Five Alphas Kneel for Me (Isabella) novel Chapter 498

Chapter 498

The shadow–beast transport was quiet, the warm yellow crystals casting a soft, dim glow.

The cold, hard Alpha edge Grayson had carried from the Miller estate simply dissipated the moment he saw me. My wolf felt the shift in his aura–the jagged ice of his presence melting into something deep and grounding.

He reached out, pulling me into his arms. His chin rested gently against the top of my head as he rubbed it, his scent of mountain rain and cedar washing over me.

“Why didn’t you stay at the guest outpost?”

His voice was low, carrying a hint of a smile, as if his wolf was deliberately trying to hide a purr.

Because I was worried about you,” I mumbled, my voice muffled against his chest furs.

I knew Grayson wanted to show me only his strongest, most dominant side, but I also wanted him to understand that he could lean on me. I didn’t want him to always face the Miller family’s blood–feuds alone.

I felt his chest vibrate with a low laugh.

What’s there to worry about?”

I worry when you’re on your own.”

lifted my head, my gaze unwavering as I looked at him.

Let me be by your side, always.”

watched his expression soften, as if my words had gently struck a chord within his Blood–Core.

He gazed at me, and in my clear eyes, I hoped he saw how completely he filled them. My wolf leaned into his spirit, yearning for the full bond.

He lowered his head, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead–a gentle touch that felt more like a pack–elder’s than a fated mate’s.

My hand, tucked by my side, clenched into a fist, my claws slightly pricking my palm without me even realizing it. My wolf let out a quiet, frustrated

vhine.

The next day, Grayson drove me to the flight–pad for my journey back to the Silver–Coast Territory.

We had just arrived at the terminal when my mental link chimed. It was Carson.

The moment I accepted the link, Carson’s voice, brimming with barely contained excitement, streamed through the telepathic connection.

Isabella, are you coming back today? I’ve secured a grand den in the Silver–Coast, and I’m settling our bloodline down here for good. Your aunt–wolf s arriving tonight, too, so come over to the den tonight.”

instinctively glanced at Grayson, who was standing right beside me. I hesitated for a beat, feeling the tug of the pack–bond, but then I gave Carson By inswer. “Okay,” I said.

Only after severing the link did I turn my gaze back to Grayson.

didn’t even have to open my mouth. Grayson had clearly felt the resonance of the mental call, and I knew he’d never want to put me in a difficult spot within my own lineage.

You and your kin have just reunited. You should really spend some quality time together. My den is open for you anytime you need a place to best.

Besides, I knew he always had his own agenda, his own careful strategy unfolding like a wolf stalking through the brush

I snuggled deeper into Grayson’s arms, an aching reluctance settling heavy in my chest. My wolf howled at the thought of the distance

Since my rebirth, since that snowy night he found me and brought me into his pack, we hadn’t spent a single day apart

Even though we were still in the same territory, I felt like a distance was about to grow between our souls.

Meanwhile, at the Silver–Coast Flight–Pad.

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At the same time, I knew Carson’s mate, Wendy, had just landed.

Carson, naturally, would be there to pick her up himself.

He waited for quite a while at the arrival gate before finally spotting that familiar figure in the crowd.

Wendy was dressed in impeccably tailored Elder–leathers, her ritual makeup flawless. She exuded an elegant poise, yet an indefinable aloofness–a scent of cold iron–always seemed to cling to her eyes.

A young she–wolf walked beside her, her hand in Wendy’s.

I pictured him striding quickly over, taking the travel–trunks from her hand, his eyes already narrowing on the girl beside her.

Manu

She’d be about eighteen or nineteen, I imagined, likely pretty, but with a certain pampered air, a spoiled glint in her eyes that was hard to miss–the scent of a wolf who had never known a hard winter.

Who’s this?” I could almost hear him ask.

Wendy affectionately looped her arm through the girl’s and smiled as she introduced her. “This is my niece–kin, Lola. She’s on holiday from the Southern Packs, so I brought her along to see the territory.”

Carson offered Lola a gentle nod of acknowledgment, then turned to Wendy, practically bursting with impatience.

Wendy, there’s something I need to talk to you about. I’ve decided. I’m going to formally adopt Isabella into our lineage ritual.”

Wendy’s polite smile hitched, a fleeting stiffness momentarily freezing her expression as her pheromones turned sharp.

Oblivious, Carson went on, “You always said it was a shame we only had one son–pup. Well, now that Isabella’s completely cut ties with the Miller Pack, she’s a Grant. She’s our daughter–wolf, my daughter.”

Wendy fell silent for a few seconds. “Actually,” she finally said, “I also have something I need to tell you.”

Wendy drew Lola close, her eyes shining with an unmistakable tenderness that made my wolf’s hackles rise even from a distance. A cold knot formed in ny stomach even before she spoke.

Tve also discussed it with my brother–kin and his mate,” she announced, her voice too casual, “I want to adopt Lolà into the Grant lineage.” My breath hitched. This wasn’t just a casual announcement; it felt like a direct response, a challenge hurled straight at my position in the pack.

Carson’s brow furrowed instantly, reflecting the confusion and alarm swirling inside me.

That’s not right,‘ he stated, his voice tight with Alpha authority,

Wendy’s face fell, her scent taking on an accusatory edge that made me flinch.

“How is that not right? You get to adopt your niece–kin, but I can’t adopt mine? Carson, what kind of pack logic is that? Her words hung heavy, suddenly making me feel like a prize in some twisted territorial negotiation.

Carson’s voice was patient, but firm. “Isabella’s situation is completely different. Her mother–wolf passed away years ago, and her sire is a monster. She’s completely alone now, with absolutely no pack to turn to. Lola, on the other hand, has both her parents and a perfectly stable den. Why would we even think about adopting her?”

Wendy wouldn’t listen, though. She was dead set on the idea that Carson was playing favorites with the bloodlines.

“I don’t care! She’s been close to my wolf since she was a pup. She is my daughter!”

I watched them, a territorial fight brewing right there at the flight–pad. Carson, seving no other option, finally backed down, his voice softening- Carson tried to reason with her. “How about this: let Lola stay in our den for a while, see how she settles into the territory If her wolf hikes it, we can talk more then. But if she gets homesick for her original pack, we can’t force her to stay, can we?

Wendy was clearly unhappy. I could sense her displeasure, though she held her tongue, not wanting to make a scene with an Alpha in public. She bit back her anger, letting silence speak for her.

The moment we arrived at the Grant family den, I watched Wendy practically usher Lola into one of the chambers. Her hand gave Lola’s a quies, almost

secret squeeze.

Then, I heard Wendy’s hushed voice, “Don’t be scared, Auntie’s right here. That position as the Grant family’s eldest daughter–woll? That can only ever be yours.”

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