Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Tristan

I felt it happen the moment my teeth broke through her delicate skin. The connection, snapping into place like a lock finally finding its key. The Alpha mark, a primal bond that would tie Isla to me, to my pack, to my very essence. It wasn’t the fated mate bond; I wasn’t ready for that yet, but this would have to do for now. Her blood was sweet on my tongue, coppery and warm, and as I tasted her, something unfurled within me. A sense of rightness. Of completion.

Then I felt her slump in my arms, her consciousness slipping away as the power of the mark overwhelmed her human system. I pulled back, licking the wound closed with instinctive care, watching as the bruise began to form, my mark, permanently etched into her pale skin.
"Isla?" I murmured, cradling her limp form against my chest. No response. Her lashes lay like dark crescents against her cheeks, her breathing slow but steady. The connection between us hummed, newly formed but undeniable, I could feel her, even now, a quiet presence in the back of my mind. I could sense the steady rhythm of her heart, the slow pulse of her life force, tethered now to mine.

I'd known humans weren't built to withstand the full force of an Alpha mark. That's why we never used it on them. The psychic connection was too intense, the bond too demanding for their fragile minds. But I needed this. I needed to ensure she couldn't slip away again, couldn't hide from me. If she tried to run, I would find her, across any distance, through any barrier. The mark ensured that. What I hadn't expected was how it would affect me.

Holding her unconscious body against mine, I was struck by how small she felt, how delicate. The fierce woman who had stood before me moments ago, offering herself as a sacrifice for her family, reduced now to this vulnerable creature in my arms. Her auburn hair spilled across my forearm, silky and wild, and her face, relaxed in unconsciousness, looked younger, almost innocent.
"What have you done to me?" I whispered, tracing the curve of her cheek with my thumb. The primal possessiveness I felt toward her was expected, she was my mate, after all, even if unwanted. But this tenderness? This ache in my chest as I held her? That was new. 

I shook my head, banishing such thoughts. I couldn't afford weakness, not now. Not with my brother watching for any sign of vulnerability, not with my pack's future hanging in the balance. I needed an heir. That was all this was about, duty and necessity. The fact that my wolf howled for her, that my body burned at her scent, that was merely biology. The mate bond at work, nothing more. Yet as I gathered her more securely in my arms, preparing to face what waited beyond this room, I couldn't deny the spark of hope that had kindled within me. Perhaps the Moon Goddess hadn't abandoned me after all.

I pushed open the office door with my shoulder, careful not to jostle Isla's unconscious form. Gabe was waiting in the hallway, pacing like a caged animal. He froze when he saw us, his eyes widening as they took in Isla's limp body and the fresh mark on her neck.
"Bloody hell," he breathed. "I felt it happen. You actually did it, you marked her." His eyes met mine, searching. "Even though she's human?"
"I did what was necessary," I replied, my voice carefully controlled. "She tried to run. This ensures she won't get far if she tries again." Gabe studied my face, then dropped his gaze to Isla. A small smile played at his lips. 
"Right. Purely tactical, I'm sure." He stepped closer, peering at her face. "She's out cold. The mark hit her hard."
"She'll recover." I shifted her weight in my arms, oddly disturbed by his scrutiny of her. "Where's the family?"
"Lucas rounded them up," Gabe said, stepping back. "They're in the dining hall, waiting for your judgment. Quite a scene when they realised she'd doubled back to you." He tilted his head. "Interesting strategy she chose. Coming to you willingly."
"She did it to save them," I said, a strange defensiveness colouring my tone. "She knew they couldn't outrun me."
"Smart girl." Gabe nodded approvingly. "Beauty and brains, you've lucked out, mate." I shot him a warning look, but he merely grinned. 

"You want me to take her? Free up your hands for the showdown with Papa Wolf in there?"
Before I could think, a growl rumbled from my chest, my arms tightening around Isla's body. Gabe's eyebrows shot up, and then he burst out laughing.
"Possessive already, are we?" he teased, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Alpha. Just trying to help." The ferocity of my reaction had surprised even me. The thought of anyone else's hands on her, even Gabe's, sent my wolf into a snarling frenzy. It was irrational, instinctive, and utterly beyond my control.
"You won't find it so amusing when you find your own mate," I muttered, brushing past him toward the dining hall.
"Maybe not," Gabe chuckled, although I saw something else cross his eyes that I couldn’t quite decipher as he fell into step beside me. "But for now, I'm going to enjoy watching the mighty Alpha King brought to his knees by a slip of a human girl." I shot him another glare, but said nothing. There was truth in his words that I wasn't ready to face.

