Chapter 62|Tainted.

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**Isabelle's P O V

Arabella was silent throughout the ride save for her occasional sighs of longing. I wanted to assure her that everything was going to be alright but I myself wasn't sure of how she would be accepted in the Bane Pack especially after hearing of the scandals and evil her grandfather had conned her into doing while having everyone believe that he was dead.

Come to think of it, Alexander didn't react the way I thought he will after finding out that Martin was alive and behind the ploys used in disrupting his Pack's affairs. It was either he was hiding his surprise superbly or he actually wasn't surprised. Or he knew.

I also wanted to maintain a certain level of distance between myself and Arabella because no matter what went around, I am human, I have feelings. I might be the one assuring her that everything was going to be okay and lifting her hopes of being accepted high but it did not mean that I was letting her to me with widely open arms. I want to give her a chance to right herself and be the confident if not haughty girl looking down her nose at me when Alexander first brought me to the De Luca territory. I want her to prove all by herself that she is truly worth trusting.

I am giving her a chance to remedy the situation and the broken ties. I've been taught well by my grandfather that being betrayed by the people you love most is unrecoverable. I felt it with her.

My Uncle Drake, the Alpha of the Bane Pack and his wife, Angelina, the Luna hosted a welcoming party for my return. I decided to keep to myself that I was bringing the Bane Pack's worst enemy's offspring until after the celebration. It was a known fact that the Luna sadly couldn't bear pups and so I was automatically the next person in line to ruling the Pack.

I wasn't anticipating it at all.

Arabella and I slid into my grandfather's residence without drawing attention upon ourselves. Werewolves have the tendency to live in clusters within the proximity of their territories even in the modern world. It made them feel more secure and protected unlike if they were sparsely situated in different places.

I could remember asking an elderly woman from my Pack in the past as to the reason behind it and her response was, "We are a traditional lot," She breathed, "Unwilling to adapt to some modern changes."

Now I understood why. There's the sense of security and belonging that every wolf or human feels for its Pack and community. Including myself.

The smell of pine trees that never fails to make the Pack feel different wafted through my nose as we walked farther towards the direction of my apartment within the building.

To be on the safe side, Alexander backed me up with female security who could follow us both to anywhere we went to unlike male who had to give us a little privacy in some moments. I assured him that I was okay on my own, my powers were enough to keep me safe. He promised that he wasn't doubting my words but for the sake of his sanity I agree with his opinion.

I agreed after a minute's thought. Both Arabella and I were assigned with two different security personnels. My guard, Valeria Santorini wore a very strict expression while Arabella's, Sarah Baloni looked every inch a hardened warrior. The dark skinned woman made me think of modern age gladiators. She was hefty for a woman and intimidating at first glance. That was my first thought until I saw her getting rid of the band that held her hair in a tight leash, her Afro-latino locks were curly and black and made the stern expression she wore look a thousand shades lighter and friendlier.

My grandfather was alerted of our presence after we were done making ourselves comfortable. I changed into a pair of dark jeans and a sweater, the weather in the UK was much colder than in Staten Island. Arabella walked out of the guest room garbed in a knee length dress and we wordlessly made our way to my grandfather's section. The short distance we walked was covered in silence, the man guarding my grandfather's room bowed as we stopped by it.

I have no idea how the people around here could recall me after so many years, it was like I was never gone. But that could be a thought for later.

Now, all I could think of was how happy the great Christopher Knight looked until he caught sight of the person behind me. His face shut, void of any and every emotion.

I paid no heed to the swift change and pressed a kiss to the top of his head, with his hand in mine I greeted him.

His eyes were straying to where Arabella stood until I introduced him to her.

"Pa, meet Arabella Swift of the Bane Pack."

His eyes reddened at my words, the hazel orbs swirling with so much rage.

"What is the traitor doing in my home?" His words were lowly spoken but from the wince she released my suspicion that she's heard his words got confirmed. She's a wolf, of course she will. With her enhanced senses and all that.

I sighed, it obviously was going to be a long day.

I was even more sure that the old man was satisfied with the sullen look that plastered over her face. He knew she'd heard him.

"How is your grandfather?" He asked.

Arabella looked about ready to disappear into thin air. I was sure she wasn't apprised of the full details of the story that caused my grandfather's health decline or Alexander's grandfather's death and her grandfather's alleged and claimed death.

Only the Lord knows what sort of false information and details he must've forced into her head, groomed her into believing and accepting.

The likes of Martin Miles make the world reek of pollution and there was nothing as satisfying as getting rid of the nuisance.