Chapter 6

ISABELLA'S POV ~

“Hey there, Shock-a-Rella! Why don't you leave that death trap to the professionals before you fry yourself into a human circuit board?"

Those words snapped me back to reality and I jolted away from the power strip I had been absentmindedly cleaning, eyes wide with shock. "Oh my god!" I gasped, my body trembling as I stumbled back, a cold sweat breaking out on my skin.

I could feel the color draining from my face as I took in the exposed wires. What was I thinking when cleaning these? I could have electrocuted myself! My heart pounded in my chest as I fought to regain my composure.

"Hey, are you okay?" Ryan asked, his voice laced with concern as he gently squeezed my shoulders. I spun around to face him, my breathing still rapid as I took a few steps back. His eyebrows furrowed as he took in my panicked expression.

"Yeah, I am," I said, tucking some hair behind my ear and clearing my throat, trying to sound calm and collected. "You're here? You needed something?" I cringed internally as soon as the words left my mouth, realizing how curt I sounded.

Ryan's face fell and he slipped his hands into his pockets, his scowl deepening. My heart sank as I noticed how hot he looked in his plain black shirt and pants. Why did he have to look so good all the time?

I tried to push the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. There was no time for this, my mind was currently occupied with a lot of burdening thoughts. I didn't want to be distracted by his looks right now. I turned away from him, dropping the cleaning materials on a nearby stool and pretending to search for something on the shelf.

I froze as I felt Ryan's presence behind me, his warm breath on my ear sending shivers down my spine. "Are you avoiding me, Isabella?" he whispered, his hands finding their way to my hips and pulling me flush against his chest.

I almost gasped at the sudden contact, my heart racing in my chest as he took a long, deep sniff of my hair.

"N-no, I'm not," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

I cursed myself mentally for letting my voice betray my true feelings. I should have been dismissive, cold, but instead I sounded weak, vulnerable.

Ryan chuckled, the sound making my thighs clench as he nuzzled my neck. "Liar," he whispered, his lips grazing my skin. “Tell me, what's wrong? I've been calling you since morning and you haven't responded to any of them. Are you mad at me? Was it because of yesterday?"

When I didn't answer quickly enough, Ryan spun me around to face him. "What's wrong?" Ryan asked, his voice laced with concern as he studied my face. Gone was the playful banter, replaced by a fierce protectiveness that made my heart flutter.

I tried to push him away, but his grip was like iron as he pulled me closer, our bodies inches apart. "Nothing serious. You wouldn't understand.” My voice barely above a whisper as I stared up at him.

He searched my face for answers, his jaw clenched but he said nothing.

"Fine," I relented, the words slipping from my lips before I could stop them. "It's about my ex, Noah. He wants me to go to his birthday party. He said he has evidence against a girl who stole my work."

I watched as Ryan's instantly expression hardened, his eyes narrowing and still yet he said nothing.

I bit my lip, cursing myself for telling him. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut? I steeled myself for his reaction, but instead of anger, he merely nodded, a possessive gleam in his eyes. "Fine, then just go. Why were you hiding it?"

I sighed, unable to meet his gaze. "I thought you'd be mad. I thought you'd tell me not to go." I tried to smile, but it felt forced, unnatural.

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he tapped my nose. "Little overthinker," he teased, his voice growing soft. "I'd never tell you not to go unless I thought it was dangerous. But this is serious. Theft is unacceptable. And I'm going to help you."

His words washed over me like a warm summer breeze, melting away my fears. My heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'll take you to get a dress. My woman needs to look her best. You're going to turn heads," he whispered, his breath tickling my skin.

I shivered, my cheeks burning with a blush as I met his gaze. "Thank you, Ryan," I whispered.

He smiled, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "Anything for you, Isabella. You deserve to shine."

~.                                  ~

RYAN'S POV~

The cab screeched to a halt as the driver pulled up in front of the dress shop. I glanced down at my phone, verifying for the last time that this was indeed the location Alan had given me.

Satisfied, I pocketed the phone and turned to the driver, handing him the fare and dismissing him with a curt nod. He counted the bills carefully, eyeing me warily as if he was searching for something. Perhaps he sensed something I couldn't quite place my fingers on.

 I turned to face Isabella. Her expression was tight, her lips drawn into a thin line as her eyes darted between the shop and me.

My stomach tightened, a familiar heat rising inside me. What was wrong with her? There was a hint of tension in her body, and I didn't like it. Not one bit.  

"What's wrong?" My voice was flat, calm but my brows were furrowed.

"Well..." she stammered, her voice hesitant. "Don’t you think this shop would seem expensive?" she asked, her eyes warily sweeping the building in front of us.

