Chapter 7

My eyes hurt from the hours of crying but my heart felt a little better. Almost relieved. I stood from my bed and stretched out my arms, smiling as my bones cracked. For a moment I wondered where Domini was as he should have returned by this point but shrugged it off. He was a grown man and I wasn’t his mother. I felt tempted to have a shower knowing it would freshen me up, however, a surge of hunger beckoned me to the kitchen. I was sat at the breakfast bench about to gorge myself on a freshly cooked steak as the door slammed open. I jumped looking at an angry Domini and Alpha Clide entering.

My heart hammered with nerves as Alpha gave me an apologetic look as Domini seemed to be seething in anger.

“Good evening my dear,” Alpha called to me in a soothing tone “I’m afraid I will need you to take leave for an hour or so.”

I glanced to Domini as he nodded a curt yes, I looked at my steak painted as a growl of hunger erupted from my stomach. Alpha Clide chuckled before taking a seat next to me.

“Take it with you, my dear.” He patted my shoulder as he had done since I could remember. It was his way of dismissing me. I grabbed my plate before nervously looking back to Domini, he shook his head before taking a seat near the Alpha. I closed the door behind me as quietly as possible, worried that Domini was in trouble. I couldn’t think of any other reason the Alpha would want to speak to him in our room? I hoped it wasn’t because of me. I mean, I did piss off Alpha Victor and he has to step in to protect me.

“Bullshit!” I heard Domini yell from the room causing me to jump, dropping my steak. I looked at it on the ground a sense of self-hatred washing over me again. I just seemed to ruin everything.

“You cannot expect this!” Domini’s voice was horrifying, I had never heard him so angry. I gulped before putting my plate down and picking up the now dirty steak. I walked quickly to the end of this floor’s hallway placing my ruined dinner in the bin my stomach sadly growling. I felt the urge to cry again before annoyance at my own self-pity stopped the urge. I bit my lip as I took in a deep calming breath. I would not cry in public, not again. No wonder Xander didn’t think I was his mate, I was weak.

I found myself walking around aimlessly trying to kill time when a familiar head of red hair caught my eye. Bella stood halfway outside and inside holding something to her lips, her eyes half-closed as she inhaled deeply.

“Bella?” I called out a little shaky with uncertainty. She had seemed to be kind to me earlier but my brain couldn’t shake the idea that it was a farce.

She turned her head quickly to my direction a look of guilt washing over her face before relief replaced it.

“Oh, my Goddess, you sounded just like my mother for a moment!” She laughed before looking around.

“Is it just you? Or is Domini with you?” Her tone was nervous as I gave her a quizzical look before shaking my head.

She breathed a deep sigh before winking at me, taking the cylinder-shaped object back to her lips inhaling deeply. I approached her curiosity filling me as she breathed out a puff of smoke. I felt my nose scrunch up as the smoke's disgusting scent wafted towards me.

She snicked at my reaction, “you never been around a smoker?”

“No, and I didn’t take you for one either.” I felt a pang of regret as my tone came out judgmental, Bella rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah I’ve heard the speeches. I know it’s bad for my health.” She took another puff looking out to the surrounding Forrest, tonight's stars were hidden behind storm clouds.

“I’m sorry Bella, I just...”

She glanced back to me a small understanding smile playing on her lips.

“Hey, it’s okay Laura. I know your like basically sheltered.” She laughed again before throwing the butt of her cigarette to the ground and stomping it out.

“What brings you out here so late?” She asked as she took a can of perfume out of her pocket spraying all over herself obviously trying to mask the disgusting scent.

“Well...” I started to explain before stopping myself, I was not sure if I should mention the Alpha was in my room.

“Domini has a guest.” I finished nervously hoping she wouldn’t press me further; I was an awful liar.

Bella smirked her eyes sparkled in a devilish grin.

“With his new mate?” she giggled.

