ISABELLA
The noise from the party was deafening. I stood in my bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. My mother had a professional makeup artist cake on a bunch of stuff. I didn’t need all that crap, so here I was, washing a fortune off my face.
Definitely going to piss her off, which is usually my agenda when she throws a party. My mother was relentless. According to her, she knows best because she’s ‘been there.’ Whatever the hell that meant? I knew this whole party was her way of butting into my personal life. Again! When I get my mate, I’m making sure I get the hell away from here and from her.
"Isa, come on. You’ve been in there for half an hour now. What are you doing," Zira asked, knocking on the door.
Zira, my girl, my best friend since we were fifteen. Heck, we were stuck together like glue the first day we met, much to my pleasure. I remember the first day I saw her at school. We were all in the gym getting ready for dodgeball. She stood in the corner, scanning the room. She looked like she was trying to shrink and disappear, but she stood out from the others with her dark skin and light hazel eyes.
When our eyes met, I could feel my heart jump with excitement. I just knew she had to be mine. She smiled, and I swore it lit up the room until she looked down at her feet shyly.
The next thing I heard was Isaiah screaming, "WATCH OUT!"
Zira looked up right when a ball hit her square in the face. She hit the ground fast, but to me, it was the slowest fall I’d ever seen. I immediately ran to her side. Her eyes were closed, tears building up at the corner, and blood trickled down her nose.
Jimmy and his stupid friends were laughing on the other side of the court. Jimmy was supposed to be a senior this year but was held back because of his grades. So, I growled at them, and it only made them laugh louder. Unfortunately, my growl didn’t pack a punch like I wanted; besides, I didn’t have my werewolf yet.
"Are you OK?" I heard Isaiah ask as I helped Zira sit up.
She didn’t speak, just nodded while running her fingers through her curly afro. I imagined myself doing the same thing for a second, but I shook those thoughts away and focused on her well-being. Isaiah gently moved his fingers around her face, ensuring nothing was broken. He was always trying to take care of people. That was the Alpha in him. I heard her gasp when he touched her nose, and she opened her eyes.
Then I saw the way she was staring at him. The same way I was staring at her a few minutes ago. Of course, she was staring at him. Every girl in school wanted my brother, so why did I think she was any different? Then her eyes broke away from Isaiah, and she looked at me. It wasn’t the same, but her eyes held me in place. She looked away, trying to hide the blush creeping on her cheeks as I helped her to her feet.
"Thank you. I seem to always find myself in these situations," she laughed and winced from the pain. Then her gaze returned to mine, and I felt victorious. Like I won something to have all her attention.
Her voice. So sweet and gentle. If I were a cat, I would’ve purred, but I just smiled and stared at her for now. Isaiah cleared his throat, breaking our trance.
"I’m Isaiah; this is my sister, Isabella."
"But you can call me Isa. All my friends do," I quickly interrupted.
"I’m Zira. I’m new here. Nice to meet you."
She reached out her hand, and I shook it. Holding on a little longer than needed, Zira giggled and held out her other hand for my brother to shake. I don’t know why I thought that was the cutest thing. I dropped her hand as soon as my brother did. I didn’t want to be a weirdo, but I might have been past that point.
"Girl, you took that ball like a champ," Hunter boasted, coming in between us. "I’m Hunter, and you call me whatever you want." He grabbed her hands and gave them a kiss.
I scoffed at his display and then punched him in the ribs. "Back off, you rabid beast. Give the girl some room."
Zira giggled again, which made me smile. If punching Hunter was the reason, I would gladly do it every minute of every day.
"Don’t mind her. She gets a bit jealous when I’m showing interest in anyone but her," Hunter said, pursing his lips at me. "Don’t worry, little Bella. There’s enough of me to go around." I made a gagging sound before I was interrupted by another ball flying past us. Zira was shocked as it barely missed her face.
That was it. I stomped over to Jimmy and his friends. I was tall for a girl, and even though he towered over me, I didn’t have to strain my neck to look in the eyes. Jimmy’s dad was my father’s Beta, which usually means he’s next in line to become Isaiah’s Beta. Still, Isaiah made it clear it was Hunter’s position. Jimmy didn’t like being passed up, so he decided to make my life a living hell. Usually, when my brother is not around. He didn’t realize that I was the evil twin in this relationship.
When he noticed I could hold my own, he developed this huge "crush" on me. Granted, I knew it was because he wanted a position of power, but I was the wrong person. I just saw him as a big bully, and I didn’t tolerate bullies. I didn’t care who his dad was.
