Chapter 53

(Isabella’s POV)

I smile as I turn the corner to see Levi and Ariana having breakfast at the island bar in the kitchen of the packhouse.

“Good morning, Alpha Isabella,” Ariana says with a cheerful smile and head bow.

“Morning, Alpha,” Levi says.

I smile at them, pour myself a cup of coffee, and sit down at the bar with them. “Neither

of you should call me by my title when we are just hanging out. We’re friends.”

They nod in response.

“It’s been comforting having you and the Gamma warriors here, Levi,” I say.

He smiles. “I’m glad. We’ve all been happy to be here. Even after we leave this afternoon, Santiago and I have already agreed that if you need us, we can return.”

One of my Gamma’s knocks on the door, “Alpha Isabella, you have a delivery in the foyer.”

Ariana and Levi sit up straight.

“Were you expecting a delivery?” Levi asks.

“No,” I say shaking my head.

Levi cuts his eyes to Ariana. And, they both hop up and bolt out of the room.

Ariana hollers over her shoulder, “Hang back here, Alpha.”

I hear them declare the room is clear and take that as my cue to go check out what was delivered. Flowers.

A room full of red roses and sunflowers.

“There must be a hundred flowers here,” Ariana says, looking around the room.

My eyes scan the space, noticing vases and planters of varying shapes and sizes, each with bouquets, set up on every square inch of the flat surfaces between the foyer and living room.

“Where did all these come from?” I ask.

Ariana rolls her eyes as she reads the card and passes it to me.

Dearest Isabella,

I realize that my actions during our marriage were unacceptable and unforgivable. I should never have tried to take over your pack. I still love you and hope that someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Forever Yours,

Jesse

All I can do is shake my head in disbelief when, from across the room, Ariana makes fake gagging sounds. The sound brings me out of my thoughts, and I can’t help but laugh at her.

Levi chuckles too. “The guy’s got some guts, I’ll give him that.”

Ariana holds her hands out like she’s a human scale. On one hand, she says “guts,” and on the other, “dumb villain energy.”

I shake my head and we all enjoy a laugh at Jesse’s expense.

Santiago walks in and sneezes. “Damn, where’d all this come from?”

“Jesse sent them with a nauseating love note,” Ariana answers.

“And a pitiful example of a fake apology,” Levi finishes.

Santiago conceals a growl suggesting jealousy.

I pretend not to notice.

“And did it work?” he asks me casually.

My wolf picks now to chime in, “No. Not even a little bit.”

“No, Santiago. I’m not that easily manipulated.”

He walks over and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. “Good, I don’t want to gut and cook a werewolf like a pig in the ground today, but I will…”

I can’t hide my snicker. “No need, but a luau does sound lovely.”

“Noted. I’ll keep that in mind for the next celebration. Do you think you’ll be alright here after Levi and I leave this afternoon? I can leave a few of the Gammas behind to help keep wolves in line?”

“That’s sweet, but I think we will be okay. You have a lot going on yourselves, and I don’t want your front lines weakened on my behalf.”

“Fair enough. I can be here in ten minutes, so if you need me…call, okay?”

“I will.”

He turns to go finish packing.

“Santiago?” I say as his back is turned.

He turns around. “Yes?”

“Thank you…for everything.” I smile.

He grins and nods, then turns to go.

I decide to go for a run. As soon as I open the door of my pack house, I nearly run right into Jesse. In his hand, he holds one long-stemmed rose and a sunflower. He hands them to me.

“Isabella, I am so sorry for everything. I beg you for your forgiveness.”

I shake my head. “No.”

“We are good together, baby. There was a time we were great together. I beseech you, for the good of our mate bond and packs…give me one more chance.”

I scoff. “You’re delusional. No. Absolutely not. You need to leave right now and not come around here again.”

He drops the flowers at my feet. This is when I see a white rug runner sprinkled with red and yellow flower petals. Jesse yanks me hard into his embrace and tries to kiss me. I shout. “No! Get away from me. I mean this. You need to leave.”

He kneels down, takes my hand, and presents an open ring box. The band appears to be white gold. Accent diamonds run down both sides from the center rock that glitters under the mid-morning sun.

“Isabella, you are the love of my life. Please, will you marry me?”

(Santiago’s POV)

I’m loading the truck when I see Jesse down on one knee on a white rug runner. There are flower petals. Bella’s favorite—sunflowers and red roses. He’s presenting Bella with an engagement ring.

I try but fail to suppress a growl. I feel the pull of my wolf. He’s pissed and jealous. It’s hard for me to comprehend him being more so than me…but I feel him vie for control to shift.

Growling inside my mind, “Our mate! Our Bella! We must end this once and for all. The poster ‘alpha’ for douche bag twerps needs to die,” he says.

“There must be something between them,” I say. “They were mates. They were married.”

“So were we to Layla. We hate her.”

“They aren’t us,” I return. “We are going home. Now.”

Layla’s leaning against her jeep outside my pack house as we pull up. She has her baby with her.

I roll my eyes while my wolf growls as I throw the truck into park. “What the fuck do you want, Layla?” I ask as I exit the vehicle. I slam the door and notice paparazzi everywhere, taking pictures.

Layla rushes into my arms and kisses my cheek, while forcing her child into my arms. I suppress my wolf’s aggression, telling him we can’t snap, snarl, growl, or shift. Scaring the innocent baby would be wrong.

“Not wrong, deserved,” my wolf argues.

“The baby doesn’t…and technically she’s our…” I sigh, “sister.”

More shutters click and flashes go off.

Layla stands on her toes to kiss my earlobe. While she’s there, she whispers, “I’m here to discuss custody. Apparently, the tabloids are reporting on our blooming reconciliation.”

Now it makes sense. The photo op is nothing but a ploy to spread rumors. “Well, that isn’t happening. Shall we go inside and speak in private?”

She grabs my neck and plunges her tongue into my mouth with a kiss as aggressive as her personality. She smiles against my lips as more cameras capture shots of us.

At first, I’m so stunned, I do not know what to do. Then it occurs to me that she planned this…just like she planned our entire courtship, marriage, divorce, and everything since.

I lead her in by the elbow. She carries her baby in her other arm.

“Santiago, you promised you would step up when she was born.”

“What is my half-sister’s name?” I ask.

“Lynsey,” she says softly, “But, Santiago, we can raise her together as your…”

“Like hell we can. I don’t have words for the level of lividity I feel toward you and that bastard sperm donor, Lynsey, and I share in our so-called father. You disgust me, Layla. I’m done with your manipulation. Get the fuck off my pack grounds before I have the Gammas haul you out!”

After she leaves, I turn on the news. There’s already footage of Layla confronting me…and then I see the cover story…

Alpha Jesse and Isabella Pending Engagement.

My wolf howls in combined pain and anger.

My heart aches at the footage of Jesse’s proposal.

“Clearly, there is something between them,” I tell my wolf.