"Isabelle! I have lunch!" Grant's loud voice booms and echoes off the halls of the large cottage house. I look up from the copy of The Bylaws of American Packs and sigh.
I scoot my chair out from under the desk, then make my way towards the kitchen, the smell of pasta wafting through the air.
"I had lobster pasta catered," He says as I enter the room.
"Smells good," My mouth waters as I see the food set out on a plate at the bar.
"Believe me, it's amazing," He affirms my preconceived notion and I sit.
We both begin to eat, an easy silence covering us. We have an agreement: Talk about things not involving Jaxon.
However, today, I simply can't help myself. "So, how's pack life?"
His eyes shoot up to me, realizing what my underlying question is. He sighs, sets down his fork, and wipes his mouth with a napkin. "Isabelle, you don't really want to know if Jaxon is with other women. You think you do, but you honestly don't."
I swallow the lump that had quickly formed in my throat and play with my food, "So he is, then?"
Don't get upset. You haven't even seen him lately. You shouldn't even care for him!
"Isabelle," Grant massages his temples, his voice filled with exasperation, "we've been over this."
I stand and walk the few feet until I'm standing in front of him, "I know, Grant, I know. I-I-just," I pause and compose myself, "-need to know, ok."
He sighs once more, then nods, "Yes. He's been with other women."
I step away from him and wrap my arms about myself, trying to bring my own comfort. "I-I need some air," I stammer out before flying out the front door and into the forest.
However, as soon as I exit, I run straight into a firm body. I bounce back slightly, but a tight grip on my shoulder steadies me. I stare up into those stormy, icy blue eyes that are currently filled with anger; but what's new?
"Isabelle," He hisses, his grip tightening, "I thought I told you not to leave the house."
"I-I was just going to sit on the steps," I hurriedly lie, not wanting to enrage him further. "W-What are you doing here?"
He narrows his eyes at me, "What am I doing here? I own this house. Therefore, I can come and go as I please."
"Th-That's not what I meant," I say back, playing with the hem of the sweater I'm wearing.
His eyes trail down to where I'm fiddling with the fabric and his voice is almost comical, "I see you found my closet." I nod, friction building up on my thumb from my incessant rubbing of the sweater.
It's silent for a moment before he exhales and steps back, frigidity taking over where his presence had once been. "Where's Grant?" His voice becomes cold and I point to the inside of the house.
He curtly nods and passes me, leaving me out amongst the trees and freezing wind. "Isabelle!" However, his voice quickly calls back to me, and I enter into the house, my body partially numb.
"Wait, what?" I hear Grant's questioning tone as I close the door behind me.
"Yes, Iâ" I step on a creak in the floor right as Jaxon begins his sentence. Both pair of eyes shoot to me, and Jaxon instantly halts. "To your room, Isabelle," He commands, his eyes hard and unwavering. It must be something serious.
"Is everything alright? With the pack, I mean," I force myself to express concern, hoping to gain some sort of insight.
"Fine. Now, go to your room," He says, his voice a firmer than before. When I don't immediately move, he snarls, "I won't tell you again."
I comply, hurrying up the stairs to the room I've been holed up in. I leave the door cracked open, hoping the empty walls will echo their conversation.
Sure enough, it does, and I hear bits and pieces. "But Jaxon! You can't do that! You...." Grant exclaims, but then lowers his voice as if he knows I'm listening in.
"It's what's best for the pack, Grant. I don't expect you to understand," Jaxon retorts, his voice signaling rising anger.
"You can't just replace your mate with someone else! The emotional trauma it will cause in both of you is insurmountableâ"
"I can and I will... It's just until Isabelle becomes a shifted wolf and is able to rule the pack with maturity."
"So what're you going to do with her until then? Keep her a prisoner here?"
The heat suddenly kicks in and pulls the door to, cutting off any other words said from my ears. I back up from the door, my mouth slightly open and my hands pressing against my chest.
Jaxon is going to replace me... with someone else... Another mate.
Shouldn't I be happy? Shouldn't I be rejoicing that I don't have to put up with him or his stupid pack?
I should, but it feels as if a part of me is breaking at his words.
This is all your fault! Stupid human, turning away our one true love! My wolf growls at me and I realize she's right. I've ruined everything. Yes, his actions weren't exactly loving, but if I'd been more open to the idea, then none of this would be happening.
I wouldn't be stuck in this house.
I wouldn't be alone.
I wouldn't be a prisoner.
And I wouldn't be losing the one person who was solely made for me.
I sit on the window sill and stare out into the barren treetops riddling the horizon, wondering who she is and how she convinced him to replace me. It's not likely that he came to the decision himself. Most likely, he had someone plant the idea in his head.
It's not every day you see a mate replace his own with someone else. It damages your soul and your ability to love overall. It deprives you of happiness and increases your mortality.
If Jaxon weren't so strong, he wouldn't last without me for at most a month, especially since we're bonded by his mark.
However, since he's a powerful alpha, he draws his power from places other than just me.
He's going to die without us. I can feel it, My wolf says and I sigh.
"I know, wolfie. I know," I murmur, watching the treetops sway to the breeze.
"Isabelle!" Abruptly comes from outside my door and I merely glance at it as Jaxon bursts in.
"Yes?" I mutter, my eyes turning back to the forest.
He stares at me for a moment before clearing his throat. "I just wanted to inform you that I won't be back for a while," He says coolly, his voice showing no breaks or weakness.
He's fine with replacing you.
I sniffle, surprised at myself for being so close to tears for absolutely no reason. "Okay," I hurriedly reply, pulling my knees up to my chest and resting my chin atop them.
It's quiet again and he's just standing there, staring at me with an odd look on his face.
"Is that all?" I say when I can't stand his eyes boring holes into me anymore.
"Goodbye, Isabelle," He answers after another moment of silence. I bite down hard on my lip to keep my sobs from escaping.
He's really doing it. He's really leaving you.
The sound of the door shutting confirms my worst fear and I release my lip, allowing the tears to flow freely.
I stumble over to my bed and fall onto the soft surface, burying my face into the pillow and inhaling his cologne. The scent only makes me weep harder and I almost hit myself for being so emotional.
You don't love him. He doesn't love you. He's cruel and detached. He only wants to exert power over you. He doesn't want to care for you, nor does he even want a mate.
The facts crash down like a building has imploded on top of me. You hate him.
I hate him.
"I hate him," I murmur, tears still flowing from my reddened eyes. "I hate him," I say a little louder this time, trying to convince myself of it.
I don't hate him. I don't. I couldn't even if I tried. He's my soulmate. My other half. The Alpha to my Omega. If I lose him, I basically lose my whole world.
Without him, you know what will happen, My wolf prods me.
His rejection will bring our death.
A/N: So, what'd you think? Sorry if it doesn't really make sense. I was going to stop earlier, but I decided to write more for y'all!
xoxo,
I.C. Judah