The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Malcolm

My breathing became slow, and my heartbeat lowered. I could hear the faint drumming of my heart. I started to feel my eyelashes grow heavy and tired. A burning sensation spread through my body, starting from my chest to every bone in my body. Suddenly a ray of light appeared and I was surrounded by its glow. It was warm and peaceful but abruptly everything changed and I felt myself being pulled away into the darkness. It was different and unwelcoming. I felt a deep pain rooted in the core of my chest. Just then I felt a heavenly warm feeling on my lips as intense sparks kindled within me. Weakly, my eyes fluttered open, and the first thing they found was my mate’s face, inches away from mine. Her warm slender hands were all over me. She pulled her eyes open and they connected with mine. Her round beautiful eyes held mine and her eyes went around with unhidden excitement, her lips stole a wide smile. She moved a step closer to me, her scent dancing in the air, completely distracting me for a minute.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

” Malcolm,” she called softly, and I looked around to realize we were in my exotic chamber in North Central.

” How did I get here?” My eyes were crippled in confusion, and I didn’t know why my heart was pounding so fast.

I couldn’t remember anything from the time I was in the woods fighting off the rogues that attacked us on our way to the pack. My eyes broadened, recalling how I shielded Bella with my body, from getting hit with a poisonous arrow that was fired by her father. But everything after that I couldn’t remember. My memories were so fucking messed up. I shut my eyes, taking several breaths before pulling them open.

“Malcolm, I’m so happy you’re fine. And here with me. I couldn’t imagine doing this life without you by my side.” Bella’s tear-stained face pulled closer to mine and she kissed me. Her lips moved gently on mine, kissing me softly while my body burned with a deep feeling. Reluctantly, she pulled her lips away from mine, and my deep hazel eyes met with her silver orbs, sparkling with tears.

“Bella,” My body was vibrating intensely as my trembling fingers moved up to her face, trailing the outline of her face. My large hands cupped her face and she moaned at the sweet tingles that erupted as I swept back the locks of curls in her face. A deep smile found her lips again and for a heated minute. We stared at each other intensely without mumbling a word. I broke the lingering silence first.

“I’m here with you love, I will always be right by your side.” I held her tightly in my arms and buried my face in her hair as confusion broke within me.

“How did we arrive at North Central and what happened to the rogues?” I voiced and tried pulling up from the bed, but Bella grabbed me.

” You shouldn’t stress your body, Mal. You may be all healed up but you’ve been unconscious for a while.”

” Unconscious! What happened to the rogues? I massaged my temples with my fingers. I felt exhausted and weak.

Just then the door squeaked open, Lance came in, and beside him was Jack. My eyes drifted to my brother and Jack. From the feeble look on their faces, it was obvious that they had not had a good rest. I pushed myself up from the bed, forcing myself to stand. ” What happened to the rogues? And what about that traitor Nicholas?” I grabbed a handful of my hair and turned to Lance who was leaning on the wall, his jet-black eyes watching me.

” When you took the hit of the arrow, Bella lost it thinking that you were dead. She attacked and killed Nicholas Cross. His death scared the rogues and the remaining ones fled for their lives.” Lance voiced.

” What?” I gasped in shock. My voice was low, barely above a whisper. A sudden coldness enveloped me and I felt like something within the core of my chest stopped. It took me several seconds before I could recover from what Lance had just told me. I couldn’t believe it, my mate had summoned the courage to kill that bloody bastard to avenge my supposed death.

I couldn’t possibly begin to describe the emotions that swirled in my chest. Without sparing a second, I hastened to where Bella was standing and sprawled my arms around her. I hugged her like my life depended on it. My muscular arms engulfed her small frame and she buried her face into my chest. I rested my lips and nose on top of her head, inhaling each other’s scent. We stayed like that for a few minutes before I pulled away reluctantly.

” You saved me, Bella. You saved us. Thank you, love. I can imagine how difficult it was for you to make that decision.” I whispered

” I had no other choice, Mal. You’re my life and the reason for my existence. I died when I thought I had lost you forever, and I also needed to put a stop to his cruel games of using me as a pawn.” She muttered, sobbing. In a split second, I invaded the space between us. My huge frame caged hers as my lips took hers in a deep hungry kiss, sending indescribable pleasure through my body. I pulled away abruptly, my head was still bent and my face was still inches away from hers.

” I’m so sorry, Bella.” I held onto her hands. I could see the pain that filled her depth and before she started feeling all guilty, I made her know that none of this was her fault. It was no one’s fault. Nicholas Cross was a bloody monster and he deserves a more painful and cruel death.

” What do we do now?” Jack broke the lingering silence, asking an important question.

His question sent me deep into my thoughts. I had always contemplated it since Alpha Arden’s demise but right now I have come to a conclusion.

I exhaled the air, imprisoned my lungs, and tilted my head to meet Bella’s penetrating gaze, before glancing over at Lance and Jack.

I knelt down and stretched forth my hands to her “Bella, you are the one that has always been etched in my life and destiny. You are my priority. You’re my world. I can never think of doing this life alone, without you by my side. Please I am officially asking you to rule North Central with me.” I said calmly.

Bella moved closer and held tightly to my waist ” I love you so much, Mal, and I accept your proposal to be the Luna of your pack. Together we rule and make beautiful memories.” She said,

Just at her words, I felt my member hardened with desire. I wanted nothing at this moment but to have her body against mine but this wasn’t the right moment for it.

“Brother,” I called, keeping my voice as stable and firm as I could.

“Please inform the pack’s elders and also send out a word to our parents, that in two days I shall hold a feast to officially take up the throne of North Central as their Alpha and also present my mate as their Luna.”