Chapter 27

(Isabella’s POV)

Santiago?

“It’s his wolf,” my wolf cries.

He’s beautiful…Massive…Plush…Ebony

He spears Jesse and shifts mid-tackle. Santiago punches him out in one fail swoop then moves to my side so quickly, it's like he materializes there. Levi brings him clothes. He dresses quickly, unties me, and scoops me up.

I look over to where Jesse landed and he’s gone.

My brows furrow, “He’s escaped,” I tell Santiago. “We’ll deal with him later, right now I just want to get you out of here.”

I lay my head against his muscular chest. The sound of his heartbeat calms my own heart rate. The scent of sandalwood fills my nostrils and floods my senses.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach.

“You came, thank you, “I tell him.

Once we get outside, he kneels and sits me on a rock. “Can you sit up on your own?” he asks.

I nod slowly.

“Of course I came for you, Bella. What happened? What were you thinking being alone with him?”

“I think he followed us from the café. He ambushed me in the forest just outside of your pack’s territory. And, he knows about Singer and all the evidence. He poured truth serum down my throat. I’m so sorry, I tried not to…he made me tell him everything and where everything is. I…I’m so sorry, Santiago. I didn’t mean to betray you!”

“Hey, hey…you didn’t. It’s okay. Does he know about our contract?” he whispers.

“No, I managed to keep us a secret. He thinks we are second-chance mates. Our cover is still intact.”

He smiles, “You did great, Bella. I’m proud of you.”

There’s a sensation of beaming light that shoots straight through me at his words.

“You were so brave to rush in like that,” I tell him as a blush spreads across my cheeks.

“I’m glad you’re safe now. I want to get you checked out by our pack doctor, make sure that your wolf doesn’t need help healing your injuries.”

“He cares for us, Bella…like a mate should.”

“You sound weak,” I tell her. “Are we going to need help healing?”

“I don’t think there is any internal bleeding, nor do I think there will be a delay in our healing. But let the Alpha have us checked out to be sure.”

I feel her collapse in my mind. It's as if I’ve been punched in the stomach and had the wind knocked out of me. I gasp and fall backward.

Santiago catches me with concern etched in his features.

“I think I will be fine. I don’t want to be in the hospital, Santiago.”

“Very well. We can have him check you out at the pack house instead. And you can get cleaned up and rest.”

After my shower, most of my bruising has subsided. My wolf still sleeps, but the doctor assures us that she's healing us and with rest will be back to herself soon as well.

He takes his leave, and it's just Santiago and me in the room.

He looks over me as I am still wearing my towel from the shower so the doctor could thoroughly examine me.

I let my hair down from the towel. It's nearly completely dry, so the natural curls take on a life of their own. I comb through it with my fingers.

“I’ll step out so you can get dressed,” he says.

“Santiago?”

“Yes?” He turns around.

“Thank you.”

He smiles and nods. “I’ll wait outside. Just holler when you’re dressed. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

I return the smile and agree. After the door clicks shut, I go ahead to dress. I want something loose-fitting so as not to rub against my bruised flesh and sore muscles.

I decide on yoga pants and a long-sleeve raglan-style t-shirt.

I open the door to find Santiago still waiting there.

“May I come back in?” he asks.

I chuckle, “Well, I guess you can come back into your room.” I stand to the side to let him in.

He comes in and looks me over. Then he sits on the edge of the bed.

“Listen, Bella. Jesse has someone in his pocket with the Elder Council. He’s been cleared of any wrongdoing.”

“But he kidnapped, beat, and drugged me! You saw him. Your Gamma warriors saw him.”

He nods. “Yes, I know. But because he couldn’t get away with everything, he didn’t divulge information about our private investigator. Singer is going underground and plans to turn the heat up on him to find out whatever his plan is. I think, for your safety, you should temporarily live here. The room next door to me is vacant. It can be yours if you stay.”

My wolf leaps inside my mind.

“You’re awake, I see,” I tell her.

“I am now. He wants us. He’s our second chance, Bella.”

“He’s handsome, strong, brave, and has a sweet, thoughtful side. But, doesn’t want us, and he’s not our mate.”

A sigh of relief, regardless of what Santiago is or is not, escapes me. The truth is, I feel safer when he’s close by. So, I agree without hesitation.

Santiago accompanies me to the Caladrius Moon Pack grounds to retrieve my belongings from Ariana’s house. Levi came with us and he and Santiago load the car with my few belongings.

Ariana insists on preparing dinner for us. She made steaks, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, and iced tea. I stifle a chuckle as I watch Santiago interact with her. Ariana is so cheerful and bubbly that he seems almost flustered and can’t seem to say no.

After a truly lovely evening with Ariana, she wraps me in a hug. “I love you,” she says. “You’ll be back soon as the rightful Alpha of this pack.”

Then she startles the hell out of both guys when she hugs them both. “Please, keep her safe.”

The guys both nod but share a look. Levi nods to Santiago.

“We will keep your Alpha safe, Ariana,” Santiago says. “As her Beta, we need to keep you safe as well. Your clear loyalty to her paints a target on your back. Can you please pack a bag and come with her? We have an empty room in the pack house you can stay in.”

Ariana looks over at me, with wide eyes. “What do you think, Isabella?”

I nod, “I hadn’t considered you being in danger. I think it’s a good idea.”

Ariana agrees, and thirty minutes later, we have her packed and ready to go as well.

As we load up in the car and prepare to go to Santiago’s pack house, his phone rings. On the other end of the line, Mr. Singer tells him that his office was raided, and the digital copies of the evidence were stolen.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to hide hard copies in his personal safe at home. Santiago nods to him as if he can see him through the phone.

A tight line forms on Santiago’s lips. His brows furrow in contemplation.

“The intel you provided me is also safe in my study at the pack house,” he says, but phrases it as more of a question.

The investigator recommends that Santiago prepare for the possibility of having been robbed. Singer goes on to confirm even further the likelihood of some level of involvement from the Elder Council. Singer asks Santiago to put him on speaker phone.

Singer says, “Listen, Alphas Santiago and Isabella: I have new intel that proves that the body turned to ash in the forest was the rogue wolf hired by Jesse to pretend he was a waiter. This kid was charged with drugging and framing Isabella. Do not underestimate Jesse and be careful.”