Isabella's POV
I slowly hummed a song as I slowly rocked Treasure in my arms, watching as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Almost a week has passed since I ended up here. I was surprised as I was constantly given food, and rested in the hospital. The most surprising thing was how despite my stay here, I had never been asked regarding my bills. Nothing was for free, and the omission made me believe that something was up.
For the past five days, I hadn't seen Sierra as well. For some reason, I didn't know whether to be relieved or anxious about it. Claire visited once, on the third day. However, that was the only encounter I had besides the nurses, and most of the time I was left alone in solitude. It didn't bother me, as I had been living alone since I ran away from home.
I looked down to find that my baby boy had already drifted off to sleep. Quietly, sitting up, I walked towards the cot that was brought to my room after the second day. My confusion back then was appeased when I had heard from the doctor that it was a standard policy, due to the mother-child pack bond.
Shortly after I had laid him down, there came a knock on my door before it opened. I saw Sierra again in all her glory.
I held the urge to growl as I turned fully to face her while the cot was behind me, acting as a barricade between her and my baby.
I saw how her eyes trailed and knew she knew exactly what I was doing. Moving back, she seemed to tread carefully.
"Good day to you, Isabella." She said, her voice lacking any of the venom I was used to.
I nodded, "Hello Sierra."
It was likely the most cordial we had been, and the first time we seemed to be on equal ground as compared to her picking on me.
"How are you doing?" She asked.
I nodded, "I'm much better."
It was the truth. Between the past few days, I had almost fully recovered. With eating food and good proper rest, my werewolf healing seemed to kick in, doing the rest of the work.
Moving towards the chair in the room, Sierra sat down. I followed her, cautious of her every move.
"You don't have to worry about the hospital bills. They are all paid for. " She said casually, making me blink.
"Thank you." I said gratefully. Although I still couldn't understand the change, I had to do so, especially knowing what she had done.
"For the past few days I have spoken to my brother." I clenched my jaw to stop myself from reacting at the mention of her brother. What was his name again? It was best she didn't know.
"He has finally agreed to let you stay with us."
I tensed. I clearly remembered what he had said the last time.
"I want her out of this pack once she has rested for a week at most."
The point was moot already, considering that I had already left of my own volition before ending up back here. Including the scent that was wearing off with every day, his reasoning was less sensible.
"You'll stay here temporarily, only as a guest for three months. By that time, you'll probably be more recovered."
I looked at her carefully to see any hint of deceit in her gaze. She was telling the whole truth.
The thought of staying in a pack, no matter how temporary, brought an ache in my heart. It reminded me of the pack I had left behind. It was melancholic, and yet...so tempting.
But did I want to stay in a pack with the man who assaulted me? The one who took my innocence and brought me into my predicament.
"What happens if I refuse?" I ask carefully.
"We found you on the street, which can only mean you don't have shelter."
I flinched, waiting for her to insult me. She didn't however, and instead continued.
"If you choose not to stay, that'll be it. The bills have already been paid and there's no taking that back. Once you get discharged, which I'm sure will happen soon, you'll be free but at what cost?"
She was right. I had no place to go and the few belongings I had were not enough to keep me going, especially now with Treasure. What was I going to do?
I remained contemplating when a small sound drew us both away, coming from behind me.
It seemed like Treasure was still asleep, his cry likely from whatever dream he was having. His cry however, felt more like a sign than anything.
I look back to Sierra to see her staring intensely at the cot. Before I could say a thing, she reverted to staring at me before standing up.
"I'll come back for your answer tonight." She said, about to walk away.
"No need," I interrupted her.
Ignoring her frame for a moment, I looked at my baby, sleeping so peacefully.
"If it's you, I don't mind putting everything away," I whispered fondly to him.
Turning back, I looked at the brunette woman.
"Okay then," I nodded. "I will be grateful if you let me stay in your pack for a few months."
I would stay but only as a guest, and I didn't mind. Whether he decided to let me stay permanently, I was set on leaving. Once I was able to get a stable job, I could leave. Hopefully Sierra would place me with another pack member and I wouldn't have to ever encounter her brother.
Once the door was shut, I closed my eyes. There was no reconsidering or second guessing. Beggars didn't have a choice after all.
My decision had been made, and nothing could be taken back.
Looking back to my child, I pray to the moon goddess that everything I was doing is for the best.
