Eric, a face from the past. Someone Isabella didn't want to meet again at all costs, and here he was. He stood in front of her, the cocky smirk curved on his lips, reminding her of the old days they shared. 'What does he thinks of showing up after betraying us?' She thought. Clearly, she was furious, but not as angry as Rafael was when he caught her staring at Eric. Valery was talking in the background, but he didn't listen to a single word of what she was saying. His eyes narrowed on Eric, who seemed to notice them.
"How dare you show up here after what you did, Eric?" She spat, "You threw us all under the bus after everything Vincent did for you."
Her words only seemed to widen his grin. "So you wanted me to keep that werewolf alive because trained me?" He whispered in her ear, "He agreed to train hunters. He should've seen this coming."
"In that case, what are you doing on another alpha's private jet?" She glared at him.
"The same reason you're here unless you plan to betray us?" He paused, waiting for her answer. When she continued to glare, he added, "Don't be sad, Hermosa. We could still have fun together." He winked at her.
"Fuck you, Eric. Get away from me."
"Come on, babe. You need someone to keep you busy all night."
"You heard the lady. Get lost." Said Rafael, reining in his temper.
Eric looked at Rafael, then nodded, "Yes, boss."
Isabella was relieved. She changed her seat to the back row to avoid further drama. She wondered why she hadn't heard about him from Talon, and made a mental note to ask him later. He never hid anything from her, at least she thought he did. "Diego, Ivan." She interrupted them, nodding in Eric's direction. Diego understood her intention and got up to check on Valery. Her action seemed to piss Eric off. His face looked bothered. She smirked at him and took a seat behind Ivan.
"Was he eavesdropping on us?" Ivan whispered to her.
She merely nodded and fixed her gaze on Eric. It was good to have an ally, but was Eric one? He was a hunter like her, and yet she couldn't trust him in the slightest. The suspicious mission he was working on, the fact that Talon never tried to reach her, and the unpleasant aura Eric gave her, as if he thought she was one of those wolves, gave her a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps years of experience or her enhanced senses told her to trust that feeling and temporarily work with the other side until she connects the lines.
"Valdez, why don't we spend some time together before we arrive? Let's make this contract a real thing." She approached Rafael seductively, tracing the tip of her finger over his broad chest.
He took a whiff of her scent before deciding to follow her. As they made their way to the back bedrooms, Isabella made eye contact with Luciano. He understood her gesture and kept his eyes on Eric.
Rafael carefully closed the door behind them and turned his attention to Isabella. "What's wrong, Bonita?" He whispered as he stepped closer to her. His worried glittering gaze scrutinized her face. "You are not the type to take anything back."
She took a deep breath and considered one last time whether it was a good idea to tell him. When she could not think of a better idea, she explained, "Eric works for the Lodge. You probably know that, but I think he has something to do with Salvador. That demon has never gained access to my addresses or crossed my path unless Eric was involved in my mission." She paused as if she realized something, "Rafael, is there anyone you care about that you left alone at LA?"
"Carla."
Her eyes grew disappointed for a moment before she continued, "If I were you, I'd check on her and double, better yet triple, her guard."
Eric tried to find an excuse to follow the couple to the back. Isabella wasn't the type to sleep with her targets and Eric knew that. Though, Luciano wasn't so easily convinced with a lie, no matter how logical it seemed, which left him with no choice but to wait.
Isabella entered her room at the Valdez mansion. She found herself in one of the most luxurious rooms, just like everything else related to Rafael. As she entered the room and looked around, she spotted a long box lying on the side of her bed. Her finger ran over the brand name on the lid of the box before opening it. Inside was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen, except for a handwritten piece of paper: "I look forward to take this dress off you - Rafael."
She rolled her eyes and blushed at that. Her body couldn't deny the excitement for those words. But while she was still thinking about it, she felt two people walking towards her room. After a few seconds, she heard a knock on her door. "Miss Jones, May you let us in, please. We're here on Mr. Valdez' instructions to help you prepare for the ball." One of the maids said.
As planned, Diego and Rafael stood in the lobby, waiting for their dates to show. Valery barged into Isabella's room as soon as she was ready. "Izzy! Are you ready-" She trailed off as she spotted Bella turning to face her. "Dios mío, mira lo hermosa que eres."
There she was, the queen of the night, dressed in the most beautiful red gown that fell down to her heels. Off-shoulders are styled in a heart-shaped neckline followed by floral laced sleeves down to a slit at her right hip, exposing one sexy leg skin on the side. Her platinum blond hair, styled in thick curls, layered down to her waist. Matching that with elegant smokey eye makeup that drew attention to her ice-blue eyes. "Valery, I don't speak Spanish."
"I.. uh.. I said Rafael is such a lucky asshole." She managed to say.
Bella chuckled at the statement, "We all know that."
"He won't be able to take his eyes off you tonight. That's for sure. Girl, you're stunning!" She exclaimed as she strode around Bella, checking the dress closely.
As soon as the maids finished working on her makeup, Bella grabbed Valery's arm, dragging her to the lobby. "Come on, we don't want to be late to the ball."
