VICTORIA
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Storming out of Isabella’s room, I bumped right into Alaia. Of all the people in the world, she was the last person I expected to see…and here of all places. I knew Alpha Zack was going to be here, but not her. Last I heard, she was locked away in some institution, but no. She was standing here, looking at me with her stupid, innocent eyes, but it was wasted on me. I knew exactly who she was—a person who ruins people’s lives.
VICTORIA James looked at me, confused, before kneeling down to examine the bracelet closer. "You're lying," Maria screamed. "You wrapped it and placed it on our bed with your name on it." "Maria, babe, I didn't..." James stopped, watching Maria sway back and forth. "Maria?" "I don’t feel so good," Maria said before fainting. James caught her before she hit the floor. "James, what the hell is going on?" I was panicking now. This voodoo shit was not my forte and was creeping into my comfort zone. "I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. I just need to keep her away from the pack house. Away from Alaia." "Okay, the guest room is set up. I can tell my parents it’s an extended sleepover or something," I said, walking over to pick up the bracelet. Don’t," James yelled before I touched it. "It might be cursed or something." I looked at the glowing bracelet as James walked out the door with Maria in his arms. I couldn’t believe Alaia would do this to her best fri
ISAIAH After the altercation with Victoria, Alaia quickly moved me through the packhouse without explaining how they knew each other. The way Victoria looked at her was more of someone frightened than surprised. Still, I couldn’t focus on that too much, especially with Alaia’s happy face smiling back at me. "You know we can do as much touring as you want when you get back," I said as Alaia pulled me into another room of the pack house. There was a dark walnut bookcase lining the entire left wall. There was a black sectional with a fur pelt draped over one of the arms, lined with fluffy red and black pillows. A large fireplace and mantle with bookshelves on both sides sit on the right wall. The mantle is littered with picture frames of my family and friends. An L-shaped mahogany desk is etched with intricate designs in the middle of the room. To the right of the desk stood floor-to-ceiling double bay windows with red blackout curtains that led out to a small balcony over
ISABELLA Victoria stormed away from me, leaving me shocked. So, my brother’s mate is a murderer. That couldn’t be. That girl doesn’t look like she could hurt a fly let alone a person. I wondered if I could tell Isaiah what I had just heard, but maybe Victoria got something wrong. "So easy for you to distrust our mate. Maybe it’s good she rejected us," Jas growled. "I don’t have time for this or your mouth. I gotta find my friend." I wasn’t sure I was ready to go back to the packhouse. So, I went to Zira’s parents’ house instead, and her mother opened the door. "Isabella, this is a nice surprise." I loved Zira’s mother. She made me feel loved every time I was over. Unlike my own mother, Mrs. Lake listened to me, and I could be myself around her. She embraced me in one of her legendary hugs. Her hugs are always the best. So, comforting and so easy to fall into. She pulled me back to give me a once-over before frowning when she noticed my half-smile. "Oh, baby girl,
ISABELLA "This is why parents should knock. I think I get it now," Mrs. Lake replied with a laugh before walking away with a plate of baked goods. "Mom, wait! It’s not what you think," Zira said, jumping off the bed and heading after her mother. She stopped at the doorway and looked at me, "I’m sorry, Isa. I have to stop her before she turns this into something worse." I can’t believe I just kissed my best friend. I can’t believe her mother caught us. But wait, did she kiss me back? Did she like it? Did I just make a huge mistake and lose one of the most important people in my life right now? What does her mother think? Will her mother tell my mother? I had to get out of there. I quickly gathered all my stuff and started heading out the door. Zira and her mother were busy in the kitchen, which allowed me to sneak by. I was just outside the door when I heard Zira behind me. "And where do you think you’re going?" I looked over my shoulder and saw her in a doorway
ISAIAH I stared at Alpha Zack long enough for my vision to blur him out. My brain couldn’t really understand what he was asking me to do. Or maybe I just didn’t want to understand what he wanted me to do. "I’m sorry; what did you just say," I asked after clearing my throat. Alpha Zack adjusted his seat to repeat it as if he needed to be grounded. Was he expecting me to attack him or something? "I think you should reject my sister," Alpha Zack said with a deadpan expression. "Maybe I should reject his face," Devon growled. "Chill, dude. There must be a great reason behind this," I said. I was trying my best to keep Devon’s emotions from coming through. I sat back in my chair, regarding him seriously for the first time. This was an odd request. Alpha Zack, of all people, knew the importance of finding a mate. He was still waiting for his. So, for him to suggest this was beyond crazy. Before I could answer, he started to chuckle. "Sorry, that was a bit ex
ISAIAH Alpha Zack returned to his seat. "Stripping away someone’s powers can take a toll physically and mentally. She said it was like being torn in half. So, she was kept in a rehabilitation center until last month." He stared me straight in the eyes. "So that’s why you might want to reject her." "No," screamed Devon through me. It was so loud I had to brace the desk to keep from attacking Alpha Zack, but I could feel Devon scratching the surface to get free. He wanted to take Alpha Zack’s head off his body in one swipe. I couldn’t blame him. Alpha Zack wanted to take the woman that was made for us. There was a slight glow from the bracelet I forgot I was wearing. It was supposed to calm me, right? But, instead, all I felt was the undying love for Alaia. Love that Zack wanted to take from me. Alpha Zack sat there, unchanged. "With everything that has happened, I’m not sure she is emotionally stable to handle any kind of relationship." "Maybe that’s why she
ALAIA My brother interrupted us right before I could get closer to my mate. Of course, he picked this time to barge in. I wish he could leave already. I could tell from the beginning he had a problem with this union. I didn’t care. I couldn’t wait to leave his pack. There’s nothing left for me but bad memories. Memories I never want to relive. As I reluctantly walked past my brother, I whispered, "Please don’t mess this up for me." Of course, he didn’t respond nor look my way as I walked past and closed the door. I stood near the closed door for a minute, knowing I couldn’t listen in. "What was he going to tell him," I asked no one in particular. "The truth, hopefully," my werewolf, Elaine, spat out. "Elaine?" I haven’t felt or spoken to her since the accident. Ever since that day, we have slowly grown apart. It wasn’t a surprise since I felt more in tune with my witch side. I hadn’t realized how alone someone could feel until she stopped speaking to me. The
ALAIA While Hunter ducked inside, I went downstairs to do just that. I wasn’t sure I wanted to discover what was happening behind that door. I walked towards the garden to admire all the different flowers. Luna Bella had an eclectic taste, from vibrant flame lilies to gorgeous moon flowers. This would be a great place to grow some of my herbs. I was making a game plan when I heard someone yelling nearby. "Zira! This is the fifth message I’ve sent you. Stop ignoring me. I’m getting worried now. Please call me back!" It was Isaiah’s sister, Isabella. She paced back and forth, scrolling through her phone. It took her a minute to notice me. I gave her a small smile and waved. "Sorry, I didn’t realize how loud I was," Isabella said. "I’m guessing you’re done with my brother. Is he still in the office?" "Yeah, I left him with my brother and Hunter. They’re having a huge pissing contest right now." "Boys will be stupid boys." Isabella went back to her phone. "So, wh