The Female Alpha’s Sanctuary

Chapter 231

Isaac tilts his head down to look at my hand. He reaches for it, playing with the band of my ring and tracing the Greyhound insignia with the pad of his thumb.

“I’m not angry at what needs to happen, Alpha. I’m just-”

Isaac’s brows knit together as he tries to search for a specific word. The scrunch of his face tells mé he failed and frustration begins to bleed into his expression,

“I just didn’t think that the first time I’d set foot into Duskfall since then, it would be because we’d need to see how intact it is for future settlement. I would’ve thought that when I did come back, years after leaving, it’d be because I was ready. It’d be because I’d finally set things right and avenged each and every one of them.”

Isaac lets go of my hand but doesn’t look up. His shoulders slump forward.

“It’s been over four years for me. Been that way since I left for Ga mma training. The day I left, I never expected anything to change when I’d come back.

He lets out a dry laugh imbued with self-deprecation,

“Didn’t think I’d come back as the last living pack member, that’s for sure.”

“You’re not alone. I’m right beside you. So is Noah.”

I remind him, knowing that anything else I say wouldn’t have as much meaning for him than that.

“I know. And I thank the Moon Goddess for that everyday, even if I hate her for everything else. That’s why I want you to take it, Selene.”

Isaac shuts his eyes,

“Take Duskfall. Take my home back. Take it for her.”

His eyes open and the smile on his face becomes heartbreakingly nostalgic,

“Take it so that you finally have that chance at life Alpha Oliver and Dad wanted to give you.”

I don’t respond. It’s clear he doesn’t need me to. We don’t say much of anything after that. The sound of water rushing down between the rocks fill up the space left between us. And if his eyes began to mist over just before he discreetly rubbed at his face, well, I wasn’t going to bring attention to it. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I slid my hand on top of his.

Where words seemed to fail, actions made up for it.

The next week had been the busiest I’ve ever been since taking the Alpha title.

After discussing the suggestion about merging Ignis Red, Greyhound and Duskfall with Isaac, everything else seemed to fall into place. Raizel hadn’t been surprised when I told him I wanted to proceed with the proposal. He’d expected it, if the lack of surprise he had on his face was anything to go by. And when I asked him of what his thoughts were about the idea, he’d readily given his approval.

The news gave Williams reprieve over the topic of ownership of Duskfall. Apparently the other Alphas had been insistent on finally occupying the territory after years of desolation. While he hadn’t

The Female Alpha’s Sanctuary

been keen to hand it over to just anyone, more so because Isaac was still alive and had more rights to it than anyone else, the constant badgering was finally taking its toll on him. He couldn’t keep postponing it. It was bound to be taken one way or another.

Isaac’s agreement was what put Williams’ apprehension to rest.

And now, tomorrow was the day we’d been scheduled to visit. Isaac had been withdrawn the last few days leading up to tomorrow. He kept to himself but he was slowly beginning to open up again. Being back in Greyhound and associating himself with the other pack warriors had kept him from being completely detached. Noah hadn’t been any better, being a constant annoyance over his ear. He may not say it out loud, but Isaac appreciated the support. The constant small talk kept his mind off Duskfall and gave him the me ntal breather he needed.

He was way better off now than when I spoke to him at the Capital.

I wished i could say I was confident about our visit as everyone else seemed to be.

After four long years, I was going to set foot in Duskfall again. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact. On one hand I knew the sorrow and regret would never completely vanish. The guilt that always accompanied me would never cease to exist. I knew that, and part of me accepted it, but there was also that lingering anticipation.

Anticipation to see the first home I ever had. Excitement to see it bustling with life once more. Duskfall was never meant to abandoned. It was never supposed to be the shadow of the greatness it once was. Now, we had a chance to revive the place that gave so many people happiness. And although the grievance over what was lost will never be gone, we can only move forward.

Of course it was easier said than done. We still had to draw up plans about how exactly we would divide the territory and which sections would go where and how our people would respond to the expansion. All in all, we had our work cut out for us.