Chapter-17
Alexander was waiting in the dining room with other nobles and royals. The door suddenly opened and the room filled with clattering noise of dishes, swarming heads of maids for serving, and chattering for people.
While Alexander was busy looking for a certain girl, he didn't notice his surroundings, and neither did he noticed a hand being placed slowly on his knuckles. He didn't want to be found sitting at the head table like a king by his Isabella. For her, he was a worrier, and he is willing to change it soon but in a different way.
He was brought out from his thoughts when a hand was placed over his knuckles. He slowly raised his eyes to the finger wrapped and followed it to its owner, which was a girl. A princess, to be precise, who was staying with them as a guest.
Alexander observed her. She was wearing an off-shoulder tight dress. The dress was tight enough to stick with her like a second skin. Her breasts were protruding and her upper half was bulging out waiting to be free from the restriction of her dress.
Alexander frowned. He never understands why the royal or noblewomen wear such tight outfits. It seems suffocating to him. There were very few who did not wear such tight and revealing outfits. And he was planning on putting Isabella in the category of few.
He could see lust swirling in the eyes of the princess. The biting of her lip and the twinkling of her eyes are clear proof.
Alexander repelled his hand from under the hands of the princess and started talking to his personal royal adviser. He could still feel the eyes of the princess on the side of his face.
He suddenly stood up, repelled by her behavior, and walked out of the room.
"You are smiling my king. "
Alexander was standing outside and looking at the forest which surrounds his palace. It seems peaceful, but during the night, a series of howls can be heard as if talking to each other. It disturbs him a bit seeing as how the howling is becoming a daily occurrence.
With a frown on his face, he was in deep thoughts to protect his kingdom. But, the frown soon turned back into a smile when he remembered how Isabella loves the nights and enjoys the howl. She reacts as if she could feel it, and maybe she could.
However, his smile didn't last long because of the sudden presence of his friend.
"Do you have the information I asked for?"
"It was not an easy task, but Ihave. She is the daughter of the one of the men who work in the royal stable and she is residing by your permission. And, the interesting fact is that today is her birthday."
"Is that so?"
"Yes My king. She is going to turn 18 today... If you do not mind me asking, Is our king interested in a supposed to be his future queen?"
"That is none of your business."
"I apologize my king."
"Get ready, we are switching places tonight."
Alexander didn't wait for a reply and strode off to his office. He had some works to finish including his plans for a certain someone.
He was hurt thinking that Isabella didn't inform him of her birthday. After all, birthdays are special. They come once a year. And, today she will become an adult. Guess he has to become her worrier at night to know why he was not informed of it.
While on the other side, Isabella was going to Peter after having her mid-day meal. The environment seemed bright and light. She could feel his happiness.
"Ahh, Isabella. You didn't inform me of your birthday. Nothing to fret, I cooked a cupcake, cookie, and on my way to prepare some egg dishes for you. After all, it is your special day."
Isabella tilted her head and looked at him with a pout. She didn't know anything about birthdays. Wolves don't have birthdays.
"What is a birthday?"
Peter was frozen to his place. He slowly turned around with a small laugh. But when she did not join him, he kept quiet.
Everyone knows about birthdays. They love celebrating their birthday. But when Isabella asked him about birthday. He was forced to rethink if she genuinely meant it or was jesting.
Isabella was a great help in cooking. He only has to show her what he needs, and she brings exactly that piece. Unlike other helpers, she has never missed or used something wrong. If anything, she sometimes brings some herbs which help in enhancing immunity or strength. But sometimes, she behaves like a kid which confuses him but he never dwells on it thinking she was just jesting.
"It is the day when you are born. Now, stop thinking too much and finish what I have made for you. Quick."
And suddenly a smile appeared on her face and she started enjoying her meal. She loved how the flavors were different and made her fall in love with them. She was an active girl and had a fast metabolism in her body, which helped her in maintaining her body shape even after eating so much sweet and delicious food. It was another reason for some girls to hate her.
After finishing her works, she was going back to her room. She was feeling as if something important was missing from her life. She was taking slow steps towards her room as if to delay the time. Her shoulders were slumped and the only thing she could feel around her was the peace and calmness that night was slowly bringing with her.
"Miss Isabella, a smile suits you more than a frown."
"Xander!!"
