Page 59 of Claimed By the Alpha
I laughed, not wanting it to go away. I wanted it to break my skin and burn this place to the ground. Destroy everything it comes across, cleanse this place.
A spark ignited on my fingers; the sound of fire crackling followed. Heat engulfed me, and fire showed itself on my hands.
“That shouldn’t be happening.” Finlay’s whisper made my focus falter, and the stunning orange glow faded until there was nothing left.
Maybe being in this place wasn’t so bad because this had never happened before. Wait, that wasn’t true. I had felt a warmth when I was with Isaac, and he felt it too. What could this mean?
“Why?” I asked, peeling away my gaze from my hands.
“Two reasons. Your wolf is dead, and from what I understood from Derek, none of your previous selves could.”
“Maybe it means something.” There was this tiny bit of hope in my words, but he only glared at me; confusion stormed through his eyes until something clicked for him. But it seemed he wasn’t going to share it with me.
“Let’s go.” He turned on his heels and rushed out. I had so many more questions now, but first, I had to show myself to the one who was supposed to claim me.
Not wanting to stay in this room any longer, I put on my shoes and followed behind Finlay, wondering what was going on in that head of his and how I could control this fire inside me.
I could understand his confusion, but there was something more. Could this mean Derek’s claim on the throne wasn’t right? That I wasn’t only destined to be claimed by some Alpha but more.
Or did this put me in danger?
The last time I was in the throne room, Derek tried to burn me into submission, and now it would be the same room where my true mate was waiting.
Finlay stood by the doors, doubt lingered in his eyes, but he quickly blinked it away. He didn’t wait for me to speak when he opened the doors, revealing everyone.
“Joanne!” Conner ran toward me and wrapped his arms around me. I breathed in relief, my body instantly relaxing with him near.
“Are you okay?” he whispered, keeping me close, and I stiffly nodded.
“Are you?” I asked when he edged back, keeping me at arm’s length as he took me in—probably checking if I was truly okay.
“I got a massive hangover and didn’t even drink,” he joked.
“We are so glad you are both safe,” William spoke, coming closer with Laila beside him.
“Where is Isaac?” Scanning around, worry prickled inside me. Why wasn’t he here?
William diverted his gaze and shook his head. “We got separated. I don’t know where he is. I don’t even know if he is alive.”
My breathing stopped, my heart raced, and the worry turned into fear. He was okay; he had to be. I felt him earlier. He wasn’t dead. He was happy about something. He wasn’t happy about not coming with William and Laila, right? Happy about leaving me? No, he would never, he was mine.
Tears clouded my vision as I staggered on my feet. The fear was all-consuming, and all I needed was Isaac. I needed him here. I needed to see him.
“He is okay,” I mouthed.
William tugged me closer, trying to soothe this ache inside me. “We were ambushed. He saved us. He couldn’t have survived that. I’m sorry.”
“No!” I shoved him away. He was lying. He had to be. “I would have felt it!”
“You couldn’t,” Derek finally spoke to me again. “The bond can’t go through the border, not fully, at least. It could take a few days before you feel his death. It’s better this way.”
My jaw clenched, and my lips remained sealed. I wasn’t going to believe a word he said. He wanted Isaac dead, and he would tell me everything to make me think that.
Conner took my hand, and I leaned into his touch. The act made me smile while I wondered if Isaac could feel this. I hoped he did. I hoped it would give him what he needed to come here.
There wasn’t another word spoken about Isaac or the true mate deal. Derek played the good brother, the good Alpha, as he showed them all around. Where they would be staying and what was expected of them.
And I waited for my moment to ask what was nagging me. The guys were talking to each other as if they were one happy family, and only one seemed out of place, who seemed broken by the thought of losing Isaac. And it made me realize he was the only one I could trust.
