5. You are My Mate

Xander POV

The packhouse buzzed with an uneasy energy as night fell. After the rogues' brazen intrusion, I knew our situation was rapidly escalating. My thoughts whirled, torn between protecting Isabelle and unveiling the truth she deserved to know. I couldn't delay any longer. The reality of our bond, the danger she faced—she needed to understand everything.

I found her in the garden with my mother in the morning. Mother was removing dried leaves from her flowers while Isabelle sprayed water. A high sense of relief filled my heart with the thought we can keep her safe better now because she is where she is meant to be. I spent the night scouting the grounds with Dave and Jess, looking for answers as to how the rogues easily enter and exit our territory. Father and his officers had meetings with the elders and pack witches as it is obvious, the rogues could only come in and out the territory with the help of witchcraft.

Mother suggested we talk in the garden as no one dares to step in the garden when mother spends her time in the enclosed garden. In here, Isabelle would not feel suffocated and stressed with the intended "talk."

"Good morning mom! Good morning ba-Belle." I stepped into the vine enclosed garden and greeted the two women I love the most in whole world. I proceeded to kiss mom on her cheeks then went to kiss Isabelle but seeing her uncomfortable expression, I opted for a soft hug before stepping away. "Have you two eaten yet?"

"We have. We had breakfast in my office." I acknowledged what mom said with a nod. We could not have Isabelle roaming around the territory yet as she might accidentally see anyone in wolf form. Now that I brought her here, it is imperative that I talk to her about our world. "Just do it son." Mom's mind link is at least comforting. She will be here with me while I nervously break the news to my mate. 

"Just spit it out." We both looked at my mate.

"You look like you need to tell me something." Isabelle said with questioning eyes. Direct to the point. I like that.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "It's about why you're being targeted, why those rogues are after you. It's because of us—because of who I am, and who you are."

Her eyes widened; confusion etched across her face. "What do you mean? Who are we?"

Before I could answer, a loud crash sounded from the packhouse. I grabbed Isabelle's hand, pulling her to me protectively. "We're under attack. Stay close to me."

We moved quickly to the packhouse, the sounds of battle echoing around us. The packhouse had turned into a war zone, with rogues crashing through windows and doors. My heart pounded as I held Isabelle behind me, my mind racing with strategies to repel the invaders.

As we reached the front door, a sinister laugh echoed through the packhouse. I turned to see a group of vampires emerging from the shadows, their eyes glinting with predatory hunger. My blood ran cold; this was a new and unexpected threat.

 I positioned myself between her and the approaching vampires. While mom positioned herself beside me, our warriors shifted to form a defensive line.

One vampire stepped forward; his gaze locked on Isabelle. "We know what she is," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "The rogues want her, but so do we. She belongs to us."

A growl rumbled in my chest, my wolf fighting to break free. "Nobody takes my mate away from me." I snarled, my eyes flashing with fury. "She's under our protection."

The vampire laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "We'll see about that."

The battle erupted around us, a maelstrom of claws, fangs, and snarls. I fought with everything I had, tearing through rogues and vampires alike, my focus unwavering on keeping Isabelle safe. She stayed close, her eyes wide with terror, but her determination to live shone through the fear.

In the midst of the chaos, a powerful voice rang out. "Enough!" The fighting paused as everyone turned to see the pack's Alpha—my father—standing at the entrance, his presence commanding and fierce.

"Leave now," he ordered the vampires, his voice resonating with authority. "Or face the full wrath of the council"

The vampires exchanged glances, their leader sneering but retreating. "This isn't over," he spat, before they melted back outside.

The rogues, sensing their defeat, fled to the forest, leaving behind a scene of destruction. I turned to Isabelle, my heart aching at the horror and shock in her eyes. She has gone pale, holding on to my mother who still had blood on her clothes as she fought with the rogues as well. Seeing vampires, wolves and unkempt creatures all in one room would easily shake anyone. What more of my mate who has never known of our existence?

"Let's get you to father's office." I said, taking her hand. "There's so much more you need to know, but I need to help out here first."

"I'll take her there. Come find us after you finish here." Mom intervened and I nodded gratefully.

....

Xander POV

"You're my mate, Isabelle. And there's something special about you, something that makes you a target. You're not just anyone—you're destined to be the Luna of this pack." I practically did not breath as I said those words to my mate. Mom left us after I came to find them, so we are alone in my father's office.

Her eyes widened, shock and confusion warring on her face. "Mate? Luna?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's complicated. You're my mate, the one I'm destined to be with. I know you have realized we are werewolves. Well-werewolves have what we call our destined one. The special one chosen for us by the goddess Celine. And there's something else—something we need to figure out. You have a power, a destiny, that's drawing all these threats to you."

She smirked. "Me? Special power?" She repeated my words as she chuckled sarcastically.

I hesitated, knowing how overwhelming the truth would be. "We don't know everything yet, but you're more than just my mate. You're what we call the Destiny Slayer.'"

Her eyes wide with disbelief. "A destiny slayer? What does that mean?"

"It means you're not just my mate, Isabelle. You're a key to something much bigger, something that could change everything for our world."

Eyes wide with fear and curiosity, she could only ask. "What do you mean?"

I looked away; the weight of my next words heavy in the silence. "It means our enemies won't stop until they have you. And it means our fight is only just beginning."

She stared at me, her lips moving to as if to say something, only to close again. "Is everyone here in danger because of me?"

"Not necessarily because of you baby. Everyone here has been in danger ever since the Destroyer manifested himself back in our world. It is said he has been imprisoned by the gods and goddesses of every supernatural realm, ancient years ago. But he has somehow found a way to crack his prison. We have been feeling his dark power for years now and everyone has been searching for the Destiny Slayer. Now that you are found, every realm wants to take you. Thinking that with you in their territory, they would not be touched by the Destroyer."

I held her hands as her eyes widened in shock, realizing that the battle for Isabelle's destiny—and our future—had only just begun. And I was ready to face whatever came next, as long as we were together.