Chapter 42: Chapter 42

“How could you?!” Paulina screamed at her mate, taking backward steps as she didn’t want to be anywhere near him.

They were currently at the backyard of their house, arguing.

“How could you do this to me?!”

“Honey, I’m sorry… I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me? Protect me, you say… You made a complete fool out of me, Rodrigo!”

Hearing his mate say those words hurt Rodrigo and his wolf deeply. He never intended to hurt Paulina. He just didn’t want her finding out about the result of his mistake because that would’ve hurt her even more than the fact that he had a relationship with another female werewolf before her, and he sure would’ve lost her forever.

“You were hurting at the time, and I didn’t want to cause you more pain.” He tried to explain.

“It doesn’t matter!”

No excuse can make up for the secret he kept from her.

All these years, her mate had been deceiving her and she was gullible enough to believe him. How stupid he must’ve thought she was.

“Aarghhh!” She screamed, letting out her pain and frustration.

The physical pain she was having at the moment as a result of the injuries inflicted on her by Rodrigo’s son was nothing compared to the emotional pain she was presently experiencing.

“Don’t touch me!” She flinched away when Rodrigo tried to reach for her hand.

“I can’t believe it! You used me!”

“That’s not true!” Rodrigo countered, as he was finding it hard to explain to his mate that he knew about his son’s existence only a few years back, after he had tried to kill him. Either way, he would still be the bad guy in all of this.

“Then what is?!... I may be weak and fragile, Rodrigo, but I’m not an idiot… You never for once complained about us not having a male child because you already had one. Gosh! What a fool I was to think I had the perfect mate.”

“He was supposed to be dead!” Rodrigo blurted out angrily before he could stop himself.

“What?!” Paulina exclaimed, not understanding a word her mate said.

“I asked Ignacio to get rid of him when he was born, but he didn’t. He fooled me into believing that he was dead, not until the controversy about the alpha position came up.” He bluntly confessed, not caring what his mate would think of him.

After all this time, his efforts to hide the secret from his mate has ended up blowing up in his face.

“You wanted your own son dead?”

“Yes. He never should’ve been born!”

“Are you even listening to yourself?”

“Tell me, Paulina, what was I supposed to do in a situation like that?”

“You should’ve acknowledged him.”

“And then what? Lose you?... He would’ve tainted my reputation!”

“You already tainted your reputation, Rodrigo.” Paulina stated, reminding her mate that he was already the topic of discussion in the pack because of his relationship with Monica, so adding a son into the picture wouldn’t have hurt his reputation more than his affair already did.

“Let me take you to the hospital. You need to see a doctor.” A guilty Rodrigo suddenly said, changing the subject. He concluded within himself that it was hopeless continuing this argument, as he was to blame for every single thing.

“Right now, I don’t wanna be in the same place as you.” Paulina made it clear to her mate through gritted teeth. If she wasn’t considering the kids who were sound asleep, she would’ve gone someplace else to clear her head.

Thinking about the kids, she suddenly recalled that she had called Isabel through mind link when she was attacked by Rodrigo’s son.

‘Oh, no! What if Isabel gets the wrong idea that it’s Rodrigo who’s hurting her?’ Paulina thought to herself as she remembered not being clear to her daughter about who she was referring to.

“What is going on here?” Rodrigo and Paulina were both startled by Isabel’s voice.

On Isabel’s arrival to her parents house, she broke the front door open, completely putting aside manners. Her mom is in trouble and she needs to get to her on time before the unimaginable happens..

How dare that bastard go as far as breaking into her parents house?

If he was asking for his death, why didn’t he just come to her face to face, so she would end his madness once and for all? She thought to herself, as she angrily charged into the living room.

When she found no one there, she rushed towards the dinning area and stopped on reaching there, because she caught a whiff of an unfamiliar scent mixed with that of her mom and dad. This only confirms that indeed there was a stranger in the house. She glanced around the dinning area using her werewolf vision, but there was no one around.

As she was about charging upstairs, to check on the pups, hoping they weren’t hurt by that lunatic who’s supposed to be her brother, her wolf urged her to head towards the direction of the kitchen as the scent of her parents lingered in that direction. Still worried about the kids, but quite certain that her wolf is never wrong, Isabel glanced at the stairs one more time before obeying her wolf.

