Chapter 9

(Isabella’s POV)

“I’ve drawn up the contract,” Santiago says “I went ahead and signed in the appropriate places for my part. The paperwork is at my place. Are you comfortable going there and signing?” Santiago asks me.

I agree and he drives us there…fast.

Contractors are busy working while furniture is being delivered.

“I have an office we can do this in, not near as loud,” he says nonchalantly.

“Sure, okay,” I say. “So, you’re renovating?”

“Sort of,” he says. I sat down on a leather couch, and he hands me the contract. I saw that he did indeed sign in all the places he is meant to.

My eyes trace the lines of his signature. They are sharp, just like him.

Lines flow and weave together making decisive maneuvers, indicating he signed with no incessant starts and stops, just made up his mind and signed with no hesitation…It doesn’t look like he lifted the pen to contemplate, not once.

I carefully read through the terms of the contract. Word for word, it’s exactly what we agreed to, so…without hesitation on my part, I sign it.

He smiles.

This man is difficult to read. But, it looks almost like relief on his face.

My stomach growls. I smile, hoping he doesn’t notice.

“I’m hungry,” he says. “Would you like to go get something to eat?”

I nod and return his smile. “Yes, please.”

We arrive at a fancy restaurant on the rooftop of a hotel. Being lunch time, they aren’t busy.

At night, I imagine couples cozied up over candlelight at their tables, blending in with the fairy lights overhead.

Seating is limited. There is a small bar at the front, and about ten tables lining the terrace high above the city skyline.

Crisp, white linens cover the tables, with pristine white dishes set for you to four people per table.

The hostess seats us, removing the two extra place settings.

The doors we came through are mirrored and reflect the skyline view.

We sit on the outside row of tables, about twelve stories in the air. Cars driving below look like tiny ants scurrying down the street.

This isn’t even the tallest building. I look out and take in the scene. It’s just beautiful.

In the distance, I can see the river that flows into the rogue forest territory, where I stayed after Jesse and Layla threw me out of my pack house.

Cherry blossom trees line one side of the clear river. Soft rapids of white water wash by into the forest.

The sun glitters on the water with rays that stretch to the restaurant and reflect in much the same way against the mirrored doors.

The waitress takes our orders and returns very soon with out meals.

At the table, we decide to try to get to know each other better.

“You’re young to be an Alpha,” Santiago says.

I explain how my parents died in an attack and that being their heir meant assuming the position before I might have if they didn’t died. “But, like I told you before, Ariana’s parents were my parents’ Betas. They ruled as Regents before I got married.”

“How’d Hansen weasel his way in to so much control?

I put my fork down and lower my eyes. “He was my mate. I trusted him. I always trusted him. He disliked me managing the pack. So, I gave up my authority.”

I suck in my breath as tears build up like water at a damn during a storm. “I never thought, he’d betray me.”

“Mate bonds aren’t foolproof Isabella, they only bring trouble.”

I look up and meet his stare, cocking my head to the side as I think to myself.

He cocks his head curiously, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

I smile and look down, “Never mind, it’s silly. Go on, please.”

“No, let’s hear it. What are you trying to figure out?”

“Nothing, it’s just you’ve been calling me Bella pretty consistently, and just now you used my full name. Guess I was getting used to the nickname. There’s only one other that calls me that. And, I honestly don’t understand your take on mate bonds.”

“I used your full name to make my point. But, since you brought it up, what would you prefer I call you? And as far as my take on mate bonds. It’s pretty simple…”

He reaches across the table and takes my hand.

Again with the butterflies and electric jolt. I swear it feels like my wolf breaks into a dance number every time he touches us.

It looks like he jolts just a little too, but it’s probably just my imagination.

“You shouldn’t trust anyone, not even a mate,” he says.

“You can call me Bella, I..I don’t hate it. If you don’t want a mate and you don’t trust anyone, not even a mate, why have me as a contract one?

“It is temporary, Bella. We’re only bound by contract to meet specific goals. When the partnership ends, so does the relationship. There will be no emotional ties.”

I nod in agreement. Neither of us wants a mate or bond, that just makes this arrangement most suitable.

Santiago tells me he will be back in just a moment. He gets up from the table to go to the restroom, but stops short and turns around, “Just out of curiosity,” he says. “Who else calls you Bella?”

I look up into his icy blue eyes. “Just my wolf…and now, you.”

He smiles, nods and turns to go. “I’ll be right back,” he says.

While waiting for Santiago to return, freaking Jesse and Layla show up. I wasn’t prepared to run into them. I quickly look down, hoping they don’t see me…no such luck.

“Well, well, well…what do we have here. Isabella, darling…” Jesse says with melting sarcasm. “Since you left our marriage, with nothing, how can you afford to dine at such an expensive restaurant?”

I couldn’t help but scowl. Why is he doing this? I’ve done nothing to deserve this.

“Eating alone,” Jesse sneers. “Can you even afford to pay your bill? Did your lover abandon you already?”

“None of that is any of your business,” I say.

He leans over the table, “Tell you what, I can pay for your meal this one time. Just think of it as my way of taking care of you after the divorce.”

He holds up one finger, “Now, next time, you may not be as lucky to find someone willing to cover your bill.”

“Her bill is on me,” Santiago says as he walks up behind them.

My gaze lands on Layla. Her eyes widen while her face flushes blood red, and I think a small vein in her forehead pulsates wildly.

Oh, she never expected the table to turn, nor did she expect to see Santiago here with me.

Naturally, my wolf uses this moment to speak up in my head. “Well, a date? Didn’t you just tell me, you’d never go on a date with Santiago?”

She always contradicts me.

Layla turns to Santiago, “You’ve always been on the straight and narrow…never took mistresses. How can you possibly choose a divorced, helpless, failure of a woman like Isabella to be one now?”

Santiago crosses his arms over his chest, seemingly waiting, for what I cannot fathom at all.

Meanwhile, Layla carries on even more. She’s penniless after her divorce, Santiago. And, clearly a gold-digger. Think about it, she’s only after your money and power!”

Santiago stops her. “She’s my second chance,” he says.