I frowned confused; Domini had not mentioned he had a mate. Would he tell me though? Bella looked taken aback by my reaction, “okay, obviously not that...”

Her voice trailed off before her expression changed like a light bulb going off.

“Ah, the Alpha must be... oh...” she gave me a sympathetic look as I felt a surge of fear pass through me.

“I would hate to have to live with a Beta, getting kicked out of my own home.” She shook her head sympathetically before raising her eyebrow at my obviously fearful expression.

“What's wrong?” Her tone of concern felt genuine as I braced myself for judgment.

“Umm... I just... am I allowed to disclose that? I mean I pretty sure Domini is already in trouble because of me and I just...” I felt hot tears brim in my eyes as I forced myself to be strong.

Bella looked at me mystified and confused before that sympathetic look returned to her.

“You really are sheltered... I guess I assumed. I mean all of us assumed that the Luna and Alpha would have given you like extra treatment...” She trailed off a look of regret passing over her before she continued.

“Laura, the Alpha’s business I guess is secret but his movements are not. He is like, our boss if you will...” She paused looking me over making sure I was following.

“You would never get into trouble by just mentioning where he is, okay?” She patted my shoulder as I tried to smile at her.

“Why would you think Domini would get in trouble?” She looked at me puzzled as I bit my lip wondering if I could trust her.

“Cause you stood up to Alpha Victor the other night? Ellen told everyone!” She chuckled before giving me that same odd awe-like expression Ellen had.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise as Bella giggled again, I guess I should have expected Ellen to have other friends. A strange surge of guilt filled me, as memories flooded my mind of Ellen constantly introducing me to other people. A memory of Bella attempting to talk to me in class, another of her always smiling warmly at me. My attention had always been just... overrun with Xander.

“What’s wrong?” She asked seeing my face change, I shook my head trying to push the odd guilt away.

“Oh, I just feel like I’ve been a bit rude to you...” I looked down as I spoke shuffling my weight from side to side. Bella grabbed my shoulder gently but firmly so I looked back at her face overjoyed to see her smiling.

“It’s okay, I know your pretty shy. Besides, Ellen has told me enough about you that I think of you as a friend.”

I felt my facelift into a smile as I felt a rush of relief pass through me before Bella winked.

“Sides, I think you’re going to need to get out of your shell pretty quick. From the rumors I’ve heard Alpha Victor is here to create a new treaty.”

I listened intently watching Bella speak, she used her hands a lot. A look of excitement shot through her eyes as she continued.

“So, his whole pack is coming here to celebrate!” She clasped her hands together grinning at me.

She seemed a little annoyed at my bewildered look.

“Which means,” she sighed “more potential mates!”

She looked at me expectantly as I just stood there, unsure what response she wanted from me. She rolled her eyes huffing with irradiation.

“My Goddess, Laura.” She pressed her fingers against her forehead.

“That means we will most likely find our mates before our first shift.”

She glanced at me as I gave her a small smile, “I’m sure you will Bella, maybe Ellen and Micheal too!”

She gave me a strange look before rolling her eyes again, speaking in a softer tone.

“Laura, are you absolutely certain he is your mate?”

I frowned not wanting to have this discussion with her again. She shook her head continuing quickly.

“No matter, we will find out in time.”

She gave me a sad smile as her eyes to focused to something behind me, I turned my head slowly a strange but familiar feeling starting in my heart. I honestly expected to see Xander standing there, like the mention of his name had summoned him. My shock when instead I saw Alpha Victor standing at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes connected with mine full of hatred. My heart thumped harder as I noticed his nostrils flare, I knew I should be terrified as Bella whispered next to me. I couldn't look away from him. For a moment my mind lingered on the thought of his strong hands touching my skin again, I was confused as to why that thought seemed to excite me. Victor gave me a look as if he knew what I was thinking about, a smirk forming on his full and biteable lips. Oh Goddess what was I thinking! I felt anger grip me at the fact I was having these thoughts about someone who was not Xander...