C4 I was ready

Elias POV

"What happened?" I asked, marching into the basement with my beta as we joined with two guards at the entrance.

"We are not entirely sure, Alpha. They were guarded all through the day, no food or water was given so it could have not been poison, we are not ruling that out yet. It wasn't suicide either, couldn't have been." One of them replied as we stopped in front of the cell they were in.

"Did anyone go in or out?"

"No alpha, they were monitored round the clock and nobody was seen to enter or leave the room" the other one replied with his head bowed.

"I don't want their bodies moved. Nobody should go in, the pack doctor would be sent to look at them. I want to know the cause of death and I want to know it as soon as possible" I said looking into the cell.

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"Elias", a soft voice called out breaking my thoughts. Only a selected few were allowed into my chambers so I didn't even need to think of whose voice that was.

"Hey Isabelle, what's up?" I asked, turning to face my approaching sister.

Elias's younger sister, Isabelle, graceful and beautiful with her flowing auburn hair and bright blue eyes, entered the chamber. Her presence carried a certain elegance, a regality befitting her role in the werewolf kingdom. Elias looked up, his eyes revealing the weight of responsibility he bore.

"Brother," Isabelle began, her voice soft yet strong. "Mother is deeply worried about you, you no longer interact with the pack like before, you don't smile much and when you do, it seems fake. The pack children noticed your distance and some of them cried because of it" she took a deep breath taking my hand in hers.

"Mother is still deeply affected by the loss of your mate. The whole kingdom mourns with her. She doesn't show her weakness for the same reason you don't, your positions in the pack, but it doesn't mean she doesn't care."

Elias nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed on a distant memory.

"Very soon, everything would be fine. You'll get your brother back and mother, her son. For now, I have to be an Alpha to my pack, a leader to our people." He said with a strong voice. Elias has always been one to put the people first, even before taking over the throne from father.

Isabelle took a seat beside him, her eyes reflecting concern but decided to agree with him and support him through it. "There's also one small problem I wanted to talk to you about" she started, looking at him again.

"The pack house is running low on medical supplies and food. We need to attend to them as soon as possible so I decided to come to you so you could direct me on what to do next."

The alpha sighed, acknowledging the challenges they faced. "I'll look into it, speak with Daniel and Roman, have them go into town to get a few items from there until we're able to fully restock."

"Thank you" She said leaning closer, her hand resting gently on his. "Perhaps it's time you consider finding a companion, someone to share the burden with, I can't imagine it's easy being the Alpha king." She said tracing patterns on the back of his palm, a habit of hers when she gets nervous.

Elias's eyes furrowed. Isabelle continued, "Even if she's not a wolf, someone who brings light to your life. You deserve happiness, Elias."

He remained silent, the mention of a new companion stirring conflicting emotions within him. Isabelle sensed his hesitation and gently probed, "Is there someone, Elias? Someone you've been keeping from us?"

Elias hesitated, his thoughts flickering to Emma—the strange human whose presence had become a mystery in his life. "No, Isabelle, there's no one," he replied, avoiding her gaze.

Isabelle studied him for a moment, her perceptive eyes seeing beyond his words. "You carry a concern that goes beyond the loss of your mate. I can sense it. Don't shut yourself off, Elias. Share your burden."

Elias sighed, considering whether to confide in his sister about Emma. The uncertainty lingered in his eyes. Isabelle, sensing his inner turmoil, gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll be here whenever you're ready to share," she said, her voice a gentle reminder of the bond they had.

Isabelle had always been the closest to Elias, his younger brothers could never stand a chance where she was present and they knew it.

Isabelle has always been a pillar of support in his life. Even when the tragic loss of his mate struck him and nearly brought him down, she served as a rock for him to lean on, unwavering and solid. She rose to her feet to leave but not before giving Elias a peck on the cheek.

"Take care, my dear brother," Isabelle said, her grace evident even in the simplest of gestures.

*Flashback*

"And when we have a son my love, we'll name him Kendrick, after your late father, may the moon goddess bless his soul" my mate, Theresa said looking up at me from between my thighs. She had just found her way to me on the couch in my study where I was studying a building plan for my company and nestled herself neatly between my legs.

"Kendrick? Don't you think that name is too mature for a little boy?" I asked, giving a mocking look to the beautiful woman.

"Who are you calling a little boy?" She challenged sitting up to face me. "I'm going to bear the next king, the person who is going to keep the werewolf Kingdom standing strong, ain't nothing little about that, Mr Alpha" she ended with a wink making me laugh.

I dropped the iPad I was holding by the side, "thank you" I said cupping her cheeks in my palm. "I couldn't have asked for a better Luna."

*End of Flashback*

And for the first time in years, a memory of my dead mate didn't cause me pain in my heart but it brought a smile to my lips. I was happy I experienced happiness with her even though it wasn't forever.

I was ready to move on.

I wasn't going to forget her completely, Theresa was a friend before becoming my mate, but more importantly, she was the Luna of the Silver Crescent Pack. I wasn't going to forget her, but I'm not holding on to our bond anymore either.

This Emma girl, I have to find her and understand what her deal is. My wolf, Ryder, yelped in excitement.

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