Twenty–Seven
Isabella’s POV
I felt numb.
It was dark and all I could hear was echoes of what seemed like a distant memory. I didn’t know how distant but somehow I could tell that the sounds were not from the present. It was like I was underwater and the sounds were coming from somewhere even deeper. Not above though; the surface was silent. And then finally, as if drawn by an invisible force, my eyelids fluttered open.
As I peered through the haze, shapes and colors began to take form, like brushstrokes on a canvas. The contours of the room emerged from the fog, revealing the dark curtains covering the glow of light coming from outside, the feel of gentle sheets underneath and on top my body, and the gentle rise and fall of my own chest.
I blinked slowly as I tried to adjust my eyes to the room. It wasn’t very bright as the curtains were thankfully drawn but it was still a stark contrast to the pitch darkness I had been in just moments ago. When my eyes finally adjusted enough to really take in my surroundings, I finally had the decency to panic.
I do not know this place.
The thought was like a catalyst for my mind to start building up possibilities both the horrendous ones such as whoever it was that attacked the gallery had kidnapped me and
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288 Vouchers
imprisoned me somewhere and the ones to appease my mind, where I imagined being in my parents‘ house, in one of the newly decorated guest rooms.
I knew what happened to me and it was the last thing I remembered. When the wall entrance collapsed, I shifted to protect myself. That was the last thing I remembered so being in this place and not seeing anyone was quite confusing and scary too. If I had been kidnapped, they wouldn’t be so kind, would they? They wouldn’t put me in a bed as comfortable as this one.
When I had walked into the commotion, I was in a bit of shock. First of all, I had not heard anything. I was expecting to walk into the exhibition in full swing. To see men in suits and ladies in beautiful dresses walking about and admiring art. I expected to see people chatting by the food table and laughing at the wine bar.
What I did not expect to see was everybody in wolf form with the place upside down and actual dead wolves strewn about. It took me a second to realize we were under attack as I had never been in one before.
Yes, I trained as was expected of every wolf and I like to think that I’m quite good at fighting but in all my life, I had never witnessed an actual attack so I froze and in that second, the place collapsed atop me.
Deciding not to just keep lying here in the unknown, I made to get up but the moment I swung myself up to sit, pain spread through my skull, causing me to lean back on the headboard and groan in pain. The sound itself did not even sound like what it was as my throat appeared too parched to produce any reasonable sounds.
As I nursed my head, the door suddenly swung open and I
jumped in slight shock before whipping my head towards the door as a familiar smell wafted in.
I groaned again, the abrupt movement causing my skull to split into two…or at least it felt that way. I felt so silly because now that I saw him, I realized that the room had smelled of him all this while, I probably just hadn’t tuned into my senses well enough.
His eyes narrowed in what seemed like worry as he followed my hand which rested on my forehead. He still stood there, just in front of the door with a tray of food in his hands as he looked at me. I cleared my throat and he shifted on his feet before clearing his own throat and walking in fully.
“I’m assuming this is your room,” I said slowly and he nodded.
“Are you alright? Your head must hurt.” He said instead.
I attempted to nod but only ended up wincing, “My entire body hurts.”
“I guess that’s to be expected.” He placed the food down on the table, “Eat so you can take some painkillers.”
I eyed the plate. Even my stomach felt numb. I couldn’t feel hunger pangs or anything but it was clear that it was empty. Which was weird because I ate some food just before I came out to see the commotion. I had asked Olivia to get me some pasta.
“Is… Is everything over?” I asked Alexander.
He sighed, “Bella, you’ve been out for two days.”
I gasped. Two days? Were my parents worried? And did he just call me Bella?
But instead of asking any of those questions, I opened up the dishes and was surprised to see a large bowl of soup. Not really, no. It was like a staple when you were sick but I appreciated it. I could really use some soup in my belly right now and this one smelled divine.
I dipped my spoon inside the thick liquid and when I had filled it up, I blew gently before putting it in my mouth, humming in satisfaction at the instant burst of flavors.
“How did you know to bring me food if I had been out for two days?”
He suddenly looked quite uncomfortable. “I just knew.”
I said nothing to that, realizing I had no strength to push. Taking a piece of the bread, I dipped it in the soup and ate it, feeling like my taste buds were going to burst from being so overwhelmed and my belly from how full I was going to get.
I finished up my first bread roll before I remembered something and looked up at Alexander once more. I raised a brow.
“Why are you wearing an apron?”
He looked down at himself and my eyes nearly bulged out at the sight of the flush on his cheeks as he untied it at the back before pulling it over his head and folding it on his lap. “I was cooking.”
“Oh.” Then my eyes widened in realization, Wait, ohhh. You? This?” I asked dumbly as I stared between him and the food.
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He chuckled briefly before grabbing a chair and sitting down opposite me at the table, “Why did you walk right into the fight like that? You could’ve been killed.” He said, his eyes darkening at the end of his sentence.
“It’s not like I knew that a fight was happening. I was in the studio and it’s soundproof.” I said defensively.
He sighed, “Fair enough.” Then after a bit of silence, he added, “You kinda owe me for saving your life, don’t you?”
I reeled back. “What?!” His eyes narrowed slightly and I pushed to my feet, ignoring how they felt like toothpicks under my body. Wobbly toothpicks. “Is everything to be paid for? Even your help? My debt just keeps on piling, doesn’t it?”
Looking down, I realized that I was in a pair of oversized sweatpants and a big black shirt. It made sense I guess as I must have ruined my clothes after shifting. Then I realized that he had seen me naked when I shifted back, unconscious. Then I wondered who else saw me like that.
“I’m leaving.” I declared. “I will launder your clothes and return them to you. And…well, let me know how much more I owe you now. I mean if my life is of any value I must be in huge debt as of right now.” I told him, stepping forward on my shaky legs.
“Isabella.”
His voice was firm and threatening but I forced myself not to care. I stared at the door determined, taking another step forward as I closed my eyes and prayed for strength.
When I took the next step, my legs felt considerably stronger and I was quite positive I could make it but just then,
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Alexander spoke again.
“Don’t take another step.” He warned and I stilled briefly before rolling my eyes and doing exactly as he said not to but this.time my feet didn’t touch the ground.
Instead, my wrist was enveloped by one large hand which suddenly whipped me back. I gasped as I crashed into his chest, the impact knocking the wind out of me, my adrenalin still running as his arm wrapped around my waist as he collapsed onto the bed and rolled us over.
I gasped, feeling and hearing my accelerated heartbeat. My eyes finally fell open and I stilled. Tingles erupted all over my body and I heard my treacherous wolf whimper inside me. while my heart beat impossibly quickened at the realization of my position.
Right under Alexander with his arms wrapped around me and his nose touching mine.
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