Page 46 of Fated Alpha Protector

“... She is your fated mate, isn’t she?”

When Anastasia makes the discernment, it prompts me to turn around and finally lift my head to meet her eyes. The sadness I feel echoes in her eyes as she comes forward and pulls me into a hug.

“Oh, Brother…” she whimpers as her smaller arms wind around me. “... Why didn’t you say anything?”

“What difference would it have made?” I grunt regretfully as I allow myself to soak up the comfort Anastasia’s arms provide. While Mia’s kiss remains in the fragmented pieces of my heart, I can’t be strong right now.

“Oh, it would have made a world of a difference, Theo,” MIa cries compassionately. “We would have stopped her from leaving.”

Pulling away from my sister’s embrace, I shake my head as I stare into her eyes. “You don’t understand, Ana. Blackclaw declared war on us if she didn’t return.”

Anastasia shakes her head firmly, planting her hands on her hips as if she’s about to scold me. “Is this because of the marriage deal?”

“No, Sister. It has nothing to do with the marriage deal.” I can’t tell my sister that there’s something Mia doesn’t know about her past. That she needed to go back to figure out who she truly is. And that for some reason, Cyrus seems to think that an Omega is important enough to declare war over.

“So… Tell Cyrus you agree to the marriage deal. Tell him that I will marry him, and in exchange you will marry Mia for the sake of the alliance.”

“I can’t do that,” I shake my head as dread fills my gut. “I can’t forsake your happiness.”

Anastasia places a hand on my shoulder, looking up into my face with deep concern. “I’m not asking you to forsake my happiness, Theo. I’m begging you not to forsake your own.”

“I can’t do–”

“No,” she says firmly. “I will not listen to any more of this self-sabotage. You will go and meet with Cyrus and tell him that I’ve made up my mind. And you will bring Mia back to Overton, where she belongs; with her fated mate.”

It had taken a lot of convincing for me to finally come to a decision. To send word to Cyrus Savage that I have finally agreed on the marriage to my sister. We receive a reply within a day, and I’m called to Rocheport tonight.

“Are you sure you want to make the journey there yourself?” Liam asks when news comes back from Blackclaw. He and the Delta stand in my office as I read the letter sent by Cyrus in reply to my request for a meeting.

“I don’t want him thinking I’m bringing a fight to his door,” I inform my soldiers.

Both men nod, even if their faces show that they aren’t convinced. They steal a knowing glance at each other before Jarrod says, “Is it a good idea? We’re not sure what Cyrus is capable of.”

Sighing, I fold up the piece of paper with Cyrus’s reply and fling it onto the desk. I lean back on my leather chair, folding my arms behind my head. With the human hunters still locked up downstairs, we haven’t received word from anyone.

Not for their release or for the threat of raging war on us. The radio silence suggests that the humans could attack us at any given moment.

I can’t risk being at war with both the humans and the neighboring werewolf pack.

“With the threat of human hunters on the horizon, I doubt he’ll make any sudden movements. Just be on standby.”

Liam gulps. “It’s not like we’ll be able to hear you, Alpha,” he reminds me.

Though it’s something we’re not certain of, I’ve come to the conclusion that Blackclaw has some form of technology that prevents us from using our mind links. Like a blockage of some kind – that’s why I’ve been unable to reach Mia’s mind.

I’ve tried, ever since she would’ve arrived in Rocheport. And failed every single time.

Grabbing my duffel bag off the floor, I get to my feet. “I’m leaving now,” I announce to the Beta and Delta.

Not knowing what the situation is like in Blackclaw, I just need to get there. To find Mia and bring her back in exchange for Cyrus marrying my sister.

It’s not ideal, but Anastasia won’t listen to a word I say. Even going as far as threatening to journey to Rocheport all by herself.

“... I’ll call if I need anything,” I continued handing out instructions to my subordinates.

Once they’ve agreed to all my instructions, I head out of the den in preparation of my journey. Tying the duffel bag to my ankle, I shift into wolf form and enter the woods.

A faint trace of Mia’s scent still lingers across the river. Like breadcrumbs directing me, I fill my lungs with the sweetness of her scent as if to remind me of my quest. It’s only that sweetness which allows me to accept what my sister has offered.

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