I was sitting at the Alpha’s desk, going over a few documents. To the left of me were piles of financial papers that showed every expense needed to run the pack and every expense made for the pack. On the side were papers from neighboring and far away packs that detailed our alliance and trade with each one.
The middle of the desk housed countless cards made from the pups of our pack-‘Get Well Soon’ and ‘Sorry for you lost’ cards. I sat the papers down and looked at the two Alphas sitting in front of me with their Betas near the door.
“Thank you, Alpha Fennec and Alpha Tariff for traveling so far for this meeting. I know you were supposed to be meeting my brother today but, as you see, there's a slight change of plans.”
“Where’s Beta Hunter? The second in command usually speaks for an absence Alpha,” Alpha Tariff asked.
Alpha Tariff, on the other hand, was a sensible but hotheaded Alpha who took over for his father a few years ago. They were one of the largest packs in the west, so it was important to keep the alliance with them. Many times he asked my father for my hand, but I threw a fit because I refused to live in a place that didn’t have all four seasons. Though most people in the world love that weather, which was why my father invested in renovating some of Alpha Tariff's desolated hotels.
“The Alpha was needed elsewhere and, of course, Beta Hunter has decided to accompany him.”
I knew exactly where Hunter was and silently hoped he could bring Isaiah back unharmed. Ever since that fateful day, Isaiah has closed himself off to everyone. We rarely saw him leave his room until one day I forced myself in and was shocked at what I saw.
The room was a mess. Broken liquor bottles everywhere, torn sheets, curtains, and claw marks on the wall. I couldn’t find Isaiah for a minute until Hunter sniffed him out, buried under the mess. He was in bad shape.
I knew Isaiah was going to break down with our father passing and his mate rejecting him on the same day, but this was not what I was expecting. It nearly broke me. I could never imagine seeing him like this. It’s funny how that day started out with a little positivity, only to end in heartbreak.
That following week, he began to drink heavily. He missed appointments, gave up on finding Zira, and basically denounced the pack. He kept saying they deserved better. A leader that was strong. Poor Hunter tried his best to get his best friend back on track, but even I was lost as to what to do. Besides, we both had other people to worry about.
So we came up with a plan to split the responsibilities until Isaiah gets over this depression or until Hunter feels comfortable enough to take over. My dad offered me the position when I was sixteen, since I was the firstborn with Isaiah a few minutes behind me but I turned it down. I always knew I was going to leave this pack. Besides, my brother was good at all the Alpha’s duties.
“Word has it that the young Alpha lost more than just his father. Heard he went mad and left,” Alpha Fennec said with a smirk. “Doesn’t really signify strength when his little sister has to pick up the slack.”
I never liked him. He doesn’t believe women should be in the position of power, but I could care less. Alpha Fennec was the eldest in the room. His pack was situated in the northern mountains where we owned a bit of land. My father thought it would be a great idea to build gateway hotels. To help with surveillance, my father struck a deal with Alpha Fennec.
He gets a nice portion of the profits as long as he keeps the area safe from rogues. Granted, it was my father who did him a favor, since his pack’s profits were being squandered off by his obnoxious Luna and kids.
“Wasn’t it your mother who took over after your father passed away because they didn’t believe you were capable of leading, Alpha Fennec,” Alpha Tariff said with a grin. “As a matter of fact, you didn’t become Alpha until she passed away some years ago. I’ve heard nothing but good things during her reign.”
Alpha Fennec growled and stood up to face Alpha Tariff, who answered his challenge with his own growl. Their Betas immediately backed their Alphas as I forced myself not to bang my head on the desk.
“Don’t make me put you in your place, boy,” Alpha Fennec said, puffing out his chest.
“Oh you can try, old timer. As a matter of fact, I’ll let you throw the first hit. Age before beauty, right?"
They were both staring at each other, puffing out their chests like a bunch of idiot roosters. The whole scene was ridiculous.
“That’s enough,” I yelled at both of them.
I didn’t have the power of an Alpha, but I was still the daughter of one and I was first born. The two men looked at me as if I was the one who started everything.
“I invited you both here as guests and if you can’t behave like respectable men then you both can leave. Just know whatever deals we have are pulled off the table the moment you exit that door. So put your dicks back in your pants and let’s talk business.”
Surprisingly, they both sat down. Still a bit peeved to get yelled at by a girl, but at that moment I didn’t care. I wanted to hurry up with these meetings and get back to Victoria, who was probably in physical therapy right now. The way she was hurt, it was like someone took all her bones and played jigsaw. Whoever healed her, as we know it probably wasn’t Alaia, saved her life, according to Doctor Callie.
After the Alphas left satisfied with the new terms, I sat back in my father’s chair to take a moment for myself. I noticed a picture of all of us hanging above the mantle. I can’t believe it’s only been a few months since that day Alaia went crazy. A few months since, my father died and my mother fell into a coma. It still doesn’t feel real to me, but that doesn’t stop the tears from falling down my face.
