It's been few days have since Alexander has seen Isabella. The last he saw her was when he helped her in carrying all the food and she locked him outside her room.
'It's not a good thing to be with someone during heat if he is not your mate'. 'There are many males here, I do not desire to mate with someone who is not my mate'. Her words were still playing in his mind much to his dismay. That night he observed her body attentively too and try to find some trace of humor but it was in vain.
"You seem a little disturbed my king."
"Yes my friend, I am a little disturbed about tonight. Have all the preparations been arranged?"
"Yes My king. Nothing to fret about."
"We are required to check the safety measure. Come."
Indeed he was worried about the function which is yet to occur at night but his mind was equally occupied with the thoughts of a certain blue-eyed girl. The one whose words are more confusing than the problems of his kingdom. He is unable to understand the meaning of her words, and he was not required to share this with his friend and give up any information regarding her at this time.
Meanwhile, Isabella was in the market with Jasmine. They are there to get some necessary items for themselves but they are also facing troubles. Well, one was facing them while the other was just rolling her eyes over them.
"May you not walk a little faster?"
Jasmine rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. Isabella looked in direction of Jasmine only to find her face red and looking at her with a pointed look. Unlike Jasmine, Isabella has usually stayed away from humans. She has never been to the market. All she had to stay and cook.
With every two steps she takes, her feet stop on their own before she could take the third. In the forest, she has been cautious of her surrounding to avoid being seen. Now being in a position where every other person is walking in her direction made her freak out.
With the roll of her eye and exasperated sigh, she took a hold of Isabella and tried to forcefully drag her behind. But she was stopped too because of Isabella. Finally, she could not take it anymore and with a tight-lipped smile and clenched jaw, she pointed her finger at Isabella. By now her face was red and veins have become slightly visible.
"This is not accepted!! You. Go on your own!!"
With that, a rapidly breathing wide-eyed Isabella was left alone in the middle of the road. Her dress had caught some dirt at the bottom. But she was not worried about that. She was never worried about that. With a frown, she ran her thoughts once again. She was trying to understand why even after so much trying female humans talked rudely. Why humans hurt her and are not like her family. Much to her dismay, she could find no answer. She finally took a deep breath, and slowly started finding her way back to the castle.
On her way, she stumbled a bit and was about to fall when she suddenly collided with the back of a man. He was around her age. He was also going through the crowd. When he felt a small body colliding with him and making him stumble a bit. He couldn't stop himself from turning around. He wanted to curse at the person responsible but stopped himself in the midst. He was mesmerized for a moment. When he came out of his shock he helped her in standing. He was wearing a cloak that covered his face from the topside. So only half of his face could be seen.
"Be at ease Miss. Now, do you need help?"
She could feel some strange aura around her. But she could not find the source in the presence of so many auras. While panting she slowly raised her eyes up and looked at the man standing in front of him. He was tall and big but not like his Xander.
The man who helped was smirking at her. Maybe, he could take her away for himself if she is not taken.
"I... I am l-looking for c-castle. I l-lost my way."
"Ahh... The castle. Very well. Follow me."
The man showed her the way to the castle's main gate but he left her at a few meters distance from the gate. He didn't want to be suspected by the guards. He was no stupid. He has seen some silent followers of the girl. Maybe he plays his cards correctly, he can get to keep her as his favorite concubine. But for now, it was better to avoid.
She started to walk inside when she suddenly heard a voice calling her name. It was her human father. She stopped at that very spot and waited for him to come close. He told her to call him Papa. But unlike his wolf father or any father in her wolf pack, she rarely sees him. She can see the adoration in his eyes for her but rarely sees him around her.
As always, he didn't stay around her. But this time he gave her a dress. He assumed she might need it although he gave her the money to buy one.
She went back to the kitchen after placing the dress. It was sparkly and she liked it. It smelt good to her too.
"Ah, there you are Isabella. Did you and Jasmine brought the strawberry?"
"I do not know."
She replied in a meek voice. Peter halted his movement and wondered why does she don't know? He thought they both were together. His eyebrows were furrowed together and his eyes were searching for the suspect. When he didn't saw the supposed person, he slowly and in a soft voice asked her again.
"Isabella. Do you know where Jasmine is?"
He didn't want to believe that she was left alone. But when she slowly lowered her head, as if she committed a crime and started shifting from one foot to another. Shoulder slumped, head bowed and eyes were focused on the floor as if they were the world's most beautiful wonder. He knew something was wrong.
Isabella was confused about how to tell him that she lost Jasmine. She couldn't match her fast speed and she lost her. How was she to inform him that she lost her way back? She was still thinking when she was brought out from her thoughts by the voice of Peter calling her name. When he asked her again, more softly as if she will break, she ever so slowly said the words.
"I-I lost her. I am sorry."
Peter has seen her discomfort and how hard she was trying to adjust. He doesn't know why it is hard for her but he could see it is. The main reason behind making Jasmine her friend to make it easier for her to get adjusted. He expected having a friend of her age and of the same gender would help her. But it appears as if it has a negative impact. The result of the arrangement is against what he expected.
"Alright, Bella. Why not you help me with preparing something new?"
That was all required for Isabella to hear and the next moment she jumped on the floor and started working on the counter.
"Stop right there Jasmine."
Peter's loud and strict voice stopped Jasmine fast on her steps. He was angry and she could feel it.
Isabella has gone back to her room after being forced by peter. He suggested she should use water with rose petals for washing herself. Unlike other girls, she never cared about her dress or looks. Sometimes she will have dirt on the edges of the dress and she will not complain even about once. She comes of great help to him, and he was thankful for it.
He knew Isabella was a nice girl with a pure heart. He thought Jasmine would have been a good friend since she always behaved well around him but now he was confused. He decided he will let her say her side of the story and try to explain the situation to her. But when he saw her carrying herself with so much happiness, without an ounce of regret in her eyes. His voice came out harsher than he expected.
When Jasmine stopped her face was filled with annoyance. But before she could have said anything, he gave her a hard glare and she kept quiet.
"I expected better from you Jasmine. I told you to make sure Isabella is safe and you left her alone?.. *Sigh* Listen, she is having a hard time adjusting. Just try to make it easier for her. I'll see you at the party go get ready."
While Peter sees her discomfort and wants to help, Jasmine sees it as an act. She believes she was acting and is hell-bent on showing it to everyone.
She was confused about how she took her position in the kitchen and can help better than anyone. Peter has always acted so nicely with everyone but today he was angry and it was because of Isabella. She may not completely hate her but doesn't love her either. But now, she just wants to forget everything and look pretty. It was a party after all and she was willing to keep all the attention on herself.