Chapter 8

(Santiago’s POV)

When Bella exited my car, my wolf howled. It was all I could do to keep my hands on the wheel and get the hell out before he changed my mind. When I got home, I drank until sleep overtook me. Trapped in this dream is worse than my wolf driving me feral. I’m sweating…tossing and turning. I feel my heart retching inside my fucking throat.

Mom! I see her as if she is alive and in the room with me. But, she’s not. She’s about to die and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop it.

She’s in the fetal position alone on the sky-blue tile floor in her bathroom. The tile is cold to her flushed skin. She’s crying, begging the Moon Goddess to stop it.

Dad is with a she-wolf and Mom can feel everything they are doing. Her wolf screams in her head. Blood pours from Mom’s eyes and ears…

I wake up writhing, dripping in sweat, and throw the covers off me. I grab for my phone. It’s 2:00 AM. My wolf paces and howls in my mind. I call Bella “Come to my place. Now.”

I call Levi next, “Prepare alcohol…a lot of alcohol. Bring whiskey, beer, and vodka, and hurry the hell up.”

Levi brings me what I asked, and I drink while I wait for her, but she never shows up. We just formed this contract, and she is already breaking the terms we agreed to.

I can’t suppress my wolf any longer. His agony is too great, and he is too strong. He howls in my ears so loud that I feel one of my ear drums burst.

The room starts to spin and everything looks blurry. I see black then flashback to the room where I sit.

Bones in my back begin cracking to shift. No…I can’t…let this…

The sensation of claws drag down the insides of my body.

I push Levi out the door. “Lock this immediately and don’t come in here no matter what happens.”

“His voice shakes from the other side of the door. “Yes Alpha.”

I do my best to soften my tone. “No matter what, Levi. Do not open this door till I wake again.”

The moment I hear the click of the lock slide into place, my nerves relax. Then, the world goes black.

When I wake the next day, the room is covered in claw marks. The walls are nearly punched all the way through, rugs are ripped to shreds, and not a piece of furniture remains intact.

I tell Levi it is safe to open the door.

He enters the room, “Alpha, are you al…” His brown eyes move from eye contact with me to the disaster that surrounds us.

“Call the contractor to repair the room and replace the furniture,” I order.

I make my way to the car. I’m going to go find my so-called contract mate.

(Isabella’s POV)

Ariana tells me she’s heard Jesse postponed the engagement.

It makes my heart and my wolf’s happy to hear that not only is Ariana glad about this development but so are many of our pack members.

They believe that I have been framed and know that I am the rightful heir to lead them. They want me, not Jesse and Layla.

“Ariana, I need as much intel as you can safely gather. As heir to the Beta status, the entire back is hardwired to follow your lead in my absence.”

She nods and pulls me into a hug. “We’ve got you, girl. You are our Alpha. We will fix this, I promise you that.”

I smile. “Thank you, but be careful.” I tell her I have some ideas and start to leave when Ariana runs over with a cup of coffee.

“Before you go, tell me about Alpha Santiago. Girl, he’s gorgeous.”

I roll my eyes, but can’t resist smiling. “He is just as arrogant as he is an amazing kisser.” My hands fly to my mouth. I didn’t mean to say that.

Ariana squeals, “I knew it!”

“I really shouldn’t say anything else,” I say. “But, did you say his Beta dropped off my clothes?”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Oh, Levi? I mean Beta Levi, yes he did.”

“Hmm,” I said. “I don’t know if he’s mated, but he is pretty hot himself, don’t ya think?”

Ariana breaks eye contact with me. “No, he’s not mated and yeah…I mean if you’re into the whole tall, dark, built, handsome, gentleman types…”

I can’t stifle the laugh. “Uh-huh…well then, on that note I’m going to head out for a while. I’ll be back soon.”

Our window of time is small as Jesse has rescheduled their ceremony for exactly a month away. That’s okay. I can find the evidence I need before Jesse’s next engagement ceremony. Then, I can appeal the Elder Council’s decision. They will overturn the ruling.

I begin to head outside. I’ll go to the media. I can buy the evidence of their affair from the paparazzi.

As soon as I step outside, Santiago drags me into his car.

His expression is cold. His icy blue eyes look glazed over and he’s sweating. “Buckle up,” he says before stomping around to the driver’s side.

“Something’s wrong,” I whisper to my wolf. I remember him calling last night. It’s been days since I slept in doors and in a real bed. I didn’t realize how tired I was and must have fallen right back to sleep.

Santiago gets in the car and turns to face me. “You are already violating the terms of our agreement. I called you. Why didn’t you come?”

“I am not violating the terms of our agreement, nor do I intend to. You called me in the middle of the night. Our contract clearly states there will be no sex between us. Therefore, it made no sense for you to call me late at night to come satisfy you.”

Santiago chuckles. “Either follow the contract to the letter, or end it.”

“Contrary to your original opinion and clearly the one you still have about me; I am not a whore. You’re being unreasonable. Our contract doesn’t include nighttime obligations, and certainly not sexual services.”

Inside my head, my wolf has the audacity to sound off on this argument, “Getting laid wouldn’t be a bad thing for you, Bella. He’s handsome and something tells me he can meet your needs in ways Jesse never could.”

“Shh,” I say back to her. “Don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s arrogant and dangerous. I will never date a man like him. This is strictly a partnership, nothing more.”

“Maybe don’t listen to him so much. Mute the sound and ego, just enjoy his body. I’m practically drooling to get my paws on his wolf Come on Bella, live a little.”

“Absolutely not!” I accidentally say out loud.

“Excuse me?” Santiago says.

My cheeks go flush then I feel them drain of all color. “No, Sorry. Not you. That was my wolf. I was talking to her.”

His eyes narrow at me, “You may choose to comply or end the contract. Which. Is. It,” he asks annunciating each word.

I have no choice. My palms sweat as I have them clutched together in my lap. “I choose to comply. I promise, I won’t no-show you again. Whenever you call, I will come.”