"Oh, if it isn’t Bella off to the rescue," he said, squaring his shoulders.
"You know, Jimmy, if you were half as good at school as you are with throwing balls at unexpected people, you could have graduated a year ago," I said.
"I would stay back ten years if it meant I could stay with you, little Bella," he said, trying to touch my hair, but I cocked my head to the side.
I heard Zira behind me. "I think I should help her." It was sweet that she thought I needed help. Sweeter that she wanted to help me herself.
"No, she’s a big girl. She can handle herself," my brother said, and he was right.
I was the Alpha’s daughter, which means I was a fighter. So, I had no choice but to train, even if my mother disagreed. I trained daily with my brother, and the warriors didn’t take it easy on us. I’m glad about it.
"Jimmy, I wouldn’t date you if you were the last werewolf in the world, and the Goddess felt compelled to make you my mate. So, control your balls, or I’ll do it for you," I said, turning on my heels and walking away.
His friends laughed at the altercation, which didn’t help the situation. I could feel his anger radiate throughout the room.
"I think you can help me find a place to put them," Jimmy said, grabbing my shoulder. Wrong move, buddy.
I caressed his hand on my shoulder and turned my head to look at him. His smile was plastered across his face, but it didn’t last long. I held his hand, spun around, and kicked him square in his balls.
Then I used all my might to punch him square in the face, hearing a satisfying crunch. A nose for a nose I guessed. He fell to the floor, and I glared at his friends, daring them to step up. For a minute, I thought they would, but their faces turned to fear as they looked past me. I turned to see Isaiah and his signature Alpha’s stare. He shook his head, and the other two ran, leaving their friend behind.
"You bitch," Jimmy yelled, holding his bloody nose. He took a step towards me, and I took a fighting stance.
"What the hell is going on here," yelled our gym teacher, Miss Black. She walked over, staring between Jimmy and me. "You know what, I don’t even care. Both of you, to the principal’s office. Now!"
Just great. Now I have to withstand a stupid lecture from my mother about how girls shouldn’t fight. ‘How are you supposed to find your mate if you keep beating up boys,’ she would say. If only she knew. I was walking behind Jimmy, watching him, when someone grabbed my hand. It was Zira.
"I’ll go with you and explain it was my fault."
"No, I threw the-"
"No, it was my face that was in the way. So, I’m going too," she said with a smile, and her fingers wrapped around mine. "Besides, if I stay with you, no one will try to bully the new kid."
She was smart, this one, and I liked it. Here, I decided that my mission was to protect her from now on. Always.
Now I’m here, stuck in my bathroom, hiding from this stupid party my mother decided to throw, claiming it’s to celebrate Isaiah becoming Alpha. What bullshit! Parading me around like a big prize around the other alphas. Goddess, I hate her!
Zira’s banging interrupted my thoughts. "Isa! Come on. Do you want your brother to feel you’re not proud of him?"
She’s got to be joking. She should know this party had nothing to do with Isaiah. My mother had her ways of making people see things her way.
"Oh please," I screamed through the door. "Everyone knows this party is just a ploy for my mother to find me a mate."
"Is that so bad," Zira pleaded.
"You’re supposed to be on my side," I said, opening the door to throw a towel in her face before closing it again.
"Come on, Isa," Zira laughed, "What if your mate is down there right now, and you’re losing time to meet them?"
"That’s the thing," I yelled. "I know who my mate is."
There, I said it. It’s out in the open. Now, if only I could tell my mother, who I could hear on the other side of the door. I panicked, hoping she hadn’t heard what I had just said.
