Chapter 21: Chapter 21

"I mean... I knew it was still you. It's just Chris. The Chris I knew would never hurt me." I replied shrugging.

I looked at his face and then saw him purse his lips as he tightened his jaw even more.

"I might not want to hurt you but I can't say about an angry bloodlust Xerxes." He replied after a while.

"He didn't hurt me did he?" I asked.

"He didn't yesterday. Does not mean he will not next time."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

He turned his head to look at my face that was glowing red.

No, I was not blushing. I was angry. Angry at him for doubting my love for him. Angry at him for thinking he's a beast that just kills anyone he sets his eyes on.

"I thought I was supposed to be your mate." I said trying to make my voice firm but it wasn't anymore. It was like I couldn't recognize my own voice again.

"You are... You always will be. I'm just... I'm afraid Belle." He said.

"Afraid of what exactly?" I asked my tone still not coming down and I'm surprised his tone hasn't changed.

"Afraid I'll go all crazy one day and..." He paused as he looked to me.

I understood what he meant so I looked away and after a while I said the first thing on my mind.

"Pull over." It came like a whisper but trust the wolf beside me.

"Why?" He asked turning to look at me again.

"Just pull over or I'm getting out."

That seemed to work because he pulled over afterwards. I opened to door to take in a deep breath before I felt Chris's presence beside me.

I turned my head to see his expression and the next thing I knew... My hands flew to his face.

Yes, I just slapped Chris... The Alpha of Red Flower Pack.

Yes, he looks angry and hurt.

No, I don't regret it.

Hold on did he let me slap him or he didn't see it coming? Nah, it must be the former... It can never be the latter, he's fast as fuck. There is no way he must not have seen it coming.

"You bastard!" I yelled.

"That's all you can fucking say?! After this morning or should I say since yesterday fucking afternoon?!"

Well, welcome to my fucking land.

"You're so obnoxious. I can't believe you actually... you actually fucking think you would perhaps hurt me. How can you fucking say that?!" I yelled again with tears running down my face.

"Isabelle... I..."

"Oh great... I'm now fucking Isabelle." I breathed out and then ran my hands through my hair in an attempt to calm my anger.

"This is so fucking messed up." I said looking at his face as I marched away from him.

And like always, he caught me before I could move from beside him. I fought against his grip but he just won't budge.

His grip on my arm was not too firm and not too loose. Suddenly I felt my face hit a hard surface and the whiff of my addiction, his scent, filled my nose.

"I'm sorry." He said with his voice breaking.

"I'm so sorry. I know I should have probably not said all those. I really am sorry." He whispered into my ears. Well behind them but you get what I mean.

I rolled my eyes and took in a huge deep breath before I hugged him back.

"You're such a douchebag." I muttered.

"I know."

"Such an idiot."

"I know."

"How could you doubt our..." I paused for no unknown reason.

Love. Just say it Isabelle. It's just a word.

"Our what?" He asked still hugging me as he buried his nose deeper into my neck.

"Our... Bond." I muttered feeling disappointed in myself.

Why can't I just say it? This is just so fucking stupid. Alright, too much f word.

"Oh right. And what type of bond do we have?" He asked with a teasing voice.

"You know... We do have a special connection." I muttered once again.

"Yeah? What type of special are we talking?" He asked.

"Oh God. You do know we like each other so stop pulling my legs. Now let's go." I said and without looking up at his face I pulled away from the hug and walked away.

"Wait hold on... Oh shit! You like me?" He asked me.

"Well no shit Sherlock." I replied sarcastically as I settled on my seat.

"Wow! I can't wait for it to develop into love. Then we can get married and have children." He replied sliding into his seat.

It's already developed into love. I so wanted to scream out but my tongues were tied.

"We're not even dating." I muttered but I weirdly got no response. I think he didn't hear me.

"Hold on, did we just have our first fight?" He asked.

"Yeah and it's totally your fault." I replied.

"Fair point." He said before chuckling.

Well good news is... I said I liked him. I know, it's not the real feeling but hey we're getting there.

I rested my head on the window and looked out to the trees that kept moving in a very fast pace.

I felt my hand being picked up from my laps and entwined resting on the coffee holder between us.

I turned my head to look at him with smile and he raised my hand to place a kiss on it sending tingles and sparks down my spine.

I blushed scarlet and turned my head back to the trees. Soon I drifted off to sleep and nope, I had no nightmares.

"Babe, we're home." I heard from my groggy state.

Opening my eyes I took in my surroundings. We were back at home. Ah, home sweet home.

I tried to raise my hand to stretch my limbs before I realized Chris was still holding my hand.

