ISABELLA
"Let go of me!" A loud scream tore out my throat as I was being dragged through the cold marble floor by the man I called my father.
A drunk and abusive man who'd raised me for so many painful years. He hits me daily and makes sure to tell me how much he hated me because my mother left him for another man, an Alpha wolf from another pack who was her mate.
I was a constant reminder to him that my mother left him. I was supposed to be the child born from their love but now I was treated like a huge mistake.
My body trembled as I imagined how he was going to hit me again today. The last time he hit me with a bottle to my head, I fainted and spent two weeks at the hospital unconscious. I was a weak halfbred, I never shifted and didn't have a wolf. Making me completely useless to the humans and the werewolves.
An outcast, that was what I was referred to always.
According to my dad, my mum had remarried a man who already had sons and she hadn't given him a child yet but she was happy. Happy with him, without us.
My head stung painfully as he dragged a fistful of my hair in his hands.
"Pa.. please let me go, it hurts. I promise I will obey you. Just don't hit me" I cried. He finally let's go, as if my words had an effect on him this time.
My father took a seat on the jacquard couch in the corner of the living room, pouring out a cup of whiskey for himself.
He already reeks of alcohol, I wondered why he drank more. I stared into his hazel eyes, nothing different from mine. I was this man's child, why couldn't he treat me a little better?
"You're getting married in three days, I already took your dowry, you mustn't fail me" he said calmly.
"W.. what?" My eyes widened with shock and shivers went down my spine.
"Marriage? Father! I can't get married to just anyone, I'm a werewolf, I'll find my mate soon and get married to him someday, please don't force me…" I almost cried as I explained.
My father could hit and treat me badly, but I cannot endure getting my marriage arranged…
"Please…" I cried. He grabbed my chin.
"Bella, I'm your father. Whatever decision I make in your life stands! You're getting married and that's final!"
I stared into his eyes as he spoke. My blood froze. I have a boyfriend, someone I'm very in love with. Even though we weren't mates, he's the only werewolf I've met that treated me nicely. We've been dating for two years, I met him when I was eighteen. He loves me and I love him too.
I do not take that for granted. Not after everything he's done for me. Protecting me from my father, comforting me after his endless abuse. I loved Simon so much I cannot picture a life without him.
I have no choice, I can't obey my father this time even if it means I have to rebel.
"I won't get married, Father. I don't care if you hit me, I won't accept an arranged marriage!" I declared harshly. I struggled to stand up from the floor but a hard kick to my spine pulled me back down.
The moment I looked up, I saw him approaching me with the almost empty bottle.
"You stupid girl! You're getting married to Mr Morris, whether you approve or not it's not for you to decide!" He grabbed my hair and forced me back up, his lips behind my ear. "Listen up, I invested a lot in your mum and she still left me, I won't let you do the same to me" he grins.
He tried to hit me again this time but I dodged and I swiftly grabbed the bottle from him, smashing it into his head hard!
"Argh! You bitch!" He cursed, falling to the ground weakly..
"I told you, I'm not getting married!" I yelled, rushing outside the house so he wouldn't attack me again.
As I stepped outside on the cold winter night, it was already snowing and all I had on was a flimsy dress. I never expected that I'd be outside in the cold, two nights to Christmas, running from my abusive father and an arranged marriage.
I couldn't think straight, right now all I needed was to be with Simon and tell him everything that's happened. It's been three months since we last saw each other. Simon has been extraordinarily busy with pack work and he'd barely had my time.
The last time we fought, he asked me for sex but I wasn't ready to give him so I declined and he got angry. I left his place and never returned since. We only spoke on the phone where he'd previously gone for a business trip with his alpha. Simon was a beta wolf.
As I used the last Cash with me to board a taxi to his place, I couldn't stop thinking about the reconciliation we'd do tonight. I owed him an apology, and my virginity.
