Chapter 19 Nineteen

Calista’s POV

My grandma's words died in that office that same night.

The air in the pack had suddenly gone from chaos to silence.

The good kind of silent. The peaceful kind. The kind that made everyone feel safe. And the kind that made me feel light inside.

Ray was waiting beside the car. I wore my usual.

Black pants with my black top tucked in and a black leather boot that ran to my knees.

The weather was graceful, I thought to myself as I climbed into the car.

It was the first day of the month. I was visiting my father's grave just like I did every month on the first day.

I wasn't living to forget him, nor was I building a life for myself.

I was living to continue what he didn't finish. And protect what he left behind.

The two warriors at the door bowed, both greeting me in unison.

I saw the other car behind us and I turned my eyes to Ray who was now getting into the driver's seat.

"Having you is enough," I said and he nodded.

No argument.

"How was your night?" He asked with a look of pride and contentment.

"Was good," I replied, my eyes not losing their coldness.

I didn't know how much I had accomplished but I hoped he was proud of me like he always says.

"The office light was on throughout the night," he said casually and I turned my gaze to him, a small frown pulling at my eyes but he was smiling.

Like he didn't just question his alpha. "I'm looking out for you, Calista." He clarified.

"You were spying on me." I corrected and he chuckled.

"You should rest." He didn't answer.

"I did." He looked at me briefly and shook his head.

The car pulled into the cemetery before stopping.

The old man at the cemetery greeted me with his head hanging low.

Another couple, who I think went to visit a relative, also greeted me.

Two pups bowed at my presence at the same time.

I didn't think.

I knew the pack had finally accepted me.

After five years of ruling and carrying the alpha title.

I finally got recognized by the pack members.

"Alpha Calista!"

Ray blocked the little male before he reached me, but I told him to let him.

"Here." He handed me a red rose.

"My grandfather said you saved the pack, so I'm thanking you for saving me and my grandfather."

A small frown covered my eyes but when I looked up and saw the old man standing not far from us, I nodded at him before letting my gaze drop back on the little male.

"Thank you, little one," I whispered and he ran back to his grandfather.

"Alpha Calista." I looked up and he blew me a kiss before waving at me.

I laughed and Ray let out a chuckle.

I didn't realize I was still holding the red rose until Ray asked me if I was going to put it in a vase.

I wanted to shove it away but I didn't. I wanted to keep it.

It was the first time I had felt this way.

Light and fulfilled at the same time.

We drove back into the pack.

For the first time in five years, I truly felt accepted by the pack. Not as the daughter of their late Alpha.

For five years I kept hearing the same thing. The same tainted name-calling. The same whispers from the pack members and the disgusted looks I received from the pack members.

The peace in my head didn't last long because females like me were seen as nothing but stepping stones.

That very night a rogue messenger appeared at the border demanding to see me.

He didn't come to claim or fight the female alpha everyone thought was weak and incapable of ruling a pack.

He simply wanted to see me.

That demand wasn't dangerous, but in some way it was.

I wasn't scared but I was curious. Curious enough to walk out of the dining hall alone.

'Did he say anything else?' I asked Ray through the mind-link as I stood up, leaving my food on the table.

'Bring him.' I ordered, cutting off the mind-link immediately.

The heel of my boot clicking the floor with each step I took.

Ray and two other warriors walked into the mansion with the intruder who was demanding to see me.

"Who are you?" I asked and he looked up but couldn't hold my gaze.

"I was sent to deliver a message," he spoke politely and my brows pulled together.

Ray tried to step closer to him but I raised my hand to stop him.

"What message?" I stepped closer, my heel colliding with the marble floor.

My bodycon dress pressed firmly to my skin.

"He said to deliver it to you, personally."

He cut his skin with his claws and pulled out a small piece of paper from his opened wrist.

Stained with blood.

I took the paper from him.

"Who sent you?"

He didn't reply.

"Lock him up," I said and the two warriors grabbed him harshly, taking him away.

I unfolded the sheet slowly.

"It's from the Wild Pack alpha," I whispered and Ray rushed to my side in seconds.

"What does that cursed alpha want from us?" My grandma's voice rang from behind. I wasn't surprised she was here.

She was everywhere, to be precise.

"He wants me to be his mate?" I asked no one in particular.

My fingers clenched into the tiny sheet as I absorbed the rest of the content on the sheet.

"And if you refuse?" My grandma's voice came in, this time closer than before.

Ray's gaze stayed on me like he knew what was written in the sheet.

"Fight him," I whispered and my grandma gasped.

Ray stood nonchalantly.

My chest tightened, not from fear but from anger.

He dared bring something like this to me. The guts to write such with my name attached.

Be his mate, he said.

Isla growled in my head, furious.

I have been used once, not again.