The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Book 2 The Alpha’s Forbidden Bride – Episode 16

~HUNTER~

“Can I get you something else to drink?” the waitress asked with a flirtatious smile.

I nodded as I squeezed my head, paying no attention to her.

Isabella’s words continued to upset my peace of mind. I hadn’t been able to get her tears out of my head. That fact made me feel uneasy.

The last time I’d felt this way about a female . . .

I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about her, it only brought back the pain I’d tried so hard to bury inside of me.

I’d lost two men today; men that I would have killed on my own hadn’t James already done it. I was not okay with hurting women; I’ve made it clear to my men in the past. Their actions brought shame upon me and I was glad that they were already dealt with.

However, I was not okay with the obvious traitorous behavior of the council. They’d made it clear to me in the past that I would not have any problems with Eden’s mate. They also managed to keep the truth from me, even when I had asked them to explain. From now on, I’ll have to pay closer attention to my relationship with them, they were no longer trusted allies.

My mind replayed the events of the fight, James was strong but I had expected that after learning more about him. I made sure to pay close attention to all of his movements, I had an idea now of how to bring him down in a fight. If Austin’s pack hadn’t showed up when they did, I would have finished what I’d started. But I couldn’t take the risk of losing any more men. This was bound to happen when half of them weren’t even with me. I’d asked them to stay back at home and guard there until I needed them. I didn’t expect a fight to stir up so quickly but I also hadn’t expected James to be my opponent.

That was my first mistake. I underestimated who I would be up against.

Isabella’s pretty features crashed through my thoughts once more without warning and I had to stifle a g***n.

I had to marry Eden before I let that woman get to me. After seeing the way James reacted to seeing Eden hurt, it stirred up memories that I didn’t want to remember. I couldn’t let myself face such pain for a second time. This meant, I would have to bring up the wedding date. It’s the least that the council could offer me after everything they’ve done so far.

It was set.

I would be paying the council another visit. . .

. . . . . . .

~JAMES~

“We can’t do this alone,” Austin said. “You can’t do it on your own and even with my help; we still can’t bring down both the council and Hunter at the same time.”

I knew my brother was right. This was the first time that I was up against Hunter’s men and even they were highly skilled. They were no match for me, but when there was more than one attacking at once, that’s where the problem came. But even though I knew all of this, I wasn’t willing to let Eden go. There had to be another way that we weren’t seeing. Walking away from her earlier today was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and I wasn’t sure how long I could do it for. I was only staying away from her in order to protect her, until I found a way to get her back, a safe way.

After seeing her thrown into the air like that, it was a wakeup call for me. I understood now what Austin had been saying all along. I was acting without thinking of the consequences of my actions. I wanted Eden so badly that I didn’t consider what would happen to the people that I cared about if I didn’t act rationally.

I learnt from my mistake. I knew now that I had to have my plan set and tested before I could take Eden from the council and bring her to me.

I leaned back against the chair. We were in Austin’s room while we tried to figure out the best way to deal with all of this. So far, things weren’t looking so good for us.

“There is one last option neither one of you has looked at.” Lucas said suddenly. From his tensed state, I could tell that he was hesitant to tell us.

Austin and I gave each other confused looks, as far as we knew; we looked at all the possible packs that would be willing to help us. Most of them didn’t want to get involved, in total; we only got three other packs to join us. This, in truth, was not enough to take down the council and Hunter.

“Which other Alpha have we left out?” Austin asked.

Lucas rose up from the chair and pointed at the map on the wall. We usually used it to pinpoint all the different territories around us. He kept moving his fingers until he stopped at a castle, one set in the middle of nowhere.

“The Blackners.” Austin and I said at the same time.

I felt a twist in my belly at the mention of their name. There was a reason those men kept to themselves, the same reason why no one was crazy enough to go looking for them.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Austin said. “The Blackners are heartless beasts. They’re werewolves that don’t care for their own mates. What kinds of psychopaths do that? You know of the connection we have, what we feel for our mates. If they’re capable of ignoring such a strong connection, then they will not help us. They cannot be trusted.”

