*Isabella*"Oh, They are so lovely Bernard! Thank you."I smiled widely at the beautiful fresh red roses wrapped neatly in a printed thick wrapping paper. The bouquet I did not expect to receive today since we had no plan on celebrating my twenty-third birthday. However, Bernard had a surprise appearance early in the morning. The smile on his lips warmed my heart. I bet that he came here first before going to his work."Happy birthday my dear Isabella."He lowered his head to give me a peck on the cheek which I accepted gladly. I turned around to find an empty antique flower vase sitting above the long wooden table in the living room. Then I carefully place the flowers inside, removing the wrapper and folding them before throwing them quickly at the nearest bin."Thank you, Bernard! You are the first person to greet me today."I walk gracefully towards him, aware of his eyes looking at the very tight black denim that I wore with a matching tank top in the same color. The obvious admir
* Isabella *I look at my reflection in the mirror, with my hair done in soft curls from the salon. To change my usual straight hair I went to get it done, especially for this evening. Excitement and joy filled my lungs as I thought of the five-star restaurant in the City. It's been a while since I had dined there, without my father. The dress I'm wearing is a sleeveless V-neck midi dress in a vintage blue color. The stylish and flattering neckline shows a bit of my cleavage and skin in the middle of my breast.My shoes are of the same color and I brought with me a blue silk scarf in case the cold gets into me. Even in summertime, the North has a low temperature, which some enjoy but there are also a few who want to have the heat of the sun during summer. "Miss Bannister?"A soft voice coming from Martha made me turn away from the full-length body mirror of my room. "Yes Martha, did Bernard come?"She smiled looking at me from top to bottom. "You are so beautiful tonight Miss Bannist
* Alpha Charles *There were several rogues spotted in hiding at the most crowded place in the North, the City. I must pursue the investigation further, as it would be dangerous for the humans to protect themselves against a rogue attack. We had stayed until evening and found a few traces that we must continue our search. Before going back to the Alpha house, I decided to treat the warriors at a restaurant. "Are you sure this is a good place for us Alpha? This looked expensive."Ben, one of the warriors with me, looked around and commented on the elegant place. There are only a few guests around that is why I chose the place."It does not matter the price, Ben. What I want is for us to have a private conversation, some humans would freak out when they know that we are not among them."He nodded. "You guys order whatever you want. I will come back in a second. Beta Lohan, will you order for me?""Sure thing Alpha." Lohan is the best warrior in the pack and knows me better than anyone
* Isabella *"Good morning Dad!"I give him a peck on the cheek while he folds the daily newspaper on his lap. A wide smile curved his lips. "Good morning my dear. Are you going to the ranch early?"Looking at my cowboy outfit, he doesn't even need to ask where I'm going. I haven't slept well thinking about what happened last night. I took a deep breath in."There is something I wanted to ask you, Dad."He put back the cup of coffee in the saucer and looked at me. "Hmmm, what is it, Isabella? You seemed anxious so early today. Did something happen last night?"I cleared my throat when Martha came in the dining room bringing the usual breakfast. The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs made me look at her. I waited until she was done putting a cup of coffee in front of me. "Thank you, Martha.""My pleasure Miss Bannister, please enjoy your breakfast, and you also Mr. Bannister."My father nodded towards her and waited until I started talking. "I had a great time with Bernard last night D
* Isabella *The following day came fast just like a blink of an eye. I woke up early to get ready for my morning run around the backyard of the Bannister mansion. It feels good to have peace and maintain the quiet and safe surroundings of our lands. My father loves this place despite it being far from the City proper of the North. I guess old men love nature and the slow life away from the busy streets of the City.I was about to get back to the house when along the road my phone rang. "Hello?""Miss Bannister, sorry to disturb your morning run but your father asked me to call you."It was Martha on the other side of the line using the phone of the house. "What is it, Martha? Did the guest arrive?""Yes, Miss Bannister, and your father wants you to come back quick and meet with them in the library."I turned the phone off and ran fast towards the backside of the mansion. He came earlier than usual, I let out a harsh breath after arriving at the gates which the guard opened promptly.
* Isabella *There is almost a thousand acres of land which belongs to the leader of the Bannister and about a quarter is inhabited and well develop by my father and uncle. After the recent meeting with the Alpha of the Cold mountain pack my father called out my cousins and other relatives together with the people who works at the ranch and the farm."Today I would like to announce the new leader of the Bannister hunters! None other than, my only child! Isabella Abegail Bannister!"My Aunt and Uncle clap their hands as both of them stand up from their chairs to give me a formal greetings. It was a brief introduction from my father since it is pre determine that I would replace him of the title."Congratulations Isabella! I know you can make it, you have the blood of your father running through your veins! We are here to give you our full support just like how we supported my brother!"The smile on my uncle's lips might look genuine but I could see the disappointment deep inside of him
* Isabella *It was all so sudden, I was not ready. Losing my father hurt so much that it felt as though a big part of me died. I know that he was ill, yet I did not expect that he would leave me in just a matter of hours after we brought him to the family's private cemetery. I should have known that my father's heart and his body had become weak because of old age. The first time we brought him to the hospital was the sign that he was in a fragile condition."Goodbye, Dad. This will be the last time I see you but I know that you will always be here for me even though I can't see you. You will always be in my heart, remember that I love you more than anyone in this world. I promise to get stronger and keep our legacy, I promise to protect the people living in our lands and to fight the wolves that hurt your feelings."I felt the hands of my cousin on my shoulder as I threw the stem of a rose into my father's coffin that was slowly going down the six-foot hole. "Isabella, let me stay
* Isabella *The new day comes just like any other normal day in the Bannister mansion. Yet my heart is still filled with sorrow and grief from the loss of my father. My Dad, who tough me everything I needed to know to be a good hunter. So I enhanced my skills more on daily training with the hunters in the Bannister mansion. We need to be always ready when the wolves of the South come back. Richard is staying by my side as we keep our lands safe and going."Miss Bannister!"I stop the treadmill and turn around to face one of the hunters asking for my attention. "Yes, what's the matter, Dino?"Richard who was holding the weights on both his hands stopped and walked towards us. "Miss Bannister, guests are asking to come in. They said they are a friend of Mister Bannister and they wanted to visit his grave and talk to you.""Where are they from? Did you ask their identity?"I glance at the door of the training room at the back of the mansion. "Yes, Miss Bannister. He is Alpha Charles Ver