Chapter 9 Isaiah

I felt a headache throbbing against my head like a raging train. Slowly I forced my eyes open as I saw a blur run out of my room. I looked around and noticed I was laying a few feet away from my bed. Naked.

How the hell did I end up on the floor? I took a minute to stabilize myself before slowly getting up off the floor.

Who the hell was that, I wondered trying to get up from the floor.

Not our mate. You should be ashamed, my wolf Devon growled.

Yeah well where were you last night. I didn't hear you stopping me then, I growled back.

He growled at me inside my mind and disappeared. Good, I didn't need his mouth right now. There was a knock on the door and with each one my head felt like it was going to split.

"Breakfast is ready, sweetie. Come downstairs," my mother yelled.

I dragged myself to the bathroom drowning my face in cold water. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a cut healing on my lip. Did I bite myself I wondered. I showered as I tried to remember the events from last night. The last thing I truly remembered is making my way to my room and showering. Then there was a girl, waiting for me on my bed. I walked back to my messy bed and took in the scent left behind.

Among the smell of sex, there was a hint of apple cinnamon. Zi! I remembered. Zi was waiting for me in my bed. She was upset about Isa. Then one thing led to two other things and here I was waking up alone on the floor. I wondered why she ran away this morning. Was she embarrassed? Or maybe I did something wrong? I had to find out and I knew exactly where she would be.

I showered, got dressed and walked to my sister's room, thinking maybe Zi ran to her. I knocked and got no answer, so I knocked harder. I heard some rustling inside and she opened the door. Her hair was a mess and her lips were swollen, probably from making out. She looked tired but strangely happy which made sense from the smell of sex lingering from her room.

"Hey, did you happen to see Zi come by here?

"Coming from where," Isabella asked, giving me a knowing look.

"Not important," I said, sensing someone else in Isa's room. Zi perhaps.

"Is she in there or not," I asked looking into her room but she moved the door blocking my view.

"I need to get dressed. How about you find my best friend and apologize for whatever disappointment you gave her," she said smiling.

"Bella-" I heard a voice behind her and was surprised Isabella didn't immediately lash out.

She hates when people call her Bella. Anything that connects her to our mother sets her on edge. This time she blushed before she turned toward that person. The door opened enough for me to see Victoria turning in the sheets. Isabella realized how wide the door was and looked at me. I couldn't hide the mini shock on my face. Isabella closed the door, before I could say anything. I wasn't angry. I mean Victoria is my girlfriend but even I knew there was something going on there. Besides, I'm not innocent. I did sleep with someone else last night. So who am I to judge? I was happy for her, for both of them.

Hey, don't rush if you need more time. Oh and tell Victoria I said nice panties. I mind-linked her, while walking towards the dining room.

After a few minutes she replied with a simple Asshole.

Making my way to the dining room, I saw my parents were already sitting down eating their breakfast. My dad was always with his head in his paper, and my mother was watching me carefully as I went over to make myself a plate.

"Morning sweetheart. How are you feeling," my mother asked without looking up from her magazine.

"Like I was hit by a train," I laughed. "I'll survive."

"Hopefully the party was a success. Did you find your mate," my mother asked, looking up from her magazine.

"Come on, Bella. Let the boy get his bearings before the whole mate business," my father said.

"What? I couldn't help but hear Victoria giggling on the way to his floor. I know she turned eighteen yesterday, so I figure he might have an announcement to make," she grinned.

"Is that why you picked yesterday to throw the party," I asked, accusingly.

My mother looked at me with a fake shocked expression. "What are you accusing me of? Just because I bumped into her mother, who might have mentioned something about her daughter's birthday and the fact that you guys were getting along doesn't mean I planned a party to see if there were sparks in hopes of you finding your Luna and giving me a bunch of grandbabies. That's ridiculous." She waited a minute keeping her eyes on me. "So?"

"Sorry to disappoint, Mother. Maybe the Moon Goddess wants me to be mate-less, so I can focus on being the Alpha. Speaking of which," I started, wanting to change the subject. "Father, Alpha Greg is coming by to talk about the rogue attacks, right?"

My father looked at me taking the hint. "Yes. Poor old fella hasn't had a break. Dealing with triplets boys fighting for his position and his wife pushing him to choose. I thank the goddess for the two I got."

While eating my breakfast, I talked to my father about other meetings as my mother tried her best to interrupt but she knew how much my father liked to talk about responsibility, which is what I was counting on.

"Son, I have no doubt you would make a fine Alpha," my father said.

"But having a mate would make you stronger," my mother chided in, "and in return make our little pack stronger."

My mother always complained that our pack was small. She came from a small pack out west but they were overrun by rogues. Luckily the neighboring packs took in the survivors and she was one of them. I think she's just afraid the same thing might happen to us. Though we are a small pack of about 400, we were strong. We train not only the men but the women too, if they want. Some bigger packs frown down on it but our women appreciate the thought. As Alpha, I will continue the tradition.

Just at the moment Isabella came in with Victoria right behind her. Isabella sat by my mother and Victoria sat near me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I can see a flash of jealousy in my sister's eyes but she wouldn't dare say anything.

