Chapter 39|Numb.

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**Isabelle's P O V.

Bored out of my mind I went out for a walk after Lucas came to visit, it was clear they needed privacy and my sense of hearing was too sharp that I could hear the faintest sound from the farthest place with no qualm, thanks to Alexander’s recent mark. The intense one he gave me a few days ago. Not wanting to invade on their privacy I went down the lobby where I found Ethan, the guard assigned to me waiting. I ambled towards him with a smile.

"Ethan hey." I wasn't used to all the formalities used by Alex and all the others when communicating to their subordinates. They refer to them by their surnames.

Brr..

With the way Ethan's been following me around lately I couldn't find a reason to address him formally, say, Mr. Black. That sounded too stern and made it feel like he was old when he wasn't, so I settled on his first name much to his consternation .

I insisted that he call me Isabelle too but he visibly winced and continued referring to me as Miss, just like he always does.

"I'm going for a walk to stretch my legs, you can stay back." This was my polite way of telling him off from following my trail. It wasn't like I was gonna get lost or something.

I do this every time I come to this part of the city.

"The Alpha will have my head." He concisely replied, his lips pulled into a brief smile just before he began to follow on my trail.

Much to my disdain. I had to roll my eyes at his loyal devotion to the Alpha.

After a short walk we returned to the penthouse. A pissed off Alexander came barging out of the doors with his equally pissed off if not more younger brother in tow. We gave them space to pass only to have Alex stopping a few inches before me, "Something needs my attention as soon as possible, I'll be back soon. I love you." He pulled me into his embrace, covered my lips with his and parted when I was in need of air, breathless. Lucas acknowledged me with a barely perceptible nod and the two went down the hall, disappeared when they took the turn that'll lead to the elevator, and I took that as my own cue to leave the spot.

I was curious.

I turned with a smile tugging at my lips. I could still feel Alexander's taste on my lips even after gathering up the ingredients required for making pancake. There was the batter mix and the fruits I needed to make a homemade jam in the refrigerator. I learnt how to do that at the forest.

I played music just like it was taught to me by yours truly and danced to the soft rhythm while making dinner for Alexander. I wanted to do something meaningful for him and a nice dinner was a good idea for a start.

My phone rang at the kitchen counter and I rushed to get it, turned off the stove I was using and swiped right to pick Leah's incoming call.

She inquired about where I was and promised to be there in a few minutes. The worry in her voice made the blood in my veins run cold, chilly even. I got a dozen times more worried when Leah came in with teary eyes and a red nose. A sign to show that she's been crying.

"Isabelle." Was the only word she uttered before pulling me into her arms and turning into a crying mess. I patted her back all through her session, led her to the living room and helped her with a plate of pancakes, jam and fruits to the side, plus a cup of hot chocolate.

"I don't know how to say this to you Isa." She croaked, pulling closer at my shirtfront.

My nerves jiggled as I waited in apprehension for her next words. Cold dread filled my stomach walls at what could make Leah to be this emotional.

"I don't want you to be mad at me for being the one that has to break this to you but I'd rather you hear it now than later,” I felt a deadweight drop to the pit of my stomach and braced myself for her next words. Words that’ll inevitably hurt me. “Alexander just claimed Arabella as his with the mark of possession, he has agreed to be wed next week!" She swore hard after speaking and all I could do was stare at her. Dumbfounded.

Broken to pieces.

I felt all the blood circulating in my body packing up and leaving.

I felt soulless, hollow.

The pain of her revelation sent me reeling until I felt the back of my legs hitting a chair. I collapsed on top of it sinking in a great sense of loss. I was overcame by a powerful emotion that had me heaving, everything felt like a part of a dream. Then miraculously, my vision blurred, dimmed, and blacked out completely.

I slipped out of consciousness.

I awoke to Leah fussing over my head. When I turned to look at my surroundings I found a huge box splayed open on the bed and the closet door was wide open.

"What's happening?" I rasped hoarsely.

"Old Bea said to bring you back to the Pack. She'll help you get over it, we’ll be by your side. I know it won’t be easy but trust me Isa, trust us." Leah whispered to my face, swiping a finger over my left brow.

My hand shot to my forehead where it came across beads of perspiration. My heart felt numb, I felt hollow and broken and so unfeeling. Overwhelmed.

The tip of my fingers hovered over the bite mark on my neck. A mark I was cherishing just a few minutes ago was the same mark I itched to get off me, have it gone in any way. It was so ironic and the worse part of it was how wrapped I was in my cocoon of illustrious love. How easily my determination to leave the pack was crumbled into a heap of dust from one look into his eyes. The same eyes that probably looked into another woman’s eyes while piercing his canines into her supple skin a few minutes after kissing another. After claiming to love another. My whole world spun.