I felt the words catch in my throat, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. I couldn't respond.

With a hard swallow, I shoved my door open and stalked around to Isabella’s side, my hands curling into fists at my sides. I ignored the cab driver, not bothering to watch as he drove away, as I reached for Isabella’s hand.

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to my face. I could feel her uncertainty. Her hand was cool in mine, and I curled my fingers around her wrist, pulling her toward me. I wanted to kiss her knuckles, to feel the silk of her skin against my lips, but I restrained myself.

I led her into the shop, keeping my eyes on the rows of dresses before us. They gleamed in the light, each one a glittering star of silk and satin. I couldn’t help but imagine Isabella in one of these dresses, her curves spilling over the fabric. The thought sent a possessive heat through my veins. Before we made our way here, I had excused myself to make a call to Alan, ordering him to find a beautiful dress shop that was worth my time and taste and at least I guess Alan didn't disappoint.

I glanced down at Isabella, at the woman who held my hand. I didn’t know why, but I felt at peace with her. The warmth of her hand in mine, the way her fingers clung to mine, it was a comfort that I had never known before.

I handed Isabella off to the nicest of the female attendants, ignoring her nervous glances and the way she clung to my hand. I let her go with a firm nod, my eyes already scanning the rows of dresses before me.

The female attendants turned to me with expectant smiles, ushering me to the waiting stand. I felt their eyes on me, watching, checking me out, but I didn't care. My mind was already racing, imagining Isabella in one of these dresses, her curves spilling over the fabric.

I tapped my chin, trying to distract myself from the images in my head.

Minutes ticked by, the waiting stand growing more and more uncomfortable beneath me. My wolf was pacing inside my mind, impatient to see our mate. And if I was being honest, I was too.

I stood, about to question the attendant when the changing room door opened with a soft click. My breath caught in my throat as Isabella emerged, a vision in a sleeveless black gown that flowed over her curves like liquid night.

My brain short-circuited. My jaw dropped open, my eyes popping out of my skull like those of a Looney Tunes wolf who’s just spotted his next prey. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to start drooling like one, too.

I felt my smile widen, my teeth bared in a feral grin. Isabella's shock was palpable, her cheeks burning with a blush that made her even more beautiful.

"You're paying?" she asked, her voice a stunned whisper. "This... is so expensive!"

I ignored the wariness in her gaze, the mistrust that had been slowly building between us. I couldn't tell her the truth yet, not until the time was right.

"Please wrap it up," I told the attendant, flicking my credit card out with a careless gesture.

The attendant nodded, as she wrapped the dress in tissue paper and placed it in a bag.

Deep inside, my heart was pounding with possessive pride. My woman was going to be adorned in the finest gowns, attended to by the best stylists.

Isabella's words were barely audible over the bustle of the attendants, but I caught them. "I swear I'm going to pay you half of the money. Thank you so much."

The growl rose in my throat that I struggled to keep down. "No. You don't have to pay me back."

She frowned, the furrow between her brows deepening.

I leaned in closer, my breath hot against her skin. My fingers itched to find her neck, to squeeze enough that I know I’ll leave bruises behind. If it’s possible, my cock hardens even more at the thought of her wearing my mark on her neck for everyone to see. I want every fucker who looks at her to know who owns her.

"Let me have this forehead kiss." I said instead.

She blinked, her lashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. I didn't wait for a response, my lips brushing against her forehead in a possessive, tender kiss.

I pulled away, meeting her gaze with a hungry stare. "That is your payment. And you better not try to pay me back any other way."

Braxton growled deep in my chest, his primal instincts riled up by the thought of Isabella in that dress, surrounded by other men.

"We don't share," he growled in my mind. I tried to soothe him, picturing myself following Isabella to the party, unseen and undetected. "She won't know," I assured him. "But no one else will touch her."

Braxton growled again, but this time it was a satisfied sound, the sound of a predator confident in his claim.

ISABELLA'S POV~

The doors swung open to the banquet hall, and the world seemed to freeze. A hush fell over the room, the sound of music and chatter fading to silence as all eyes turned to me.

I wished I could disappear. I wasn't used to this attention, the way people stared at me like I was some kind of celebrity. I felt my cheeks flush, the heat of embarrassment spreading across my skin like wildfire.

Phones appeared, the clicking of cameras echoing off the walls. I wanted to run, to hide, but then I saw her. Cindy.

The evil glint in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine. She stalked toward me like a lioness on the hunt, her mouth twisted in a cruel smile.

"Well, well, well," she drawled. "If it isn't Cinderella."