Watching Isabella and the rest leave, I pulled out the item left behind by the rogue to examine it. It looked like a switchblade with an insignia of a one eyed wolf carved on the side. Maybe this will give me a clue of where this rogue was from. Realizing Zira would be fine, I headed back to the pack house to check on Alaia. On my way to her room, I saw Omega Mary by the steps. She was pacing back and forth, looking up the steps occasionally.
“Um, are you ok,” I asked, making her jump at my voice.
“Oh Alpha Zack. How are you this evening,” she said with a bow and continued to look down at the floor.
I didn’t respond right away. Usually silence can reveal a lot about a person. After a few awkward moments, Mary glanced up at me and right back down. Yep she was hiding something.
“I’m fine. Thank you. Who are you waiting for,” I asked.
She started fidgeting with her hands as she stole glancing towards the steps. “I’m just waiting for Miss Alaia. I’m not sure she’s supposed to be up there without the Alpha but she insisted,” she said, looking down at her feet.
“What is she doing up there,” I asked.
“I’m not sure. She wanted to help find Zira, so she needed something of h-”
I didn’t wait for her to finish the sentence before going up the stairs. Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister but I knew what she was capable of. When my mother died, it wasn’t long for my dad to find his second chance mate Alana, Alaia's mother. It was the first time I met a witch. I've heard stories about them being horrible, ugly, and like to torture the weak especially men.
So my indifference towards Alana was apparent. I did everything I could to try to get her to leave but nothing worked. She forgave everything I did, even looked after me the first time I broke my leg from doing something stupid. I didn't have my wolf at the time so my healing was like that of a human.
**FlashBack**
She came into my room while I was watching the other kids play out my window. Alana was holding a tray of food in her hands since I refused to eat with my family if she was around. She stood in the doorway, smiling as usual, as if she was waiting for me to acknowledge her. Well that wasn't going to happen.
"I didn't prepare the food, if you're wondering," Alana said, knowing I would refuse if she did.
It got to the point where my dad had to have my food cooked separately by an Omega. Pretty brattish of me.
"It's your favorite. Steak, chicken, bacon, fried pork chops and mac and cheese."
"I'm not hungry and I can get my own food. I don't need your help," I said right when my stomach protested and growled loudly enough for Alana to giggle. I turned to growl at her.
"Everyone needs help once and a while, Zack. If you want to get better you have to eat," Alana said calmly.
I was about to say something until I saw Alaia run from behind Alana and jump on me. "Zacky, please don't die. You have to eat. You have to."
I was so shocked by her intrusion I didn't realize she was on my leg. I winced a little before Alana picked up a crying Alaia from my hold.
"He's not going to die, Alaia." She took this moment to sit on my bed. She always used Alaia to try to get close to me, knowing I could never turn my sister away. "Not unless he lets you help him."
What was she playing at? I thought glaring at Alana while she smiled at me curiously.
"I can help him, Mama?"
"If he wants," Alana said while stroking Alaia's hair.
So that's what she wanted all along. Use my own sister against me. Alaia looked at me with crocodile tears rolling down her face, looking for permission. I let out a sigh and shrugged my shoulders.
"Good. Alaia, watch me and listen to me closely."
I rolled my eyes and went back to looking out the window. Alana said something and touched my leg. Her touch on my leg shocked me for a moment before turning into a warm embrace. My leg was starting to feel better until she let go. Alaia repeated the words and touched my leg but nothing happened.
"It's not working. It's not working." Alaia started to panic.
Alana grabbed Alaia's hands. "It's okay Alaia. You just need a little boost."
Alana took off the necklace she was wearing and put it around Alaia's neck. "This necklace has a bit of power of it's own. You can use this like a booster, ok? Now focus and try again."
Alaia nodded and turned her attention back to my leg. She grabbed onto the necklace while gently laying her hand on my leg and spoke the words again. The same warm feeling spread throughout my leg and the pain slowly left. When Alaia moved her hand, I felt the need to move around. I instantly jumped out of bed to test it fully. It was completely healed. I was able to jump, run, and move like it was brand new.
My father and James came into my room to see what the commotion was about. They saw me moving around like a maniac and of course James joined me in the excitement. Adding more chaos in our little moss pit. That's what best friends are for.
"Settled down before you break something else," my father laughed but I just couldn't contain myself. I was so excited I picked Alaia up and swung her around the room while she laughed at what she just did.