ZIRA Did she say what I think she just said? She found her mate. Oh, my goddess. SHE FOUND HER MATE!!! Wait, why isn’t she more excited, and why is she hiding in the bathroom? "Wait, what-" Before I could finish, Luna Bella burst through the door like she was raiding a party. "Where the hell is she? We have guests," Luna Bella yelled. Before I could turn around, the bathroom door opened, and Isabella walked out. If anyone could get Isabella out of a room, I knew Luna Bella would do it. Isabella enjoyed her little pow-wows with her mother. So much so that I sometimes think she looks forward to them. "Mother, cool your tits. I wanted to make sure I looked good enough to be chosen like a prize slut," Isabella started. "Sorry, I meant prize Luna." "Oh, stop it with the dramatics," Luna Bella said, dismissively waving her hand toward Isabella. "What can I say? I learn from the best," Isabella whispered, knowing we could hear her. Luna Bella sighed and placed her hand
ISAIAH I wasn’t really here to enjoy the party. Just make an appearance and leave. This was more for Isabella and my mother finding a suitable Alpha for her. Lucky for me, I had planned on who I wanted to choose for my mate. Though my werewolf, Devon, would disagree with my choice. He’s always growling his disapproval when I’m with other women, saying I should only want to be with my mate. Apparently, my body doesn’t feel the same way. Then I met Victoria some months ago. We bonded over a few video games I let her win. She’s cool, but every time we got close to going further than making out, here comes Isa. Literally every time. She spends more time with Victoria than I do. Then I realized it was more than that. My sister had a crush on my girl, again. It figures we have the same taste in women because of being born around the same time. Twins were known to have the same mate. Though we were born hours apart with her being first. "Dude, I’m drowning out here," Hunter complai
ISABELLAWhile my brother angrily watched Zira dance with Hunter. I left and went to his room to look for Victoria. It was empty. Where the hell is she? I angrily walked back to the party, and then it hit me. Like times before, the smell of sweet pea and vanilla invaded my nose."Mate is near," my werewolf Jas purred.&nbs
ISABELLAI stared at Victoria with my mouth slightly open. "Victoria...""This is my home now, Bella, and I don’t want to run away again," Victoria said as she approached me and grabbed my hands. "We don’t have to run away."
ZIRA This felt like a dream. I had dreams like this before. Usually, I’m in the woods surrounded by the smell of pine and oak or on the beach listening to the sound of the waves. Then he would appear and pull me into a hot, steamy embrace. Then fireworks and a happy ending. I was sitting on a soft California king-sized bed surrounded by a sheer black canopy this time. That’s when I saw him walk out of the bathroom. Isaiah. There was so much steam covering him that, for a second, I thought it was coming out of his skin. I watched him walk over towards another door. Maybe a closet. He had nothing but a towel around his waist, leaving very little to the imagination. I could feel the lump in my throat as the scent of cinnamon and pine tickled my nose. Then it disappeared as quickly as it came. My heart raced so fast I thought it would jump out of my chest. I wondered if he could hear it. Could he feel my eyes preying on his body as he moved across t
ISAIAH I felt a headache throbbing against my head. Then, slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a blur run out of my room. Who the hell was that, I wondered as I looked around and noticed I was lying a few feet away from my bed. Naked. How the hell did I end up on the floor? I took a minute to stabilize myself before slowly getting up off the floor. "Not our mate. You should be ashamed," Devon growled. "Yeah, well, where were you last night? I didn’t hear you stopping me then," I snapped back. He growled at me inside my mind and disappeared. Good, I didn’t need his mouth right now. There was a knock on the door, and with each one, my head felt like it would split. "Breakfast is ready, sweetie. Come downstairs," my mother yelled. I dragged myself to the bathroom and showered as I tried to remember the events from last night. The last thing I remembered was going to my room and showering. Then there was a girl waiting for me on my bed. I returned to my messy be
ZIRA It’s official. I’m a COWARD! It’s been a week since the party, and I avoided Isaiah the entire time. I never got my papers, so now I’m stuck here like an idiot. I was never going to be able to leave, which my mom was happy about. Isabella could tell I didn’t want to discuss it, so we filled our time with her upcoming nuptials and ways to kill her mom. Yeah, she can be crazy. While building the courage to get my papers, I continued training in the woods. It was one way to work through stressful times and escape my problems. Most hunters use the bushes or trees to hide, but I like to use the trees. It gave the best advantage, and no one ever looked up. I was lounging in the tree near my favorite place in the entire territory. A small brook ran off a cliff into a large river below. It ran along the land bordering four pack territories with trees as far as the eye can see. I was lost in thought when I heard rustling nearby. Instantly I went into a defensive stance, w
ISAIAH Three weeks later I left the bathroom and noticed Zira sitting on my bed on her phone. Immediately, the memories of our passionate night came flooding my mind. Not right now, not right now. I focused on controlling my urges as I prepared for this arrangement with Alpha Zack. There were a few details about this marriage arrangement we had to iron out before signing this little treaty between packs. After some studying, I knew he needed this more than we did. Recently, his pack has been subjected to frequent attacks. With our help, we could make it non-existent. Thanks to my dad, my warriors were thirsty for some action. I rushed to my closet before she had a chance to look up and put on some boxers and a tank top. She smiled when I walked to the bed to get my jeans. "I think I finally convinced your diabolical sister not to poison your mom’s tea," Zira said, standing up. "Yeah, is that all she was planning to do," I asked, knowing my sister had a plan b an