Twenty One
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Twenty–One
Isabella’s POV
The tension that ensued after I dropped that piece of information was long and uncomfortable until my mom finally got up and pulled me up with her. She dragged me along to the kitchen.
“Madam? Do you want me to serve the food now? Hello, Miss Isabella.” Our cook spoke in his thick Italian accent.
I gave him a small smile and replied to his greeting while Mom waved her hands signaling ‘no‘. “No, not yet. I just want to talk to my daughter. If you would excuse us, Chef.”
He nodded, taking off his apron, “Of course Madam.”
Now that we were alone, my mom turned to face me and I was already expecting a huge scolding involving, ‘Why would you do that?‘ and ‘Why didn’t you tell me?‘ What I didn’t expect was the huge concern etched across her face and of course, I wasn’t saying that because my mom was some fire–breathing dragon or anything.
“How are you, Bella?” She asked and I made to speak when she cut me off, “Like really, are you okay? I can only imagine that you didn’t find out in the prettiest of ways.”
I sighed before biting my lip and looking away, “I didn’t.”
“Oh, Bella.”
“I’m sorry we lied.”
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“Oh please, forget about that. You’ve been stressing yourself more than usual and well, you’ve not been the happiest person out there these days. Is this why? Your dad and I are really worried?”
“Among many other things, yes.”
She sighed, “And you can’t tell me these ‘many other things‘, can you now?”
I shook my head, no.
“I’m still getting used to you being an adult with your big girl secrets.” She chuckled soberly and I instantly felt a bit guilty. “I hope you know that when I ask these questions, I’m not fishing for some little gossip. I’m your mother and I just want to know if there‘ s any way I can help.”
“I know Mom, but I’m going to have to plead with you to let it go. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“What about work?” She asked, “Request a leave, won’t you? You need it. You need to rest for a while. Maybe take a little vacation. Maybe your mate is not in this pack and the moon goddess would lead you to him while you’re picking out your vacation destination.” She said with a wink.
I felt a lump form in my throat which I forced down. “Nah, I can’t afford to take a leave.”
She frowned deeply, “What do you mean by that? Even if you never work for the rest of your life, your father and I are capable of taking care of you. Not that I don’t respect you having a career, I’m proud of you and I know you can afford to take a break.”
I chuckled, “I know mother. I didn’t mean money–wise. There’s so much happening at the gallery right now and I need to be present.”
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She sighed before nodding, “And the Alpha? You guys looked to be in a heated discussion the night of his party. I hope all that is settled as you’re working in such proximity with him.”
A dark look settled over my face, “You notice everything, don’t you.” I rolled my eyes before going to the fridge to pull out a bottle of juice and grabbed a glass so I could help myself
“I’m going to pack you some food. You’re all skin and bones.”
I just shook my head. For someone who monitored their weight and trained diligently, I knew I wasn’t all skin and bones but I wasn‘ t going to say no to not cooking for a couple of days and having delicious food at hand in my fridge.
I hugged my parents before carrying the large bag of packed meals as well as some other items from the pantry that my mom had thrown into my car. Before I could get in though, my dad came out, his hand at the top of Chloe’s back, leading her out.
“Bella, darling. Don’t hate me for this favor I’m about to ask.”
I narrowed my eyes at him instantly before they landed on a fidgeting Chloe. “What is it?”
“Chloe didn’t bring a car so I was wondering if you could give her a lift.”
Please, Bella, for my sake. He added using the mind link.
My eyes darted to my mom and she nodded.
I sighed angrily before opening my door and getting in. I revved up the engine while they all looked on expectantly. I leaned sideways and bent the passenger seat door handle before pushing it open. Chloe’s eyes widened before she left my dad’s side and ran to
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Twenty–One
come to get in. She barely closed the door before I began to
reverse.
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I love you! I heard both my parents link to me and I grumbled it back.
I hadn’t gotten far when I began to hear sobs beside me and when I turned I saw Chloe with her face pressed into her palms while her back shuddered as tears leaked from her eyes. I sighed, pulling over and parking my car at the corner of the road.
“Come on, Chloe.” I sighed and an ‘umph‘ sound left my lips when she suddenly flung herself on me, her sobs intensifying as she wrapped her arms around my waist and sobbed into my belly.
“Please Bella, I’m sorry. Forgive me. You’re the only friend I have, you’re the sister I never had and I know what I did was terrible. We- we wanted to tell you but I was just so scared, I didn’t want you to hate me and we tried to resist each other,” Another sob.
“I swear we did. The bond is just too strong and we finally gave in and you caught us. I wanted to kill myself. I can’t live with you hating me Bella. Even if you choose to never talk to me again…” She sobbed louder, “I just want you to know first that I never meant to hurt you. I love you, Bella, please believe me. Ryder and I, we care about you and we didn’t intend to hurt you at all.”
I sighed, finding my fingers in her hair at some point as I stroked her soft mane. When she finished talking I retracted my hand and when she raised her head, I winced at her red face and swollen eyes. She glanced at the wet spot she had created on my clothes and bit her lip while I passed her a hanky.
“Okay.” I finally said and her eyes instantly widened, first in shock and then in pure joy. They filled with tears once more and her lips began to quiver. This time, I reached for her and she immediately
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fell into my arms.
“Thank you, Bella.” She cried, “Thank you so much. I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“Don’t do that.” I say quickly and I feel her tense, “Just…just don’t hurt me again.” I say stiffly before withdrawing myself and facing the windshield, “I won’t forgive you.”
“I wouldn’t dare, Bella. Thank you, thank you so much.”
I got back on the road and after a few moments of listening to Chloe fidget endlessly on her seat, I sighed and turned to look at her, “What is it, Chlo.”
“I was just wondering if you’d like all three of us to go out for drinks…like old times, y’know?”
“All three of whom?”
She bit her lip, “Me, you, and Ryder.
I stiffened.
“Please, Bella. I know I might be asking for too much but I just want us all to be friends again. I want everything to be okay again. We miss you and we both want to make amends.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly, “Sure.”
Chloe’s face held concern, “I don’t want to force you into doing anything you don’t want to do.” She said quietly.
“That is impossible and you know it.” I rolled my eyes. Like I could ever be forced to do something I didn’t want to do. I had a very strong will or in other people’s words, I’m very stubborn which is why Alexander manages to push all my buttons and successfully
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drive me mad. “I said okay.”
Chloe grinned, “Thank you, Bella.” She said before whipping out her phone and I supposed it was to text Ryder. I bit my lip. I wasn’t being forced, sure but I hoped I wasn’t making the wrong decision.
“We’re not going to Crown though.” I asserted, referring to the club I had sworn not to step foot in ever again.
I could tell that Chloe wanted to ask why but she could probably tell that I didn’t plan on elaborating cause she just nodded, “Of course, there’s no problem at all with that.” She said before continuing to tap away on her screen.
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