Two
288 Vouchers
Light streamed into the room from the open windows and I groaned. Turning, I buried my face into the pillow trying to go back to sleep but it was no use, my sleep had already been disrupted. Cursing whoever decided to leave the windows open, I threw my legs down from my bed, making to get up when a splitting pain sliced through my head.
“Oh my go d.” I gasped, holding my head before slowly taking in my environment, my entire body freezing at the realization that this wasn’t my room and I don’t know this place.
Slowly assessing the place, I noted that it was a hotel of some sort. Either that or it was heaven because, with all the money my family has, I’ve never been faced with such luxury in my entire life.
The room color palette was grey, black, and white with a splash of beige here and there and altogether just screamed rich. The window I had complained about for letting in light was actually a sliding door to a wide-looking balcony and I noted a large bookshelf at one corner with a cozy-looking armchair, placed just beside it. That corner particularly called out to me but I told myself to stay put. Why was I here?
I tried to wrack my brain to remember when I came in here and what happened last night as a whole but came up short. The fact that my head was about to split into two was a clear sign that I had been out drinking though and that realization set the course for the events of last night to come flying back at me. I groaned loudly, falling back into the bed and grabbing a pillow before. proceeding to smother my face with it to mask the sound of my mini tantrum.
Rolling over to the side, my eyes caught sight of a piece of white sticking out from under a glass of water. Ignoring the water, I carefully grabbed the piece of paper from underneath it.
12.04
YOU OWE ME $20,000 FOR THE NIGHT was written in all caps, cruelly reminding me of how desperate I was for sex last night. I may be a wild card sometimes and I never gave a d amn about what people thought about me but my behavior last night at the club was low. Very low and emba r ra ss ing.
Not just sex with anyone, my wolf piqued in and I wondered if she was consoling me or mocking me. She was a cheeky little thing sometimes…a lot of the time.
“A hot, ba sta rdly rich prostitute then?” I sassed back.
I swore under my breath as I remembered bragging to Mr. Hot Guy last night about how I had lots of money and about my family’s wealth as well. I didn’t see my dad giving me $20,000 without asking questions though. He didn’t spend lavishly and honestly, neither did I but a deal was a deal, I guess.
Deciding to enjoy my money’s worth, I went into the bathroom to wash up, almost not wanting to leave from how beautiful everything was. I didn’t find my panties, making me blush at how hard we went at each other last night. Thankfully, my bra was intact so I wore it before throwing on my little dress from last night and the jacket to go with it. My heels sounded against the tiles as I walked around the room, looking for something to tame my unruly hair. I would rather not go around looking like the night I had.
Done brushing my hair, I left the room, turning on my phone as I located the lift. 11 missed calls mainly from my mom, Ryder, and Chloe, my best friend who wasn’t actually much of a best friend. On the grand floor, I was greeted by any staff I passed by, complete with a bow or curtsy and I wondered if it was just me or normal etiquette for this hotel. At the large entrance door, a valet stood there with his arm stretched out and a piece of off-white cloth spread on his palm.
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12.04
“Your keys, ma’am.” He said, bowing low. I raised my brow before picking it up. He then beckoned to another young man to show me where my car was parked.
“The man who gave you my keys, where is he?” I asked the valet,
very eager.
“No idea ma’am. We were only asked to attend to your needs and give you your keys when you wished to leave. Would you be needing anything, ma’am?”
I didn’t need anything but I definitely had more questions that I couldn’t ask because my phone chose that moment to ring loudly. Waving the valet off, I picked up the call before following the one who was supposed to lead me to my car.
“Good morning Mom.”
“Bella! Where on earth have you been?”
“I’m an adult mom,” I said, connecting my phone to the car’s bluetooth so I can set it down and drive.
“Since when is ignoring everyone’s phone calls and making them worry adult behavior?”
I winced. She was right, but only on her part. “I didn’t mean to worry you and I didn’t knowingly miss your calls. I wasn’t exactly with my phone all night.”
Mom sighed, “Come home. Now.” She instructed before the line went dead.
I know she said, ‘Now’ but there was no way I was going to continue my day in yesterday’s clothes so I went back to my own place first and changed into something clean and casual before
12.04
On getting home, I was greeted by my mom glaring at me with her arms folded. She was dressed elegantly as always even though she was just sitting at home. Her blonde hair was styled in a simple but elaborate updo, supported by gels and pins while her signature red matte lipstick completed the look. Sighing, I plopped into an armchair, waiting for the interrogations to begin.
“Where were you?” She asked as soon as I completed that thought. It was at the tip of my tongue to say ‘Ryder’s’ but
thankfully Mom added, “Ryder came here looking for you.” right on
time.
“Poor boy was so worried, especially when you wouldn’t pick up our calls. Chloe said you weren’t at hers either.”
I clenched my jaw, “It’s my business how I choose to spend my evenings Mom.” I said. It was all I could do to keep from calling out the lying, backstabbing pair.
Mom exhaled, “That’s not the only reason I called you though. Alpha Alexander is finally done with his studies abroad and has come back, ready to take on his role as Alpha of our pack.” She said excitedly.
“There’s to be a party to officially welcome him back and our family is invited, of course. I trust you to always pick out
something amazing to wear but the ceremony is tomorrow, there’s not much time left.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, Bella. Be ready. I can already imagine how beautiful you will look on Ryder’s arm. You guys are such a beautiful couple.”
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12 05
course, we were a beautiful couple and I knew it. It would even be considered narcissistic how aware I was of that fact. We had been together for more than almost two years and I have known Chloe since I was ten. It was hard to believe that the people I cared about most apart from my parents would do this to me. It was hard to swallow and now that the alcohol and madness of last night had worn off, it hurt and it hurt even more that my family had come to love them.
My mom called Ryder, ‘son’ and she simply loved Chloe! Even if they wanted to betray me, was it worth it to betray my family like this?
“Bella, are you alright?” Mom asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
My eyes darted up to her but at that same moment, Chloe chose to walk in, dressed in a white cashmere top and beige pants, her sandy brown hair let loose and a smile on her face. She was pretty, I noted.
I mean, I had always known my best friend was pretty but now I wondered why she was so irresistible to Ryder despite what she meant to me. How long had it been going on? Were they in love? Was it just a thing of desire and reckless abandon and if so, whatever happened to having a conscience?
She frowned a little when she noticed me, “There you are! Do you know how worried we were? How could you ignore our calls, Bella?” She said, coming to sit on the arm of my chair and draping her arm over my shoulder.
My jaw hardened and my hand shook as I tried to keep my anger at bay but to no avail.
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12.05
“What the f u ck are you doing in my house!?”
