CHAPTER 5

ISABELLA

I started backing away when he slowly crawled towards me. My heart was beating so fast as I felt like a prey at the mercy of her predator.

”Are you afraid, Bela?” He asked, a smirk still playing on his lips. 

“N-No,” I lied. I could feel my insides trembling.

”Really?” A spark filled his eyes, like a predator knowing he’s gotten his prey. He once again watched my lips.

I know that being married to him includes doing… wifely duties. I may not have ever experienced being intimate with anyone, but I know this is part of married life. 

And as Alpha, I know they have much stronger urges. I learned that from Regina. She liked dating men with Alpha blood, saying that was the reason why she wanted to hang out with them. 

How much more a lycan prince like him? Lycans were almost always more intense in all aspects than werewolves. 

I closed my eyes, knowing I could not escape from this. This was part of my responsibility now.

“What are you doing?” I heard him ask. 

“I-I’m closing my eyes. I… don’t know how to do this. B-But if you teach me, I-I will be willing—“

I was forced to open my lids when he suddenly touched my cheek. Amusement filled his eyes… and something more.

”I am not going to touch you, nor are we consummating this marriage.”

”We’re not?” I blurted, confused. 

Alpha Logan inhaled a deep breath and stood up from almost running me over. He slumped himself on the bed, just with his boxers on. 

I swallowed, keeping myself from looking at his lower extremities before he pulled up the sheets. 

“Not tonight, Isabella. Rest for now. Good night.” 

He turned off the lights and we were left with the brightness of the moon outside, peeking through the glass windows. 

I sighed and calmed myself down. I wasn’t even sure if I was truly ready to do that. 

>>>

I woke up with an empty spot beside me. 

It took me hours before I fell asleep last night. 

I was just staring at the ceiling until my eyes went to my husband’s resting face as he slept. 

I didn’t know what’s with him. I didn’t even feel slightly uncomfortable to be in a room with him. 

I felt awkward, yes, but uncomfortable and afraid like I usually felt among other werewolves from the Lunar Pack, no. 

For the very first time in my life, I felt safe. That I was with someone who won’t do something to hurt me. That finally, someone was going to be willing to save me.

That’s how I genuinely felt. And I don’t know why when I am in the presence of the ruthless, savage Lycan prince who had the worst reputation in our land.

Or maybe that’s just because of how angelic his face was as he slept. He really looked like an angel. He was so far from the rumors talking about his beastly appearance.

”Sleep, Isabella.” 

I flinched when he suddenly spoke. His deep voice echoed around the quiet room. 

”We still have a long trip tomorrow.”

”O-Okay,” was my soft response. 

Silence hovered before I heard him sigh heavily. 

”What’s wrong?” 

“N-nothing.” I fidgeted. I really couldn’t sleep. 

He slowly opened his lids; and I watched, once again assaulted with the most beautiful hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. 

They looked almost too bright amidst the darkness that surrounded us.

“Rest, Bela. It’s been a long day for you.” 

My tensed heart paced slower at how gentle he sounded. He was staring at me as I stared at him. 

“I-It’s also been a long day for you.” 

”Hmm.” 

He once again started closing his eyes. But I suddenly found myself not wanting to let go of its mesmerizing sight. 

“I-I,” I bit my lip, stopping myself from making small talk. I don’t feel like he’d appreciate it. And who was I to waste his time for rest?

I stared at the ceiling. ”I-I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable. You can sleep now.”

A resounding chuckle suddenly rumbled from his chest, making me look at his face again. There was amusement in them. 

“You think you’re making me uncomfortable? That’s adorable.”

I looked down on my hands and just kept silent. 

Silence took over once again. Our breaths were the only exchange happening in the room.

“Are you scared of the dark? We can turn on the lampshade so you can sleep.” 

I shook my head. 

I once feared the darkness, but it eventually became a friend. It offered me a hiding place whenever the burning gazes of everyone who hurt me and thought little of me was becoming too much. 

“Then what’s the problem? Tell me.” He commanded, sounding exasperated. 

“It’s… it’s just a heavy day.“ I fidgeted on my fingers. “A very eventful day. It’s going to change my life forever,” I said quietly. 

I heard him take a deep breath. Silence followed through. It was becoming our companion. 

For a few minutes, he didn’t speak. I was about to close my eyes and do my best to sleep when his deep voice came back.

”It’s going to change mine, too.”

He stared at the carved ceiling. The hanging crystal chandelier mirrored the light that came from the moon outside, casting slivers of subtle colors around the bed. 

This almost felt romantic, but I knew better than to think like that. My childhood innocence and dreams had long been gone, taken away by the cruelty of my world. 

I knew there was something better somewhere. But I’d be too naive to think this marriage was going to give me that. After all, I was just a trade off for peace. I’m not even sure if I’m a worthy trade off. The lycans didn’t bargain for me. I was just the substitute bride.

Movements from my right suddenly made my thoughts stop. 

Sensations immediately erupted on my skin and I held my breath when my shoulders bumped into Alpha Logan’s hot skin. His entire frame almost covered me because of how large he was as he scooted closer.

“Let’s sleep for now and face the changes tomorrow. Don’t worry too much.”

The bed dipped and I closed my eyes when I felt him suddenly kiss my forehead. My heart beat faster. 

“Good night.”

”Good night… Logan,” I mumbled, feeling light and already rested. 

I turned on my side, still feeling his warmth on my back as I smiled to myself. 

“Happy birthday to me.”

That was my last thought when I fell asleep. 

My smile was still plastered on my lips and I felt like I had the best sleep in my life when I woke up. 

But when I turned beside me, he wasn’t there anymore.

LOGAN

I closed the door to the room and sauntered out of Shadow Pack’s pack house to meet Blake outside. 

I release the tension I’ve been feeling since I shared the bed with Isabella. She doesn’t know her innocence was just making me want to jump her. I know I need to get out before my wolf makes me want to do something crazy.

”Logan, are we in a hurry?” Blake yawned. I woke him up through mindlink when I could barely control myself with Isabella’s blue doe eyes staring at me. She’s making Fabian, my wolf, go crazy. 

“We have to get back to the pack before noon. Father needs to know we’ve done what he wanted.”

Blake crossed his arms and smirked at me. “That was quick. Didn’t know it would only take a few hours for you to Mark her—“

”I didn’t Mark her.” His smirk immediately faded. 

”But the agreement—“ I cut him off with a growl. “He only said he wanted to see me married before he gave me the title. Not Mark anyone.”

Blake shut up and submitted, feeling my Alpha authority.  

“I need it if we want to defeat our enemies. I want all of them gone before they ruin anything again.” The image of Isabella’s face immediately floated inside my mind. 

I already yearn for her despite just knowing her for a day. I clenched my fists. 

“Hurry. We can’t have them sniffing on us. We’ve already made an agreement with our merge of forces here. We’re done here.”

”Yes, Alpha.” Blake quickly made his way inside the car. 

I heaved a deep sigh. I need to make sure Isabella can get to the pack safe. They might have already sniffed her.