Chapter 4
1259 Words
KADEN POV
I glared down at the report I was holding, my knee repeatedly bouncing an anxious beat on the shiny wood floor of my office. My mind was racing, sorting through each possibility, each threat of danger. The name Iron was bold on the page like a curse. What was he searching for? What was he tracking so feverishly all of a sudden? I rubbed my jaw, annoyance simmering beneath my skin.
A hand landed on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts and I tensed, ready to pounce. My sharp eyes flicked up, locking onto my Beta, Lucien.
"You alright?" Lucien asked, his gaze laced with concern.
I blinked and my shoulders sagged on registering who it was. "What?"
Lucien sighed. "I’ve been calling your name for a full minute. You’re completely out of it."
I exhaled and tossed the report onto my desk. "What is it?"
Lucien's voice grew serious. "Iron's trackers were seen in Green Moss Pack about a week ago, and then they were seen in Brown Bark yesterday."
I sat back in my chair, running a hand over my face. "What the heck is he doing?" My knee still bounced, but I ignored it.
Lucien watched the restless movement before crossing his arms. "That's what we need to find out. You've been…restless, of late." He noted.
I sighed deeply. "I don't know why. I just feel…off." My hands gripped the armrest of my chair firmly. "But it's nothing. Don't concern yourself. Any news from the other Alphas?"
Lucien shook his head. "No interruptions. Everything seems fine on their end. I'll let you know the instant we get a good lead on Iron."
"Do so. And summon a general pack meeting for tonight. There are some matters that need to be brought up."
Lucien nodded. "I’ll spread the word." With that, he turned and exited the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I turned toward the window, staring at the lively scene outside. My pack thrived under my leadership. If make sure of it. Warriors trained under advanced mentorship, children laughed, mates found each other and built families, and the defences were always high and ready round the clock. My pack was thriving and happy. Yet, I was not.
My chest tightened as my gaze landed on a woman picking flowers, her mate sweeping her into his arms before pressing a kiss to her lips.
The burning ache of loneliness twisted in my gut.
Five years.
It had been five years since her.
Isabella.
Her name caused a twinge of nostalgia in me. My fated mate. The one I had to reject.
The memory of it clawed at me, fresh as though it had taken place just yesterday. I’d seen the malevolent and cruel way Iron and the others had looked at her the day I’d realized she was my mate. If I hadn't rejected her, she would have been a target. She would have been constantly threatened and hurt because of me. So, I’d let her go. Pushed her away.
And she'd left.
Disappeared without a word.
I hadn’t known at first as I’d tried my hardest to stay away from her after the rejection. But the want, the need had gotten too much to ignore. So I’d gone to look for her, to try to talk to her and explain why I had to do what I did. But she was nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere and realized she’d left abruptly and quietly. So I’d stepped back. She was better off, safer wherever she went after all.
I tore my gaze from the couple outdoors and shoved myself away from my desk. The weight in my chest was suffocating. I needed to burn off some of this energy before I broke something.
I worked out throughout the afternoon, my fists striking tree trunks, splitting bark and shooting shards through the air. The exercise dulled the agitation in me but didn't rid me of it.
By evening, I walked to the lake, the same hidden lake where I’d first found Isabella all those years ago. I stripped and dove into the cold water, letting it soothe my overheated skin.
Not my heart, though.
Having gotten into some clean clothes, I headed towards the packed square. It was already full when I arrived, wolves there for the meeting. I climbed onto the stage, talking briefly with Lucien before my Beta addressed the pack.
Lucien stepped forward. "There have been rogue sightings along our borders, but our patrol groups have been bolstered for protection. Border shifts will rotate more frequently. Training sessions will be more frequent for hunters and warriors. And also, the trade agreement with Stone Hollow Pack has been signed."
Murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd.
I stepped forward, my Alpha presence commanding attention. "If there are problems, say so now."
Several hands were raised. Complaints ranged from pack member squabbles to requests for more equipment for the training grounds. I gave out swift, sensible solutions, ensuring everyone was satisfied.
And then, just as the meeting was ready to be closed, a hand was raised.
I directed my attention to the back of the group, towards the hand.
That's when I saw her.
My heart missed a beat.
Dark hair. Soft but guarded green eyes. Lips pressed in a resolute line.
Isabella.
She was standing behind the man who had his hand up, her gaze on mine. Her face drained of colour before she turned and disappeared.
For an instant, i was frozen.
Then my body moved on reflex.
I leapt off the stage and ran through the crowd, heading away from the packed square. I saw her back, turning a corner and I yelled, "Stop!" My voice contained the weight of my Alpha command.
She halted.
My breath caught as I reached her. Her shoulders sagged, and she slowly turned to me.
My lungs froze.
She was as beautiful as I’d remembered.
But standing next to her, holding her hand, was a boy.
A boy who looked identical to her.
My heart stuttered as my gaze stayed locked on the child, five or six years old, maybe. My voice was rough when I asked, "Who is he?"
Isabella's lips compressed. But, before she could say anything, the boy puffed out his chest.
"I'm Charles! And she's my mom!"
My vision blurred.
Her son.
Had the nightmare in my head come true? Had she moved on? Found a man who gave her a life I never could?
My throat tightened. "When did you come back? Why did you come back?"
Isabella drew a sharp breath. "It wasn't safe anymore."
My eyebrows furrowed. "Safe? Are you in danger?"
She sighed. "Look, I'm back because Silver Moon is a strong pack. Strong defenses. Protection. That's all." She squared her shoulders. "I didn't come back for you."
I stiffened, her words slicing into me.
She glared at me, her voice low and even. "Leave me and my son alone. Just...just leave us alone. Please."
My wolf let out a low, hurt growl in my mind, but before I could say anything, she turned around and disappeared around the corner with the boy, her son.
I clenched my teeth, pushing down the emotions flooding me.
My wolf howled in my head, the guilt and solitude that had haunted me for five years now pressing down on me with a weight I could barely tolerate.
I turned, walking in the opposite direction.
Away from my fated mate.
That I’d rejected.
That I regretted.
- Writer