"Ala, you did it. You healed me," I said, bringing her into a hug. James got in on the hug and so did my father. I looked over and saw Alana standing there watching us with a smile on her face. I nodded for her to join and I saw her smile get even bigger as she joined in on the family hug. I could be nice to her at least this time. We were there for a moment until I felt it was too much.
"Okay okay. This is all the love a fourteen old can give at this time. I have a reputation, you know." I shrugged them off.
"Alaia, you have to promise you'll heal me too when I break something," James said excitedly. "Promise?" Alaia didn't say much, just blushed and nodded her head. "Bet! Zack, let's race to the creek and see if healing you gave you any powers."
"Can I go too," Alaia asked, looking at me.
"Oh you have to come," James shouted. "With your powers, you can be our little hero."
"Wait-" Before I could stop them, they were out the door. I sighed and looked at my father. He just shrugged his shoulders and nodded for me to go after them. I got to the door before hearing my father cough at me. I knew what he wanted and for the first time I didn't fight him on it. I turned and looked at Alana in her eyes. Regardless of how I felt I knew she was good. I just didn't allow myself to see it.
"Thank you." She smiled and nodded, and I took that chance to leave before it got too serious and she wanted another hug or something.
After that moment things got better between us. I let her in and she embraced me as her own. Since that day, Alaia's powers grew and Alana was there to teach her to use them for good. After a while, we noticed when she was starting to act differently. She started studying about dark magic which Alana said she wasn't ready for.
Alana felt Alaia wasn't mature enough to handle what dark magic could do to someone's psyche. Even studying it made her a bit possessive and crazy. It really got bad when she almost burned a girl alive for touching one of her teddy bears. Alana noticed the change in Alaia and did her best to help her tame her anger. She tried getting Alaia back to using her powers for good. For a while, it worked and Alaia became the best sister anyone could have.
Then a rogue attack took away the only person that could guide her. Our father never recovered after losing two mates, so there was no love coming from there. So she became distant and only talked to Mary and myself. Since I became Alpha, James became more present as well in her life. That was when her infatuation with James started and I knew it was going to cause trouble. I understood her need for love, but Alaia had a problem with sharing with anyone. I was only one of a few people who knew the lengths my sister would go.
**FLASHBACK ENDS**
I made it to the top floor and used my wolf senses to sniff out which room she was in. I moved to the door that held her scent. I mentally prepared myself for whatever was on the other side. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if she was up to no good. What more could I do? I took the one thing that made her evil and yet I still feel it wasn’t enough. I took a deep breath and opened the door. The room was empty. I looked around for anything suspicious and only found a black box on the floor.
Before I could inspect it, Alaia appeared from the bathroom. She stopped in her tracks and looked at me. I could tell she already knew I was here.
“What do you want, brother,” she asked. There was a towel in her hands and I could faintly smell blood.
We both shared the same glares. I really didn’t have a good excuse to be here but I wasn’t going to tell her that. I needed to come up with a reason for barging in and fast.
“There were rogues in the terrority, so I was worried.”
“You? Worried about me,” she scoffs. “It didn’t seem like it earlier.”
“I was trying to protect you,” I growled.
“Or maybe protect people from me,” she growled back.
This was a common argument since she’s been back from the center. I knew she wasn’t going to be the same person, so I kept her away from the outside. Just so she could adjust. She claimed I was trying to ostracize her from the pack. Granted after her little incident some of the pack members were cautious about her. Of course she blames me for that.
This conversation was going nowhere and my wolf, Raf, was picking up a scent of blood. I glanced around and noticed a spot of blood on her dress. So I decided to change direction.
“I smelled blood and I was worried.” I gestured to the spot on her dress. She barely glanced at it before speaking.
“I wanted to help with the search. I’m a great tracker, don’t you remember? I didn’t need my powers for everything. So I wanted to find something with her scent and was very surprised by how much of her is in here. I got frustrated and broke the bathroom mirror. Is that what you want to hear?”
I didn’t believe her and she could tell. She gestured towards the bathroom and I made my way to see for myself. She was telling the truth. The mirror was broken into tiny pieces. I sighed, not wanting to believe she didn’t have anything to do with this. I didn’t want to sound callous but I knew my sister. I know what she could do to anyone who tries to lay claim to what’s hers.
“Sorry, it’s been a rough day.”
