Hundred and Sixty–Four
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Hundred and Sixty–Four
Isabella’s POV
“I was worried sick.” Alexander’s voice came out broken and my heart shattered into several tiny pieces knowing I was responsible for his pain.
“I’m sorry for worrying you but we just went out,” I said with a nervous smile as I cradled his beautiful face.
THI
“You just went out ?” Alexander’s voice was attacking and low as he spoke. He was looking at me with both anger and worry in his eyes.
“Yes,” I nodded. “Right, Chloe?” I glanced over at my best friend who was currently in the arms of her mate.
“Yes.” She nodded, fear still dancing in her eyes. “We only went out,” She finished in a barely convincing tone.
“See, “I turned back to look at Alexander. He looked more worried than I had initially thought and Chloe confirming our whereabouts made him even more antsy. He looked torn between believing us and calling bullshit.
“Then why was your phone turned off and Why did you leave without your guards?”
“I just wanted to be alone, is that a crime of some sort?” I asked him, doing my best to deflect.
Alexander stared at me in disbelief before nodding simply. “No, it’s
not.” I sighed in relief that he believed me. “I’m just glad you are okay.” He said quietly and then kissed my forehead.
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“I am.” I lied. I was the farthest thing from okay but I needed to keep on this front for both my safety and Chloe’s.
“You really brought out a whole search party, huh?” I said, trying to lighten the mood even though I was feeling anything but light myself.
I had been scared to death when Antonio had sent the video of Chloe and Xekey tied up and I was still scared but nobody had to know. I had gotten them back in one piece.
The crowd slowly began to dissipate and I sighed out in relief when Chloe and Ryder left soon after. Caleb and the guys eventually went back to work and Alexander led me up the stairs to our bedroom.
He pushed the door open and led me inside. “I am so exhausted.” I started to say when Alexander came to stand in front of me, scowling.
“What the hell happened to you Isabella and I want the truth this time?” He barked out, his eyes blazing.
“Nothing, I told you, I went out with…” I started to say but he immediately cut me off.
“Don’t tell me you believe I believe that crap you were spewing outside? What the hell do you take me for Isabella? An idiot?”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Xander. I’m telling you the truth.” I shrugged.
It pained me that I had to keep lying to him like this but I had no choice at this point. Antonio had threatened to kill Chloe and her baby if I said anything to Alexander besides the issue had already been resolved.
He had kidnapped Chloe and their baby so I could move faster with the silver pack mission but when I had pleaded with him, he had settled for three million dollars instead at least for now.
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“Then explain why the hell you went to the bank to withdraw three million dollars out of the blue without telling me? Why your phone was switched off or why Chloe didn’t get home to Ryder even though she’d left yesterday?”
“Look, Xander. I don’t have time for this. If you are so upset about your money, I’ll pay you back. I just need a bit of time…”
“It’s not about the money, Isabella and you know it! It’s about you looking me in the eyes and bullshiting me with your half–baked lies. Tell me what’s going on, what aren’t you telling me…who’s threatening you? Is it the Silver pack?”
He asked, he was both angry, worried, and upset all at once. He looked like he’d combust at any moment with worry.
Even though I was literally shaking within, I made a good effort by putting up a good front. “Stop it, I said I’m fine, if you don’t believe me then that’s on you,”
He stared at me like he didn’t know the woman that was speaking to him, like he couldn’t recognize me and it made me want to scream, want to cry out in anguish but I didn’t.
I had become so good at faking it and lying that I was able to look my mate in the eye and lie and gaslight him when his only crime was that he loved me.
“I don’t know who you are anymore, Isabella.” He said quietly, his eyes glistening with tears, I looked away unable to bear the pain I was causing him. It was too much for me
“I’m the same woman you love.” I said quietly without looking at him, “And I’m telling you that I’m fine ‘
“Okay.” He said simply after a long pause
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He stormed out of the room and I crashed on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and counting it, determined not to cry. I had used up all of my tears after all and I was convinced that if I tried to cry, it would be blood that spilled out of my eyes.
***
Dinner was silent and filled with an awkward energy that I had to work extra hard to ignore. The guys were seated and they were quiet too, none of them making eye contact with me. I excused myself eventually and went upstairs to shower and go to bed.
Alexander walked in as I got into bed and I pretended I was already asleep. I heard him brushing his teeth and then later showering before he climbed up beside me in bed.
I turned to look at him and he was facing the other side. I sighed in defeat, realizing that he was far away from me right now. I just hoped not far enough that he didn’t come back to me.
I fell asleep shortly after, dreaming of Antonio chasing me around the woods with a machete.
I woke up in a cold sweat the next day, Alexander had left the room already. I breathed out in relief when I realized I had been dreaming and that Antonio had not actually cut up my stomach in two. I rubbed my baby bump affectionately, cooing at the baby.
With a relieved sigh, I climbed out of my bed and went straight to the shower. I emerged from the shower twenty minutes later feeling worse than when I had gotten in, apparently, water could not wash away the pain of the heart.
I was dressing up in my walk–in closet when I heard the bedroom door open with a bang and soon after footsteps that sounded suspiciously like Alexander’s.
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“Who’s there?” I yelled out and quickly put on my t–shirt when Alexander appeared in the closet, a scowl on his face.
“I want the truth right now, Isabella!” he yelled out. “I can’t stand you lying to me. What happened yesterday? Where did you go and how did you find Chloe?” He asked with his eyes blazing with a mix of anger
and fear.
I knew he was worried about me and I wished I could give him the answer he wanted. I wished I could run to him and tell him everything that had been going on with Antonio but I knew that would be a death sentence for Chloe and I.
“I told you nothing happened, we just went out. My answer is not going to suddenly change and I’m not lying to you!‘
“Oh really? Then explain why you have guards mounted on Ryder’s property!”
I rolled my eyes at him before I spoke again, “Oh my God, Xander, why are you making a drama out of this for Goddess’s sake?”
“Drama? You are the one lying to me!” He barked. There was an intensity in the air that caused a tremor to run down my spine but I did my best to downplay it.
“I’m not lying to you and there’s no reason to worry. The guards are just there because of all the issues going on in the pack. Nothing more.”
I watched as he ran his hands through his hair, frustrated with my answers to his question. “Why won’t you just tell me what’s fucking going on?” He asked, his voice laced with pain.
I looked away from him as I felt my eyes sting with unshed tears. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you the truth my love,” I said internally beyond upset that I had resulted to playing with Alexander’s feelings
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“I’ve told you, there’s nothing to tell,” I said and walked back into the closet, unable to take the look he was giving me. I felt like a monster aware I was hurting him even though it was for the best.
The best sounded like the worst but it was better than whatever
Antonio would do if I told Alexander anything.
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