His Alpha's Guardian
Chapter 19

**Carlisle’s POV**

Today had started out as any other day would, except for the fact that my wolf, Canon, has beengoing crazy since last night. He won't shut up and truthfully, it has done nothing but give me adamn migraine.

I had woken up late and was going to be late for training. Melinda needed me last night and keptme up most of the night. I usually don't mind staying up with her, but not when I have to help leadtraining the next day. It takes too much of a toll on me.

Ezekiel told me that there was going to be someone new in the pack, one of the Guardian's fromthe Guardian Court, and that they would be leading training today, but I was going to need to bethere.

I sighed as I went to grab Melinda's morning medicine. I knew that if I didn't give her the medicinebefore I went to training, then I was going to forget later on.

I hurriedly woke her up for her medicine and dashed out of the house with my training gear. I madeit to the entrance to the training grounds when I was hit with the most heavenly smell. Berries andwildflowers. I stopped in my tracks.

No. No. No. This was not happening.

I could feel Canon pacing in my head, eager to meet his mate.

I stopped in my tracks, tempted to link Ezekiel and excuse that I could not attend training today. Ithas to be that Guardian that is in our territory. I know everyone else in the territory.

I continued walking, making my way to where the Alpha was talking to another woman. Sheappeared to be five feet six inches and she had flowing, naturally curly, red hair. I could tell just fromthe back view that she was lean and even though she was petite, I am sure it would hurt like a bitchto be hit by her.

Ezekiel noticed I was getting closer and started to introduce us. She still had not turned around andI was curious to see what her face looked like. When she finally turned, I was met by dazzling, lightblue eyes. Her lips tipped in a small smile when she talked to Ezekiel.

I breathed out a small sigh of relief. I was glad that she was not going to mention that she was mymate.

What kind of game was the Moon Goddess playing at?

Once training started, I watched as she put that dumbass Felix in his place. He should have knownbetter than to question her. If she did not know what she was doing, the Alpha would not haveasked her to help lead training. He would have left it to me, which is usually what happens, since hisGamma struggles with leading training.

I clenched my fist each time he tried to insult her, but I found some amusement in the way that shekicked his ass. This was really going to bruise Felix's ego. Not that I care, he should have knownbetter. He should not insult anyone, especially someone that is a guest here on behalf of our Alpha.Felix is already giving our pack a bad name and she just got here yesterday.

I shook my head, ridding myself of those thoughts. Why do I even care? I don't want her. At thatthought, Canon growled in my head. "You will not reject her,” he growled at me.

“We don't need her, Canon. You cannot stop it from happening. And you know, she does not seemtoo happy about this either.’

I realized that we were about to fully start training, so I turned my attention back to the Guardian.Kataleya. Her name is Kataleya.

Training went by in a blur. I was mesmerized by the way that Kataleya held herself against thesewarriors. She walked around the training grounds and corrected the warriors in the way they wereholding themselves. Each time she touched one of the warriors, I gritted my teeth to stop Canonfrom letting out a growl. Even so, I wasn't able to control it a few times. I saw the way all thesefucking warriors were watching her. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were imagining what theywanted to do to her.

At that thought, Canon started flashing images in my head of exactly what he wanted to do with herlithe body. I had to place my wall and block him to stop the images from coming. I could alreadyfeel my dick hardening.

Once training was over, I waited until the very last warrior had left before approaching her.

I marched over to where she was standing and I knew that my movements were hostile. I watchedas her eyes moved over my body appreciatively before she finally met my eyes.

“Let's get this over with,” I said to her coldly, my voice barely above a hiss. I spoke my next wordsbefore she could say anything. “I, Carlisle Patterson, lead warrior of the Midnight Eclipse pack, rejectyou, Kataleya Frost, as my mate and Alpha.”

The moment I finished the sentence, I felt Canon howl in my head and push himself through thewall. I am sure my eyes temporarily flashed to the onyx black of my wolf's before I was able to pushhim back to the recesses of my mind. I clutched my chest as the pain radiated through me.

Come on, accept the rejection. I silently pleaded in my head.

I watched as she clutched her chest in pain and fell to her knees. Her eyes temporarily flashed abrighter blue before the light in them faded. I was shocked that she did not cry out. The pain wasgreat and I could still feel it reverberating through my entire being. If it was not for the fact that Idid not want her to see the pain that this caused me, then I would have cried out myself.

Without acknowledging her, I turned around and walked away, forcing myself to ignore the anguishcries coming from Canon. He knows that we cannot accept another mate. It would not be fair toMelinda.

I already have a mate, even though she is dying. She has archiolitis, which is an incredibly raredisease that is passed down from parent to the first-born child. Until Melinda, I had never metanyone that had the disease. The disease presents itself after you get your wolf for the first time.Your wolf is incredibly weaker and the longer you have your wolf, the quicker your wolf dies, whichin turns weakens the person, and eventually leads to their death. The medication the pack doctorgave me just makes her comfortable and takes away her pain. I can feel the pain through our bondand it hurts me every time I think about the fact that I am going to lose her soon...her wolf, Selena,has already died...so it was just a matter of time before her body gave out on her too...I just hope Iam there when it happens. My sister had been staying with me that way Melinda is not alone while Iam gone during the day. I knew there was a chance that I would get a “second-chance” mate, but Irefused to accept anyone else. I don't even want to know how Melinda would take it if she knewthat I had found my second-chance already and the fact that I had rejected her without having asingle conversation with her. How could Selene already give me another mate? Melinda is verymuch alive! She is still breathing.

I walked to the nearest tree and leaned against it, sliding down. Fuck. This is all fucked up. I knowKataleya has no idea why I was so fucking cold to her and it really isn't her fault, but I can't. Ipromised myself that I would not take anyone else after Melinda died. She was going to be my onlylove. I could feel the tears sliding down my face as I thought about the fact that she was going todie soon...like the doctor said, she only had two weeks at the most left. Ezekiel has told me manytimes to take the time off, but I can't. If I do, then that means I have to accept what is about tohappen to my mate and I am not ready for that realization. The most I did was, currently, I do notdo any of the nighttime patrols. I spend the nights with her. During the day, I run the trainings in themornings and I help with patrols when they need it. That is where I am supposed to be headingright now. One of the warrior's mates went into labor, so they needed someone to cover for him.

I stood back up and made my way to my post for patrol. I could not let myself think about any ofthis. Melinda needs me, not Kataleya. I should not have any guilt when I think about the fact that Ijust rejected her, but the problem is that I do feel guilt. I should have explained to her at the veryleast that it was not her. It was 100% me...

I guess it is too late now. We all make choices and I have already made mine.