Chapter 36: Alive

King Dmitri

Never had he dreamed that his granddaughter lived. Eighteen years ago, he had received word that his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter were killed in an attack on their home. Isabella’s body had been taken, denying him the chance to say goodbye to his only grandchild. Repeatedly, he had been told that the amount of blood left and the clear struggle that ensued proved she could not have survived.

The moment she had scolded him, taking him to task for his rude behavior, he had known that it was her. She was the spitting image of her mother with her long dark hair and bright eyes, but her attitude was all her grandmother. Until the day of her death, his mate had never let him get away with anything, and it was clear their granddaughter was made of the same steel.

Watching the way her eyes slightly shifted color, the way the hairs were standing up on end, the intense focus, and increased heart rate proved to the King that this young woman was going to shift for the first time within the day, confirming what he already knew: she was his. She was alive.

He heard the growl of his granddaughter's mate, but he could not find the strength to loosen his hold. He was afraid that this was all a dream and that he would wake up to find himself alone in his castle bed. With one last squeeze, he loosened his grip, allowing her to pull back slightly and look at his face. Still making sure to keep this miracle in his hands.

Standing before him, Marcia had a confused look as she tried to figure out what was happening. “Who is Isabella? Why are you so upset?” Marcia questioned, not having made the connection between the King and what the Moon Goddess had told her about her late father, the prince. It was clear he was bothered by the sight of her, but she had no idea why. Unsure of how to console this man or the reason for his bizarre behavior, she looked to Marcus for direction, only to see him smile and look away.

Fighting himself and his lycan, Dmitri pulled away further, releasing her shoulders but keeping a hold of the young woman's hand. “My dear, we have a lot to talk about. Is there somewhere private we can go?” The words were spoken quietly because he did not want to startle her. He needed to make sure she was happy and safe here. If he saw anything that he did not like, she would leave with him, even if he had to kill every member of the pack to do it.

Marcus cleared his throat, reminding them of his presence. “I have asked our Gamma, Seth, to have lunch sent to my office. If you would follow me.” He reached back and took Marcia's other hand, lightly tugging her back to him and away from the King, an action that caused his lycan, Svetovit, to release a growl of fury. Having found out that he was not at the end of his line after all, he had an irrational fear of allowing her out of his sight.

He was shocked to see that instead of the sound causing either of them to freeze, as it should have every wolf or lycan, it irritated Alpha and Luna. Both looked at him before turning and continuing on their way. Looking around, he noticed the two young women who had been following Isabella were frozen in submission to him, but their eyes kept flicking toward the stairs where their Luna walked. This confused and startled him; all his subjects should have been impacted by his aura. Even an Alpha or Luna should have been forced to submit under its pressure.

Turning away, he rapidly ascended the stairs, following the couple into a well-lit room. Decorated in greens and browns, it reminded him of his private office back home. The photos of various pack members made him smile. It was clear that since taking over for his father, Marcus had dedicated himself to healing the damage that had been done. As he attempted to close the door behind him, the two young women pushed it open. They lowered their heads towards him in respect before going to stand on either side of the Alpha's desk, still as statues. Behind the desk, Marcia had settled into her mate's lap, arms around his neck but looking toward the door, waiting for the King to join them.

Dmitri was not sure how to respond to this behavior. While not openly disrespectful, these wolves were not treating him as he was used to. They acted as if they were his equals, not fearing or disliking him. Deciding that they had more important things to worry about than pecking order, he sat in the chair facing the desk. Before he could start, the door opened again, this time a man who must be the Gamma entered with trays of food, the fragrance making his stomach rumble.

“Your Majesty, welcome.” He greeted the King with a bow, being the first to treat him as he was accustomed to being treated. Then he looked to the other side of the desk and smiled, “Alpha, welcome home. All of the preparations are on schedule, and we are ready for the trials to start tomorrow at 6 am.” Setting the trays on the desk, he proceeded to serve the Alpha, Luna, King, and the twins before excusing himself.

Everyone began eating quickly, with no one speaking a word. The silence was echoing as everyone waited for someone else to speak. Breaking the silence, Dmitri spoke first, addressing the twins. “Please leave us. What we have to discuss is private.” His tone was clear and harsh as if dismissing lessers from his sight.

“No,” Marcia's words cut through the room. “You may be our King, Sir, but they are my guards. So long as non-pack members are present, I wish them to be at my side. Besides whatever you discuss with me, I will just tell them the minute you leave.” The last statement came with a smile as she looked at the woman in question.

Dmitri was not sure what was more shocking for him, that he was told no, or the connection Isabella seemed to have to the pack already. This reassured him but also made him worry more because it meant that he would not get her to leave easily if he felt that she was not safe. Deciding to give in to her request, he smiled and lowered his chin, making all the others in the room release the breath they were holding. He found it funny that everyone was so uncomfortable with her lack of respect, but they were not saying anything to her. He may be their King, but it was she they put on the throne.

“Fine, let us begin. Your mate came to the council to ask about the prophecy of the White Lycan, and in doing so mentioned you. He states that you are going to turn eighteen shortly and have questions about shifting. After we spoke, I decided that I should accompany him back to speak to you personally.” He was choosing his words carefully, needing to make sure not to scare her. He needed her calm and rested for her shift.

She smiled at him, still eating while sitting sideways in her mate's lap. Between bites, she would lean into his chest, resting her head but never breaking eye contact. “Thank you for coming. I have so many questions that I do not know where to start. Until recently, I did not even know shifters existed, and I never would have imagined that I am one.” Her voice was clear and cheerful, encouraging the King to relax.

His heart lifted and broke at the same time because of the look on her face. It was clear that his granddaughter had found a home, but not with him. “Let’s start at the beginning, then. Please understand that what I am about to tell you might be upsetting, but it is all the truth.” Taking a deep breath, he continues, “Your name is Isabella Anastasia Popov. Your parents were Prince Argen and Princess Vanessa Popov.”

Her gasp broke through his words. “Popov? Does that mean?” Her words trailed off as if she was afraid to ask the question that was on the tip of her tongue.

“Yes, my child. Argen was my only son; you are my granddaughter. I have mourned you every day for the last eighteen years.” Every person in the room shifted as they absorbed the news. They had all suspected this, but having it confirmed made it real and more complicated.

Marcia stood, leaving her mate's arms, and walked around the desk. When she reached the seat he was sitting in, she sank to her knees before wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering in his ear. “Thank you for finding me, Grandpa. I missed you”. Her words trailed off as she began to cry in his arms, ignoring everything around them.