Diego glanced at the ladies making their way down the stairs. He nudged Rafael by the elbow, drawing his attention to the breathtaking sight. "Santa mierda.."
Rafael turned his attention from his phone to lock his eyes with his gorgeous date, Isabella. "Indeed, holy shit.." It took him a while to realize she wasn't a dream. As she encountered him, he held out his hand. Bella took it in a questioning gaze as he kissed the back of her hand. "This is going to be an interesting night, Bonita." He whispered in her ear.
"I think so, too. Let's see how long you would keep your composure before you lose the game, Mr. Valdez," she whispered back, her breath hitting his lips, which were only centimeters from hers.
"I can see your breaths hitching under my touch, and I'm sure as hell that you're taken by my look as much as I was by yours." The corner of his lips twisted into a smirk as he claimed victory over her this time. She could play tough all she pleased, but her body would betray her the moment he touched her.
Through the drive, Bella explained the plan to Luciano and Ivan one last time, giving them detailed information about places where Salvador would more likely hide The Black Diamond in his mansion. She believed that the diamond they were to bid on wasn't the real one for some reason. If Rafael wanted to use it for taking down Salvador as he claimed, he'd recognize the fake one tonight. "Keep us updated. Be careful, Ivan." She sent him a warm smile through the face-time call before she pressed the ending button.
"You're surprisingly warm towards that kid, unlike the rest of the pack," Valery stated, amused by the fact.
Bella ignored her and darted attention to her phone. Rafael seemed to do the same thing. They were both determined to win the game. It's been eleven days since she told him he wasn't allowed to fuck her. It was a challenge, mostly empty and out of spite because he was being impossibly arrogant. At first, she ignored him as much as he did her. At the time, she believed it was all part of a game, a push and pull of sorts. But it looked like he just wanted to claim what he couldn't get on the first day. He had to get it if he wanted to move on from her. Men like him do not accept rejection. At least, that was what she anticipated from him.
The limousine stopped at the entrance of Black Continent. A hotel belonged to none other than the infamous demon Salvador Cespedes. She stepped out of the car hesitantly. Something about this night felt unsettling as if it was the calm before the storm. Rafael saw her hesitation as he extended his elbow for her, and she didn't take it. "I promise no one will touch you as long as you stay by my side, Isabella." He whispered.
She glanced at him, unsure if she could believe him. Though she made up her mind and took his elbow, letting him escort her to the ball party inside.
They took a table at the hall where another auction was taking place. Some antique Jewels, young slaves, and even companies sold there. She turned her face away from the stage. Too many triggering memories of the last few days.
A servant came by, placing drinks on the table. She took the glass in her hands, staring at it as she had done in the bar to ignore Rafael's presence. He took one hand of hers, jerking her to look at him. "I know this is supposed to be a job for you.. for all of us, but I still want to enjoy this night with you, Isabella."
She merely nodded her head. Something from the past haunted her. He knew it. But he didn't know about the feeling in her gut she tried to alleviate with alcohol. He'd laugh at her if she told him about it. She thought. When in fact, he felt the same way, though he learned to keep it at bay and focus on the moment.
"Now, we're bringing you the star of the show. The Black Diamond!" shouted the man on the stage. The couple's attention went to where he was pointing. A crystal jewel in the center of the stage, set in a glass box.
Salvador made his way to the stage, taking the microphone from the presenter in one hand and holding the diamond in the other, "I've decided to sell this rare jewel to one of the VIP guests, although I believe half of them wouldn't afford the price of it. So I'm giving you a chance to add more than just numbers of your bank cash, but also your belongings." He trailed off, scanning the hall until his gaze met Rafael's furious one to continue, "That means you could bet on your companies, jewels, and.. slaves." He sent the couple a grin as he said the last word.
Bella placed down her drink with shaky hands. She hated being possessed by a werewolf, yet it was better than being owned by a demon. Especially this demon. She didn't dare to look at Rafael. She expected nothing from him, though deep down, she wished he wouldn't trade her off. He placed one big hand over her trembling ones. His thumb stroked the back of her hand in a soothing motion. It caught her by surprise. "Let's head to the buffet. It's getting lame here." He smiled softly at her.
For the first time, he showed sympathy for her. Rafael Valdez, the ruthless mafia boss and alpha of the Blood Moon pack, was comforting her. If someone told her that would happen to her a few days ago, she'd roast their ass off for taunting her. And here she was, witnessing something she never thought werewolves were capable of, showing emotions.
She nodded to Rafael and led the way. She stopped at the glimpse of someone familiar standing on the stage, "But before that, let me show you the rest of my collection for this year. Here we have a newly captured immortal slayer.." the rest of the speech faded into the background of Isabella's mind. The sight of her best friend Maria tied up with a bunch of bruises scattered over her exposed skin terrified her. She knew something terrible would happen that night, but never in her worst dreams; she'd think of her best friend captured and sold by the demon who had murdered her mother.
She found herself pulling Rafael by the arm, "Help her, please. She's my best friend." She pleaded. Rafael glanced over to the girl on the stage when Bella added, "For the love of God, she's fucking pregnant!"