Chapter 65|Mission 101.

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**Isabelle's P O V.

The Alpha's first words to his Father after the doors got shut behind us were, "I don't trust this vile creature and for good reason. I hate everything and anything that reminds me of her bloody kin, it makes me..." His words trailed off as we turned the corner and I sighed at the drama that was likely to follow after the whole Pack gets alerted of her visit and especially her presence in their sanctuary.

I shuddered at the thought of the jibes, the sneers, jeers she was likely going to be on the receiving side of as well as threats the moment everyone realizes she isn't welcomed by the Alpha. The Bane Pack members were known for their devotion and the hero-worship with which they regard their Alpha with.

For the next few hours, Aunt Angelina managed to take our minds off the incident, although warily she nonetheless welcomed Arabella especially after I gave her a detailed explanation of all I've been through and also Arabella's side of the story with the girl in question not being present in the room where we discussed about her.

After the Luna and I returned to my room she patted Arabella's back reassuringly, "I best get to know what decision your Uncle has taken, he doesn't hold your family in high regard and for good. He's not to be blamed. I'll do my best to tamper his reaction towards you but I can't say the same about the other Pack members, especially those affected by your grandmother's callous actions directly." The Luna explained.

"I'd hate me too if I were them but I'm ready to prove to everyone that I'm worth their trust and there's nothing I won't do to erase my past from following me about like a tail. All I need is your assistance and I assure you, I won't fail you or make you regret trusting me. I promise you this Luna." Arabella vowed, vehemently.

"I'll take you for your word dear, you need your rest as your grandfather said, the welcoming party is still holding. I need you in your prettiest dresses by dusk, there'll be assistants to help you with whatever it is you might need, and I'm just a call away. Remember that!" Then she skidded off.

"I cannot go to the party, I cannot leave this building without the Alpha accepting me in," Arabella whispered to me. "My brain is muddled, damnit."

I closed the distance between us, affectionately placing my hand over her arm to soothe her jamais vu.

"I've never known you as a weakling, you can't decide to be one now."

She rose abruptly, her expression frantic. "How can you be nice to me after all I've done to you? How can you be consoling me despite knowing that I once wished for your demise? What's once," She scoffed, "I wished for your death every single day after you returned. I thought you were taking everything away from me, you took the attention, Alexander was literally a different person when you were in the room. Do you know that the only time I touch him is when he escorts me to dinner? I used to relish in your obvious turmoil of having him with me and not you as supposed."

I felt a tinge of hurt recalling the pain that comes with the sight of her hand in his. Or any part of her body touching his.

"What are you trying to prove now? Do you mean your vow to change is a ruse?" I deliberately pull the strings to fish out a reaction from her.

And boy did I get one!

The dam broke.

"A ruse? Let me get to the part which hurts most." She hysterically sobbed, "I thought I was the apple of Martin's eyes, I thought I was irreplaceable, I thought he needed me most, more than anyone and anything without knowing that I was the easiest person to replace. He regards Leah with so much more adoration than he does me. In fact if I didn't know any better I would've thought all talks of me being his kin a filthy lie because I turned from the most important person to the one being threatened. I had to lie and have him believe I had a plan to take you down to have him believe I was with him and not joining forces with Alexander. I became worthless and that's not all." She cried, "Damn if that's all! I made sacrifices to make sure that his goal is met. I let go of my own chance at happiness, I ignored the lure of a mate, the passion of having your mate so near to you until it became too late. I regret my actions because there's nothing I want more than to have Lucas acknowledge me as his mate." Her sobs shook her shoulders and I felt inclined to soothe her pain.

Without a second's worth of thoughts I sat beside her and pulled her to me, her head resting on the crook of my neck as she sobbed harder.

"I knew he was my mate the first time we were introduced, I rejoiced alone in my room that everything was fitting perfectly. His barest touch evokes what no man has ever aroused in me, I feel nothing when Alex touches me but it feels like the whole world is on fire when my gaze meets Luke's. I hate myself for denying our bond. I hate myself so much for stopping him from accepting me as his. I hate myself so much for making him hate me, I saw it with my own eyes how much he loathes me."

I ran my hand over her back in circles, "Shhh, he doesn't hate you."

She took her head off my shoulder, her eyes bloodshot red from the teary-phase.

"He hates me," She swallowed, "He brought that Kate girl to the Pack, parading her for the world, kissing her for all to see. I saw them with my own eyes on two different occasions kissing, when I say kissing I do not mean it as a mere touch of the lips. No, what I saw implies on the intimacy they share, he fucks that girl knowing I'm a few paces away, under the same roof. She wears his affection as a badge of honor. I hate myself most for succeeding in pushing him permanently away." Arabella pressed a palm over the top of her head. "I want to be selfish this once, it might sound funny to you but my whole life was sacrificed for my grandfather and he used me as nothing but a pawn in his game. I want to take control, I want my mate for myself. I want Lucas for myself because I love him and we were fated to be together and even if it's the last thing I'll do, I'll win his affection and love." She swore, a distant look over her gaze and her fists clutching the bedsheets in a vicious grip.

I placed my hand over her enclosed fist, "That's the spirit. Now, Win Lucas Back 101, your first step is to belong in a Pack and you have your chance to. Don't blow it for the sake of your future! I'll be by your side." I squeezed her hand affectionately. I felt her blalant honesty and I'm risking all I have to trust her for the second time.

"You won't regret it Isabelle. I promise." She closed her other palm over mine wearing a determined expression. "Thank you so much for trusting me despite all I've done. Thank you for standing by me. You are a true friend."

"Now let's get ready for the welcoming party with our heads held high and our heels higher. Purple for me, red for you." I grinned.

She caught the pun and grinned back, "As always."

As kids, that used to be our favorite colors and I highly doubt if it has changed because it hasn't for me and from the number of outfits and lipsticks she has in that color I doubt it has for her.