Chapter 38

“How could you miss such a golden opportunity? That was our only chance!... Now tell me, how do we get her to leave the Pride pack again?” Ignacio indignantly accused the stranger sitting on a broken down chair in front of him.

They were currently in an abandoned house located within the human territory. It was a safe hide out for the rogues, as the humans didn’t possess the same qualities as the werewolves. They could easily move around the area and go about their daily business without the fear that their scent would give them away.

“I’ll get Isabel one way or the other.” The stranger said with a determined gaze.

“If you couldn’t get it right this time, what makes you think you’re worth another shot?” Ignacio scoffed at the stranger’s wishful thinking.

The stranger angered by Ignacio’s mockery pushed him hard against the wall, his palm pressed against Ignacio’s throat while his claws dug deep into his neck.

“Watch your tongue old fool, or this will be your last breath.” He threatened Ignacio, his thick, dark eyebrows and red orbs were far more menacing than his words but that didn’t stop his his choking victim from using the little strength he could muster in trying to dislodge him.

All of Ignacio’s efforts were futile, as he could already feel his oesophagus closing. Fortunately for him, his attacker let go of his neck before he could pass out.

“Let this be the only time you disrespect me… You know quite well whose blood runs through my veins.”

The stranger brought out a handkerchief from the pocket of his pants, to wipe his blood stained fingers.

“You should also remember that you stand here this very day because of me.” Ignacio countered, still gasping for air.

“That’s the reason I spared your life this time… But let me make this clear to you, I don’t return favors. So, there will not be a second time.”

Ignacio doesn’t doubt the words of the vicious male werewolf standing before him, but before he treats him like trash like the rest of them, he would use him to get back at that good for nothing mate of Isabel.

“I think it’s time for a family reunion.” The stranger concluded with an evil smirk.

“Are you feeling okay?” Isabel was concerned about her mate, who was finding it hard to get out of bed.

When she had returned to their bedroom last night, she found Dylan curled up in bed with the blanket over him. He complained about catching a cold, but brushed it aside as soon as she suggested they head to the pack hospital. He concluded that it must’ve been the ice cream he had earlier, but ended up snuggling up to her at midnight. Isabel immediately regretted giving in to his silly excuse when she instinctively wrapped her arms around him and discovered he was running a temperature.

Which brings them to this morning. Dylan has refused to get out of bed and Isabel doesn’t want to leave him in the house all by himself.

“Don’t pay any attention to me, I’ll be fine… Go on, David is eager to see his idol again.” Dylan encouraged his mate.

Isabel was to go over to her parents place after breakfast, to brief her dad on what transpired in the Greenwood pack, but her mate’s present condition was holding her back.

“You’re a mess. I can’t just leave you like this.” She replied, throwing the blanket to the side, exposing her half naked mate, who was sweating profusely.

“C’mon. Get up… I’ll run you a bath.” Isabel rolled up her sleeves, ready to carry Dylan out of bed herself if it came to that.

“I said I’m fine!” Dylan’s eyes turned yellow as he spoke with indignation.

Isabel’s wolf also surfaced, to remind her mate of whom he was speaking to, and get him back in line.

On seeing Isabel’s yellow orbs blazing with fury, Dylan’s wolf whimpered in fear, and suddenly went quiet.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea why I did that.” He apologized without the slightest hesitation, his head low in submission.

He didn’t know what came over him and why his wolf reacted that way towards its alpha mate, but one thing he was sure of was that he was filled with anger the moment the cold air hit his skin. His insides were on fire and at the same time he was freezing.

What is happening to him?

Isabel closed her eyes to suppress her wolf. Something was obviously wrong with her mate, but she doesn’t think he understands what it is. Letting her wolf be in control wasn’t going to solve anything. It would only end up beating up her mate for being disrespectful, and that isn’t the proper way to go about a situation of this sort.

“I shouldn’t be pressuring you to do what you don’t want to… I’ll have Ingrid make something warm for breakfast.” She quietly covered up her mate’s body with the blanket, and was about to make her way to the door, but Dylan’s firm hold of her wrist stopped her.

“I didn’t mean to yell.” He said in a calm and apologetic voice, hoping Isabel wouldn’t hold his unintended mistake against him.

“I know.” she pressed her lips against his forehead as a way of assuring her mate that she was fine.

