Isabel’s family refused to bury her body in the Pride pack because they feared that some unknown enemies could use the fragile humans and obtain information about the pack, making the pack vulnerable. So they contacted Daniel, the alpha of the Greenwood pack and asked if Isabel’s body could be taken to the Greenwood pack. Daniel was eager to help, and Dylan was allowed to look at Isabel’s body for the last time before she was flown to the Greenwood pack, because he wasn’t going to be part of the burial ceremony. It was just going to be Paulina and Rodrigo present, in order to avoid raising suspicion.
Even the members of the Pride pack were unaware of their alpha’s demise. They were only informed about her injuries, and that she was slowly recuperating, so her mate was going to be in charge of the pack for as long as she desired. This was to enable Dylan gain a strong foothold in the pack and keep the other packs at bay.
Dylan, on his part, did an awesome job by showing the entire pack his lycan form, causing word to spread across the different packs that Isabel’s mate was as strong as the alphas of the Pride pack.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Months turned into a year, and before everyone’s eyes, two years had gone by since the incident happened.
Dylan seated himself behind the desk in the study after returning from his usual morning run, staring into space for hours like he has been doing everyday for the past two years. He was dead to feelings and emotions, and avoided any form of contact with people. He only spoke to Xavi when it was necessary, since he couldn’t avoid his own duty.
After the incident two years ago, Dylan couldn’t bring himself to sleep in their bedroom because he kept seeing Isabel in the room, as that was the place where they spent most of their time together. So, he made the couch in the living room his bed and only goes into their bedroom when he wants to shower.
Being an alpha of the Pride pack wasn’t an easy task. He always had to be on his toes, incase of imminent threat of rogue invasion or attack from rival packs. And also, he was expected to always keep a fierce expression, which personally wasn’t in his nature, as he was a sociable person. All of this, and even more sacrifices he had to make to make sure he doesn’t taint the image and reputation of the Pride pack.
Dylan was still lost in his own thoughts when suddenly he caught a whiff of an all too familiar scent that awakened his wolf, which had been resting after the morning run. He ignored the scent and concluded that he was imagining things, since this wasn’t the first time he was feeling his mate’s presence.
Isabel’s ghost must be having a good time tormenting him, he thought to himself. His head jerked up when the scent became stronger.
The last time he experienced something like this was on his eighteenth birthday when he thought he perceived his mate. He thought back to his first encounter with Isabel and recalled that she acknowledged that she was indeed present on his birthday. So, this scent can only mean…
“I hate it when people get comfortable in my position.” Isabel’s breathtaking voice said from behind him, clearing his suspicion.
He swirled the chair around and came face to face with his beautiful mate. Her skin was smooth and spotless, free from any kind of cut or injury and perfectly tanned like the first time he saw her. Her black silken hair was neatly tied in her signature ponytail, while she gazed at him with her enchanting caramel orbs.
After recovering from his surprised and speechless state, Dylan stood in front of Isabel in a flash, holding onto her hands, hoping deep down that this time he wasn’t seeing an imaginary Isabel.
“You’re- this can’t- you’re supposed-“
“To be dead?” Isabel helped complete his sentence as he kept stuttering and stumbling over his words.
This can’t be real. He held her lifeless body in his arms. He brought her back by himself, so how is she standing in front of him unharmed?
“I told you before… It would take a whole lot to get me killed.” There was that unmatched pride in her voice as she spoke.
*********FLASHBACK**********
Paulina was sobbing on Isabel’s lifeless body, not planning on letting go, no matter how Xavi urged her to, when she felt a very weak pulse at the side of Isabel’s neck. She quickly gestured for Xavi to get the pack doctor, which he did without hesitation, even though he had no idea why his aunt was asking for the pack doctor. Fernando assisted Paulina in taking Isabel’s body inside the house while Xavi hurried to the pack hospital to get the doctor. She wiped Isabel’s injured body clean with a wet towel and waited for the doctor’s arrival.
Xavi returned with the doctor, who did a thorough check up on Isabel and confirmed that she was in a coma, but he admitted that he wasn’t certain how soon she would regain her consciousness. Paulina’s sadness turned to happiness on hearing the news. She believed there was a glimmer of hope in her daughter’s case because Isabel was a strong werewolf.
In that moment, she made sure the pack doctor, Xavi and Fernando swore an oath of secrecy regarding Isabel’s condition, which they earnestly did. She informed her mate of the recent development when they were alone in their bedroom, and they decided to hide it from Dylan, so he wouldn’t get excited over nothing, since they were taking a 50/50 risk themselves.
That was how they decided that the Greenwood pack would be a better option for Isabel to recuperate, so that Dylan doesn’t accidentally stumble on her unconscious body one day in the Pride pack.
*********END OF FLASHBACK********
“Although I’d admit, I didn’t do it on my own this time.” Isabel continued, enjoying her mate’s gentle caress on her cheek.
It’s so good to be back. Gosh! Has she missed his touch. Everyday she spent in the Greenwood pack, she mentally counted down to her return home.
“I won’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for him…”
Dylan’s wolf was beginning to get angry, because its mate was talking about another male werewolf with great fondness, but he suppressed his wolf as this wasn’t the time to be jealous. Whoever it was that helped keep his mate alive deserved his gratitude.
“Who is he?” Dylan asked, his voice was calm as he was still flabbergasted to see his mate alive.
“Xavi!” Isabel called out her cousin, who unknown to Dylan was standing outside the study.
Why was she calling out Xavi? Dylan wondered. Xavi couldn’t possibly be the person she was referring to, because he had been in the Pride pack the entire time, he mentally said to himself.
His thoughts was interrupted by his beta walking into the study with a boy over a year old in his arms.
Dylan’s eyes went wide with surprise as he stared at a mini version of himself.
“Is he?- I don’t understand-“
God! This isn’t the time to be at loss for words, he mentally face palmed, looking from Isabel to the happy pup in Xavi’s arms.
Isabel nodded and said,
“I owe him my life.”
Unknown to Isabel, she was pregnant at the time she fought with her half brother. Luckily, the pup wasn’t in any way affected by the wolfsbane, her injuries or the silver knife. As a matter of fact, she stayed alive as a result of her pup’s strong heartbeat and her unconscious instinct to protect her unborn pup. In essence, they kept each other alive.
Dylan walked towards Xavi, still staring wide eyed at the pup. As soon as he reached the pair, the pup smiled at him and stretched out his arms towards him, like he wanted Dylan to carry him, shouting the word,
“Dada” to everyone’s surprise.
Although Isabel had been showing their son photos of Dylan and constantly telling him that that was his dad. She never expected him to actually remember.
Dylan teared up on hearing his child acknowledge him, and carefully took him from Xavi’s arms, showering his face with kisses.
“Yes. It’s me, dada.” He confirmed, as the pup kept repeating his most interesting word.
“His name is Santiago.” Isabel said with a fond smile as she joined the pair.
“Thank you, Santi… Thank you so much, my love.” Dylan thanked his little angel, who brought his mate back to him.
Xavi left the family alone in the study, so they could have some quality time to themselves.
Dylan kissed his mate passionately, whispering the words,
“I love you.” through mind link.
“I love you too.” Isabel replied back, warming Dylan’s heart.
He playfully kissed the two most important people in his life, earning giggles from the pair. His world was complete.
“Guess what?... He’s gonna be stronger.” Isabel winked at her mate, who was already gazing at his son’s now golden orbs with a shocked expression.
THE END