I quickly wiped my face. I don't have time to cry these days. I had a lot to do. It was getting late and I’ve been going through those papers for the last few hours. I gave myself a break. I packed up everything and headed to the pack’s hospital.
I needed to check in with Victoria, but of course she wasn’t at physical therapy like she should have been. Lately she’s been trying to walk on her own without any help and gets frustrated when she can’t. So she's been lashing out on her part these past months.
I walked through the hospital looking for her when I bumped into Mary. She was attacked by Alaia also. Though I never understood why she was there in the first place. According to her, she had been spying on Alaia for a while now, along with Victoria. Victoria corroborated her story when she explained the events leading up to her getting hurt.
Alaia has been manipulating Zira from the beginning. Heck manipulating a lot of people without us noticing. The last thing Victoria remembered was Zira whispering to her ‘It’s going to be okay, Vi’. She was one of few who saw Zira alive that night.
“Good evening, Miss Isabella. Or should I say Alpha or Luna?”
I smiled at Mary. “It’s okay, Mary. Isabella is fine. How are you feeling?”
Her eyes widened a bit. I guessed she was not used to talking to people like me.
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me, Miss Isabella. I’ve been doing fine. Just worried about Luna Bella and Zira. Have they found anything yet,” she asked, a bit hopeful.
I remembered she was good friends with Zira before everything happened. After Victoria told us that Zira was there with her, I’ve increased the search for her with the help of Mr. Lake. He’s usually out searching with Zed every day. Still, nothing has come up.
“Not yet, but I’m sure something might come up. We just have to keep hope alive. Anyway, have you seen Victoria?”
“Of course, she was walking towards your mother’s room.”
I thanked Mary and walked to my mother’s room. It came as a surprise she would be here. The amount of guilt she felt for my parents' predicament was unnerving. For weeks she kept blaming herself for my father’s death and my mother’s situation. I tried everything to make her feel better but she refused to let go. I stood in front of the door and took a breath before going in.
There she was, sitting next to my mother. She was rubbing lotion onto my mother’s arms. She turned and saw me watching.
“Before everything happened, when I was with your brother, your mother always bragged about how she keeps her skin so smooth,” she explained. “I know she would hate waking up to dry skin and I just want to help because…well…”
I sighed and sat next to her. “You gotta stop blaming yourself, Vicky. This wasn’t your fault.”
“I was there. She tried to protect me, Isabella.” Ooh, she must be mad.
“Then it’s more my fault for not being there. I was the one who asked my mother to stay and watch you. So blame me if you have to!”
I yelled at her and she looked at me shocked. I had never yelled at her before. It’s usually the other way around. I closed my eyes to take a breath before continuing.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean-”
She quickly stood up and kissed me. She stood up. Something she had been struggling to do for months and now. She broke the kiss and just hugged me. She sighed and nuzzled against my neck.
“I’m so confused right now. You’re not angry at me?”
She pulled back with a smile on her face. “No. This is the first time you’ve been honest about your feelings. I was getting tired of your constant babying and pussy footing around me. I’ve missed you, Bella.”
We stood there in a hug for a few minutes, enjoying just being in each other's presence. I didn’t realize how much I needed this. Needed her. She started to plant kisses on my face until she captured my lips again. I could feel the heat building up below as I tried to match her intensity.
“Vicky, wait,” I said through each kiss, but she was relentless.
Her hands tangled themselves in my hair as she pulled me closer. I knew where this was going and I just couldn’t. She’s been trying to get close for weeks now, but the fear of hurting her always stops me. I tried pulling back but her hands tightened their grip in my hair.
Vicky, stop. I linked to her but she kept going, holding my lips hostage.
Why? You want this. I can feel that you do. I could hear the desperation in her voice but I just couldn’t.
STOP! I turned us around and pushed us against the wall. She finally released my hair and winced in pain. “Vicky, I-I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-”
“I’m fine, Isabella,” she said, pushing away from me and heading towards the door. She opened it and looked over her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I guess I got a little carried away.”
“Vicky-”
“No, I’m fine. I just…wanted to feel something other than pity from you. I wanted to feel..you.”
I watched as she left the room. I wanted to follow her but I didn’t know what to say. How could I explain that I was afraid to touch her? That I was afraid of hurting her even more. Before I could contemplate running after her, Hunter linked me.
Bells, I finally found him. In the woods. He’s not alone.
I didn’t even know Isaiah left the pack house. I usually put a guard on his door to alert me whenever he makes a move. Though like I said, he barely leaves his room. Someone had some explaining to do.
How is he, Hunter?
I could hear him laughing through the link. I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. He didn't immediately respond, so I could feel myself getting a bit nervous.
Hunter!
Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be him right now.