As we approached the dining hall, I could sense the tension coming from within, fear, anger, desperation. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This was the part of being Alpha King that I excelled at: command, control, the swift and merciless execution of justice. I would deal with Ewan and his family, establish my dominance, and then return to my territory with my mate. It was simple. Straightforward. I nodded at Gabe, who stepped forward to push open the double doors for me.

The scene that greeted us was exactly as I'd expected: Ewan, Mara, Cassie, Lysa with her pregnant belly, and her mate Niall, all on their knees in the centre of the room. Lucas stood over them, his face a mask of cold authority. The rest of the pack had been cleared out, a smart move on Lucas's part. This was a family matter now. The moment Ewan's eyes landed on Isla in my arms, he surged to his feet with a roar of anguish.
"What have you done to her?" he bellowed, lunging forward. Lucas moved with practiced efficiency, shoving the older Alpha back to his knees, one hand firmly on his shoulder.
"Stay down," Lucas growled. I stepped into the room, my face impassive as I gazed down at the kneeling family. They were broken, defeated, their escape plan in ruins. But there was still defiance in Ewan's eyes as he glared up at me.
"She's merely unconscious," I said coolly, adjusting Isla in my arms. "The Alpha mark can be... overwhelming for humans. She'll recover soon enough."
"You marked her?" Mara gasped, her face paling.
"She is my mate," I replied simply. "And now she's bound to my pack." Lysa began to weep softly, her hands cradling her swollen belly. Her mate, Niall, looked as though he wanted to comfort her but dared not move under Lucas's watchful eye. I turned to my warrior. 
"Lucas, take Lysa and Cassie upstairs to pack some of Isla's things. We'll be departing shortly." Lucas nodded sharply. 
"On your feet," he ordered the two young women. Cassie, tear-streaked and trembling, helped Lysa stand, supporting her pregnant form as they were herded toward the stairs.

Once they were gone, I turned my attention back to Ewan and Mara. The defiance in Ewan's expression had given way to despair as he stared at his unconscious daughter in my arms.
"Isla came to me willingly," I said, my voice echoing in the quiet room. "She offered herself in exchange for your safety, for the protection of this pack." I let that sink in before continuing. "Against my better judgment, I have accepted her terms." Hope flickered across Ewan's face. 
"What does that mean?"
"It means, Alpha Ewan, that despite your blatant disregard for our laws, harbouring a human within your pack, attempting to flee with my mate, I am extending my mercy to Cragg High." I shifted Isla's weight, acutely aware of her warmth against my chest, the soft rhythm of her breathing. "From this day forward, Cragg High Pack is under the direct protection of Sovereign Claw. No rival pack will dare move against you." Relief washed over Mara's features, but Ewan remained tense. He knew, as I did, that protection came with a price.
"In return," I continued, "Isla will take her place at my side as my mate. And she will bear my heir."
"You can't do this," Ewan whispered, his voice breaking. "She's my daughter. She's human. She could die bearing your child."
"I'm well aware of the risks," I said, a flash of my own fear slipping through my controlled facade. "But this is what she chose. Her sacrifice has saved you all." Ewan's shoulders slumped in defeat. Mara reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly as tears streamed down her face.
"Be grateful for your daughter's courage," I said, softening my tone slightly. "It speaks well of your raising, despite the laws you broke. A lesser Alpha would have your entire pack executed for this transgression."
"And if we refuse your protection?" Ewan asked, a final spark of rebellion in his eyes. I fixed him with a cold stare. 
"There is no refusal. I have marked your daughter. She is mine now, and by extension, your pack is bound to Sovereign Claw. Any further defiance will be met with the full force of my authority." I leaned forward slightly. "Do I make myself clear, Alpha Ewan?" He opened his mouth, clearly wanting to argue further, but my glare silenced him. He nodded once, reluctantly.
"Good."

The sound of footsteps on the stairs announced the return of Lucas, Lysa, and Cassie. Lucas carried a medium-sized suitcase, while the two young women followed, red-eyed and subdued.
"Her things are packed, Alpha," Lucas reported, eyeing the suitcase with suspicion. "Most of it was already packed, interestingly enough."
"For their escape attempt, no doubt," I said, noting how Lysa flinched at my words. "Take it to the car. We're leaving immediately."
"Yes, Alpha." Lucas nodded sharply and headed for the door.

