Chapter 30

(Isabella’s POV)

It seems too good to be true. Picture perfect even. Santiago and I have spent nearly every day together for weeks.

I find I look forward to our time together. We eat breakfast and dinner together most days. Sometimes, we make lunch work, but generally, Santiago works on Pack business while he eats.

I enjoy spending time reading about werewolf history in the pack library. This is where I spend most of my time, when I’m not hanging out with Santiago.

When he invited us to stay here, I was nervous about sharing space with Layla. I rarely see her, though.

This seems suspicious, but I choose not to really care too much about her.

Acting like a couple comes easier than I thought. My heart warms at the thought of he and I together as a couple…second chance mates as my wolf seems to believe we are.

From the library balcony, I admit I have an ulterior motive for studying up here. I can see him running maneuvers in the field with the Gamma warriors.

I watch how his biceps flex effortlessly. Even from this far off, I can see that prominent vein in his forearm that protrudes when he works out.

When we’re not together, I find that I miss him. He hasn’t had any feral episodes since I started staying here. The funny thing is, it seems his presence calms my wolf as well.

I’m beginning to think my wolf might be on to something…maybe we are or could be each other’s second chance?

I wonder how he feels about me, about us. Does he think of me? At night, when he’s alone, does he desire me, the way that I do him?

I find my feelings intensifying. I crave him. My wolf craves him.

Ariana and I went shopping. She suggested I buy some seductive clothing. I bought a dress. I was going to get sexy lingerie to wear under it.

She said I should skip the panties altogether.

As evening approaches, I decide I’m ready to test his feelings. I’ve never done anything like this before, but for reasons that I don’t quite understand, I want to see how he reacts.

I get ready to meet Santiago in his study. I step into my form-fitting, crimson dress and zip it up the back.

The dress has a lace top with matching strategic lace cutouts that run the length down both sides of the short dress. The length of which ends at the mid-thigh.

I step into my black stiletto heels that give the appearance of tightening my calf and ass muscles. I dab just a little bit of perfume behind my ear.

I knock on Santiago’s study door. His gravelly voice gives permission to enter. My heart races, and the butterflies in my stomach flap madly.

He’s sitting on the couch. I extend one arm up in the doorway, turn toward him with my other hand on my hip, and clear my throat.

He’s wearing a burgundy Henley shirt with the top two buttons undone. It hugs his broad shoulders, muscular chest, and tight abs in the best possible way.

The sleeves barely hold his massive biceps. His tattoo ink peeks through depending on how he moves.

His dark jeans and boots complete the look. I love the way he pushes his hair away from his forehead as he looks up at me. Confidence radiates from him, more so than the typical Alpha.

My heart flutters, being this close to him, being this bold with him. I feel my blush creeping across my face and will it away. Take a deep breath.

“Bella, he and his wolf want us. Be confident. Breathe. Don’t shrink back. Let him look at you,” my wolf tells me all while prancing around and panting in my mind.

Santiago looks up at me. His icy blue gaze stares straight through me. I suppose I have my answer. He is completely 100% unaffected by me.

(Santiago’s POV)

I can barely attend to pack business during the day. I have become fond of seeing Isabella first thing in the morning and eating breakfast together.

I find myself closing down my business dealings early so I can get back to her. I’ve never experienced the intense longing of wanting to be anywhere before…not until she moved in.

Catching up on our respective days in the evening over dinner together has become my favorite part of the day.

We often play games and watch movies, sometimes just the two of us and others we include Ariana and Levi.

She’s not just beautiful, but strong, smart, funny, and thoughtful.

Her scent of lilac calms my wolf and me these days.

My heart aches when we aren’t together. My thoughts always manage to circle back to her. And it’s not just me. My wolf, he swears, she’s our second chance.

When we aren’t together, I miss her. She makes me smile. Everything feels better when she is close.

Isabella clears her throat. I look up and see her standing in the doorway. She’s stunning. My breath catches in my throat.

The low light catches the red tones in her hair. They nearly match that dress…Moon Goddess help me, I want to tear that dress off to get to her body…fuck.

My gaze continues its descent to her chocolate brown doe eyes, then trails south to her lips. She’s chosen to wear red lipstick tonight. Her lips are plump, wet…kissable.

My wolf growls in my mind. “She wants us. Give her what she wants,” he pleads. She’s wearing this dress for me. My heart warms at the very sight of her.

As she walks toward me, she bites her lip, making me jealous of her teeth.

Her hips glide rhythmically with each step she takes. The Moon Goddess herself couldn’t compare to this woman.

The lace cut-outs of her dress show off her toned legs; they mark my favorite place to hold her at the hips.

“Would you like a drink from the bar?” she asks in a tone that is lyrical and melodical to my ears.

I manage a nod.

“Whiskey?”

Another nod.

She pours my drink and hands it to me. Her dress fits her shape like a glove. My hand almost bypasses the drink to hold her by the waist.

I fantasize about pulling her into my lap, letting her dress ride up where it may, and gripping her by those hips.

“She’s not wearing panties underneath the garment,” my wolf growls.

My heart climbs into my throat. I feel the beating of it as thuds ringing in my ears.

My cock hardens and drips for her.

Every impulse I have is to strip that dress from her body and have her now, mark her as mine…She’s not…she is not my mate. We have a deal. A contract. That’s it.

She pours her own drink and sits beside me. Her right leg brushes against mine as she crosses it over the other one. My hand grabs her thigh only briefly…accidentally.

Her skin is undeniably soft.

I swallow the entirety of the drink in one gulp.

“I have pack business I must attend to, Isabella.”

My eyes widen, as my own breathlessness catches up to me.

“I’ll see you later.” I quickly rise to my feet and leave her sitting there on the couch alone.