“Tell me about it. First time meeting my mate and he’s out looking for another girl with rogues roaming about. How do you think I feel right about now,” she said, sitting on the bed.
For a moment. I looked at her and just saw my little heart broken sister. Maybe she was innocent after all. Maybe the rehabilitation center actually helped her sort out her dark ways.
“I’m sorry, Ala.” I could see her visibly tense up when I used her nickname. I haven’t used it since we were kids. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. Forgive me,” I pleaded.
She looked away from me while folding her arms. “Whatever. I’m used to it by now.”
I started to walk out the bathroom until my eye caught something in the sink. It looked like a wolf pendant covered in blood. I was about to pick it up when I heard a familiar voice.
“What are you two doing in here?” Isabella looked between both of us.
Before I could answer, Alaia jumped and hugged her. I didn’t realize they became so close in such a short amount of time. Something definitely didn’t sit right with me.
“Thank the goddess you’re ok. Where’s Isaiah? Is he ok? Is he hurt? Where is he?” My sister bombarded Isabella with a bunch of questions. I could tell she was a bit shaken about everything.
“Everything is ok, Alaia. My brother is just finishing up with the border patrol. He wanted me to check up on you. I was just surprised not to find you in your room. Even more surprised to find you here, Alpha Zack,” Isabella said, turning her attention towards me.
Man how easy it was to get lost in her. Her presence, her attitude, her eyes, and not to mention the dress she’s wearing right now. I knew from the beginning she wasn’t my mate but that didn’t stop these feelings from coming out. There was something about Isabella that kept me on the edge, and I liked it. I didn’t realize she was talking to me until she snapped her fingers in my face.
“Earth to Alpha Zack.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Isabella looked at my sister, who shrugged her shoulders. “I asked what are you doing in my brother's room?”
“Right. I was worried about Alaia and found her here. Just doing my brotherly duty,” I smiled at Isabella. “And I told you before, Bells, just Zack.”
“No, no, no. That’s Isabella for you,” she snapped back. She looked back at my sister. “It seems you’re fine so I’ll take my leave. My brother should be back shortly so I don’t see a problem with you waiting here. He’s gonna need you I’m sure.” Then she pointed to me. “You on the other hand should return to your room.” She gestured towards the door.
I gave my sister a knowing look before walking towards the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, Ala.” I walked out the door and half way down the hall before stopping.
“What’s wrong,” Isabella asked from behind me.
I turned to look at her. “I seem to have forgotten where my room is?” Lie. I could easily find my way but the night was still young and Isabella was still in my company.
“Are you serious?” Isabella put her hands on her hips, slowly tapping her foot.
She stared at me as if she was trying to figure me out. Then a smile slowly crept upon her face. She walked by me and grabbed my wrist, pulling me down the stairs. This gave me a chance to watch her dress sway back and forth, teasing her upper thighs. I would be an idiot not to notice. We made it to where Omega Mary was standing.
“Hi, Mary. Thank you for waiting. Could you please show Alpha Zack back to his room?”
“Of course Lady Isabella.” Mary bowed and started making her way down the hall.
Well that was short-lived. I started to follow but felt Isabella’s grip still on my wrist. When I turned to look at her, she was looking away. I cocked an eyebrow at her grip but she didn’t seem to notice. What was she thinking? Maybe a change of heart? I won’t lie and say my heart was starting to beat a bit faster. I didn’t have much time to contemplate when she pulled me into a giant hug. I stiffen from the sudden movement before relaxing and wrapping her in my arms.
Yes this was unexpected but man it felt good. No, it felt great. I took this moment to breathe in her scent, wild roses. She must have noticed the effects she had on my body, so she quickly pushed me away. She looked at my shorts and shook her head.
“You’re disgusting, you know that,” she said, walking towards the stairs.
“What? It’s natural,” I laughed, “Besides you hugged me.”
She looked over her shoulders and glared at me, but I saw a smile playing at her lips. “Thank you. For saving Zira.” With that she quickly disappeared up the steps.
I stood there watching the area she disappeared into. I just couldn’t figure her out. She acts as if she doesn’t want me but her heart was moving just as fast as mine. Why was she acting so indifferent? Omega Mary touched my wrist and broke me out of my trance.
“Follow me please.”
Omega Mary walked down the hall and I reluctantly followed her. This thing between Isabella was bugging me and I didn’t want to leave without figuring it out.