Chapter 16

(Isabella’s POV)

My finger trembles as I slide the button right to answer the phone, pissed at the obvious shaking in my voice, I hear myself say. “Hello.”

My breath hitches as I wait to hear Santiago tell me he’s reconciling with Layla and wants to end the contract.

“Hey, would you please join my father and I for dinner?”

“Dinner with your father?” I repeat, stunned and looking for words.

“Yes, my father wants to meet you.”

I run my fingers through my hair processing that he didn’t call to terminate our contract and that he is voluntarily having me in the same room as his father.

“Be thankful he didn’t do this in person,” my wolf says in my mind. “And close your mouth, child.”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up,” I tell her.

Then I realize that my mouth is indeed hanging wide open and close it accordingly.

“Um, sure. Yes, I can come to dinner.”

“Great. Remember the terms of our contract. I expect you to behave accordingly. Dinner is at 8:00 PM. I’d like you to be here before that, maybe 7:00 PM to be safe.”

After we hang up, I begin preparing for the dinner. As I search through my closet, I realize that I don’t have anything to wear. Jesse made sure that I left the marriage with nothing, which included all of my clothes.

Santiago had some things sent to me early on in our contract, but it was really just a few casual outfits.

I pull out a few dresses that Ariana loaned me first. Holding them by the hangers I evaluate them on suitability, one by one.

Our styles are quite different. I like darker, solid colors…black, purple, blue, brown…

Ariana likes bright bold colors and busy, chaotic patterns.

First, I pull out a lime green dress with a corset top and slits up to the hip on both sides.

Santiago might like it…perhaps in a different color, but not appropriate to meet his father in.

The next one has long sleeves – one blue and one green. Fringe in alternating colors hangs from the hem that starts under the arm and goes all the way to the wrist. The skirt has a patchwork of varying colors.

And that’s a no.

The next one is too short. The one after that is too tight, and the one after that looks like I should be heading to a nunnery.

The last one I pull out is okay. It’s just so simple and plain. I feel like I should wear a gown, something more elegant.

I guess I’ll go to the mall and buy a suitable dress.

I notice as I walk up to the counter that the salesclerk is a friend of Jesse’s and a Crimson Claw Pack member. Oh, perfect.

Alright, Confidence. I need to walk up there with my head held high.

“Hello, I’d like to see some formal gowns or modest cocktail dresses in a size six please?”

He mocks me loudly. “Our dresses are expensive! Clearly, someone like you can’t afford them!”

“I have money to buy a dress. You’re behavior is rude and unacceptable,” I tell him.

“You are a filthy cheating whore. You got caught red-handed in your adultery and left your marriage with nothing as a result,” he says. “So, it is obvious that you can’t pay for a dress, you shouldn’t even bother trying one on.”

I don’t outwardly react to his bullshit. With a straight face and calling on my Alpha voice, I tighten my lips and stare through him coldly.

“You may not be a member of my pack, but you are aware that I am Isabella Costa, Alpha of Caladrius Moon Pack. Until that title is legally removed by the Elder Council, our law states that lower ranking wolves must show the proper respect to an Alpha, regardless of specific pack affiliation or face the consequences. Those consequences are at the discretion of the Alpha and can include…”

I lean closer to him over the counter and whisper, “Those consequences can include my shifting and ripping your entrails out like a deer.”

He squeaks.

I smirk, stand back up to my full height with my back straight and my face void of emotion.

He looks down, forced to bow in submission, but still defiant. Without looking me in the eye he says, “That may be true Alpha, but it doesn’t change the fact that you have no money or credit to make a purchase here.”

“I have money to buy a dress and can pay normally. Trying on clothes here is my right as a customer and you can’t refuse to allow me.”

Rather than accept my answer, he calls security and accuses me of stealing. Fucking weasel.

I try to defend myself, but the security guards block me and demand to search me.

Everyone in the store and just outside the entrance is staring at me. My face heats under the scrutiny and humiliation.

“We are an Alpha. Make the clerk and security guards submit to us. Or better yet…rip their throats out.”

“My wolf wants to rip your throats out,” I tell them. “And, I’m so insulted I’m inclined to agree with her.”

They take a step back from me.

“I am an Alpha,” I tell them “and I refuse to submit to a search. If it were Jesse or Santiago standing here in my place, you wouldn’t feel as comfortable patting them down like a lowly criminal without good cause. So, what you are going to do is check your surveillance footage. That will prove my innocence.”

They are intimidated by my wolf and rightfully so. And as such, they choose to view the footage rather than insist on a search.

Wise choice, because patting me down was not going to happen.

“We’ve reviewed the footage, Alpha Isabella. You are correct, you didn’t steal anything.”

“What. A. Shock.” I tell them as I roll my eyes.

I leave empty-handed and return home. Regardless of being in the right, I was humiliated and just couldn’t stomach being there for another second.

When I get home, I realize that I’m already late for the time that I agreed to arrive at Santiago’s house.

(Santiago’s POV)

It occurs to me that Isabella was forced out of her marriage with nothing. I call my Beta into my office.

“Levi, please secure a proper evening gown for Isabella for tonight.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Levi says with a bow of his head. He leaves quickly to begin working on his task.

While I’m waiting in the study, I decide to read for a while. My thoughts circle around and suddenly I recall a conversation I had with my father recently.

“You need to reconcile with Layla, for the sake of your heir,” he said to me.

I refused.

My wolf fully supports and agrees with my stance. He doesn’t want Layla. She has no appeal to him. Her wolf has no appeal to him whatsoever.

I will never get back together with her. She’s the betrayer. That trust is broken. Our bond is broken.

She is not someone I could ever trust again in marriage.

“I already have a mate,” I told my father. “And besides, there are doubts about Layla’s pregnancy. The child might not even be my heir.”

Father fully insists on meeting Isabella first.

I look at the clock. It’s almost 7:30 PM. Isabella still hasn’t shown up.

Why the hell is she late?

I get up and with no choice grab my car keys, load myself up in the car, and leave to pick her up myself.

When I get to Ariana’s house, I set out to berate Isabella about the importance of punctuality, but then she comes downstairs.

Her eyes are puffy and red. My wolf growls in my mind.

“Do not yell at her. She’s been crying. Find out who caused it so we can relieve their head from their body.”

She has dark circles under her eyes as well. She’s exhausted.

“Bella, why aren’t you at my house yet?”

She explains what happened when she tried to buy a dress at the mall.

“Get their fucking names. I want their throats.”

“I’ll handle it,” I tell him.

Then I mind-link Levi to take care of the salesclerk.

I take a step back and look her over.

She blushes. Damn, she’s cute. She must be embarrassed because she thinks her clothes look plain or cheap. I think she looks lovely, honestly.

It’s a simple enough dress – black, scoop neck, form fitting, and a pencil skirt.

She isn’t wearing any makeup. Not that the woman needs cosmetics. She’s gorgeous without all that.

Most of her hair is up in a twisted bun. Some hair is left free to frame her heart shaped face. Bouncy curls do the job effortlessly.

After looking her over, I look straight into her chocolate brown doe eyes. “You look amazing. Take it off.”