Isabella's POV 'Goodness knows, that I will always love you...'The song played as I looked out the car window, Treasure sleeping peacefully by my side. An unknown man beside me drove the car.I was surprised to see that the day I was to be discharged, leaving the hospital, only to see a car waiting for me. The man's eyes flashed to show me who he was, but his scent was slightly similar, leaving me no chance for doubt. I climbed into the car, and from there we drove off.The sight of trees was already becoming more frequent, looming over higher and higher the more we drove. It was then I saw a gate. A large gate loomed over and as we passed, it was followed by multiple houses. It was something I hadn't expected. The area which still seemed close to the city had a unique rustic look, a mix of modern and traditional at the same time.By the time the car stopped, we were parked in front of a large house. I looked up over the looming building.Was it the pack house? Perhaps this was whe
Isabella's POVThe man fully opened the door, revealing a dark buzz cut hair and a bulky frame. I held my breath as I watched him carefully.I hadn't seen the face of her brother. Was it him?"What are you doing here?" Sierra hissed beside me."Relax. I told Agathe to help me get here. She won't tell a soul." He chuckled as he walked towards us, his gaze focused on Sierra.When I smelled his scent, I relaxed. The scent smelled unfamiliar, far too unfamiliar against that of Sierra, Leo or even the man who drove me here. He was someone else entirely.That, however, didn't answer why he was standing there. It was at that moment that he noticed me."And who is this?" He asked. "None of your business!" Sierra snapped at him.He moved closer, making me shrink back. His eyes flitted between me and the bundle I held in my arms.He lowered himself, looking less intimidating as he took my hand gently, giving a little shake."Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I doubt we'll be seeing each othe
Isabella's POV I opened my eyes to hear screaming. It took me a few more seconds to find out that the lone source wasn't the baby, but myself. I shut my mouth and began panting. Looking around in alarm. The room was bright. Lightened up by the sun. There was no shadow, nor another person in sight. The place was empty. And yet, I could vividly see the red eyes. Was it all a dream? I was brought to reality by my baby's cry. Moving out of the bed with such a speed that I almost stumbled, I rushed towards his crib to calm him down. "There, there," I tried, but he remained inconsolable, wailing loudly as his little limbs moved around. I remembered what the nurse had told me one day, about the bond between a werewolf mother and child. "You have to be more careful about the bond. Any bit if your emotions could trigger him to some extent, especially newborns." "Oh." I moaned helplessly as I tried picking him up, taking deep breaths as I did. "I'm so
I took a breath, careful to focus on Treasure as I avoided the stares I felt. Even at the unwanted invitation, I knew I had no choice. Despite the look Sierra gave me, I came all dressed up with my child in tow, unwilling to leave him. The outside world of the pack was bigger than I saw through the car. Filled with special placed trees and houses, it looked like a park and communal space all in one. The downside was the many people who stared at me. I shifted my baby closer to the blue dress I wore. The dress in question I had found once in a thrift store which Clara helped me buy. Even though the maternity dress was bigger than my frame. I'd preferred it as it covered my bump. But feeling others stared, I felt even more self conscious. Was it my oddly white hair that made them look? Was it the dress, the one which I used to cover my frame. I wondered what they must be thinking. Freak. Weird.Ugly.I blinked as Darius's face came to mind, the day he rejected
"The truth is..." I now waited with bated breath, preparing for anything she was going to day. "I didn't like you at first sight." Blinking, I took a breath in. Wow, what a way to break it in. Confusion and, surprisingly, hurt filled me. I could feel Treasure beginning to stir. Afraid of a similar situation in the morning, I took a deep breath and calmed myself before nodding. "Okay." That brought her to snap back. "No, it's not okay." I didn't know what to say, only keeping silent as she ranted. "It was unjustified, and I only realised it too late. The truth is… you reminded me of someone else. Someone I..." She couldn't speak anymore and I furrowed my brows. Who could have caused her to lay her frustration on me? She didn't say. "And I know that you have been quiet somehow. The way you acted made me feel even angrier." She sighed out. "But when I pushed you, That was the most extreme thing." I sucked in my breath. It was the truth. Sierra
Isabella's POV. We entered the house again, and I looked around the large living area. Unlike the blank hall I saw in my dreams, the place had couches, vases and trees. It looked beautiful and homely, albeit a bit empty. It was more affirmation that my dreams weren't real. I sighed in relief. An 'Ahem' made me turn to Sierra. "Let's go." She said, carrying the bags up. I followed her out of the room where she dropped my bags before setting out. Before she left I called out "Sierra?" She turned to look at me. "Thank you," I said. Her lips quivered a bit before she nodded. In seconds, I was left alone again with Treasure now in his crib. Closing my eyes, I reached out to my wolf.Ever since I left, Violet hadn't spoken. At first, I'd hear her voice, crying out, whether of homesickness or trauma from what happened to us. But as days went by, she became quiet. I pushed it away until a month went by, and another until I found that she didn't reply even as I calle
My mother's voice came through the phone while I stayed silent. "Hello?" She called out again. Hearing my mother's voice, I cried. She sounds weary, tired and I feel a pain in my heart from knowing that I'm the reason. "Who is this?"I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Tears now flowed freely down my face as I stood, frozen in time, too filled with memories to do a thing.The stasis I was in broke as I finally took in a breath -a sharp, shuddering one.She seemed to notice as she said, "Please tell me who you are."It filled me with a familiar alarm. It was almost like she was suspecting I was the one on the line. No. She shouldn't know that I was here. Quickly, I turned off the dial button of the phone, hearing as her voice- about to call out again- was cut off, leaving only a dialing tone. Resisting the urge to slump, I carefully put the phone back in its place, turning to walk. Despite the tears already flowing, I tried my best to contain myself as I wa
Isabella’s POV.The rest was a blur as I moved quickly, going backwards before shutting the door with a bang. His scent was the very same.He was the one.Slowly, I took deep breaths calming myself down to no avail.Looking down at Treasure, I held him closer to me, almost tightly. He had seen him. I felt a slight chill knowing that.Before my thoughts escalated, I willed myself to calm down. I stood up and placed Treasure in his crib.My mood had dulled slightly, a