003. Family

Sean remained silent. Isabella watched his eyes slowly turn blue and his face grow cold. Her heart skipped in fear, and she pulled away from him slowly, already expecting the worst.

"Sean?" she called, alarmed when he simply rose up and walked out of the room. 

Shit! Shit! She had messed up. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, and she sank into her bed, trying to process the entire encounter. Werewolves got second chance mates. That was a widely known fact. What were the odds that both mates would be men she grew up with?

Her door creaked open, and Isabella sat up quickly hoping it was Sean. Her face fell when she saw Luna standing at the door, curious and concerned.

"Isabella?" she called, walking into the room, "I saw Sean leave in a hurry. He did not do anything to you, did he?"

Of course, she thought the worst about her own son, Isabella thought sadly. The same man who had helped her right before everyone, away from the prying eyes and cruel whispers. Sean was the kindest soul there was, and it sucked that everyone was blind and oblivious to that fact.  

“No, he didn’t. He just helped me out, that’s all,” Isabella replied, trying to keep a straight face. 

Luna sighed and sat down beside her. “I am happy that he was here to help you, dear, but you do know you need to stay away from him. Sean is cursed. Associating with him might be detrimental." 

Isabella’s insides roared in anger and a surge of protectiveness streaked through her. You do not insult my Mate! No one would. But she clamped it down beneath a clenched jaw and nodded. “I understand that.”

Luna's expression softened, concern evident in her blue eyes, which looked so much like Sean’s. "I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you, Isabella. Rejections are never easy, especially when it comes to mate bonds."

"Thank you, Luna. It's hard, but I'm trying to process it." She replied . 

"You don't have to pretend to be strong, my dear. You have always been tough ever since you were a child, holding on no matter what, and I admire that in you. But just remember that it’s okay to be weak. This is a big deal."

Isabella managed a small smile, "I know Damian did what he thought was best for him, so I do not really blame him. Either way, it's fine."

Luna frowned at the nonchalance in her tone. "Isabella, you don't have to dismiss your feelings. It's alright to be upset."

"I'm not dismissing them, Luna. I just understand that sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to. And that's okay. I'm okay. The pain is over already." She shrugged. 

Luna studied Isabella for a moment and cocked her head to the side. "Just know that we're here for you, no matter what. I cannot say how sorry I am about this."

Isabella smiled softly.

“But… I can still perceive a strong mating scent around you. Why is that?" she asked, and Isabella blushed. 

Should she tell Luna about Sean? It felt too much to hold in. Yet, Sean's cold face when he left made her hesitate. She didn’t know how Sean felt about the whole mating bond between them, It would be best to keep it between them.

"Luna," she called, fumbling with her blanket and evading her question, "Remember I said, I'd make a request when I turned eighteen?" 

"Yes honey, anything you want." 

“I want to look for my real family,” she stated, looking up at the older woman's shocked face. 

"What?" 

‘I want to find my real family. It's been thirteen years, and I know it would be hard, but I was going to ask you and Alpha Alexandro for your help.” Isabella explained. 

“Isa, is this about Damian? Because-” 

She shook her head, “No. No, it isn’t. I already made the decision a long time ago. This is important for me Luna," 

Luna hesitated for a moment then shook her head. ‘You need some rest first. We will talk about this tomorrow with Alex, okay? Get some rest, okay? Goodnight.”

She scurried off the room, and Isabella, with a sigh, laid on her back, resolved. She tried to sleep, but her mind kept going back to the kiss with Sean. She could not get Sean’s reaction out of her head. It seemed to hurt more than Damian’s rejection.

After a few more minutes of failed attempt to sleep, she got up from the bed and left the room. She had to talk to Sean. He couldn't just ignore her! They were mates. And hell, he ought to be thrilled that she was his mate. 

Her heart thumped wildly when she reached his door. She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, she finally gathered the courage to knock.

The door creaked open, and Sean stood before her, his eyes wide in surprise.

"We need to talk, Sean," She grumbled, pushing past him before he could speak, into the dimly lit room. She turned around to face him, watching his face closely. 

“We can't just pretend nothing happened tonight."

Sean remained quiet and motionless, frustrating her even more. 

“We are mates! I thought you'd be happy about that." 

"I'm sorry, Isabella,” He signed. 

"Sorry? Are you sorry? I don't need your damned apology! Do you know what you're doing to me? My heart's already a mess after Damian's rejection, and now this?"

He flinched and looked away, his hands signing rapidly. ‘I do not mean to hurt you. I got scared. I had to leave.”

“Reject me then!" she yelled, eyes flashing furiously. "Reject me then! I'd you're that scared of this. Of us!" 

