The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

MalcolmRêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

It hurt like hell that after everything we shared, she turned around and walked away from me. Like I meant nothing to her. Like we hadn’t shared a fated bond that tied our souls together, I shouldn’t have been surprised that she could fight it. She had fought off her bond with Arden and even rejected him. I know it took her a lot of determination to do it but I wanted to believe that what we both shared was special and different. We had more than a bond, we had love. We loved each other.

But as days rolled into weeks I began to doubt if she truly felt something for me.

I was loaded with work in the pack. There were numerous meetings with the council elders trying to sort out the next line of action since Arden was dead and a new Alpha had to be announced to the people of Blood Moon Pack. The council elders were already pushing that I should be presented to the pack as their next Alpha because leaving the pack empty without an Alpha would draw the eyes of rogue wolves our way.

But according to the pack law before a new Alpha would be named they had to undergo a training ritual to certify them worthy.

I began my training with the council of elder wolves, days turned into weeks and the ritual training went round and round for weeks.

I left the office exhausted and collapsed on my bed every night and I would breathe in the fading scent of my mate on my sheets. I felt too hot for my liking, and only Isabella Cross could quench this intense hunger within me.

My mind would always play over every moment of our time together. From the first time I kissed her while she was still married to Arden, I remember how she was clutching hard at my hair, her soft body trembling against mine. And the pleasurable time we made love in the guest inn and I gave her my mark, sealing up the mating ritual and making her mine forever.

To the day she sat on my bed in my chambers and fed me with her own hands and her silver orbs held so much love.

The memory of when she ran away from the pack came playing and how Arden had gotten drunk in his office lamenting ” She was my strength and took everything from me when she left. My sanity, my world, my life.”

“Damn! That was the exact way I felt right now.” I couldn’t think, it felt as if I was mentally unstable. It felt as if every fiber of my being, left with her. I was empty and I felt a pointed pain in my chest that could only be healed upon seeing her, upon having her in my arms. I have never felt this out of control before.

Night after night I had a deep conversation with myself and my soul. My heart hammered against my chest and if ever there was a time to make it right. It’s now.

I grew up in Blood Moon Pack, I had spent all my life here and loved my parents, brothers, and my pack members so much. I loved life here.

It’s a privilege to be an Alpha of the largest park territory, to be in charge of the pack’s fortune, to be entrusted with so many lives, and to be the one to direct the affairs of a whole wolf clan community.

But my world was empty, without Isabella by my side everything seemed meaningless.

It might have been my destiny, inheritance, and birthright but it wasn’t what I wanted.

And I finally decided to make my own rules and decisions, I would fight for our love.

I stormed out and hastened to my office which now seemed like an endless, godforsaken distance away. I got to my office and sent for some of the council wolves and King Leonard. I couldn’t sit still, I groaned in frustration thrashing everything that stood on my table.

I sighed and closed my eyes, huffing again when the door pulled open and my Dad and some of the council wolves came in. Their eyes scanned the mess I made on the floor without saying a word they went to sit down…

I went straight to the point, I was in no mood for pleasantries or beating around the bush. They were here for a reason so I didn’t bother masking my true feelings. I spoke up, holding a frosty short smile.

” I apologize greatly, for pulling you all out of your busy schedule for this impromptu meeting.” I scanned their faces and continued ” What I’m about to say might come as a shock but I have weighed my options and it’s the right thing to do.

” I’m declining my position as the next Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, and since it’s important for the pack to have an Alpha. I have decided that my younger brother Lance will take over the pack while I rule North Central.” I watched as their faces colored with rage but I managed to keep my demeanor neutral.

“That will not happen! I forbid you, Malcolm. You can’t do this, I have lost a son and I do not intend to lose another!” Dad said and was up on his feet, his fists pounding on the table, meeting my gaze. But there was a flicker of pain in his gaze.

I stared at him defiantly, I had made up my mind and wouldn’t allow anybody to control my life. ” I’m sorry Dad, but you can’t change my decisions. I will go after my mate Bella since our pack reminds her of Arden’s loathing toward her. I have decided to bring back and together we will rule North Central. My life is empty without her. She’s my strength and the air that I breathe. I love her so much Dad. I expected you to bless our union instead of putting the pack before our lives.” I said in a calm but firm tone.

Dad took a few steps toward me hugged me tightly and said ” If it’s what you want son, then you should be on your way to bring back our Luna!”