Alpha's Protective Pup

17

What happened next was not the fault of anyone, including myself. In the wild, things happened, and you had to expect the unexpected.

Without warning, a wolf ambushed us, latching onto my side with its sharp teeth. With speed, my partner yanked them off me, and we took care of the threat. I pushed aside the pain, focusing on the task at hand.

Now, only one more remained after we had eliminated two. My scouting partner emitted a loud howl to notify our pack of an injury. Soon after, another strangled yelp reached our ears. After eliminating our last adversary, I was able to relax and give in to the pain.

After that, everything seemed to blend, making it hard to distinguish one thing from another. I transformed back into my human form once we reached the den, allowing my fellow scouts to lead me to the infirmary. Margaret was there, naturally, and so was Isla.

My eyes locked with hers, and in them, I saw an intense panic. She was saying something, her tone suggesting that she was talking about my injury. I gave her a tight smile. It wasn’t the worst injury in the world. Did it hurt? Yes. Knowing that my life was not in jeopardy, I felt relieved despite being wounded. Margaret would be able to patch me up in no time. I pictured myself having a maximum of three days to rest.

My primary concern was identifying the audacious trespasser on our property. It was ballsy, I’d give them that. But what’s the rationale behind using only three wolves? Maybe they thought they’d go unnoticed, or it was a hint that there could be more to come.

A pack that would sacrifice its members was dangerous and unsustainable. You had to care about your fellow members—work as a team. Using them as bait did nothing but sow distrust among everyone.

Even Oscar popped his head in to see if I was okay. He seemed sensible, but his gaze only lingered on Isla for a moment before his attention turned to me.

“We’re going to go over the carcasses and see if we can figure out where they come from,” Oscar said, frowning. “There must be some information we can glean about them through careful study. I’ll keep you updated.”

A look of displeasure crossed Isla’s face. “And in the meantime, you need to take it easy and let your wound heal. If you don’t, then it’s just going to get worse. Isn’t this what you said to me when you brought me here the day that wolf injured me?”

I laughed. “Yes, I’m going to take it as easy as I can.”

When I looked, I saw Oscar was gone, but what he left in his wake was a wave of anger that was directed at me. Isla cast a glance at where Oscar was once standing and then at me.

“Is it easy to tell where a pack of wolves comes from?” Isla asked as Margaret tended to my wound.

She appeared to know what Margaret needed, demonstrating she was a quick learner. The old healer extended her hand, and Isla placed the correct item in her awaiting grasp.

“We all keep up to date on the packs nearby. Each has its little quirks, physicality, and, most importantly, odors. This helps distinguish one pack from the other.”

Isla nodded. “I’m sure Oscar and the others are working on figuring out who these trespassers are. Oscar appeared determined.”

I didn’t enjoy hearing Oscar’s name come out of Isla’s mouth. It made my lower lip curl into a snarl. She didn’t notice, but Margaret did. With narrowed eyes, she exerted extra pressure while making a stitch, which elicited a yelp from me.

“I’m sorry. It slipped.” Margaret shrugged.

That was a warning for me to cut it out, at least right now. I glared back at her but tried to curb the jealousy that continued to grow within me moment by moment.

Once Margaret finished tending to my injury, she gave me the option to either rest in the infirmary or return to my nest. She needed to get her beauty to sleep; Margaret quipped. Although it wouldn’t be helpful, there was still a stronger motive to get it. Perhaps it would work this time.

“I’ll help you back to your nest,” Isla said, her voice filled with grit. “Unless you want to sleep here and wake up seeing Margaret’s friendly face.” Isla winked at me.

I snorted. “Oh, certainly not. I’d rather sleep in my own nest, where I can rest undisturbed and not have to endure Margaret’s menacing glare.”

Even though I was more than capable of limping back to my nest, Isla still insisted on helping me, showing her kindness and compassion. Her soft body pressed against my right side, comforting and warm. It was difficult not to learn further against her. I restrained myself, but I couldn’t determine if I felt grateful or regretted my decision.

When we arrived at my secluded sanctuary in the den, a sense of calm washed over me. It was natural for me to want to heal in my domain, where I was the most comfortable.

She stood on the threshold of the doorway, not daring to step inside. Margaret must have explained boundaries and the significance of invading an alpha’s personal space. All I wanted was for her to take that step and come into the room behind me.

“How is it rooming with Alison?” I asked.

Isla shrugged. “It’s not that bad. She snores a lot, but I’ve made sure not to mention it to her… any more. When I brought it up once, she seemed ready to bite my head off.”

I chuckled. “That sounds like Alison. Don’t worry though. She’s all bark and no bite with other members of the pack. Especially ones she likes.”

Alison, being a beta, wasn’t a challenge in my pursuit of Isla. Would she support me in doing it? I was uncertain if she would, given her friendship with both Oscar and me, but that was beside the point.

Isla stood still, her unsure expression accompanied by a soft, timid laugh. I lifted a skeptical eyebrow, finally deciding to take the plunge.

“Isla, do you want to stay the night here?”

She blinked in surprise. “I-I think I have an idea what you’re proposing, but I don’t know if I’m ready to mate…”

“Isla, you engage in such activities without becoming mates. Therefore, when you do things like this, you do it when no one is in heat.”

Once again, I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was weighing my offer. I wondered what was going on in her head and what she thought of me. If this was all I could get for now, then I would have to be content with it. There was nothing wrong with having a little fun in the meantime.

It would affirm my overwhelming interest in Isla, and when she went into heat, I wished to share that experience with her, if she would welcome me.

“It’s up to you, Isla,” I said, leaving the decision in her hands.

I kept it simple and straight to the point. My fear was that Isla would get jumpy and have an unfavorable response, which was not my intention. Yet, I still had to at least take a shot and make sure she understood what I was getting at.

Isla gave an unsure nod before taking a tentative step into the room. I allowed her to approach me, surrendering control to her—for now, at least.