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Isabella’s POV
I’ve never been the sort of artist that just sits still or is comfortable painting in one room all the time. I mean, if my art sense the room is where I should be at that time then fine
Out at other times, I’m pushed to pick up my canvas and art supplies and find somewhere else to sit and paint which led me to assemble my equipment and materials in the beautiful gardens just behind the gallery.
I didn’t know if it was because I was beginning to feel antsy on the balcony that I noticed the sun-kissed greenery down below or if the beautiful sun-kissed greenery was what made me get bored with my comfortable space.
One of the men helped carry all the heavy stuff while I left the smaller items like paints and brushes for my assistant to carry. She didn’t give any attitude on getting her position back and even seemed meeker making me feel a little bit bad for firing her the way I did.
I still didn’t trust her though and she was only here because the instruction of the Alpha is superior and I would respect that. I may dislike Alexander but after some reflection on the matter, I’ve decided that I would respect the Alpha position no matter who bears it as long as the person has the pack’s interests in mind. I would not let my issues with Alexander let me indirectly become a pack enemy. I love my pack and that’s that.
Mixing the blue with white on my palette, I began to procure a lighter shade of blue to create contrast in all the necessary spots as I looked at my muse, the clear blue sky. Painting the sky was
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one of my favorite things to do for fun. The sky is such an interesting component of nature.
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The fact that I could get a different picture of it at different times, the particular time of the day even s pici ng it all up. Painting the sunset was a personal favorite but the morning sky was not any less beautiful.
I had slowly remembered most things from the other night and I knew that Alexander had been there. It made goosebumps sprout all over my skin at the thought of where else he may have been following me all this while because his appearance at the club and him beating up a guy who I assumed was planning to do something inappropriate towards me was giving major stalker energy. It’s not like he hasn’t confessed to having eyes on me before now.
I thought it was thoughtful of Blake to sleep over in my living room after dropping me off. I was unconscious and the thought of being in such a state alone with my door unlocked through the night gave me anxiety. It’s not like a lot of crazy things don’t happen in the world every day. But then again, Blake was Alexander’s best friend.
Even though I’ve not sensed anything pretentious from him and I know he wanted to actually be friends, I don’t think a person can ever be too careful and the thought of making friends may actually give me a little bit of anxiety but maybe I just take the whole thing more serious than most.
It surprised me that Alexander had said nothing to me. I expected him to call me a w ho re or something along those lines after seeing me in the club but here I was getting only a glance as he walked passed me on his way to goddess knows where. But was I complaining? Definitely not. I could really use the peace and
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quietness.
I continued painting and was about to start on the lower part of my landscape when Olivia came in holding a phone. “It’s your Mom.” She whispered and I dipped the brush into a cup of water just within reach before collecting the phone from her.
“Hi, mom.” I greeted.
“I’ve called you a hundred times in the past ten minutes. Is this what it has come to Bella? Why didn’t you pick up?”
I sighed deeply, “Calm down Mom, please. I’ve been really busy and I’m not with my phone right now. I’m sorry.”
She huffed, “That’s not all. Why didn’t you tell us that you have broken up with Ryder? Why would you even do such a thing?”
I let my fingers find my head and massage my temples gently. “What’s going on Bella? I’m getting really worried now and so is your dad. Wouldn’t you tell us what is going on?”
I sighed, “I’m coming over.” I said, making my decision. I guess I owed it to them after lying about us being mates and well, they already knew we were no longer together. It’s not like I had anything to lose by telling them the truth. They’ll be disappointed at the lie but hopefully, that wears out quickly.
I gave Olivia instructions for everything to be carried back into my studio while I went inside to take off my apron, grab my stuff and make my way to my parents’ house. I had to take a cab to the club first since my car was still in their parking lot.
It was really weird to see the always crowded place so empty and serene in the daytime. The security was still there and when I turned on the engine of my car, it drew their attention and two of
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them came running up to me. I wound down the window and recognition flashed in their eyes before nodding for me to leave.
I pulled into the front of my childhood home soon after and turned off my car before stepping out, letting my hands feel the delicate hibiscus petals as I passed them on my way to the front door. They will never not be beautiful to me. No matter how much I see them and even though they had been there all my life.
I opened the front door and my nose instantly filled with many scents. Whatever it was the chef was whisking up plus the different candles and flowers situated at different points of the house all coming together to create something beautiful both for the benefit of the air and my nose.
I went upstairs to my mother’s parlor where I knew I would find her. She enjoyed having a room she could claim as her own decorated to her taste where she could wear fancy clothes and entertain her fancy guests but on walking into the parlor today, I’m met with not only my mom but Chloe as well.
She gave me a small smile when she knew I had sighted her but I only scowled to which her face fell but it’s not like I cared. Probably sensing me, my father soon showed up and I gave him a hug before going to sit down. He went to take a seat as well.
“So? Tell us what is going on Bella.” My mom pressed and I saw as Chloe sucked in her lips.
I narrowed my eyes at her, why was she here anyway if she knew what I was about to say? Did she think my parents would still take her as their daughter after I told them what happened or does she have something up her sleeve?
“Yes, Ryder and I broke up like you said,” I told them and my mom’ s brows furrowed while my father c oc ked his head in concern.
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“Well, why? I mean, you don’t want to live without your mate Bella. It’s more difficult than you seem to think.” She said and I winced, thinking about the situation with my actual mate.
I saw Chloe wince too at my mom calling her supposed mate mine and finally, I saw the way my dad reached for my mom’s hand and threaded his fingers with hers at her words. My heart ached faintly at the thought that I might never have that.
“Mom, Dad, Ryder, and I are not mates and I’m so sorry we lied to you about that at the beginning of our relationship. We…we really liked each other at the time and I knew you guys wouldn’t agree to us dating as non-mates but we thought it wouldn’t matter anyways since we weren’t planning on acknowledging our actual mates when we met them.” I chuckled at how young, st upi d, and naive we were and saw that my mom’s hands had flown to her mouth as I spoke. I felt guilt gnaw at my chest.
“I realize now that what we did was st up id and I hope you forgive me for lying to you. Ryder…Ryder claims to have found his mate.”
“Oh, my darling.” I heard my dad whisper.
I felt emotion bubble in my chest and threaten to burst out my throat then, accompanied by an inkling of jealousy at the fact that Ryder and Chloe were happy together while I couldn’t boast of a future with the mate I couldn’t tell anyone that I have met.
“Chloe is Ryder’s mate,” I told them and my mom gasped while my dad’s eyes darted to her where she sat, wringing her fingers together with her head down.
I glanced at her too and so did my mom. I didn’t blame them as I now understand how strong the mate bond really is. I just wish they told me at the very beginning.
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