The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Isabelle’s POV:
I saw Derek Magnus, Rowan’s brother, in the garden of our Mondragon pack house. He was talking seriously with Catrina.
My heart squeezed. He was probably telling her about Rowan going to see the secretive Drakhor Clan.
Watching them, I felt a pang of jealousy and regret.
Derek was being so kind and supportive towards her now, and I had been so mean to her before.
I was jealous and I just didn’t like her because she was an omega.
I was raised to think they were beneath me. But I could tell how deeply Rowan loved her. It was a connection I couldn’t understand.
“Carson, get our warriors ready. We’re going to the Drakhor Clan’s land and making sure they help Rowan,” I told my beta firmly.
Carson frowned slightly.
“You want to confront the Drakhor, Alpha? They’re known for being very private and avoiding outsiders."
“I know,” I replied calmly. “But this is too important for our family. We can’t let old ways or fear of outsiders stop Rowan.”
My strong beta thought about my words before nodding. “I’ll get our best trackers and warriors ready right away.”
As Carson went to prepare, my gamma, Nadia, approached. She seemed concerned too.
The sleek, powerful she-wolf arched one eyebrow at me.
“Are you sure about this, Alpha? Going to the Drakhor’s land could seem like an attack. We don’t know much about their customs or what they’re capable of.”
"Which is exactly why we can't leave Rowan alone with them," I said firmly.
"This curse has haunted Magnus’ bloodline for too long. If they have the key to breaking it, I'll do anything to help Rowan. Even if it means using our strength and numbers to show them we’re serious.”
Nadia pressed her lips together, but she nodded, accepting my decision. “I hope you’re right, Isabelle. Making enemies of a clan as powerful as the Drakhor is a huge risk.”
“Sometimes you have to take risks to protect what matters most,” I said, looking at her.
Nadia’s dark eyes softened; she understood.
She saw the regret I felt for how I treated Catrina in the past. My own prejudice had almost destroyed their love because I was blinded by fear and wrong ideas about destiny.
I wouldn’t let those narrow-minded mistakes hurt anyone anymore.
If I had to use all my warriors to help Rowan, then so be it. I wouldn't stand by and let this evil that had infected our family spread.
“You have my full support, Alpha,” Nadia said seriously.
“Whatever you need to do to get rid of this ancient evil, the pack will do without question.”
“Thank you, Nadia,” I murmured, squeezing her shoulder.
“I know I can count on you to keep the warriors strong. We need to be ready for anything with the Drakhor, even if they refuse to help.”
“Understood.” Nadia’s face didn’t give anything away, but I knew she was already planning for every possible scenario.
“I’ll make sure our forces are ready to back you up, no matter what it takes.”
“Good.”
I let go of her and turned my gaze to the Mondragon pack members going about their daily lives, oblivious to the threat hanging over them.
“Have the pack gather everyone. We need to talk. This affects everyone—they need to understand why we’re doing this before you leave.”
“Right away, Alpha.” With a respectful nod, Nadia turned and went to carry out my orders.
Taking a deep breath, I walked through my people in the gardens surrounding the manor.
Many nodded respectfully at me, but I could feel their anxiety. They were whispering and glancing at me, curious and worried about the sudden activity.
Reaching a small, raised platform off the main courtyard, I climbed the steps and turned to face the crowd that was gathering around me.
First a few people, then small groups, until the whole courtyard was filled with nervous faces, young and old, warriors, elders, workers, children.
Everyone was worried about why I called this meeting.
Once most of the pack was gathered, I raised my hands for silence. Immediately, everyone went quiet, hundreds of eyes focused on me.
Taking a steadying breath, I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Brothers and sisters of the Mondragon pack! I haven’t called you here for something trivial. We’re facing a danger as old as our ancestors who first lived on this land. An evil that has infected my husband’s pack bloodline for generations.”
Whispers broke out at my ominous words, but I continued in a firm voice.
“Many of you could have experienced this evil firsthand—unnatural, violent urges, or scars on your body and those you love. I’ve seen it myself - the way this curse twists our inner wolves into savage beasts, no better than wild animals.”
Shudders and looks of fear passed through the crowd. The unspoken truth that everyone knew but was afraid to say out loud was now hanging in the air.
"For too long, I let tradition and old beliefs blind me to how evil this really is," I confessed, looking into the faces of my people.
“I foolishly convinced myself that following the old rules about our roles in the pack would protect us.”
The crowd was silent, but I saw understanding, shame, and even agreement in their eyes.
My own pack members knew they were also guilty of letting those outdated beliefs continue for so long.
“No more,” I stated firmly.
“I won’t let this go on. We have to face this evil directly before it destroys us all. My partner, Rowan, has gone on a journey that may save us. He's seeking help from the ancient and reclusive Drakhor Clan, hoping they can teach him how to break this curse forever."
A wave of mixed emotions—hope and fear—washed over the crowd.
They wanted to be free from this ancient curse, but the thought of challenging the powerful Drakhor clearly scared them...