I turned my head to look at him as I opened my mouth to talk. Total mistake.

A yawn escaped my mouth instead of words and my mouth was agape like a baboon's.

My brain was blank of me using my other hand to cover my mouth as I yawned or perhaps snap my mouth shut, to say I was embarrassed was an understatement.

The door was yanked open suddenly as the cold air chilled my flushed cheeks. I shivered a little and turned my head to see Dolores grinning at me.

I pulled my hand out of Chris's hand as I threw her a hug. She squeezed me like a bear but I was yet to see nothing.

After leaving me, I squealed and then bam! I was pulled into a bone crushing hug by someone. I looked at the blonde hair beside my cheeks and I immediately realized who it was.

Elena.

I wanted to talk but it was like all the air in my throat was knocked out and suddenly I was wheezing.

I felt Elena leave me but I was still clutching my throat which was still void of air. I soon started seeing black dots in my vision and I felt my legs growing weak.

I heard them yelling something along the lines of "Belle! Isa! What's wrong? Are you okay?"

I fell to the ground no to a warm embrace which I guessed was Chris as I was engulfed into the darkness.

Chris.

I was sitting in the car when I saw Elena squeezing Isabelle. I noticed Isabelle was suddenly frozen and then I knew something was wrong.

I was by her side immediately and then I saw her wheezing clutching her throat.

"Belle? What's wrong?" I asked as I watched her eyes close little by little.

"Isa?" Dolores called.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked walking towards her.

I immediately caught her when I noticed she was falling to the ground with her eyes closed.

"Isabelle? Baby? Come on. Answer me." I called tapping her cheeks lightly. She didn't reply as I looked up to my sister and the Beta female. The one that caused this.

"Don't just stand there! Call the fucking pack doctor!" I yelled and carried the slumped Isabelle into our house and up the stairs into my room. I placed her on the bed and saw her squeezing her eyebrows.

I placed a kiss on her forehead with my heart beating like crazy. Her frown cleared up but her eyes still didn't open. It was like my heart was about to jump out of my ribcage. I wouldn't even be surprised if it did.

"Alpha?" I heard Dr Jones voice from outside my door.

I snapped my head towards the door before I opened my mouth to talk.

"Come in." I said returning my eyes to Isabelle. I took her hand in mine and gave it a little squeeze.

"Good day, Alpha."

"Spare the formalities if you don't want to drop dead right now." I said coldly.

"Y-yes... Alpha."

After doing some things, he said he couldn't detect what was wrong with her but she would wake up soon.

When, he wouldn't say.

It took everything in me to not snap his neck in halves there and then.

I stayed by her side kissing her knuckles seldomly.

Some minutes later, Dolores knocked the door and walked in with her mate, Mike behind her. Then came Antonio and Elena followed by My parents... My Mom looking worried and Jacob looking like he would give anything to be anywhere but here.

I almost rolled my eyes at him. Like I fucking asked him to be here.

"Beta female, step forward." I said coldly.

I saw her look at Antonio in fear and then she moved a little further from everyone in the room.

"Do you know the gravity of what you did?" I asked coldly while I rubbed Isabelle's knuckles with my thumb.

"I... I..." Her eyes darted around as she tried to look for an excuse.

Then she fell to the ground on her knees. See, Elena was powerful as the Beta female. She was really really fit for the position.

"Please, forgive me, Alpha. I didn't mean for anything to happen to Isa- I mean the Luna. I... I guess I just forgot to control my powers for a moment. Please forgive me." She pleaded.

"You just forgot to control your powers?! She could have died!" I yelled looking at her for the first time. I noticed everyone in the room flinch back a little.

"Then I would have followed her." She said without hesitation.

I pursed my lips and stood up. I stalked towards her and paused when I was in front of her.

"Get up Elena." I ordered.

I didn't have to say it twice as she was suddenly on her feet with her head looking down at her feet like they were the most interesting thing in earth.

I looked at my best friend who was staring at his shaky mate. And then Dolores who was looking at her as well.

Everyone's heart was beating as fast as mine was right now. Elena, Antonio, Dolores, Mike, Mom.

"It was one fucking day! Couldn't you have hugged her a little less tight?!" I yelled suddenly making her flinch again.

Silence enveloped the room as no one had anything else to say. I heard a moan from behind me as I turned my head almost immediately to see Isabelle's eyes opened.

Within seconds I was beside her.

Isabelle.

I opened my eyes groggily to an unfamiliar ceiling and chandelier. It was like Deja Vu all over again.

Before I could remember what happened I heard Chris's cold voice cut through the air.

