Chapter 1 POV Beta Ian
POV Ian,
I confess the knowledge of my mate's identity was confirmed when I shifted at seventeen; she was twelve years old, barely hitting her teen years, when I recognised her scent as my Fated Mate. I dare not breathe this to my friends, or they will laugh at me and call me a cradle snatcher. As they liked to tease each other, we, the alpha kids, dated only girls our age. We were supposed to date and sow our wild oats until we found our Fated Mate, but my story turned out quite different from what I expected. When Isabella was nine, I dreamt of her in a bluebell-filled meadow. That was when I suspected that she was my mate. I went to see our Gama to let him know that I believed she was my fated mate, and I observed her many times with bruises on her legs and sometimes her face. Every time she had one of those bruises or was abused, I would see similar bruises on my body. I told my father, who was the Beta at the time, that she was my mate and that I saw enough evidence that she was abused; my dad reported this to the Alpha. Alpha Jacob called a meeting with his Beta Adolphus, my dad, Gamma Cameron and Delta Alexander for a discussion on abused women and children in our pack. Alpha Jacob advised his Delta to follow up on this child abuse case. Our York pack was extremely strict, where children and women abuse was concerned, and no one was allowed to be an abuser in this pack. Abusers are either locked in the dungeon or sent out of pack territory.
It all began when a warrior named Jamieson found Isabella on pack lands as a baby. His wife Patrice had no children then, and he brought her home so she would take care of the child. Somehow, this crazy she-wolf thought that Isabella was Jamieson's illegitimate child. No one knew what Isabella endured as a baby, but as she grew older, everyone could see she was abused. She grew into a cute child and later into a beautiful young girl. No one could say why her adopted mom abused her. Isabella was probably abused because she was beautiful, and Patrice was jealous of her.
When she was three years old, the Luna, Beta and Gamma females ran into the woods when they found Isabella tied to a tree. They released her and brought her home. Her mother said that she had not seen Isabella since the afternoon before. Everyone thought she had wandered off since she had a new little brother, and her mom was too busy to look for her. Isabella could not tell how she was tied to the tree.
When Isabella turned five, she was sent to work in the kitchen to help with family finances when her dad lost his leg in a battle. Daily, as she returned home from school, she was sent to the kitchen, where Isabella worked until everything was settled for the night, and then she walked home. Isabella's life routine was established, and she knew no better.
Later, when she was twelve years old. Gamma found her in the woods, brutally beaten and left to die. The Leadership of our pack investigated her case in detail. After they spoke with the cook, they realised that the child was often abused and left hungry for many days. The Talberts were called into a meeting with the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. Warrior Jameison said he was not aware of Isabella being abused and that whenever he queried any bruise or injury, his wife told him that Isabella was awkward and often fell and injured herself. Alpha told them they had three choices: either attend court and be found guilty of child abuse, then they will be placed in the dungeon, leave the pack, or let Isabella be adopted by a family who would care for her. It was tough for a warrior who gave his life and only his best to his pack to wander for life or be placed in the dungeon, so he agreed for Isabella to be adopted. Patrice was angry and denied all the allegations about her abusing Isabella. She was still fuming that night as she swore to get even with Isabella one day for causing trouble for her family.
Our Delta Alexander and his wife Sheri Tomkins adopted Isabella into their family. They told tales of how messed up her life was, and she would barely speak to them after the adoption. But after eighteen months of horrible nightmares and her mom's comfort, she opened up to her about her horrific past living with the Talberts. She was now the daughter of my Delta. Since this couple had no daughter,
Isabella was loved by her caring parents and loving brother. She loved her brother very much. Ashton was a devoted brother who enjoyed having the little he asked for; whenever she cried, he was close by to wipe her tears away. Isabella loved being in our company and preferred to hang around me most of the time. We all knew she had a crush on me since we were young. However, Isabella was not always Delta Ashton's sister. She was happier with the Tomkins family, who treated her like a princess instead of an enslaved person.
We often went to the stream each Saturday, but my shift took about a week after my seventeenth birthday. Isabella was in the woods playing with her friends. Then, they decided to soak in the stream. This was a little girl thing. They stripped all their clothes and jumped into the stream. I confirmed she was my mate when a faint whiff of her daffodil scent caught my attention as I entered the woods. I twitched my nose and followed the smell. Werewolves are not embarrassed by nakedness. It was their kind of living. When they shifted from human form to wolf, they were utterly naked. Most werewolves in my pack had seen each other naked at some point in time. I saw the girls in the stream instead of appearing like I was peaking at them. I called out to them and waved. When they heard me, they screamed my name and shouted their greeting.
That scent travelled to my nostrils. I pretended to take their clothes as a prank, but I wanted to know which garment had that strong scent. I detected a strong odour on a particular dress. I waited in the shadows of the trees to see which one of the girls was wearing that dress. It was my ardent admirer who was crushing on me. Although she hung out with the guys and me, she was timid to approach me when she was with her friends. I took the initiative once they were out in the opening from the trees. I came to them and called Isabella's name. She said hi back to me, and I asked her where her brother, Ashton, was, and she told me he was on the training field. I told her well, I will walk you to your house. She and her friends giggled and walked away fast. I strolled behind them and observed her walking through her gate. In the distance, I saw her mom coming out of the house and greeting her; as she threw her arms around her, I felt a sense of peace, knowing she was safe.
It dawned on me that I had to protect this pup until she was of age to be my mate.
I remembered the seniors at a party that Summer clearly like it was yesterday. A few first-year students related to the Leaders joined the party. My upcoming Alpha, Gamma, Delta, and our girlfriends chilled by the pool. I sat beside my current girlfriend, Sue, while she was kissing me; I spotted Isabella with a group of juniors laughing and playing cards. A visiting sophomore who I had not met was chilling in that group. My lovely mate was catching the eyes of all the males around us. She was the most pretty girl there. My eyes never left my mate for one minute. I saw when that Sophmore gave her a glass. He was trying to get her drunk. My anger was boiling by this time.Isabella drank what was in that glass as she stood up to leave. She keeled over and fell into the pool on the opposite side. I immediately jumped into the pool and swam to her aide. She had already drank enough water, and she appeared to be floating as if she had drowned. I grabbed her and placed her on the ground. I rolled her around and tried to get her to breathe, but there was no response. I immediately gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive her. While I was blowing air in her lungs, I heard when she gasped. I turned my head away as she coughed up chlorine water. I placed her on her side so the chlorinated water could leak out of her mouth.
Someone called nine one one, and the ambulance came. Her brother Ashton and I went with the paramedics to the hospital. The doctor said because we were vigilant and responded quickly, there was no severe damage, but Isabella would have to stay at the hospital that night for observation. Her parents were notified, and they came immediately. Sue was furious that I left with Ashton and his sister. I have to wait for the war with Sue the next day.
My Beloved Readers,
As I start the sequel to Return My Pups, I hope you will continue to support my writing and keep reading as this story moves from one stage to the next. I know you will want to find out what happens with Ian and Sue and what opportunities Patrice will have to harm Isabella.
Love always,
Your Author