Sean’s head snapped up at her request and he stormed closer to her, growling in annoyance. His eyes shifted rapidly from blue to gold and then back to blue. It was obvious that he fought the pull of the bond. 

“Just reject me," She repeated. "Get this over with if you do not want me. I definitely will not be begging you for attention.”

“I do not want to do that," He signed, his face pulled in a fierce frown. 

"Then claim me!" She pleaded, placing a hand on his chest. "Sean," 

He shook his head, taking numerous steps away from her. "No, I-I need to think. Listen, you are a beautiful, bright ray of sunshine."

"Naturally, you'd think that would make everyone want me!" She bit out dryly. 

"I am a cursed werewolf! Everyone rejects me. My family hates me. I do not deserve you.”

What was he talking about? Sean knew that she had never cared about his condition.

“I cannot be so cruel to accept this," He continued, his eyes staring at her sadly. "I cannot do that to you, to put you through so much suffering.”

"You don't get to decide that for me, Sean," she said, anger slowly leaving her body, “l choose you. I want you. All I want, all I require is that you want me back." 

"It's not that simple!" Sean signed again, “I just need… Time. I cannot reject you right now because you are still in pain. But I just want you to be aware that this will not work.”

His words twisted her heart like a knife, but she kept a defiant pose, staring into his beautiful eyes. He was going to reject her too. She could see it in his eyes.

“I do not need your goddamn pity, Sean. You want rejection, get it over with now,” she whispered, but he didn’t budge.

“I thought you were a lot of things. I have never imagined you would be a coward who is too scared to take responsibility. But I guess I was wrong about you,” she spat and marched towards the door. 

Halting just before it, she drew in a deep breath, turned around and walked back to him, pressing her lips against his. 

Sean moaned when she did, grabbing her waist, pulling her closer and kissing her back hungrily. His hand trailed down her backside, fondling her through the dress, aching, eager for more. 

Suddenly she pulled away and with all the strength she could gather, gave him a slap.

“That is what you are going to be missing, douchebag! I. HATE. YOU.”

She yelled and dashed out of the room, fighting back tears.

As she walked down the hallway, daydreaming about the kiss and how good his lips felt against hers, an elderly man stopped her. He looked familiar. Must be one of the guests from the party.

“Hello, Lady Isabella,” he greeted with a grin and bowed slightly. Isabella recognized him then.

“Oh. Sir Gary, was it?”

He nodded. The same man who had stared at her strangely earlier. And he was still staring at her the same way.

“It is nice to meet you again, Sir Gary. I never had the chance to thank you for coming to my party. I am very honored,” she said politely, and he chuckled.

“Oh, it is nothing. More people from my pack would have come, but well… It is a long story. But, happy birthday to you, from the Nightingale pack.”

Nightingale? Why did that name sound so familiar?

“Thank you. I have to get to my room, sir,” she made to leave, but he stopped her.

“Uhm, I actually hoped I could ask you some questions, Lady Isabella," he muttered. "I apologize. You just remind me so much of someone. Is this your birth pack?”

She frowned at the question. 

”Uhm, no. The Alpha took me in when I was five years old. I do not remember my birth pack nor my birth parents.”

Was she saying too much? Was she ranting?

The man nodded, “Interesting. Have a lovely night. Our Prince will be here tomorrow morning to wish you a happy birthday, my apologies that he had to run late.”

Isabella smiled weakly and left him in a hurry. After the whole roller coaster of what had happened that night, she needed all the sleep she could find. 

****

Isabella's eyes fluttered open the next morning, the remnants of her dreams fading as she greeted the new day. The memories of the previous night flooded back, and she sighed wearily. 

Before she could dwell on them further, a soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. The maid's voice came from the other side.

"Isabella, the Alpha and Luna request your presence in the council hall."

"Thank you. I'll be there shortly."

Why were they requesting her presence so early? Her curiosity piqued, Isabella quickly freshened up before making her way to the council hall. 

When she entered the hall, the Alpha was sitting on his chair, grinning when he saw her. “Ah, my dear child,” he called, and Isabella smiled, walking towards him.

"Did you sleep well, honey?" Luna asked, holding out a hand to her. Isabella took it gracefully. There was no one else in the hall except a man, a young man facing them.

“Good morning, Alpha, Luna. How may I-"

Her words were cut short when the other man turned to face her. She stopped in her tracks, her face white with shock. 

What the hell?

His eyes were warm as his rather familiar face broke into a sad smile.

She felt she knew those eyes, those piercing green eyes. She had seen that shade of hair several times but a longer version of it. And that face...

Hell, she saw that face every day. Every single time she looked in the mirror.

The man who looked to be maybe a little older than her was a complete replica of her..

“It is true, I cannot believe it,” He gasped, his eyes suddenly shining with unshed tears. “You really are my sister.”