A Matter of Convenience

Two

~Emmet~

I’ve been sick for a long time, if I’m being honest about it. I probably should have died years ago; I should have died before my mate did. When I was younger, I went overseas to help an allied pack in a war. I was one of the best fighters, and I thought it would give me good training for when I took over.

No one knew that the enemy was using bombs filled with silver powder. Many were lost, and those who survived did so for a brief amount of time. My parents looked for the best treatments, including witches and fairies. They left no stone unturned to help me.

No treatment was permanent, but many helped. What really helped was meeting my mate, my Ariel. I’m not sure how it worked, nor did I even want to ask. I was grateful for the opportunity to have a future and figured I’d make the best of it no matter how long it lasted.

My illness picked up when my mate passed, but we found a treatment that would keep it at bay for a while. I secretly got the treatment while training my precious daughter to take over for me. Recently, that treatment stopped working, but Isis is older now, and she’s found her fated mate. I know she’ll be okay and can handle me leaving this world.

I didn’t want her to find out like this, but here she is. I can tell there’s something else bothering her other than seeing me in this bed. “Issy, what’s the hurry?”

“Why are you here, dad?” I sit up in bed and hold my arms open. She only hesitated momentarily before running to me and launching herself into my arms. I hold her tight, stroking her back. “What’s wrong with you?”

“It doesn’t matter right now. I’m more interested in why you’re here when you should be with your fated mate.” Jovanni Bolton, a man that I really don’t care for. Don’t get me wrong, my issue with him isn’t his status. I’m absolutely not a snob and see nothing wrong with being mated to a warrior. He’s a head warrior, and nothing but good things are said about him. My issue is the feeling I get when he’s around. There’s something about him that I don’t like, and he makes my skin crawl.

Our pup is hurting. His voice is so faint, it’s heartbreaking.

It’s okay, Randolph. You rest, and I will take care of it. Randolph has worked overtime for years to keep us going. I owe him all of my happy moments.

“Tell me, my baby. What has you so upset?” A sob escapes her lips, and she burrows into my chest. The story comes out, and the more I hear, the angrier I get. I can’t believe that asshole, and I hate that I was right.

Zora?

Sir?

I don’t want anyone from the Darkfang Pack allowed on packlands, including and especially Jovanni Bolton!

Yes, sir. I close the link and focus on comforting my child. I’m going to miss holding her in my arms, but I know she’ll be just fine without me. It will hurt her, but she’ll get through it. I clear my throat to get her attention.

“Isis, I’ve raised you to be independent and capable. You can do anything you put your mind to. You don’t need a mate to take over this pack or be successful. I want you to be happy and taken care of. Reject that i***t and live your life. You have my blessing and love always.” Isis looks up at me, and I brush away a few of her tears.

“Dad, why are you here?” I close my eyes and sigh. There’s no point in hiding it now, so I tell her everything and make the tears start again. “Why didn’t you tell me? What can we do?”

“There’s nothing to do, beautiful. My time has come, and I’m okay with that. I will get to see your mother again, and we will both watch over you and this pack.” Isis burst into sobs again, and it breaks my heart. I know this will be tough for her, but it’s time, and I know she’ll get through it. “I’m a bit tired. Let me take a small nap, okay?” She lifts and wipes her face while nodding.

“I’ll be waiting here.” I pull Isis forward and kiss her forehead. I let her go and get comfortable in the bed.

~Isis~

My heart hurts, but I’m trying to keep it together. My dad has been fighting for a while, and I don’t want to make him feel bad. I don’t want him to go, but I get that he’s tired. He’s tired, and he misses mom.

I close the door behind me quietly and sit in a nearby chair. I let my head fall into my hands and just try to breathe through my feelings. A commotion breaks me out of my sadness, causing me to look up. I look down the hall, and they are wheeling a bed with a man on it. The man is fighting the nurses, and he’s loud. “LLLET ME GO! JUST LET ME GO! THE GODDESS HATES ME….LET ME GO!” I turn my head to look forward, leaning back against the wall.

“Is that really Alpha Ericson? I heard he’s been brought in and has been all over the place.”

“I’m not sure, but I heard the same thing.” Ericson? Ericson Walker, a pain in my side for many years. I’ve never liked him, ever. This isn’t where I confess to harboring some secret crush on him, and his unwillingness to reciprocate is what drives my hate. I literally can’t stand him, and I never could. If he’s here, I’d say he deserves whatever happened.

Footsteps coming toward me cause me to look up. Three Elders are coming my way. I close my eyes and send a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. I stand up and turn to the three. “Hello. What an unexpected visit.”

“Good day, Ms. Isis. We are here on official business and are able to kill two birds with one stone. I’m Elder Mia, and these are my associates: Elder Thomas and Elder Jose.” I nod to each as I shake their hands. “We’ve been told that your father is gravely ill.” I nod, trying to ignore the sadness threatening to take over. “We are told that you are to take over, but where is your mate?” I sigh and internally roll my eyes. These old fogies are irritating. Their belief that no one can take over unless they have their mates by their side is ridiculous. Dad has been running this pack successfully with no Luna by his side, so what’s the difference?

“There is no mate.”

“I was under the impression that you found your fated mate.” I swallow, trying to keep my irritation at bay.

“That… that didn’t work out. It shouldn’t be an issue, though. I’m still able to take over the pack from my dad.” Elder Jose steps forward, clearing his throat.

“I’m sorry, but you know how this works. You can’t take over if you have no mate. The title will have to go to the next person in line, your cousin Greg.” There’s no way in hell I’d allow Greg to take over. I love my aunt and uncle, but my cousin is the biggest asshat you could ever meet. He’s disrespectful to everyone. He feels like ranks are essential and all women were made to serve him. I can’t do that to my people.