"It was one fucking day! Couldn't you have hugged her a little less tight?!"

I moaned a little when I tried to get up. I guess my moaning stopped Chris as silence enveloped the room.

The next thing I knew, Ocean blue eyes, worried ones I must add, were staring back at my brown ones.

"Belle? Are you okay now?"

"Hm." I replied and tried to get up once again. Chris took my arm and propped up some pillows so I was resting my back on it.

In front of us was Antonio, Elena, Dolores, Mike, and Chris's parents.

"Isabelle dear... Are you okay now?" I heard his Mum ask.

"Yes ma. I'm fine." I replied groggily.

"What do you want to eat? Fried rice? Egg? Pasta? Pancakes? Waffles? Doughnuts? Oh! I make killer noodles. What do you want?" She rambled.

"Stop asking her so much Mum." Dolores whined from behind which made me chuckle a little bit.

"I'll be fine with just tea ma." I said to Lilith who beamed at me.

"One cup of steaming tea coming right up." She said and with that off she went.

"I'll just go check up on her." Jacob said walking out.

I pursed my lips. It was like his father didn't like me.

"Isabelle... I'm so sorry for squeezing you so much that all air was knocked out of your lungs. I really am sorry. Forgive me?" Elena said keeping a safe distance from me, well I think it's Chris she's running from.

"Hey it's okay. We just missed each other that's all. Come here." I said opening my arms to both of them.

Elena threw Chris a glance but Dolores had pounced on me before my words could land.

"Hi there baby." I said giggling as I hugged her.

We heard a growl from the beside me as I rolled my eyes and patted Dolores back looking at Elena giving her approval.

She giggled and came to me to join in our group hug.

"Just don't squeeze her whole blood and organs out of her." We heard Chris say again.

I shook my head and sighed. Soon, Lilith came in with a tray which had a cup on it. From the cup escaped steams which I presumed were hot.

"I made hot chocolate for you instead." She said and set it down on my laps.

"Goddess! Mom are you trying to let her burn her tongue?" Chris exclaimed from beside me.

"What did I still do?" She asked almost rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"That chocolate tea is obviously steaming hot. Why would you even bring her hot chocolate?" He asked exasperatedly.

"Oh My Goodness, Chris... I'm not a child. I know I'm not supposed to drink the tea while it's obviously hot!" I said almost yelling.

He sighed rubbing his face and instead of him to back away he moved closer to me picking up the spoon beside the cup.

He put the tray on his own laps and dipped the spoon in it taking a spoonful of tea.

He blew on it and after he was sure it wasn't hot anymore, he turned carefully and pointed the spoon to my mouth.

"Ahhh." He said moving the spoon closer to my mouth.

"Ah?" I asked again and then the spoon was in my mouth as the hot choco melted into my mouth.

I subconsciously turned my head to look at the other six people in the room with us to see them already turning their heads away in embarrassment.

I should just dig a deep hole and bury myself in it... oh alongside Chris. The said guy was still blowing on the spoon in his hand with utmost concentration and care.

Then he placed it in front of my lips.

"We'll be going now, Alpha. Get well soon Luna." Antonio said pulling Elena along.

"Elena and I will come see you later." Dolores said and Mike waved at me which I returned with a smile before they walked away after Antonio and Elena.

"Well, I guess that's our cue to leave. See you son and... you too... Isabelle." Jacob said hesitating before he said my name.

Yep, he definitely hates me.

He pulled along Lilith who gave me a smile to which I returned with a fake smile. Hey, I couldn't beam widely after realizing my mate's father hates me.

"My hands are aching me." I heard making me turn my eyes to Chris who was still holding the spoon up.

I opened my mouth to collect it and he fed me spoon after spoon until the tea was finished.

After two days.

"I have a sleepover with-."

"Nope." Chris replied cutting me off. He doesn't even know who I'm sleeping over with.

"It's for one week." I continued.

"Oh come on. You can't possibly be serious." Chris replied finally looking up to my face.

Right now, we were in Chris's study. He was well cooped up with work. Since we went to Mat's his work has piled up making me wonder how much work he did each day.

I helped him in the best ways I can but he said I was sick and forced me to at least have a seat which is why I'm sitting down right now.

"I'm serious!" I replied.

"You can't leave me alone in that room."

"For the love of... You've been alone in that room before I got here." I said.

"Well you're here now so it has to change." He retorted.

"Ugh!" I groaned dropping my phone on the chair beside me as it kept chiming indicating new messages.

"Tell me one good reason why I can't go?" I asked crossing my arm as I stood in front of his table.

"I mean... You're sick. I have to take care of you."