The moment she approached the kitchen, she heard two familiar voices faintly outside. Isabel swung the back door open, only to find her parents in a heated argument. Her mom looked like a total mess, as her clothes were torn, her eyes were bloodshot from crying. There were dried blood stain on her skin and clothes, and she looked weaker than she naturally was. The sight of her mother in such a terrible state infuriated Isabel and her wolf.

What was her dad doing when his maniac of a son was hurting his mate?

Her wolf was ready to charge at her dad for letting a stranger hurt her mom, seeing how angry she was, but she was able to caution it against making a hasty decision and getting involved because her mom would end up hating her if something bad happens to her mate.

She closed her eyes and controlled her ragged breathing.

“What is going on here?” She eventually asked, as soon as her emotions were in check.

Her parents stared at her in shock, making her wonder why they were this surprised to see her when in actual sense, her mom had called her out for help.

“What did he do to you?” This time, the question was directed at her mom.

Paulina only shook her head, like she was trying to deny a fact that was so obvious. This angered Isabel as she stared daggers at her dad, and didn’t know that she was already walking angrily towards her dad until her mom stopped her midway.

“Isabel, it wasn’t his fault. Your dad would never hurt me.”

Paulina’s small frame stood between the two dominant werewolves. And although Rodrigo looked too confused and embarrassed to fight, Paulina didn’t want Isabel hurting her own father.

“I know that, mama. But, what was he doing when that bastard laid his fingers on you?!” She yelled, frightening but at the same time surprising her mom.

“You knew?”

Paulina’s question made Isabel realize that she took the wrong approach in dealing with this situation.

Why did she let her anger overpower her senses?

How does she get herself out of this mix up? She wondered.

“Answer me, Isabel!” Her mom cried in anger, calling her attention.

“Mama, I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”

“You didn’t mean to, but you did… Both of you must really take me for a fool.”

“I’m sorry, mama… You don’t expect me to be the one breaking such an unpleasant news to you.” Isabel said in defense.

“Right… Tell me, Isabel. What other secrets are you two hiding from me?” Paulina asked in a tired voice, as she could feel the little strength she had left in her grow weak and she didn’t want to blame her daughter for her mate’s mistake.

“Nothing.” Isabel and Rodrigo quickly replied in unison.

“There’s no more secrets, I promise.” Rodrigo assured his mate, taking careful steps towards her.

Paulina looked from Isabel to Rodrigo and back. She could tell from the look in their eyes that they were telling the truth, but she hopes she’s right this time and isn’t being fooled again by their deceitful nature.

Paulina’s knees gave out and she collapsed, but Rodrigo was fast enough to prevent his mate’s body from hitting the ground.

“Be careful, Isabel. He’s after you.” Her mom said in a low mumble before going unconscious.

Even in such a state, her mom was still worried about her. When will she ever stop worrying?

“Move into my place.” Isabel said to her dad, who was already carrying his mate’s unconscious body back into the house.

“That should be the least of your problems right now, Isabel.” Rodrigo replied.

“And why is that?... Because your long lost son finally shows up, so I’m no longer good enough?”

That was Isabel’s feeling of insecurity getting the best of her. She had always wanted her dad to be proud of her as an alpha, but now she has a rival to contend with. She doubts the little she has achieved in the previous years will be recognized by her dad.

Rodrigo didn’t know how to tell his daughter that his illegitimate son wasn’t like any other rogue out there. He was different from the regular rogues because he carries his genes. The dominant gene of an alpha werewolf of the Pride pack.

His daughter was faced with a strong adversary all because of him and he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth because he didn’t want her doubting her strength or her ability in such a crucial time. She is by far one of the best Alphas of the Pride pack and he doesn’t intend to make her feel any less.

“I’m still your father.” He feigned indifference to hide his true emotions.

“And I’m your alpha!” Isabel retorted angrily.

She has gone over the entire process all in her head, and there’s no way she can protect her parents and the pups, as well as her mate all at the same time. She wasn’t that powerful. The only way to ensure their safety and keep a close watch on them was to have them all under the same roof. Her dad’s pride isn’t going to let him accept her decision, so she’s left with no choice but to use her position in this case.

“You guys are moving in, and that’s final.”