Austin did have a point. Besides that, the Blackners only helped others out of their clan when they could get something in return. But, getting involved with them was a risk I had to take in order to fight for my mate.

“I’ll go see them today.” I finally said.

Austin looked unhappy at my decision. “Are you sure you want to get mixed up with those people?” He asked. “They’re just as bad as the council and you know that.”

I turned to him with pleading eyes, “do you see another way brother?” I demanded. “I have no choice. I’m desperate to bring my mate safely to my side. If this is what I to have to do, I’m willing to make whatever sacrifices they ask of me.”

He sighed and held his head between his hands. “I have a baby on the way, I don’t want my unborn child exposed to these people.”

I understood that and I would never ask that of him. I would never expose my little niece or nephew to any danger.

“You don’t have to-,”

Austin nodded before I could say anything else, “we’re coming with you.”

I shook my head. “I can do this on my own,” I assured him. “I don’t want to get you mixed up in this. Like you said, the Blackners are cold and heartless. It’s best that I’m the one that visits them . . . Alone.”

“I can’t let you do this on your own James,” Austin disagreed. “We’ve never done business with these men before, you need back up while you’re there. Our packs will not be far from their territory. We need to do this together, like we’ve always done in the past. It’s what has gotten us this far.”

As much as I didn’t want to get my brothers involved in this, I knew that I needed them more than ever.

Lucas placed his hand on my shoulder to show his support. “We’re not letting you do this on your own. We’ve been each other’s rocks since we were babies, we will not fail you now.”

I was grateful for their support. If I didn’t have my family with me through this rough time, I wouldn’t have been able to go on. I would have already crumbled.

Lucy grabbed her bag of the table and walked up to us. “I’m coming with you.”

I hadn’t noticed my brother’s mate until now. When did she even come in?

Austin paled at her words, “Lucy,” he whispered. “We’re not having this argument here. You know that you’re pregnant, I will not let any harm come to you or our baby.”

Her forehead creased as she glared up at him. “How can I rest at home when you’re out there meeting those dangerous men. . . In their territory.” She cried. “I’ll be worried sick here, if I’m with you, I will at least know that you’re safe.”

“You know Sis-in-law,” Lucas cut in as he gave her shoulders a little squeeze. “I gotta agree with Austin on this one. It really is too dangerous this time, its best that you stay home and look after Eden. She needs you right now, just like James needs us.”

Lucy looked conflicted but like always, she eventually listened to Lucas’s words.

“Sometimes I feel like he’s the only one you listen to.” Austin growled, annoyed.

She laughed and kissed his cheek lightly. “Please be safe, we’re waiting home for you.”

He nodded. “We’ll have to inform our packs. I’ll go do that.” He said with determination in his eyes. “You can assemble your pack and meet me on the track.”

I followed him out of the room, Lucas right behind us. There was this heavy weight in my gut, something that warned me of trouble up ahead. We were walking into the devil’s lair; I could feel it deep in my bones.

We were playing with fire by choosing to meet with The Blackners.

I suddenly felt all the muscles in my body stiffen as a familiar scent hit my nose and knew that Eden was near.

I couldn’t stop myself from searching my surroundings for her. I found her at the bottom of the stairs looking at me. Now that she’d lost her memories, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings for me. The look on her face tore at my heart. I desperately wanted to go to her and pull her into my arms.

She took a step forward and it was then that I realized I must go before she came to me. If she did, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from grabbing her and never letting go.

“I’ll be in the Jeep.” I told Austin before rushing down the stairs with incredible speed.

As I walked past her, I could see the hurt in her eyes and it twisted my gut in a way impossible to describe.

I needed to stay focus, I had to do this, it was the only way to keep her safe.