"Chris...." I called pinching my nose bridge.

"Fine... One night." He said making me look up.

"One week." I said.

"One night."

"One week."

"One week."

"One... That's not going to work on me Chris." I said chuckling.

"Worth the shot." He replied shrugging.

I shook my head at him before I laughed.

"Say should we make a pact?" He said suddenly.

"A pact? Like a treaty?" I asked.

"Hm." He replied standing up from his seat.

"I'll tell you when you're back from your girls night out." He said placing a kiss on my nose.

"Why not now?", I asked after a few minutes of blushing.

Oh don't blame me. I just can't help the blush when it.

"It's a secret." He replied winking at me making me blush again.

I cupped my cheeks and went back to my seat picking my phone up.

"Hold on, did you say I could go to the sleep over?" I asked turning to him.

"Hm. Just tonight though. I'll torture myself for tonight." He said and took a deep breath nodding.

I shook my head again at his cheesiness before laughing slightly.

I: Guys! The Sleepover is on!

D: My brother finally let you go I see?

E: He has to. I hope he isn't beside you?

I laughed at Elena's message before turning my head to see Chris still working.

I opened my camera app and took a shot with the flash light going off. Stupid! I didn't know the flash was on.

"Why? Am I that handsome that you have to save this moment?" I heard suddenly.

"It was a mistake." I said simply.

It was a mistake... The mistake of that stupid flash.

"Didn't seem like one to me. You know I could work every day just for you." Chris replied with a teasing voice.

"Come on." I whined.

My phone chimed again making me look down at my phone.

D: Isabelle? Oh Goodness... Must you guys do it every now and then.

I almost spat out blood. What in hell is going around in my best friend's head?

I shook my head and made go type a reply before I felt my hand void of my phone.

I looked at Chris in confusion who was furiously typing away on my phone. My eyes widened as I jumped in an attempt to collect the phone from him.

No matter how high I jumped, I just couldn't reach him.

"How... jump... are... jump... you... jump... so... jump... tall?!" I yelled falling on my butt as I whined in pain. Soon I started sobbing. Why, I don't understand.

"Belle! Are you okay?" He asked placing my phone on the coffee table in front of us.

"Why did you take my phone?!" I asked and hit his arm.

"Hold on... Let me look at where you fell." He said almost turning my body.

"What are you doing?" I asked stopping my sob almost immediately.

"I want to check your injury." He said confusedly.

"Get away from me." I said and eyed him before picking up my phone and dashed out of the room.

I got to my room and sat on my bed even though my butt was still aching from landing on the floor. I could feel tears at the brim of my eyes.

I looked at my phone in my hand and then I heard a knock at my door.

"What do you want?" I asked rudely.

"Come on... It wasn't intentional." He said.

"Maybe if you didn't intentionally take my phone maybe I wouldn't have fallen." I replied.

"If you had also left me and let me type what I wanted to type, you won't have fallen."

"So now this is my fault?" I asked breaking down in tears again.

"No no... It's my fault. Let me take care of you?" He asked pleadingly at the door and then I heard the door open.

"Hi."

I didn't reply as I glared at him.

"Fair." He said again and sat down beside me.

"Where did you fall?" He asked.

"On my butt!" I yelled.

"Oh." He paused and then blushed.

And then he took care of me after series of blushing.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I said and hugged him.

He hugged me back and didn't want to let me go.

Right now, I was standing on the porch with a small duffel bag containing my phone, charger, sleeping pills... I knew I would need it since Chris wasn't going to be there, and my night wear.

"Okay, hold on. Chris? Chris?" I called tapping him lightly.

"Hmm?" He replied not letting me go.

"You're not letting me go." I said.

"I'm not?" He asked.

"Yes, yes you're not." I replied and after a few minutes of silence, he let me go.

"See you tomorrow." He said finally and placed a kiss on my forehead and lightly on my lips.

"Girlfriend!" I heard from behind us.

I turned my head almost immediately to see Elena and Dolores at a distance..I waved at them and ran off.

The following morning, I entered to see Chris in the sitting room.

"Good Morning." I greeted to which he replied.

"Morning. How was your night?" He asked looking at me.

"Hm... It was fun." I replied sitting by him.

"Great great." He said and then paused as he looked at me. I raised an eyebrow questioning why he was looking at me like that.

He shook his head and faced forward. Then he turned his head to look at me again. Okay, what's going on?

"What's...?"

"Sleep with me." He said suddenly making my words die on my lips.

I widened my eyes in return as he continued to stare at me.

Okay, did he just ask me to have sex with him? With such vague words?