A light knock on the bedroom door caught their attention and in a matter of seconds the door opened, a timid David walked into the room.

“Hey, kiddo” Dylan gave a warm smile, stretching out his hand and gestured for his little brother to join him on the bed.

“He’ll get infected with whatever it is you have.” Isabel immediately countered, stopping David mid way.

“Don’t be like this, Isabel. I feel much better now.”

For some unknown reason, Dylan no longer felt like hell. The burning sensation from within, and the cold was completely gone, making him wonder if his sudden discomfort had something to do with his wolf.

Isabel let out a heavy sigh, not in the mood to stress the matter longer than it already is.

“Fine… I’ll leave you two alone, then.”

“Alpha, are we still going to visit uncle Rodrigo?” David’s adorable and curious voice asked Isabel, who was drawing the curtains open, to allow the free flow of air and sunlight.

“Uncle Rodrigo, huh?... What great advantage you have, kiddo, unlike some of us.” Dylan teased his little brother, winking at him. His action caused David to burst into laughter.

“You’re just jealous cos I get along with everyone.” David said between laughs.

“Ouch! That hurts.” Dylan clutched his chest, feigning hurt.

Isabel rolled her eyes at her mate’s immature behavior. His childish behavior makes her sometimes doubt his strength.

“Stop tickling!” David’s high pitched laughs brought her out from her thoughts.

She’ll never understand how boys found fun in every single thing, Isabel thought to herself as she quietly left the happy pair to play to their hearts content because they were soon going to be separated.

Rodrigo and his mate were an watching animated cartoon with their daughter, Teresa when Isabel arrived with David.

“Isabel, honey. Are you okay? Were you hurt?” Isabel’s worried mother crushed her in a tight hug, bombarding her with questions before she could even say a word of greeting to them.

“ You got me worried when I heard that you were going to fight some rogues. I couldn’t sleep a wink. Thank goodness you’re back.” Her mom said into the hug.

“I’m fine, mom. As you can see.”

“You don’t always have to be strong, honey. Tell me.. are you weak?, I can make some healing soup right away.”

Paulina never liked the fact that her daughter had such a burdensome destiny, but who was to be blamed for it? No one but her.

She was blessed by the moon goddess with an alpha for a mate, but as a useless omega, her weak nature couldn’t make her bear a son. She cried herself to sleep most nights, cursing her wolf for being unable to make her mate truly happy. And although, Rodrigo assured her each time she felt unhappy that they didn’t need a son to be happy, she hasn’t stopped blaming herself for their misfortune.

“Mom, I’m not weak, and… You should save your worries for Teresa.” Isabel advised her overdramatic mother, who was already on the verge of tears.

“I get it, I get it. I won’t bother you anymore.” Her mom got her message quite clear.

She hates it when people worry about her because it makes her feel weak and incapable.

“And who’s this cute little boy?” Paulina asked as soon as her eyes landed on the child standing beside Isabel.

David was quiet all through Paulina’s emotional outburst. He was still awestruck by the former alpha, even though he played football with him the previous day. He still found it hard to believe that he was standing before the past and present alphas of the Pride pack.

“David, say hello to my mom and dad.” Isabel encouraged the pup, guiding him towards her parents.

“David. What a cute name for a cute boy.” Her mom cooed, squatting in front of David.

“Hello” he greeted the older werewolves in a soft voice, warming Paulina’s heart.

“Come here, darling.” she opened her arms wide and David shyly embraced her.

“Mom, dad. This is Dylan’s younger brother.” Isabel formally introduced the newest, but temporary member of the family.

“I could tell he looked familiar.” Her mom confirmed, smothering the child’s face with kisses.

The sight of her mom getting overcome with emotions just from having a male pup in their home made her wonder how much her mom must’ve suffered over the years. She stole a glance at her dad, who was carrying Teresa in his arms, and noticed he had a faint smile on his face while he watched his mate having a cheerful conversation with the young werewolf. She crossed over to her dad’s side and placed a kiss on her sister’s forehead, then she whispered to her dad,

“Can we talk in private?” As she didn’t want to ruin the moment or alarm her mom.

The older werewolf nodded in reply and handed Teresa over to his mate whose attention he had called through mind link.

Paulina was beyond happy to have a full house. To make her joy complete, Isabel before following her dad to his study told her through mind link to prepare a room for David because he was going to be under their care for the time being.