Chapter 22

(Isabella’s POV)

I haven’t trusted Jesse in a very long time. I’ve experienced firsthand how he lies and uses people. He cheated on me.

Every time he was with Layla, their infidelity rippled through the bond. I’d know in detail every time he was inside her.

Listening to Santiago tell me about the drugs mixed in alcohol he used to harm me broke my spirit more than I thought possible.

But, honestly, would Jesse go as far as to kidnap or kill anyone?

We arrive at the private investigator’s office. It’s a warehouse on the outskirts of Veridian Shadow pack territory.

“Mr. Singer,” Santiago says with a stern handshake. “Thank you for meeting with us,” he gestures to me, “This is Alpha Isabella Costa.”

Mr. Singer extends his hand to me next, “Alpha, Isabella. While troubling the circumstances, I am glad to see you well and finally meet you. Please come in Alphas, and have a seat.”

Mr. Singer gestures his hands out with splayed fingers to two chairs opposite an oversized desk chair at a conference table. Then he takes his seat across from us.

Mr. Singer opens a file folder on the table in front of us. “Let’s get started.”

“I won’t sugarcoat this, Isabella. What you are about to hear will be painful and extremely scary.”

I look to Santiago, and he nods at me, then surprises me by scooting a little bit closer and resting his arm on the back of my chair.

“Isabella, do you know Zachary Brookes with Crimson Claw Pack?”

“Yes, Zach is Alpha Jesse Hansen’s Beta.”

Mr. Singer nods, “We have video footage and still images of him purchasing suspicious alchemy supplies, including wolfsbane, GHB, and Spanish Fly specifically.”

He pushes a button, and a small screen appears from the table. With the press of another button, the footage begins to play.

“We have retrieved Jesse’s credit card statement and traced it to the receipt number caught in the recording. This confirms that Jesse’s card was used to pay for these items. Other items charged to the card include a digital camera with a long-distance zoom lens.”

Suddenly, my chest tightens. Palpitations pound inside my throat. It feels as though my airway is restricted. I can’t breathe. Why can’t I breathe? He, he did this to me…

Santiago rubs his hand in the middle of my back. “I know this hurts, Bella. Take your time…take a deep breath. We can take a break if you need to.”

I look up at him as tears sting my eyes. “Why didn’t he want me? Why was I not enough? I was his mate…how, could he…betray me like this?”

“He’s an idiot to lose you, Bella. A fool.”

I try a half-hearted smile in thanks for him saying that, choking back the tears, and nod in Mr. Singer’s direction. “Please go on.”

“In the weeks leading up to the incident in question, there are some eyewitness accounts of Jesse Hansen meeting with wolves in the rogue territory. Jesse’s bank account shows a large withdrawal. It is my belief that he paid a rogue wolf to drug, stalk, and photograph you, Alpha, for the purpose of framing you as the one who committed infidelity in the relationship.

I shake my head. “No, I can’t believe Jesse would go that far.”

“Alpha, I need time to follow more leads. It is possible that you are right, and this is a dead end. However, if I’m right, your life could be in real peril. The cash was repocketed into your combined accounts, indicating that he did not pay anyone off.”

“Then that’s your answer, isn’t it?” I ask incredulously with a raised eyebrow.

Mr. Singer gets up with a pile of photos in his hands. He lays them out from one end of the table to the other and points to the first image. “Do you recognize this man?”

I get up, and Santiago follows my lead. We gaze at the image then look at each other. “That’s not a man. He looks like a kid,” I say.

“I agree, he is definitely a kid,” Santiago says. “He’s the kid who took our picture that night at the hotel after you were drugged.”

All I can do is nod my head in agreement.

Mr. Singer asks us to view the other images. I gasp at the sight and bury my face in Santiago’s chest. Briefly, he wraps his arms around me.

“Mr. Singer, we’ve seen enough of these,” Santiago says.

Mr. Singer nods and gathers the photos of blood splatter traces and burnt body remains.

He clears his throat before continuing. “This wolf has been reported by his family as missing. The family is in debt to the Werewolf Council. And they live near where the burnt remains were found.”

“Why? Why would Jesse go to these lengths?” I ask, my voice cracking with falling tears.

“You’re an Alpha, ma’am. Wolf up and pull yourself together,” My Wolf says with a growl. “Let’s team up with Santiago and his wolf. We can take him out now,” she says.

“We can’t do that. There are laws,”

“Yes, well, he broke them first. I say we kill Jesse and that tramp, Layla. We can rejoice in ripping off their heads by bedding Santiago. It’s a win/win.”

“Stop, psycho.”

“You are no fun. Seriously though. You’re embarrassing me. Wolf. Up.”

Mr. Singer clears his throat to bring my attention back to focus. “What is it you believe Jesse wants?”

“He has a limp dick,” my wolf says.

I cough and gag as she catches me off guard.

Santiago springs forward, concern etched on his face.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “My wolf has some opinions.”

Without missing a beat, Mr. Singer asks what she said.

“Her exact words aren’t kind, but his main desire during out marriage was wanting an heir.”

“Did you refuse him?” Mr. Singer asked

“No, I wanted to give him a baby. I never conceived with him. We were both evaluated by healthcare professionals. The doctor diagnosed him with infertility. He forced me to agree to IVF treatments, but then spent all his time fucking his mistress. The treatments were horrible, painful, and unfruitful. He didn’t support me through any of it.”

Then I realize what I said. Mistress...dammit…Layla. I turn to Santiago. He looks down and away from me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to pour salt in your wounds.”

He shakes his head. “You did nothing wrong, Bella. Just now or in your marriage. I’m sorry for all you’ve endured.”

Mr. Singer clicks his tongue. Gets up and paces the room. The energy makes my teeth vibrate. “Alpha, Isabella, you need to be careful. Jesse’s motives are unclear. The evidence is circumstantial at best. I have a gut feeling that this is something far more insidious than covering up his affair and stealing your pack. I need more time to prove it. In the meantime, you need to be very careful.”

Santiago snakes his arm from the back of my chair around my waist and pulls me almost into his lap.

My wolf prances around my mind. She bows with her rear end on display and rolls over to show her belly. “All he did was hold on to us for a second, not declare love or say he wants us to give him a pup. Knock it off,” I say. “Wolf up,” she returns.

We thank Mr. Singer for his time and help and turn to go.

Santiago escorts me out with his arm still around my waist. He pulls me in until his body presses into mine. His face dips close to my ear.

His stubbled cheek grazes mine and he whispers, “Look, Bella, I know I’m not your mate. I’m not trying to control you, and I’m not possessive. But I’m begging you; please don’t put yourself in a position to be alone with Jesse…not until we know more.”