Dylan was pacing the living room restlessly, wondering where his mate went off to in such a hurry when suddenly the front door opened, revealing Isabel with Teresa and David sound asleep in her arms.

“What’s going on?” He asked in surprise, rushing to Isabel’s side to assist her in carrying the kids, but she declined.

“Call the pack doctor.” Isabel replied instead, taking the kids upstairs.

“What for?” Dylan couldn’t help but wonder, as Teresa and David looked perfectly fine to him.

Before he could go ahead and ask his mate why he needed to call the pack doctor, Rodrigo walked into the house, carrying an unconscious Paulina in his arms. Without waiting to be told what to do twice, Dylan reached for the telephone and called the pack doctor, asking him to come over. As soon as he ended the call, he closed the front door and ran upstairs to join the others.

By the time he got upstairs, Isabel was closing the door to one of the guest rooms.

“Have you made the call?” She asked, straight faced as she took out her phone from her jean pocket.

“Yes, I have. But can you explain to me what is going on?”

Seeing his mother-in-law extraordinarily pale and unconscious was a serious cause for concern.

How did she end up in that state?

Who was bold enough to hurt Rodrigo’s mate, knowing his reputation?

Isabel opened her mouth to say something, but didn’t have the chance to, as her phone suddenly started ringing.

“What the hell happened at the border?!” She immediately yelled at the person at the other end, walking past him and heading downstairs towards her study.

This is so frustrating, Dylan thought to himself, letting out a heavy sigh.

How did the atmosphere change so drastically?

He made his way to Isabel’s study as it would be super awkward for him to be in the same room with Rodrigo given the circumstances, and considering the fact that they’re still not close.

“How did he get into the pack unnoticed?”

Isabel was pacing back and forth inside her study when Dylan walked in. If he guess correctly, Xavi is the one she is speaking to on the phone. Her face suddenly darkened, which meant that she wasn’t pleased with whatever reply Xavi gave.

“Close the borders immediately! Make sure no one comes in or goes out of the pack!” She barked out the order, slamming her phone against the wall the moment she hung up.

This isn’t happening. Not in her time. She can’t let that good for nothing ruin her reputation.

To express her rage at the turn out of events, Isabel angrily turned over her study desk. She was one second away from shifting into her wolf and hunting down her father’s illegitimate son.

“Isabel, what’s going on?” Dylan asked for the nth time.

Isabel tensed on hearing her mate’s soothing voice.

For how long has he been in the room with her?

She straightened herself up to answer his question.

Truth be told, Isabel wasn’t mentally prepared to tell her mate about her father’s secret son, because she felt it would bring shame to her family. But on second thoughts, who better to share this burden with than her mate?

“When are you ever going to share your burdens with me?” Dylan’s disappointed voice said inside his head just as she was about to tell him everything.

Isabel’s eyes bulged in their sockets as she stared at her mate in wide eyed amazement.

This can’t be real. Dylan didn’t just talk to her through mind link or did he?

“What did you just say?” She questioned him, just to be certain.

“Nothing.” Dylan replied with a nonchalant shrug, but she could see the hurt in his eyes.

“I trust you.” She tried to assure him through mind link, but it didn’t work. This could only mean that it was still one sided.

This saddened her deeply as it was her fault. The mating ritual wasn’t complete yet, so what was she expecting?

“I trust you, Dylan. I just don’t want you getting hurt.” She replied, this time in words.

It was now Dylan’s turn to stare wide eyed at his mate.

“You heard me?!” He exclaimed in amazement. Isabel nodded in reply, closing the distance between them.

“Say something else.” She said, staring at him expectantly.

“I’m not a kid, you know?”

Isabel couldn’t hold back her emotions, as a stray tear rolled down her cheek while she chuckled in delight.

Never in a million years did she actually believe that they would ever be able to communicate through mind link. She always took the belief of being able to talk to one’s mate from a different pack after the completion of the mating rites as a fable because for over centuries, her predecessors had never been mated to a werewolf from another pack. This has made her day.

“If you say so.” She smiled, placing a kiss on Dylan’s palm as he wiped her tear.

She guided him towards the couch in the study so they could sit down since her desk area was a mess, courtesy of her outburst earlier and told him all that he needed to know.