Page 54 of Claimed By the Alpha

Rubbing his fingers together, trying to divert his attention so the sting his words brought, the guilt, wouldn’t hurt him too much.

I scooted closer, taking his hands in mine. A heat radiated from his skin, but I held on tighter, knowing I could take it.

“You wolf remained dormant; we don’t know why, but if we stayed in hiding, you needed to be able to protect yourself. I believed if I found your mate, you would be okay.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I pulled my lips behind my teeth, not daring to make a sound. Even when his words brought me more pain than his burning touch, I wouldn’t stop him. I wouldn’t whimper, not until he said everything that needed to be said.

Silence grew between us, the breeze coming through the curtains gave my body some relief.

“I never knew he would try to kill you.” His words were a mere whisper; the grief behind them was louder.

“Liam didn’t want a human as a mate. But he never realized you are the most powerful being here.”

“You saved me,” I spoke, knowing what Isaac had told me. What the moon goddess had shown him.

His brows knitted, and he leaned closer. “I didn’t. I helped your wolf save you. It took a lot from me. My body took some of your injuries, but your wolf got killed in the process. But how did you know?”

That was the moment I lost my wolf. Liam. Again, fucking Liam.

“Isaac saw you when he died. It’s complicated.” I shook my head, still finding it hard to believe what had happened, but I knew he didn’t lie.

His body stiffened at the sound of Isaac’s name, but I wouldn’t let go of his hand because I needed him to hear this too.

“I believe you. I believe you tried to do the right thing. You could never have known what Liam would do. That is not on you, Derek.”

With a soft smile, he turned, meeting my eyes fully. “It was my fault. I should have listened to Father. He said we couldn’t trust this place, this Realm anymore.”

“And still, you are ruling it.” My words were faster than my thoughts, and the tension rose between us.

“I don’t have a choice. This was my destiny, and you have your own.”

Taking a deep breath, not wanting to snap back at him while I pressed further. “Isaac has one too.”

“What?”

“He has been asked to reclaim the throne. I never fully understood what they meant, but now I do. They want him back here.”

“He will destroy everything, Joanne. Whatever you do, don’t let him in.”

“You don’t know that. I trust him!”

“Isaac Blackwood can’t be trusted,” he gritted.

“I don’t trust anyone else but him, Derek!”

He rose to his feet, his warmth leaving me, and I shivered when another cold evening breeze brushed past my skin.

“What we are doing this time has never been tried before. It can bring peace to the Realm and bring everyone together. Maybe even stop history from repeating itself.”

“How is it different?”

“Because you are getting mated to a Blackwood this time, but it isn’t Isaac.”

No, that couldn’t be.

“He’s Isaac’s brother?” Holy smokes, how did I not notice?

“Yes, Isaac doesn’t know. He probably would have killed him, like he did his own father.”

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