Calm down. I can tell she's yours. I mind-linked her. Her face softened as she held my gaze. Then she smiled and looked at Victoria.

"Victoria, I do hope you have fun yesterday. Sorry the party was planned on the same day as your birthday," my mother started out. "Totally a mistake on my part. Please forgive me."

"Oh it's fine, Luna. I feel like I got exactly what I wanted," Victoria blushed.

"Well I'm glad. Did you stay the night dear?"

"Yes," said Victoria.

"No," said Isabella at the same time as they both looked at each other.

This caused Luna Bella to look at both of them, "Well which one is it?"

"I meant, yes she did stay over," Isabella laughed nervously.

I shook my head at my mother. I knew this was just one of her traps.

"Where did you sleep?" My mother looked at Victoria while sipping her tea. She was not letting this go.

"With me," Isabella blurted out before realizing what she actually said.

"Are you serious," my mother asked, raising her eyebrow at my sister. Isa turned pale realizing what she possibly gave away.

I was in shock. Are you going to tell her now?

No you idiot. Do something. Help me.

Before I could speak, my mother started laughing. "There is no way you, Victoria, and Zira could fit in the queen size bed or yours. Unless one of you slept on top of the other."

I started choking on my food laughing. Isa kicked me under the table.

"Right. I meant Victoria came over this morning," Isabella said quickly, "when Zira was in my room."

"So again I ask, where did you sleep Victoria?"

"I-umm-well-," Victoria stuttered, looking back between Isa and me.

My mother sighed, "You don't have to be embarrassed to say you slept in my son's room."

"Mother," Isabella and I yelled at the same time.

"What! We are an open family and we're comfortable enough to speak about this," my mother said tersely.

"Speak for yourself, sweetheart," my father spoke, obviously wanting to ignore everything that's happening.

Isaiah, help. Vicky is terrible at lying, Isabella begged, staring me down.

Hey this is your mess. I joked, smiling at the whole situation.

Fine then maybe I can bring up the fact that I saw your mate running from your room.

Zi is not my mate.

Tell your dick that. Or better yet I'll tell our mother.

You wouldn't da-

My mother cleared her throat and we realized everyone was looking at us. "None of that twin talking at the table. It makes me paranoid."

"Fine. Vicky was with me. Since you want to know so bad, mother." I grabbed Victoria and nuzzled her neck, making her giggle. Isabella growled, causing my mother to smack her shoulder.

"Now stop that, Isabella. You should be proud that your brother is making an effort."

"You're right, mother. I'll have to congratulate them both in my own way," Isabella sneered.

"Oh and when you get a chance, call Zira. She looked so frazzled running out of here earlier. I think you might have banged her up with that wild sleeping of yours. I can never understand why you feel the need to take over as much space as possible. Been that way since the womb."

Isabella kicked me under the table again.

It was my turn to glare at her. Stop that.

What did you do? Isabella asked. I just shrugged my shoulders. "I'll call her later."

Now I was really worried. Zira was hurt because of me. What the hell did I do? Did I force myself on her? Shit I really need to find her.

"I have to excuse myself," I said getting up from the table.

My mother stopped me. "Before I forget, we do have some good news. It seems Isabella made quite the impression last night. Alpha Zack presented us with an offer this morning," my mother started. "Apparently he wants you to be his Luna."

Isabella looked at her mother with her mouth opened. "But I barely spoke to him."

"Yes and we thank the goddess for that," my mother whispered before continuing. "Anyway I think this alliance would be good for our pack. It would make us stronger if you can solidify this arrangement."

Isabella stood up as my mother looked at her unfazed. "This isn't right! I should be with my mate. Someone the goddess provides for me."

"Has she provided this mate," my mother asked accusingly.

Isabella opened her mouth but nothing came out. She looked at me, then Victoria, who casted her eyes towards the ground. Then Isabella sat down slowly.

"You're not giving her time to send that person to me before giving me away to the first alpha that wants me," Isabella sneered.

"I just want to make sure you're well taken care of. That's all your father and I want," my mother said, grabbing Isabella's hand.

Isabella snatched her hand away. "Shouldn't you guys be leaving? What happened to the forever on the road trip? When does that start?" Isabella glared at my mother, who drank her tea so calmly.

"We will leave when I know my kids are well taken care of, right honey?"

"As your mother says," my dad, not looking up from his paper.

"Besides, marrying this Alpha Zack is best for the pack," she continued.

"Then let Isaiah marry him. Isn't the pack his priority? They probably have more in common than me." Isabella sat back with her arms crossed.

"You are marrying him and that's final," my mother yelled, banging her tea set against the table, breaking it. She sighed. "I swear I break one of these every time we talk, Isabella."

"Well that will be the last one 'cause I don't think I'll ever talk to you again!" Isabella stormed out with my mother screaming after her.

"Isabella Amelie Thorne!." My mother turned to my father. "She gets that rebellious attitude from your side. You deal with it."

My father looked at me and I nodded. I decided to give her a few days before talking to her. Right now it'll be like waving a red flag in front of a raging bull.