Where The Hell Is She

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 hands on her daughter’s shoulders. "You know I want the best for you, and that means a strong Alpha, who can handle your smart mouth," her mother laughed before noticing Isabella’s face. "What happened to your makeup?"  

Isabella shrugged her shoulders. "It made me look like an upscale whore, so I cleaned it up."  

I could see the vein popping on Luna Bella’s forehead before she took a deep breath and shook her head. "Whatever, just come on, get down there."  

"Mother, I’ll be down in a second. Now, please give me a moment."

They stared at each other before Luna Bella threw her hands up. "Fine, five minutes, then I’m sending your dad." With that, Luna Bella walked out as fast as she walked in.  

I laughed and noticed Isabella staring at me with wide eyes. "What?"  

"You…look...amazing, Zi," Isabella exclaimed while turning me around. "Red is so your color."  

"Stop that. You’re making my cheeks hurt." I swatted her away.  

"Good. They need a little color if you’re trying to land a mate, or should I say, Isaiah."  

"Pfft. As if I want your brother," I snapped at her, thinking about my earlier interaction with Isaiah. 

I couldn’t understand what was taking so long with my papers. It’s not like I was asking for much. I looked at Isabella, who was giving me a worried look. 

"Sorry. Didn’t mean to snap at you."  

"Oh, please. You could be mad at my brother all you want. We both know you’re like putty in his hands when he smiles at you. His disgusting, over-achieving hands," Isabella said, twisting her face.  

I threw a pillow at her, knowing she was right. For the past five years, we played cute little eye games and little flirts back and forth, but nothing came of it. He’s been with other girls, and I stayed on the side, not complaining. Just being a good friend, which was how he saw me anyway.  

"He’s just being challenging right now," I whined to her. "I need to get on the road before my mom comes up with something else for me to do or makes me feel guilty for wanting to leave. I really need those papers to leave, Isa."   

It’s already been a huge ordeal convincing my parents for the past six months to be okay with me leaving. Now I have to deal with a dodgy Alpha. It’s mostly my fault for waiting to send in my request. Alpha Jack would’ve had it done and back to me in a jiff, but here I was, hoping for something to make me stay. 

"Maybe he doesn’t want you to leave," Isabella smiled. 

I raised an eyebrow at her. Did she know something I didn’t? No, it doesn’t matter, I thought while shaking my head.  

"No. We’re not doing this again. Your idiot brother had his chance, and he let it fly by. Besides, he seemed a bit occupied with Victoria," I said. 

"It’s not like that," Isabella growled at me, and I held my hands up. Isabella looked shocked by her reaction and quickly recovered with a little smile.  

"What was that for, Isa? I’m just playing."  

"Sorry. I just meant that Victoria is just his friend. I’ve made sure of it," Isabella whispered more to herself, but I could still hear it.  

"Wait a minute. What do you mean," I harassed her. "Does that have anything to do with what you said before-"  

"Ah," she exclaimed, interrupting my inquiry while running over to her armoire, "before we go any further, there’s one more thing you need to finish that outfit. Turn around."  

I’ll let her off the hook this time, but I made a mental note to bring it up later. So, I did as she asked, and a moment later, a necklace appeared around my neck. It was a gold chain with a jade stone set in a textured 24-karat gold with a flower motif.  

"Isa, I can’t." I turned to look at her and saw she was wearing a matching necklace with an amethyst instead.  

"In case I get swooped away by a dashing alpha, I want you to know that no matter how far I go, we’ll always be connected."  

Isabella grabbed my face and planted the hugest kiss on my lips. Then, before I could react, she pulled back with the biggest smile.  

"Let’s go get mated," Isabella said, pulling me towards the door. 

I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact she was just complaining about going to the party, and now she was diving in headfirst. This was going to be helluva of a night.  

The moment we descended, I could feel the amount of power in the room. Alpha Zack of the Blue Moon Pack stood in different sections with his Beta Bronx, and Alpha Phil of the Opal Moon Pack with his Beta Aaron. Only two Alphas this time around.  

"Looks like your mom is narrowing down the prospects," I joked, remembering the first party having over six Alphas vying for Isabella’s attention. 

She wouldn’t admit it, but Isabella loved the attention. On the other hand, I hated it but still got it next to her. Isabella beamed while I just wanted to disappear. Though, sometimes walking next to her gave me confidence. 

"Hey," Isabella said, turning to me, "you’re not going to get his attention by being shy. Stand up a bit straighter. Show these girls off." 

"Okay, okay. Stop mothering me," I said while adjusting my dress. 

We continue down the steps as my eyes subconsciously look for him. Not a second later, I saw him standing next to Hunter, and they were both looking at me. My heart sped up just a bit as I quickly looked away. Don’t do this to yourself, Zira. You’re leaving, remember.

"As if you’ll listen to yourself," Nina snorted. 

"Can we not argue right now, Nina. You’re not the kind of headache I want right now."

"Humans," Nina sputtered. "Why would one want any kind of headache?"

"Because they have an irritating werewolf spirit," I said more to myself, knowing she might have heard me. 

Nina didn’t say anything back, which meant I had a good thirty minutes before she complained about something else. 

When we made it down the steps, Luna Bella didn’t waste any time introducing Isabella to the two Alphas in attendance.  

Alpha Zack Lucius was the shortest, standing at a good six feet. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on his body, and he was willing to show it. He wore black dress pants that hugged his thighs and a vibrant orange silk shirt open enough to show fine hair peeking through. His sleeves were rolled up enough to see tattoos running from his wrist and beyond. The way his dark brown eyes peeked beyond his shaggy black hair as he watched Isabella, I could only imagine what he could be thinking.  

"It’s a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman," Alpha Zack said, taking Isabella’s hand and kissing it without breaking eye contact. "Your mother didn’t do you justice."  

"Well, don’t believe everything my mother says," Isabella said with a small smile. "She can sell silver to a werewolf if it means getting me tied down and shipped to an Alpha." 

I stifled a laugh before getting a death glare from Luna Bella and composing myself. How Isabella was able to keep her composure is beyond me.  

Alpha Phillip Thames, on the other hand, was a giant bear of a man. He looked to be at least 6’6. His blond hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, with a few strands curling around his face. His cold eyes scanned the crowd as if waiting for something to jump out at him. Of course, when Isabella descended the stairs, his rough face looked almost amused, but it was gone in a flash. He didn’t speak but gave a slight nod, then patrolled the crowd. He’s not very trusting.  

"Of the two, I would go for the big bear. He seems like the cuddle type," Isabella joked.  

"I don’t know. Alpha Zack wouldn’t mind going for a tumble with you or your hand. I’m surprised he gave it back," I said, imitating him kissing her hand.  

"Right. I usually like scary ones. He might actually hurt me, and not in a good way," Isabella said, waving at Alpha Zack, who was studying us. He was utterly ignoring Luna Bella, hanging on his arm and laughing to herself. It only took a few moments before Alpha Jack had to drag his wife away.  

"Let’s move before she sees us alone," Isabella said, pulling me towards her brother and Hunter. I moved behind her slowly. I didn’t really want to see or talk to Isaiah. No matter how much I actually wanted to.