His Alpha's Guardian

**Carlisle’s POV**

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

I had woken up late and was going to be late for training. Melinda needed me last night and kept me up most of the night. I usually don't mind staying up with her, but not when I have to help lead training 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 from the Guardian Court, and that they would be leading training today, but I was going to need to be there.

I sighed as I went to grab Melinda's morning medicine. I knew that if I didn't give her the medicine before 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 made it to the entrance to the training grounds when I was hit with the most heavenly smell. Berries and wildflowers. 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. It has 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. She appeared to be five feet six inches and she had flowing, naturally curly, red hair. I could tell just from the back view that she was lean and even though she was petite, I am sure it would hurt like a bitch to be hit by her.

Ezekiel noticed I was getting closer and started to introduce us. She still had not turned around and I was curious to see what her face looked like. When she finally turned, I was met by dazzling, light blue 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 my mate.

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 known better than to question her. If she did not know what she was doing, the Alpha would not have asked her to help lead training. He would have left it to me, which is usually what happens, since his Gamma struggles with leading training.

I clenched my fist each time he tried to insult her, but I found some amusement in the way that she kicked his ass. This was really going to bruise Felix's ego. Not that I care, he should have known better. 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 that thought, 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 seem too 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 these warriors. She walked around the training grounds and corrected the warriors in the way they were holding themselves. Each time she touched one of the warriors, I gritted my teeth to stop Canon from letting out a growl. Even so, I wasn't able to control it a few times. I saw the way all these fucking warriors were watching her. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were imagining what they wanted to do to her.

At that thought, Canon started flashing images in my head of exactly what he wanted to do with her lithe body. I had to place my wall and block him to stop the images from coming. I could already feel 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 watched as 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 words before she could say anything. “I, Carlisle Patterson, lead warrior of the Midnight Eclipse pack, reject you, Kataleya Frost, as my mate and Alpha.”

The moment I finished the sentence, I felt Canon howl in my head and push himself through the wall. I am sure my eyes temporarily flashed to the onyx black of my wolf's before I was able to push him 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 a brighter blue before the light in them faded. I was shocked that she did not cry out. The pain was great and I could still feel it reverberating through my entire being. If it was not for the fact that I did 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 anguish cries coming from Canon. He knows that we cannot accept another mate. It would not be fair to Melinda.

I already have a mate, even though she is dying. She has archiolitis, which is an incredibly rare disease that is passed down from parent to the first-born child. Until Melinda, I had never met anyone 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, which in turns weakens the person, and eventually leads to their death. The medication the pack doctor gave me just makes her comfortable and takes away her pain. I can feel the pain through our bond and 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 I am there when it happens. My sister had been staying with me that way Melinda is not alone while I am gone during the day. I knew there was a chance that I would get a “second-chance” mate, but I refused to accept anyone else. I don't even want to know how Melinda would take it if she knew that I had found my second-chance already and the fact that I had rejected her without having a single conversation with her. How could Selene already give me another mate? Melinda is very much alive! She is still breathing.

I walked to the nearest tree and leaned against it, sliding down. Fuck. This is all fucked up. I know Kataleya has no idea why I was so fucking cold to her and it really isn't her fault, but I can't. I promised myself that I would not take anyone else after Melinda died. She was going to be my only love. I could feel the tears sliding down my face as I thought about the fact that she was going to die soon...like the doctor said, she only had two weeks at the most left. Ezekiel has told me many times to take the time off, but I can't. If I do, then that means I have to accept what is about to happen to my mate and I am not ready for that realization. The most I did was, currently, I do not do any of the nighttime patrols. I spend the nights with her. During the day, I run the trainings in the mornings and I help with patrols when they need it. That is where I am supposed to be heading right 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 of this. Melinda needs me, not Kataleya. I should not have any guilt when I think about the fact that I just rejected her, but the problem is that I do feel guilt. I should have explained to her at the very least 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.