I promised to give myself to him on our wedding night but at this point, I can't wait anymore. With an arranged marriage on the line, I have to give him. Once Mr Morris finds out I've been with a man, maybe he'd refuse the marriage alignment.
The taxi soon alights in front of the apartment complex and I head outside, walking straight into the compound. I made my way up to Simon's bedroom which was just on the second floor.
I put in the password, it was different from the one we had before. Why would he change his password without telling me? I thought to myself as I rang the bell and waited for him to respond.
It took him three minutes but soon he was outside.. "Simon" I called out, my feelings surging high. "I've missed you" I hugged him quickly, my hands wrapping around his waist. I could smell his cologne, it was different from usual but still smelled like him.
In no time Simon pulls my hands from his body and takes a step back. "Isabella, what are you doing here?" He asks. I batted my lashes, staring at him confusedly. He'd never asked me such questions before or was this hostile to me.
Is he still angry? I thought to myself.
"Simon I know I messed up before but I promise, I'm so sorry for my actions and I'm here to make things right" I say.
"Please leave" he said calmly and my eyes widened in shock.
"W.. what?" I exclaimed. "Simon, are you still angry at me?" I asked him.
"Isabella, it's not about that. You just have to leave. You're not welcomed here anymore.." Simon said and I trembled. This is the man I love, I can't bear to hear him say such.
"Simon.. please.." I begged, trying to force my way in.
"Simon baby, who's at the door?" A soft female voice asked from inside the apartment. Soon, a brunette stood meekly behind Simon, her eyes cold as they met mine.
Simon and I exchanged cold glances….
"Simon, who is she?" I asked.
"She's my mate, Isabella, I owe you no explanation. Please leave my apartment!" He declared.
The brunette gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Is she the cleaner you told me about? She looks uglier than you described" she said, moving closer. "Simon told me he hired you as a cleaner months ago and you forced your way into his bed countless times. I see you still haven't given up" she said.
"What? Cleaner? What the hell is going on Simon? You're my boyfriend.. what is she saying?"
*Slap*
Her hands covered my cheek with a resounding slap. "I hate mistresses like you!" She declared. I watched Simon grab her wrist as he inspected her hands. "Are you okay? You shouldn't have used so much energy, you know you're carrying my baby" he says courteously..
I watched her go back inside. "Fix this mess!" She said before leaving.
"I warned you, didn't I? Now get lost!" He yelled, shutting the door right at my face.
I can't believe I just got dumped.
My heart ached bitterly. Even if I wanted to get back at Simon, I couldn't. I had no money or status, my father hated me and my mom? I don't even know if she is alive..
I tried to place my thoughts around my next action. Returning back to the house was not an option for me. My father would stop at nothing to sell me off and I'd provoked him earlier.
I walked for hours, I'd used my last money to visit Simon. I didn't think that he'd dump me. My chest continued to beat fastly as I walked down the road. There was a bar down the streets, I needed somewhere to SAFE to stay. The bar wasn't an option but I just had to try my luck. I didn't mind staying in the garage or store room.
I finally reached the bar and made my way inside. The place stinked of alcohol, cigarettes and the smell of sex. Right now, the only thing I could think of was being away from home and Simon.
Tears dropped down my eyes as I sat lonely at a corner, watching the activities happening around. I didn't have any money, I couldn't afford to buy a drink. I just let myself get intoxicated by the smell of cigarettes…..
I was still left contemplating when a waiter walked up to my table placing a bottle of vodka and a glass .
"I'm sorry I didn't order anything" I said..
"No need to panic, those men over there already paid the bills. Please enjoy" he responded before leaving.
I turned my head to the direction of the generous men he mentioned, only to be met with three almost identical faces. I didn't recognize them at first, but their aura sent a shiver down my spine. Two with black hair and one blonde. Broad chests and well dressed. One of them had an obvious tattoo extending from his neck to his jawline, the other had multiple tattoos on his right arm while the other had on his left arm.
The sight of them was intimidating and I felt a sudden throb between my legs. Who the hell are they?