I turned back to the kneeling figures before me, noting how they seemed to have aged in the span of our conversation. Ewan's face was drawn with grief, Mara's tear-stained and hollow.
"Isla will be unconscious for some time," I said, my tone marginally gentler. "When she wakes and is settled at Sovereign Claw, she may contact you. I won't prevent that." I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "Despite everything, you are now family of a sort. Remember that when you consider your future actions." Ewan's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. He knew, as I did, that our definition of "family" was vastly different in this moment.
"Lucas," I called, "ensure our convoy is ready. We leave in five minutes."

With that, I turned and strode from the dining hall, Isla still cradled against my chest, her breathing a steady rhythm that seemed to synchronise with my own heartbeat. Through our newly formed bond, I could sense the quiet flicker of her consciousness, like a candle flame sheltered from the wind. She was deep in unconsciousness, but there was a resilience to her presence, a strength that continued to surprise me.

In the entryway, Gabe was waiting, directing my warriors as they prepared for our departure. He glanced at Isla, his expression softening slightly.
"Still out, eh? Poor thing."
"The mark took her hard," I admitted. "She'll need time to recover."
"And you?" Gabe asked quietly, his usually jovial face serious for once. "How are you handling the bond?" I hesitated, unsure how to answer. The connection between us was still forming, tendrils of awareness twining through my consciousness. I could sense her presence, her life force, a warmth in the back of my mind that hadn't been there before. It was disorienting, this sudden awareness of another being as intrinsically connected to my own.
"I'm fine," I said shortly. Gabe raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me, but he let it drop. 
"Cars are ready."

Outside, the night air was cool against my face as I walked toward the waiting vehicles. My warriors stood at attention, their faces impassive, but I could sense their curiosity about the human woman in my arms. None dared question me openly, though I could smell their confusion, their uncertainty. I approached my car, a sleek black SUV with tinted windows. One of my warriors hurried to open the rear door for me. I nodded my thanks and carefully climbed into the back seat, mindful of Isla’s head, her limbs.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Gabe asked, poked his head in with a grin.
"What?" He gestured to Isla's unconscious form, sprawled in my arms. 
"Seatbelt. Safety first, Alpha King." I scowled at him, but he was right. Grudgingly, I placed her on the seat next to me and reached across her body, securing the seatbelt around her waist and chest, my fingers lingering perhaps longer than necessary on the curve of her shoulder, the line of her collarbone where my mark stood out starkly against her pale skin.
"There," I muttered, straightening up and pulling on my own seatbelt. "Satisfied?"
"Immensely," Gabe smirked. "I'll ride with Lucas. Give you two lovebirds some privacy." I growled at him, but he merely laughed, sauntering off toward the other vehicle.
With one last look at the Hartwood home, where Ewan and Mara now stood in the doorway, watching with hollow eyes as I took their daughter away, I shut the door.

The driver started the engine, and we began to move down the long driveway, away from Cragg High, toward my territory, my home. I glanced at Isla, her head lolling against the window, her face peaceful in unconsciousness. The sight of her stirred something in me, a complex mixture of desire, possession, and an unexpected tenderness. I would take her to Sovereign Claw, where she would be safe, where I could keep her close while I figured out what to do about this impossible situation. Before I completed the mate bond, I needed to speak with Madame Sylvie, to understand why the Moon Goddess had chosen this fragile human as my fate.

Carefully, hesitantly, I reached out and brushed a strand of auburn hair from Isla's face. Her skin was warm beneath my fingers, soft in a way that made my wolf rumble with pleasure.
"What am I going to do with you?" I whispered, knowing she couldn't hear me. Through our bond, I felt a flutter of response, not consciousness, not yet, but something deeper, more instinctive. A recognition. A reaching out. Then it was gone. I withdrew my hand, unsettled by my own reaction to her. This was not part of the plan. She was human. She was a means to an end, the heir I needed to secure my position, to break the curse. Nothing more. Yet as we drove through the night, I found myself watching her, studying the curve of her lips, the line of her jaw, the rise and fall of her chest. And somewhere, deep in the recesses of my mind, my wolf hummed in satisfaction. Mine, it seemed to say. Finally mine. And despite all my reservations, all my doubts, I couldn't bring myself to disagree.