Silver & Blood

Chapter Three

"Isabelle. We have matters to attend to which involve your daughter and my son. He is the future alpha of this pack, so if I were you I wouldn't try to undermine him, especially in my presence, as I am still alpha." Alpha Johnston calmly stated, seeming more annoyed with her antics than usual. I wanted to move and sit down near the alpha family, but Keiran held me in my place, his arm draping over my shoulders, his head lazily on top of my head.

Why did I have to be a foot and a half shorter than the twins? Being five feet two inches just made me a perfect armrest for him, standing at six feet six inches. His fingers traced small circlets on the exposed skin of my clavicle, sending sparks across my skin. The sensation seeped into my core and seemed to calm me during this very intense moment. I could hear his gently deep inhales, almost as if he was taking in my scent. I watched as his hand continued to draw those small circle patterns on my skin, curious about the feeling it gave.

It was not unusual behavior for Keiran these past few months. I've noticed he had become more protective of me since the twins' birthday. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I've grown quite fond of the interaction. That is why we no longer sparred together. His touches were too distracting to have a fair fight, so I've sparred with only Killian lately. There were some days, Alpha Johnston decided to tag in to test me and the boys. I've become very appreciative of the alpha and his family in the past few years. They were willing to let me have a chance at a life, and a good one, unlike my mother. The woman who stared, seething with murderous rage at me. How could I have ever been cursed with such a maniacal mother?

"My apologies, Alpha Johnston. It was not my intention to undermine or speculate. I'm just a bit confused as to why this meeting involves my daughter. Has she caused any trouble? If she has, please accept my deepest apologies and I'll make sure she receives a proper punishment." Isabelle said with bated breath. "I also just wanted to protect the young alpha, as he has yet to find his mate, and my daughter is currently unmated. If he were to find his mate, how would she react to seeing my daughter under his arm as they are now? My daughter will not have a chance to discover hers for another two weeks. How heartbroken would her mate be to find out that his fated mate has been wooed by the alpha's eldest son? I-", Her ramblings were cut short as a powerful aura flooded into the room, an alpha aura. I felt the weight of it pressing firmly against my chest, taking everything in my wolf not to become submissive against it.

"That's enough, Isabelle! Who their mates are is no longer of your concern. I have called you and Amaris here today because I believe it is best for Amaris to move into the pack house. She has been training with my sons over the past four years, and has become a top student warrior and she-wolf within her training period. I would like to keep her close to continue her training with my sons, and for her to get the best education she could possibly need. She is a very bright she-wolf with many talents. I also feel she would be safe from harms way here within the Ravenwood pack house. Away from the likes of you, to say the least." Alpha Johnston stated as he slowly released his aura from my mother. It was a different aura that began to fill the room. One so eery that created a chill in my bones. My mother glared as venom was practically pooling through her clenched teeth.

"My daughter... had been training with your sons... for four years?" She grinned out through deep heavy huffs. "You want.. to take... my daughter... from me? Take her then! But, if I see her... again... I will kill her... with my bare hands."

"Then, Isabelle Crowe, I would like to ask you to leave the Ravenwood pack and search for a new pack to reside in, since you have clearly stated you will be a danger to one of my pack members. You have two days to find a new pack and to gather your belongings. I will personally escort you off of the territory, and I ask you not to return. I will take Amaris in as a part of my family, raise her as my own until the day her mate comes forth. Amaris?", Alpha Johnston turns to me with a loving face. "Would you be okay staying with us, and being a part of our family? Are you okay with me sending your mother away to make you feel safe?"

Never have I been shown such kindness by anyone besides the Night family. I had always known abuse in every form given to me by a woman who should never have been gifted the title "Mother". The alpha and his family were willing to take me in, show me love and affection, to help me become the best version of myself that had been beaten and ridiculed by that woman since birth. That woman was no mother of mine. She wants to kill me? She could die trying.

"I agree with every term and condition, alpha." I had agreed without a second thought. That woman had never wanted me. She never wanted me to succeed in life or to even live.

"WHAT?" Isabelle shrieked. "YOU UNGRATEFUL WRETCH! WOULD YOU QUICKLY ABANDON YOUR MOTHER FOR A FAILED FUTURE WITH THEM? YOU ARE SO MUCH LIKE YOUR BASTARD OF A FATHER! ABANDON YOUR FAMILY THE FIRST CHANCE YOU GET! I SHOULD'VE KILLED YOU AT BIRTH!" Isabelle sprang forth out of her chair, knocking it down with a loud bang, as she reached for me. Her claws exposed and canines baring through a distorted snarl. I've had enough of her threats to last me a lifetime. It was time I showed her what I was capable of, and that she no longer had the capability to hurt me anymore.

The moment she had left her seat and lunged for me, I had removed Keiran from my side. Diving to avoid her grasp, I lifted my left hand to grab her throat as I ducked down to her right side, then back up, kicking the back of her legs from under her, as I had forcefully slammed all her weight into the floor with a crushing blow. I could hear all the air rush from her lungs at the harsh impact. Her eyes were wide with shock and confusion as she gathered her surroundings as to what had just occurred. Her fangs and claws dissipated as she rolled to her side slowly, and on to all fours. She remained that way for a long minute, her hair clinging to her face from sweat. She heaved her last words with a strangled breath.

"I will do everything in my power to make sure you suffer. One day, you will crawl back to me begging me for death as I pluck away everyone you love. Your mate, your pups, your succession. I will make sure you fail at every turn. And your father.... He will suffer along with you. He will feel every bit of your pain and suffering. He will look for you...and he will die right beside you." She quickly rose to her feet and ran out of the door as fast as she could before anyone could question or stop her.

"My father? He... He's still alive?"