VICTORIA After leaving Isabella the other day, I went home and lay in bed for hours. I vaguely remember my mom checking in, leaving food near my bed, and returning to retrieve a plate still full of food. I had lost my appetite. That could be a side effect of rejecting your mate. My mate. I took a deep breath and breathed in her scent-lavender and vanilla-as I pulled her shirt closer to my chest. I stole it. Not intentionally. It just happened to fall into my box from the hangar in the closet. I forgot I even had it. Rae, my werewolf, was the one who sniffed it out when I got home, and I couldn’t bring myself to return it. It was all I had left of her. I watched the night fade until the rays of light from the sun peeked through my windows. How long have I been lying here? I took another deep breath and welcomed the pain as my chest tightened with each inhale. Fresh tears dampen the side of my pillow. Was this my punishment? Rejecting the gift of the Moon Goddess. Even though
ISAIAHWe sat around the dining table as the Omegas began setting the table with different kinds of breakfast foods. Next to me, Alaia was talking to my mother, who was probably planning our wedding as we spoke. Hunter and Ashlee were busy in their little world, occasionally giggling like they were sharing a secret. Chris’s and Jace’s mates, Fanny and Mia, were also sitting in their conversations. I have to get used to this, I smiled to myself. Isabella finally walked in with Zack right on her tail. I internally growled as they both sat down. I noticed Zack and my sister being more friendly than before. I liked her better when he and the whole marriage thing disgusted her. “So what? You like him now,” I mind-linked Isabella. “Well, he did save my best friend last night,” she said teasingly. “Pfft. He’s probably the reason she was in trouble at all. Besides, any of us could’ve done that,” I snapped back. If I had gotten there just a few minutes earlier. What was he doing out
ISAIAH “Someone is in a rush. Are you sure you want to do this?” Isabella mind-linked me. “Yeah. I mean, it’s going to happen eventually, right,” I said, knowing she could feel my hesitancy. “Yeah, but it should be something both mates should agree on. That’s what a partnership is all about, right?” “Yeah, and how’s that partnership with Victoria going,” I snapped at her. I knew I was wrong and directed my irritation to the wrong person. “I’m going to blame that misplaced anger on the situation and forgive you just this once,” Isabella said before cutting the link. She glared at me and then turned her attention to Alaia. “Two weeks? Is that even enough time to plan all of this,” Isabella asked. “Of course it is, dear,” my mother happily said. “I had everything planned for you, but now I can change some details, and we can do everything for Alaia. As a matter of fact, let’s start right this minute. There’s so much to do. Let’s go, ladies. I need all the help I can ge
ISABELLA “Alright, ladies. Into the jeep, we don’t have all day. Lunas in the front,” my mother yelled as I dragged my feet across the pavement to her stupid red Jeep Wrangler. “Why do I have to go? Can’t I just stay with Fanny and help with the food,” I begged my mother as she dragged me to her jeep. The lack of breakfast wasn’t improving my mood. I only managed a handful of bacon before leaving the dining room. I barely had the energy to walk, and my mother was dragging me to a stupid mall. “What are you saying, Isabella?” My mother asked. “You love going to the mall and shopping. I see you all the time checking out girls trying on outfits. This is the same thing.” I could hear Alaia giggling, giving me a knowing look. Why was she laughing? What does she know? “I’d rather hang with the boys,” I pouted, refusing to get in. I heard a growl beside me as we both looked at Ashlee sitting in the backseat with Mia. “There’s no way I’m leaving you here with my Hunty. Don’t
ISABELLA The houses passed me like rolling film until I realized I was at the mall. I made my way inside and followed the stupid sounds of girlish laughter. I hated that someone was happy. I didn’t want anyone to be happy, but I had to face it. I didn’t want to hear my mother’s mouth about my mood dampening their day. Before entering the shop, I had to fix my face. Pretend everything was fine. I didn’t want to get a third degree. I didn’t want anyone to ask me anything. I would be fine if I could get through this with a nod. I walked in, and Alaia was showcasing a white dress. It was a delicate patterned lace layered on lovely creamy-colored silk. The bodice was adorned with pearls, and the bottom flared out triangularly. Alaia turned in the mirror, and I saw the cut-out displaying her nice, blemish-free back. I was impressed by how beautiful she looked, like an angel, and the dress was perfect. “And then we’ll have your hair up in this fashion and accessories with some long
ZIRA After leaving the little rendezvous with Zack, I continued my search for my necklace. I checked everywhere within fifteen miles of the packhouse. I was sure I left it somewhere close by. I spent hours searching until I gave up. What was I going to tell Isabella? “She’s going to hate me!” I yelled to no one in particular. “I’m not a good friend.” “Stop with that. You’re not improving my mood,” Nina sighed. “What’s going on with you, Nina? You’ve been acting strange since we caught Isaiah watching us in the woods.” “Why was he watching us? Probably thinks we’re going to claw off his mate’s pretty face,” Nina growled, baring her teeth as a mental picture of her clawing Alaia’s face flashed in my mind. “You know, Nina. You have an anger issue. Maybe some training can help with that,” I suggested when I noticed my nails lengthening from Nina’s anger. Nina huffed at me before disappearing into my mind. I guess training was out of the question today. That’s fine with me
ZIRA “There’s someone in my room, and I can’t pick up their scent,” I linked to my dad. He was by my side within a flash with my brother on his tail. My hand was still on the knob. I took a deep breath and prepared myself as I opened my door. My brother and dad burst in before me and pounced on the person trying to leave through the window. Suddenly, her scent was a bit more prominent. “Stop, guys,” I said, pushing my dad and brother off Isabella. “It’s just Isabella. See?” They moved back as I watched my mom’s frame fill the doorway with a knife in her hands. I guess last night really did a number of them, too. I helped Isabella off the floor and gasped at her appearance. My dad turned around, but my brother stared at her with his mouth open. Isabella stood tall with nothing but a white bra and matching panties. She didn’t attempt to cover herself, so I grabbed the nearest thing, my comforter, and covered her. “Sorry, I was trying to hide, but your closet is a mess,” Isabel
ZIRA My mom looked at me. “Let’s be delicate about how we approach this,” my mom said. “So, you...told her?” I hesitantly asked, ensuring I understood her correctly. Isabella shook her head. She told us what happened at the bridal shop and how Alaia mentioned her “connection” with Victoria. When her mom questioned her, Isabella panicked and ran. I waited a minute to digest everything, but my mind kept repeating the same thing. They were picking out dresses for Alaia, Isaiah’s mate, for the mating ceremony that was in two weeks. Two weeks! The mating ceremony was equivalent to a wedding. Mates are joined together in the eyes of the pack and the Moon Goddess. Isaiah just met this girl, and they’re already having a ceremony. I guess the mate bond is strong enough to turn people you thought cared and respected you into a total dick. I felt like I had just been slapped in the face. Again! “Zira!” My mom ran to my bathroom and came out with my medical kit. I looked down at my ha