The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Isabelle's POV:
"Please, you must help me," I pleaded, trying not to sound desperate.
"Rowan is the true Alpha—you know this. Marcus should not stay in power."
The old pack leader looked at me with a stern gaze.
His thick grey eyebrows came together in a tight frown.
"Why should we risk our lives in another pack's problems?" he rumbled.
"The Bloodmoon pack stays neutral in such nasty fights."
I held back a frustrated growl. This was the fifth Alpha I had approached, and each one seemed indifferent.
"But you were allies with my father!" I pushed, refusing to give up.
"Randall would expect you to help his son-in-law take back his place."
The old wolf's frown deepened into a scowl. "Randall Mondragon is dead. We owe his pup nothing."
My fists clenched at his harsh words. These selfish cowards were okay with letting Marcus stay in control?
"So, you are all okay with Marcus being the Magnus Alpha?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Even after knowing how he took Rowan's rightful place?"
A muscle in the Bloodmoon Alpha's jaw twitched, a sign of discomfort. Around us, his Betas and advisors shifted uncomfortably.
"As wrong as those actions are," the Alpha said after a pause, "they are an internal pack matter. It's not our place to interfere."
"Not your place?" I sputtered, anger rising. "You spineless, selfish—"
"That's enough, Isabelle."
The low rumble of my Gamma's voice cut through my insults.
Nadia appeared beside me, giving me a stern look.
"You're wasting your time here. These weak-willed fools won't change their minds," she sneered at the Bloodmoon Alpha.
"They were allies in name only, never true friends to the Mondragons."
I wearily pushed open the doors of the Mondragon mansion, feeling exhausted.
My attempts to get help from neighboring packs had failed.
"Welcome back, Alpha Isabelle," Beta Carson greeted me, his face unreadable while he was holding his gun.
Did he think it was someone else?
"Was your diplomatic mission successful?" He said while put the gun in his back pocket.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "No. The other Alphas won't get involved in Rowan's situation. They want the Mondragon pack to solve its own problems."
Carson's brow furrowed. "I see. So they won't help in getting Rowan back as Alpha?"
I shook my head, feeling frustrated. "Nope. They all gave the same excuses—they don't want to disrupt things or anger the Magnus. Cowards, all of them."
Carson pressed his lips. "That is...unfortunate news."
After a pause, he continued, "I have some...concerning information about Rowan."
My eyes narrowed. "What is it? Has something happened to him?"
"Not exactly," Carson said slowly. "But Rowan has...disappeared. He left without telling anyone."
My heart sank. "What? How is that possible?" I demanded, anger flooding me.
"I told him to stay put and let me handle this!"
Carson raised his hand calmly. "Please, stay calm, Alpha. I'm sure Rowan had a good reason. But with his father's recent news, his sudden leave is worrying."
I let out a harsh laugh. "Worrying? That's putting it lightly! Rowan is making things worse for himself. Does he know the danger he's in?"
Carson looked serious. "Exactly my worry. Rowan might have gone on a solo mission, not thinking about the risks. As you said, there are those who want him out, especially with Marcus' claims about his bloodline."
My jaw tightened. "Then we need to find him. Now." I gave Carson a hard look.
"Has Catrina mentioned where he might have gone?"
Carson shook his head. "No. As far as I know, Rowan didn't tell his mate anything either."
"Damn it!" I hissed, clenching my fists.
"That foolish, reckless pup. Why couldn't he just listen to me?"
"I wish I had more answers, Alpha Isabelle," Carson said with a sympathetic look.
"But Rowan's disappearance is troubling. Let's hope he returns safely soon."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Waiting around isn't helping. I need to speak with Catrina. She might know something."
Carson nodded, stepping aside. "Of course. I'll alert the pack in the meantime."
With a quick nod, I walked down the opulent hallway, my mind racing. How could Rowan be so careless?
After all we'd been through, I'd hoped he learned to rely on those who cared for him.
I stood outside Catrina's door, feeling like I was walking on eggshells.
She'd been through so much lately, and now this new family secret was threatening to tear her life apart all over again.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly. "Catrina? It's Isabelle. We need to talk."
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Catrina's guarded expression.
"Alpha Isabelle," she said, her voice calm. "What can I do for you?"
I got straight to the point. "It's about Rowan. He's gone missing."
Catrina's eyes widened. "What do you mean, missing?"
"He left the pack grounds without telling anyone where he was going," I explained, trying to sound calm.
"With everything going on, his disappearance is causing a lot of worry."
She frowned. "But why would he do that? Rowan knows how dangerous it is to be alone right now."
I sighed. "That's what I hope you can help me understand. Did he tell you anything about his plans?"
Catrina shook her head. "No, nothing. He didn't mention leaving the pack at all."
I looked at her closely, trying to see if she was hiding something.
"Are you sure? He's your mate - surely he must have told you something."
Her face became serious. "I'm telling the truth, Alpha Isabelle. Rowan didn't say a word to me about going anywhere."
"I see." I pressed my lips together, feeling frustrated.
"If that's true, then I don't know where he could have gone. This is very concerning."
Catrina crossed her arms, a defiant look in her eyes.
"Why are you asking me? Rowan's the Alpha - shouldn't you be the one keeping track of him?"
I was taken aback by her implication.
"I beg your pardon? I've been doing everything I can to support Rowan and protect him. But he seems to be making my job harder."
"Well, maybe if you and the other Alphas had done a better job from the start, we wouldn't be in this mess," Catrina retorted.
My temper flared. "Now see here, young lady. I understand you're upset, but that doesn't give you the right to-"
"Upset?" Catrina scoffed, a bitter smile playing on her lips.
"That's an understatement. My whole life has been turned upside down because of this pack drama. And now my own mate has disappeared, probably getting himself killed!"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and I felt a pang of sympathy despite my anger.
"Catrina, I know this is hard, but-"
"No, you don't know!" she cried, her voice cracking.
"You have no idea what it's like to have everything ripped away, to constantly be hiding and running, wondering if you'll ever find a real home."
I took a step back, shocked by her raw emotion. "Catrina, I-"
"Save it," she spat, her gaze hardening.
"I don't know where Rowan is, and honestly, I don't care anymore. He's made his own choices, now he can deal with the consequences."
With that, she slammed the door shut, leaving me standing there, speechless.