The moment Isabella heard the voice of Alexander, she rushed to him. She felt complete and no more lonely. She was excited after hearing his voice and look at him with so much adoration, awe, and respect that it fills Alexander's heart with love towards her.
Alexander had an amused glint in his eyes when he saw Isabella. She brings the best and worst out in him. And he has accepted it.
Alexander expected to see a smile on her face. As much as it angered him to think that he won't be the reason for her smile, yet he expected to see it. But when he saw her gloomy face he felt hurt. He doesn't want to see a frown ever appear on her face.
But soon he saw her frown turn upside down after hearing his voice, he once again felt happiness. He saw her excitement which was oozing in strong waves from her. He couldn't hide his smile, and neither could he control his desire for jesting with her.
When she came close to him, he slowly put a smirk on his face and slowly started walking towards her with predatory steps. Suddenly a memory flashed in her mind, and she slightly got scared when her back collided with the wall.
Alexander saw the fear in her eyes, fear of him. His heart constricted and ached with a pain unknown to him seeing her fear. Although the fear in her eyes was a small amount, it didn't help his situation. He suddenly recalled his face which he saw in the mirror.
He had a scar running across his face. He looked like a survivor of war and not handsome like a prince. He is aware of the lusty eyes of other princesses and nobles because of the fame he got but he is also aware of his own people calling him the beast.
He wonders if Isabella sees him as a beast or not. She never fears him, she always looked at him with adoration and affection, but seeing fear in her eyes, has proved his insecurities to be true.
He couldn't stay and watch her in more fear. He loves watching others in fear, but he was not interested in seeing her in that state. It wouldn't give his heart satisfaction but hurt.
"You fear... I see. Sorry for disturbing you Miss Isabella, it will not happen again."
Without waiting for her reply he turned and started going back.
"W-wait!! It was not like that."
"Then come."
When Isabella saw Alexander's retreating figure and a clipped tone, she felt hurt. She didn't know what wrong she did, but she didn't want him to ever be angry or, worse, reject her. She quickly stopped him but Alexander was hurt.
He was excited to see his rare flower and a little nervous too. But seeing fear in her eyes, after spending so much of their time together, hurt him and break his heart a little.
When Isabella stopped him, he didn't ponder much and just asked her to join him. If she was not scared of him then she will accept the offer of going with him. And she did.
Alexander leads her through the halls to the backyard where his stallion was standing. It was his pride.
He has trained and taken care of his stallion ever since it was a colt. He has literally seen him going through the changes in his life. His stallion was clever and loyal, both to him. It was not a surprising thing that others envied his horse and were jealous of him. But like always, he never paid any attention to it.
"Wow... He is so beautiful."
"Indeed it is."
Isabella snatched her hand free from Alexander's grip and ran to the front side of the stallion. While he was checking the saddle before riding.
Suddenly a loud giggle resonates through the silence of the night. When he turned his head towards the source, he saw Isabella laughing while looking between him and his stallion. He was a little confused but ignored it.
After few seconds, he hoisted her up on the stallion and ride to his spot.
"Are you going to tell me what made you laugh Miss Isabella?"
"Leon told me that you are grumpy, annoying, and hard with training. Sometimes he wants nothing more than to throw you off the back and to see your face covered with dirt."
A frown covered the face of Alexander. He didn't ask anything but he was confused. He never told her the name of his stallion but she knew. She was a strange girl and a mysterious one at that. But when he asked her if she can understand what Leon says, she tells him that her father taught her. Maybe, that was why she knew.
"Are you liking the food Isabella?"
"This is delicious."
A chuckle escaped from Alexander seeing her talking with her mouthful. With amusement and adoration in his eyes, he slowly cleaned the corner of her lips with his thumb.
"There... May I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Tell me about your family."
" My father was the Alpha male, my mother was the Alpha female. I have got lots of brothers and they all are Alphas except Jace. He stayed with us and became Beta of our pack. I don't have a sister, but I have cousins. My all uncles love me except one, but I don't mind him. Because he never tries to hurt me, he was scared of my father and other uncles. And if something happened to me, my brothers will hunt him down. And, my whole pack is my family. I love them. "
Alexander was looking at her face. She was smiling big as if all she told him was a very normal and common thing. While Alexander's mind was unable to grasp the knowledge.
Alpha Male??? Alpha Female??? ALPHAS??!!! My-my... What is this my flower?