The Alpha’s Forsaken Mate

Isabella stepped out from the woods and into the grand palace. She came out of them with so much exuberance of joy than what was usual to her calm self. She had just come into the palace again after the scrutiny of the woods daily, as always and with all scrupulosity. Her heart was merry and her lips arched in a soft smile. It was one of those peculiarly bright days, and a feeling of deep, wordless joy seemed to well up inside her. Anyone who looked at her would be quick to realize the change had taken place. Something big had happened, something which set her spirit singing. Was it perhaps for the reason that in three days, her mate, Alpha Lucas would finally be coming back? Over the last five years, life in the palace was far from a bed of roses for Isabella. The staring and whispering and undercurrent of disapproval from any member having anything to do with her had all filtered into everyday normality. A long, lonely road she'd traveled with her head high even while it painfully bothered her. Elara, her husband's sister, was the only one who had shown her true friendship and loyalty that carried her through the darkest times. But did the pack hate her? Or was it her barrenness that estranged her from everybody else? No, most assuredly. Isabella was supposed to be the most favored member of the pack, but fate had been just so unfair to her. Mated to Alpha Lucas for six years now, from the moment he had been expecting to have an heir of his own. Yet, with all the hopes and expectations, she still hadn't conceived since that day. The pressure intensified with each passing year. There was even a thought that came to the pack's mind to let Alpha Lucas choose another mate, but he refused once. She was his one love, the only one he ever chose, and he kept her near him through everything. But it weighed heavily upon her head in front of him not to carry a child. Now a miracle had happened: Isabella had found herself pregnant with the heir to the throne. It’s now more critical, as this was the last year of grace she has been given to bear an heir lest she be stripped of her title as Luna and thrown out. She exploded with joy as she walked down the halls of the palace, thinking about the life inside of her. All the looks of repugnance and murmurs of disappointment she had long borne crowded her with a sure anchor that held her back. How would she ever forget that their result had almost shattered her? The pain turned so acute it drove her wolf to silence, and she felt shattered and alone for months. It was now all over, and she was carrying the heir. Soon, those who doubted her would see it. "This news has to cease all their hatred and murmurings," she muttered to herself as she found her way to the couch in her room, placing her hands protectively over her belly. "I am already utterly immune to the fear of the kingdom," she whispered as serenity wrapped its arms around her. Isabella sat in her room, lost in thought. Her body moved with a gentle rhythm like that of a child learning how to walk. She felt so happy; everything felt just like a dream to her. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind: Should she let the pack know this great news? She immediately deleted the thought from her mind since it sounded too foolish to do that now when her mate was not yet aware. And, she wasn't ready to let her emotions out in public. Doing so would render her vulnerable to attacks, and she needed to wear the armor of strength, now more than ever. She got up from the couch in the hope of catching some rest, but no sooner had she prepared to lay on the bed when she heard a knock at the door. "Yes, who is there?" she called out, but before she finished asking, the door suddenly opened, and Elara stepped in. Elara was the only person she knew who would enter her room as if it were nothing, and through the years, she and Elara had developed quite a bond with each other. "Good evening, Isabella. Haven't seen you since breakfast, so I decided to come over and check on you. What's wrong?" Elara asked, concern written all over her face. "Yes, I’m all right," she replied in a low tone, with a resurrected beautiful smile on her face. Visibly as at then is the immediate glow on Isabella's face. Her face reflected the happy emotions she was feeling as it shone with an aura of happiness that Elara had not seen for a very long time. "Today, something is quite different about your expression. I'm suspecting you have some good news I'm supposed to be hearing about?" "Yes." Isabella nodded the ever-widening smile on her face now a full-blown grin. "What is it?" "You know I am crappy with guessing, Isa, but I would say it's because my brother, your dearest mate, ends his duty in three days," Elara guessed. No, Elara, you're wrong; I am pregnant," Isabella said, her eyes gazing down as she wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach. "What….? Elara's mouth was aghast with shock. This is an amazing news! Are you sure about this, Isa?" Elara asked, with so much joy and happiness in her voice. Isabella stood up and went towards the table where she left the doctor's report before and passed it on to Elara. The latter flipped through it quickly until it hit her right on her face: her brother's mate, Luna of the kingdom of Lucas, was pregnant, indeed. "I am so anxious to be an aunt!" she broke in boisterously, to make her meaning more intelligible to Isabella. Yes, and I, a mother, replied Isabella; and both ladies burst into loud laughter. There was a comfortable silence between them for some time, after which Elara broke the spell with a warm congratulation. "This calls for a celebration! We have to make the whole pack aware and celebrate it as a great achievement indeed," suggested Elara, the excitement blowing over her. "Oh no, I wouldn't want to celebrate it nor let anyone know just yet, except you. Not till my mate, Alpha Lucas is back," said Isabella thoughtfully. "Yes, that's a wise thing," Elara agreed, her head nodding up and down. "I am already awaiting my brother's return." Both women were lost to their ecstasy, oblivious that the walls have ears, as they chatted about the pregnancy; Victor, the Beta of the kingdom, was lurking close to the door, eavesdropping on their conversation.