Chapter 20 Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Chapter 20
Tristan

I stood outside Isla's door, my hand hovering over the handle, frozen in indecision. Through the mate bond, still new and raw between us, I could feel the waves of her grief washing over me like a physical force. Each sob that escaped her tore at something inside me, something I'd thought long buried beneath duty and ruthlessness. My wolf side paced restlessly within, urging me to go to her, to comfort our mate. But the rational part of me knew better. I was the source of her pain, the architect of her misery. My presence would only make things worse.

So I stood there, listening to her cry, feeling each tear as if it were my own. The bond between us had formed faster, stronger than I'd anticipated. I hadn't expected to feel her emotions so acutely, to be so affected by her pain. It was unsettling. A complication I hadn't prepared for. Her sobs gradually quieted, and through our connection, I sensed her consciousness slipping away as exhaustion finally claimed her. The silence that followed was almost worse than her crying, hollow and heavy with unspoken accusations.

When I was certain she was asleep, I quietly opened the door and slipped inside. The sight that greeted me twisted something in my chest. Isla lay curled on the floor at the foot of the bed, as if she hadn't even had the strength to climb into it before collapsing. Her auburn hair spilled across the carpet like a pool of dark fire, her face tear-stained and flushed even in sleep. She looked small, fragile. Human. And yet, she was mine.

The possessive thought rose quickly, primal and fierce. My wolf rumbled in agreement, but there was something else there too, a protectiveness I hadn't expected, a tenderness that had no place in my carefully ordered world. I moved to her silently, crouching beside her sleeping form. Up close, I could see the mark on her neck, angry and red against her pale skin. It would fade in a day or two, and sit on her skin a few shades darker than her own pale complexion. My mark. The sight of it sent a surge of satisfaction through me that I couldn't entirely suppress, even as guilt shadowed it. I'd taken her choice away. Marked her against her will. And yet, seeing my claim on her stirred something dark and possessive in me.

Carefully, I slid my arms beneath her, lifting her slight weight against my chest. She murmured something incoherent in her sleep, turning her face into my shoulder in a gesture so trusting it made my breath catch. For a moment, I simply held her, breathing in her scent, the sweet scent of candy apples, undercut now with the earthy notes of my own scent, marking her as pack, as mate.

I laid her gently on the bed, pulling the covers up around her. My fingers lingered perhaps longer than necessary, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. The skin beneath my touch was soft, warm, flushed with life. In sleep, with her defenses down, she was achingly beautiful. I could almost forget what she was. Almost.

A presence at the door broke the spell. I turned to find Lucas watching, his face carefully blank but his eyes hard with judgment. I withdrew my hand from Isla as if burned, straightening to my full height.
"Alpha," he acknowledged, his voice low enough not to disturb Isla's sleep. I gave Isla one last glance, then stepped out of the room, closing the door silently behind me. I gestured for Lucas to follow me down the corridor, away from her door.

"Bianca's been contained?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral, professional. Trying to erase the memory of Isla's warmth against my chest.
"Yes," Lucas confirmed, his tone clipped. "She's in the holding cells below. Making quite a scene, from what I hear." I nodded, unsurprised. Bianca had never been one to accept defeat gracefully. I'd deal with her momentarily. First, there was the matter of Lucas's obvious disapproval.
"You have something to say," I stated as we reached the elevator. It wasn't a question. Lucas's jaw tightened as the elevator doors closed, sealing us in the confined space together. 
"Permission to speak freely, Alpha?"
"When have you ever needed permission?" I asked dryly, punching the button for the sub-basement. Lucas's dark eyes met mine, unflinching. 
"You've put us all in danger, marking her like that. And for what? She's terrified, broken. You can feel it through the bond, I saw your face when she was crying." I stiffened. 
"The bond is none of your concern."
"It is when it affects your judgment," Lucas countered. "You marked her. A human. Do you have any idea the position that puts us in? The Council-"
"Will accept my decision," I cut him off sharply. "She's my fated mate. Even the Council can't argue with the will of the Moon Goddess."
"A human mate," Lucas repeated, shaking his head in disbelief. "I get that it is necessary to have an heir. I al all to happy to see that sacrifice, especially if it stops Darius from getting his hands on this pack. After what happened to Julie-"
“I know,” I said sharper than I should. The guilt of what my brother did to Lucas’ sweet sister, still haunted me, and yet I couldn’t do a damn thing about it, not when he had a claim to the throne. Lucas fell silent, but the tension between us remained, thick enough to cut. The elevator continued its descent, the soft hum of machinery filling the space between us.
"She may be human," I said finally, "but she's still my mate. The pack will accept her because they have no choice. Neither do I."
"And the heir?" Lucas asked bluntly. "What having an heir will do to her. You're willing to risk her life for that?" The question hit too close to home, echoing Isla's own accusation. Or at least for my womb's protection, right? That's all that really matters to you.
"I won't let her die," I said, the words coming out more forcefully than I'd intended. "Whatever it takes, I'll find a way to protect her." Lucas raised an eyebrow, something like surprise flickering across his features. 
"You actually care about her." I looked away, uncomfortable with his scrutiny. 
"She's my mate. Of course I care about her survival."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." Lucas's voice had softened slightly, which was somehow worse than his anger. "Tristan, be careful. I've seen what happens when werewolves get too attached to humans. It never ends well.There is a reason why they aren’t allowed in our world."

The elevator doors slid open before I could respond, and the shrill sound of Bianca's voice immediately assaulted us. I winced, my enhanced hearing making her screams particularly grating.
"Let me out of here, you bastards! Do you know who I am? When Alpha Tristan hears about this-"
"He already has," I muttered, stepping into the dimly lit corridor that led to the holding cells. The guard station was manned by a young warrior named Derek, who looked immensely relieved to see me. He jumped to his feet, standing at attention.
"At ease," I said, waving him down. "How long has she been like this?" Derek grimaced. 
"Since she was brought in, Alpha. Nearly three hours now. She's been rather vocal."
"I can hear that," I said dryly. "Has she said anything of substance, or is it all just threats and insults?"
"Mostly threats, Alpha. Against you, against the pack, and something about a human?" Derek's eyes flicked to mine, then quickly away. Fuck. I really needed the time to tell the pack about our little human predicament myself, not have rumours spreading. I glanced over at Lucas who nodded, understanding my concern. He stepped forward towards Derek.
“What you hear is to be kept of strict confidence,do you understand me?” His tone was threatening enough that Derek paled and nodded his head quickly. 
“Oh of course, sir,” he said quickly. Lucas nodded, seemingly happy that Derek could be trusted. 
“I have found my fated mate,” I said, the thought sounding foreign on my tongue still. Derek’s eyes widened and then he grinned. 
“Oh Alpha, that is amazing news.” I smiled at his sentiment.
“There are complications though, one being that she is a human.” I watched closely for his reaction and other than the slight rise of his heartbeat there was nothing. 
“Well, and I hope you don’t mind my opinion Alpha,” he said looking for permission. I nodded quickly, bringing a smile from him. “While it might be a little unorthodox, I firmly believe the Moon Goddess has a plan for us all. I am sure as your fated mate the human would be a fine Luna to our pack and look forward to her introduction.” Something inside me filled with warmth. Derek was one of our younger pack members, but knowing at least one was willing to move pass the human part so quickly made me think that maybe we all could.
“Thank you Derek,” I said with a smile. “Let’s hope Bianca gets that message.” Derek rolled his eyes towards the cells.
"She seems to think you'll change your mind if she makes enough noise." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. But I knew one thing for certain.
"She's wrong."