288 Vouchers
Thirty–Four
Isabella’s POV
There was one thing on my mind as I left my room. The ultimate antidote to clear my mind. My best friend in liquid form. The only thing that would keep me sane in a time like this.
“Miss, I bought your ice cream. I thought you were asleep and I did not want to disturb you. I’ve also made dinner…”
“I don’t want to eat,” I said, making a beeline for the cupboard where I knew I would find my peace,
“But ma’am, you have to eat.” Lisa protested but I ignored her, going to throw the cupboard open, doing a double take when I found it empty. I closed the cupboard and rubbed my eyes before opening it once again and it was still empty. It was impossible. I was supposed to have several different brands of liquor in there.
For the benefit of doubt, I went to open all the other cupboards but of course, they weren’t there. I checked the fridge as well but I couldn’t find anything. Even the small bottle of vodka that Chloe and Ryder brought for the game was nowhere to be found.
I turned to Lisa finally, hoping I looked as murderous as I felt and I probably did because she was biting her fingers and backing away slowly, anxiousness radiating off of her.
“Where are they?!” I demanded, my voice low and murderous.
“I’m so sorry ma’am. I had no choice. The Alpha ordered me to throw them out. I’m so sorry.”
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288 Vouchers
“How dare you?!” I growled, “How dare he?!”
I thought I might break down again. I felt like I was being bullied. I felt like we were playing a game of dodgeball and he had made the first hit and then continued hitting me with more and more balls that appeared out of nowhere until I was completely sore all over my body.
“He said it was for your own good. I didn’t know you’d be so upset ma’am. I’m sorry.”
“For my own good?” I growled, “What does he know about my own good? What has he ever done that’s for my own good?” I shook my head, a dry laugh escaping my lips, “All he ever does is hurt me.” I muttered, “All the times I’ve drank recently were because of him, so how dare he?!” I screamed out the last four words while Lisa just stayed staring at me warily
“You’ll give yourself a headache ma’am. Just have dinner or some of your ice cream at least. I’m sure you’ll feel much better.”
My gaze fell on her and she cowered. I didn’t feel like I was looking at her though, maybe that’s why I stared so long. It felt like I was seeing right through her and at the door behind her. I made a swift decision. With the way I propelled forward, she sprung away but I wasn’t coming for her and when she realized what I was doing she came after me.
“Please ma’am, the Alpha has forbidden you from going out until you’re fully recovered and besides, it’s so late.” She begged as I unlocked the front door.
“You’d think I and the Alpha are related in any way.” I scoffed. “Do you think it’s fair for him to try to control my life like this, Lisa?” I raised a brow at her and she bit her lip, obviously not knowing what to say.
“I’m sure it’s because he cares.” She said warily and I just sighed and shook my head.
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288 ¡Vouchers
“Don’t follow me,” I warned before opening the door and banging it shut behind me.
Deciding it will be dumb for me to take my car since tonight’s mission was to get shitfaced drunk, I hailed a cab, giving the driver directions to my newest sanctuary. The bar Chloe wanted us to meet at that had since then become my favorite spot. I’d long completely ditched the Crown. It held too many unwanted and depressing memories. In fact, it was where everything went downhill in the first place.
I paid the driver and hopped out in front of the bar now noticing that I was wearing a pair of baggy sweatpants, a baggy sweater, and some fuzzy indoor slippers. With the messy bun, my hair was in to combine with it all, I could really pass for someone homeless. I mean if the clothes on me weren’t still so obviously high–end. Well, I couldn’t be bothered about my appearance right now, I decided as I went in.
Making my way to the front, I made the bartender pour me a whiskey before locating an isolated place at the back and ordering for some shots to be brought down there before leaving for it with my whiskey in my hand, sipping it as I moved, not giving a care to any of the curious eyes following me. At least they weren’t as many as they would’ve been in Crown.
This place was much more intimate. There were fewer people and apart from the initial staring, they pretty much left me alone.
I finished up my whiskey and just in time, my tray of vodka shots arrived. The bartender even went artistic on it. It was a very colorful tray. Pink liquids, red liquids, clear, green, blue…I grinned at him and his eyes lit up. I decided he was actually trying to do something artistic there and was glad I noticed.
I started on the shots, taking them color after color. I easily found an order I could follow and once I rounded it up, I started again. It felt like I was a kid with a bag of skittles. Well, I don’t actually know if it was a thing with every kid but I made a point of arranging my skittles by color and
Thirty–four
1288 Vouchers
eating one out of every color in the arrangement before going back to the top. I didn’t want any color to run out before the other.
The alcohol must have kicked in a while before that, but I only realized it when I was starting on my second mixed color line. I smiled to myself. Did he really think he could control everything? I scoffed. Imagine the audacity to have my liquor and wines thrown out. Was he my doctor or something? He better be planning to pay for all that waste.
It’s not like it hurts your pocket, Bella,
I rolled my eyes. She was right and we both knew it. It hurt somewhere else. Somewhere much deeper. It’s not like I could tell him to do anything about the heartache he caused me though, making him pay for my wasted drinks was the closest I would get to getting back at him.
I shook my head, he judges my drinking so badly when I hardly ever get drunk for the fun of it. If I choose to get drunk, it’s because I got deeply hurt and I wanted to not feel. And I have gotten drunk more times than ever since I met him. Imagine the audacity of judging me so harshly for my reaction to his actions.
“You’ll side with him though. You’re too blinded by the bond.” I say out – loud to my wolf.
“Wrong! I am also hurt by the way he treats us. Maybe even more than you because I long for the marking and mating process even more and I’m always trying to understand why he won’t do it. The fear of rejection looms over me, every day.”
I felt a lump in my throat and quickly grabbed a shot, tipping my head back as I downed it. I didn’t want to feel. I really didn’t. Maybe drinking alone was a dumb idea if I didn’t want to self–reflect. But it was too late, wasn’t it? I was doomed to sit here alone, unable to tell anyone about it because I was sworn to secrecy. A strangled sound escaped my lips as I forced myself not to tear up.
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288 Vouchers
I couldn’t let anyone know who my mate was. I couldn’t even let them know that I had found him. ‘Why wouldn’t he just reject me?!‘ I wanted to scream. If this was his revenge then he was really good at it because this? It was pure torment.
I tipped back another shot and this time, it was a bit harder to raise my head. I felt so much heavier and knowing I was really drunk, I wondered if the person in front of me was an illusion. I had not seen his face yet since he was standing and I was sitting.
All I could see was his pants and part of his torso but it was obvious that it was a man and one that was quite familiar.
He suddenly drew out the chair in front of me and sat down.
I raised my brow, “He sent you to spy on me?” I slurred out and he raised his brow in confusion.
“Nobody asked me to spy on you, Bella. I was here when you came in but I decided to mind my business but if you don’t stop now, you’re going to get really sick.”
I rolled my eyes, “Thanks Mason but I’d like you to keep minding your business.”
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288 Vouchers
