The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

I had to run away and go rogue. The very thing that I’d been afraid of from the first day now seemed like my only option.

If I become a rogue wolf I would lose the connection and scent of my pack.

And if a rogue wolf was caught in another pack’s territory the penalty for trespassing without permission is brutal and sometimes death.

Going back to my Dad’s pack would not be the best decision, because it would be the first place Arden would send his warriors to raid, and if I was found then Arden would make me watch him slaughter my pack including my sisters. I shuddered and felt my heart begin to pound louder and faster in my chest. I have to think of another option that would guarantee safety for me and my unborn child.

The only safe place I could run to would be in the human cities. So far I would be able to hide my wolf then I would be able to survive. But I would be lonely with just me and my child growing together.

What about Malcolm? I didn’t even know what he was to me.

But I knew the thoughts of him makes me happy. He is like the sun that shines on my brightest day and the moon that shines on my darkest night. Basking in his presence gave me strength and hope. And those amber-brown eyes of his that always regard me with love and desire.

But there is no way I could pursue the feelings growing between us without Arden knowing about it.

I didn’t want to bring enmity between the brothers and the only way to do that, is to walk away from Malcolm. But would I be able to live knowing that someone genuinely cared about me?

What if I convince him to elope with me would he agree?

What if he finds out that I’m carrying Arden’s child, would he still look at me the same way?

I was still lost in thought when a soft knock on the door brought me out of my reverie. I slowly stood up and opened the door and met Violet, she was trembling uncontrollably and there were sweat beads on her temples.

” Luna, please Alpha Arden has requested your presence in his chamber,” She mumbled and her gaze kept slipping to the end of the hallway.

I stared at her for a moment but instead of acknowledging what she just said, I grabbed her hand and took her inside my chamber. Up close, I could see her eyes dancing with some kind of restless energy mixed with anxiety.

” Calm down Vi, and take a deep breath please,” my words seemed to infuse some courage as she stopped shivering a bit.

” Tell me Vi, why are you panicking? I implored

” Luna, Alpha Arden seemed very furious and I heard him murmur something like” You’re lying to him” and not just that, he was holding a very sharp blade while he asked me to fetch you,” Violet said and began sobbing

” Luna, please hope you did not lie to him, he seemed very angry and I’m scared he might hurt you.” She said

I would be lying if I said her words didn’t terrify me. I couldn’t help but wonder what could make Arden request my presence in his chamber while he was holding and observing a sharp blade waiting for me. I can’t remember lying to him or could it be the kiss I shared with Malcolm?

No! Malcolm would not tell him about it or could it be that he found out about the pregnancy?

No! The doctor had given me his words about keeping it a secret.

Then what could have been my offense?

No need to work my brains out for nothing, the only way was to grace his presence and find out what sin I had committed, just maybe he would make me pay with my life. I tried not to let fear gnaw at me and mentally prepared my mind for the worst. With one last glance at the crying Violet, I walked out of my chamber to meet my ruthless husband.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

I got to his door and gently tapped on the door, and waited for him to answer

” Come in,” He barked, and his voice rumbled in the space, and the sound echoed as it bounced off the walls.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I gently opened the door and entered inside while closing the door behind me. And there he was slouching on his chair, his velvet embroidered robe swishing as he threw his leg on the other. His elbow was propped on the armrest, and his right hand held the glistening blade.

Would he stab me immediately, when he gets closer to me? I tried not to shiver as a cool breeze swept past me.

He stood up and slowly walked towards me as I tried not to blink

” Why did you decide to hide it from me,” he asked in a frightening tone that harbored a special type of darkness.

I was shocked and my body was shivering with fear and my heartbeat began to race. I thought he might have found out the truth that I shared a kiss with his brother and he would stab me mercilessly. But I still tried to save myself.

” I…I have no idea of what you’re talking about,” I stuttered

” I see, you’re not scared of death,” he said and touched the edges of the blade and looked at me and a ghost of a smile appeared on his face as he spoke

” Isabella, are you pregnant?”

I was dumbfounded. “How could he possibly find out about it?

” Did he use his Alpha authority on the doctor for him to spill everything? What should I do? Maybe he would use the blade to cut my stomach and then kill the fetus?”

My hand immediately held my stomach, I have to protect the child. But how do I escape from Arden? I stood there shivering in fear and anxiety, I saw him look at me intently. I have to save the child even if I died trying it would be better than doing nothing.

” I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I summoned on courage and answered

” Interesting,” he said and came close to me, and the next thing left my cheek shook with the force of his slap and I felt blood trickling down my nose. I saw darkness and stars in front of my eyes.

He gave me a malicious look and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes

“Send him in,” he growled and went to sit in the chair

The next thing I saw was some warriors pushing the doctor inside his chamber and my heart immediately got stuck in my throat. The doctor gave me a look of pity, entered, and dropped a white paper on the ottoman beside Arden, and he was led out by the warriors.

Arden grabbed the paper and cackled like a hyena and stood up, moved closer to me and shoved the paper in my face.

” Mate, this test result proves that you’re pregnant with my child. Do you think carrying my child would change the way I feel about you? Hell no!!!

I would rip you and that tramp in your womb apart.” He took the blade and started tracing my face and body with the tipped edge it pricked my skin and blood spilled out slowly.

I clenched my arm and pictured death, and how peaceful it would be but I was sure he would never give me a quick death. He would derive pleasure in torturing me before he sends me to the great beyond.

” Oh, Moon goddess!! Please don’t let this happen, Bring Malcolm to my aid,” I mumbled as pain seared through my heart, I closed my eyes briefly letting tears flow freely from my eyes down to my cheeks.

He yanked my hair forcefully and started tracing the blade around my stomach, I screamed and clasped my stomach tightly and another slap landed on my left cheek but I was more concerned about guiding my stomach than the hot flames igniting on my cheek.

” I don’t want you, what makes you think I would want that bastard you’re carrying? He snarled and walked away a bit from me and I dashed to the door and successfully opened it and ran out of the hallway but he grabbed my arm before I could escape. He yanked me up so hard that I stumbled and he twisted my wrist behind my back until I screamed, forcing the scream into a cry that was half terror and half misery. I tried hard to get away from him but he maintained a firm grip on me.

” For trying to play smart with me, and wishing for a quick death I will grant you that mate,” he chuckled loudly and pushed me down the stairs.

I rolled down the stairs, my face hitting the walls and my stomach hitting the iron bars that barricaded the stairs and in between my legs blood was dripping out.

And I felt a strong hand holding me, the hand cradled me like a baby but his face was blurred in front of mine, and the shadow was fast overcoming the light.

” Please save my unborn child,” I pleaded before I slipped into darkness.