Isabella’s POV
I held my head high as I left Alexander’s office and it wasn’t until I got to the laundry room that I allowed my shoulder’s slump dejectedly. This was exactly why I hated to get all emotional and actually say what I feel when I’m emotional. I always feel st upi d afterward. It was like I was talking to a wall back there. I literally poured my heart out and was even foolish enough to allow myself to burst into tears right in front of him. You’d think years of practice would help me have a tighter reign around my emotions.
The most annoying part had to be my wolf and I butting heads in this matter. It was either she was blind or just simply daft with no self-respect because why would she start gushing when Alexander took off his shirt and threw it at us? Why would she start pushing me toward him when I wanted him to stay far away from me? It’s not like I haven’t seen a six-pack before.
But this is our mate! And it’s impressive!
I rolled my eyes, “I don’t care if it’s our mate if he’s going to be a cold-hearted di ck-h ea d.”
It’s not like I planned to pour coffee all over him, in fact, I’m sure I had a bruise forming where I stubbed my toe on his chair through my shoes. I had tripped, my heart thumping for fear of hurting and embarrassing myself. The moment I regained my footing and stood straight, I was faced with a very angry Alpha who looked like he was about to chew my head off.
I had been surprised to hear his voice in my head. He had never mind-linked me before and it was a welcome feeling until it so happened that his words were an Alpha command, forcing me into
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submission and obedience whether I liked it or not.
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I sighed, thankfully, the laundry was empty of any staff when I came in but that didn’t mean I suddenly knew how to hand wash anything and get stains out. I’ve never needed to wash anything with my hands before and I’m sure Alexander realized this. I could bet my life that he has never washed a piece of cloth with his hands either.
I really hoped he thought about what I said to him about w ag es because I was quite serious back there. Nobody in this pack worked for free except it was some voluntary job. What Alexander was doing and I feared he would keep doing was unlawful.
Not only would it fast become s lave ry, but it was also taking away the time I needed to pay attention to my actual job which he then threatens to take away. Is taking away my chance of having a mate not enough punishment for me being a w h o re? Besides, if he actually pays me for this work, I can gradually build up something to finally pay him and be free of him.
I eyed the washing machines longingly and wondered if he’d even know whether I used my hands or not. The place was overflowing with paint-stained aprons and rags which were no doubt from the gallery.
There was a part of the gallery for doing new art. We host classes for drawing, painting, and sculpting for both kids and adults which I sometimes star in. Those classes only happened once a week though, the art rooms were mostly used by promising artists whose works stood a chance at being showcased on the walls of the art gallery one day. I also have a private art room for myself, gifted to me by the former Alpha, it could be a sanctuary of some sort.
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I was still wondering where to start when Blake walked in holding a bunch of training bibs. They were usually worn by fighters while training before shifting into wolf form, two different colors for the two opposing teams which would then attack each other until a winner is pronounced. It was one of my favorite games since I was a child. My father would always tell me that this was to prepare them to fight against a bunch of rogues as a pack of fighters and in reality, it wasn’t all that fun. Well, I hope I never get to witness or be involved in a real one.
On sighting me, Blake co cke d his head and gave me a small smile, “I hope you’re not still bothered by Alexander.” He said and I scoffed.
“He wishes.”
Blake chuckled, “I would kill to know what exactly is up between you two. It’s going to make for the juiciest of gossip.”
I rolled my eyes, “Men are getting less shameless about their love for gossip even more by the day.”
“Hey, don’t judge.” He laughed.
“Wait a minute, Alexander didn’t tell you anything?”
“About what-oh, yeah no. I’ve been completely left in the dark.”
I hummed, retracting into my head. So he really wasn’t going to tell anyone. Not even his best friend.
“Well, if it’s worth anything, I do think Alexander could spiral out of control sometimes but that’s between you and me.” He added seriously, “If he finds out and takes the Beta title from me and hands it to Caleb, the pack has you to blame.”
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Thin
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I couldn’t help but giggle at that and a few more small talk and laughs later, Blake had dropped the bibs in one of the laundry baskets and left. A thousand minutes of contemplation later, I folded the shirt and took it with me to my office where I slipped it into my bag, and hours later when I rounded up with work for the day, I took it home with me.
On getting home, I kicked off my shoes before picking them up and carrying them to my room where I dropped them off and slipped on a pair of slippers. I was craving some homemade pizza so I went and took out some pizza bread dough from my freezer as well as all the other things that would make it a yummy reality. I loved making my pizza mostly because of the endless possibilities that could come out of it. I could put on whatever and cause beautiful flavors to burst out on my tongue.
I smeared my pizza dough which I had rolled into a circle big enough for just me before smearing on some tomato sauce, sprinkling on the cheese, and then proceeding to go crazy with the rest of the toppings.
After popping it in the oven, I went to have a quick bath, and now wrapped in my robe, I poured myself a glass of wine, sliced up my pizza, and turned on my favorite show on the TV when I heard a knock come at the door.
I cursed briefly at the disturbance before wondering who could even be at the door. I wasn’t expecting any delivery and I didn’t know anyone who would want to visit me. I felt a slight chill at the thought that it was Alexander. I did show him the building where I lived on that night and even if I didn’t, as the alpha, he could get that information as well as the exact floor and number on which I lived from anyone if he wanted.
I sighed, dropping the slice of pizza that was just on its way to my
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mouth and going to check who it was. I peeped through the door hole first, not wanting any surprises, and scowled when I saw that it was Chloe.
Did the thousands of her messages and voicemails that I left unanswered not tell her that I had nothing to say to her? I opened the door anyway and made sure exactly how I felt showed on my face when I faced her.
“What are you doing here, Chloe?”
The small nervous smile that she had been wearing quickly fell at my tone and she started to fidget. “Um, you wouldn’t pick up my calls so I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
I scoffed, “Do you truly care if I’m alright though? Cause if you really did, I know something you wouldn’t have done.”
Chloe’s bottom lip trembled and I forced myself not to be bothered by it, “I’m sorry Bella, really I am. I’d never hurt you on purpose, you know that.”
“I guess I don’t know much about that after all.” I saw her wipe away a tear and looked away.
“You still watch that.” She suddenly said and I was confused for a bit before realizing that I hadn’t paused the show and the sounds could be heard from here. I also realize that this was our favorite show. Chloe and I. I looked back at her and saw a small hopeful smile on her face.
“Goodnight, Chloe,” I said, seeing the dejected look on her face when I stepped back in and shut the door.
Going back to my tray, I grabbed the wine and downed it in one gulp before going to find something stronger. I switched off the
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TV, no longer wanting to watch the show and after managing to shove down some pizza somewhere in between all the wine I drowned myself with, I went to crash down on my bed, soaking my pillow with my tears before sleep finally took me.
