HER SECOND CHANCE

ISABELLA

Being so close to him was burning me inside, only the burn was sweeter. They say that if your fated one was near you your body would react in a certain way, that only a Luna could feel. But with Sebastian I didn’t have that feeling, only pure carnal pleasure; and to be honest, I didn’t care. All I’d cared about was him. He was a handsome man from the deep of his blue-sky eyes to the gentle, low expressions of his voice. He was beautiful from the gentle touch of his hand upon my own to the fierce piercing of his gaze.

I was ready to give him my heart and keep his heart safe, extending far down to my soul. His freshly shaved beard was like an invitation for my hands to wander in a lustful exploration way up to his neck and lead to his perfect chiseled jawline, getting lost in his manly, firm mouth. His eyes were piercing mine, and it was like storm clouds touched them; that is how blue they were. All I saw in them was desire, no other emotion whatsoever, and I didn’t mind, as the feeling was mutual. I cannot ask for this man to love me if our destiny was not in our favor.

“You are so beautiful, Bella!” he said instead of kissing me as I was expecting.

I pulled back from his nets, regaining my balance but still holding his penetrating eyes. But then he made an offer I just couldn’t say no to. “Come with me!” I wanted to say yes, but instead, I mouthed some babbling that not even I understood.

It was hard to say no to this man, regardless of what he might ask. I was angry at myself for blushing, for losing control around this wolf. But at the same time, it honored me he picked me as his half as his mate, fated or not, and from day one since I arrived, Sebastian never lost a second to find reasons to be around me.

And oh, dear Lord, when he smiled at me for not being able to articulate one single word, that perfect grin that extended to his eyes and deep into his soul; it was just like a flower opening into the late spring. Sometimes I just wished he would be bolder with me, but I guess he had a good reason not to. Although we both believed that our lives were not predetermined, we continued to live our adventure with excitement. Who could know where this closeness between us would lead?

I was sure that this was an attraction, but it felt so deep that he could soothe my soul just by looking at me and admitting this feeling was mutual.

“Where, Sebastian?” calling him by his name, I intended to bring him closer to me, to my soul; Sebastian, what a glorious name for an Alpha.

I wonder what was keeping him from looking for his Luna. It was obvious I wasn’t the one, but he stopped in his tracks, along with my arrival. I had days when my doubts went deeper if he was feeling sorry for me and for the deplorable condition in which his mother found me. But when he was contemplating me with those gorgeous sky-blue eyes, that feeling was gone. He could look so deep into my quintessence that losing my self-control was the last thing I should worry about.

“Anywhere…” His short, but meaningful answer triggered an endless emotion of belonging. I belonged to him, but I couldn’t say that the opposite applied. Nobody told me he belonged to me, not even him. Nevertheless, he invited me to be a part of his life. And who am I to refuse such an offer?

A soft breeze was gently caressing my nostrils, bringing me closer to his musky and tobacco scent, invading all that I was. But just let the wind blow and sing its notes and stir my every emotion; let it bring back the sweet memories I had about this Alpha male, as I watched him through the hourglass of my soul; as I was looking for him deep into the woods while he was hunting.

I took a tremendous risk wandering on my own just to have a glance at him. If that was the price I had to pay for him being mine, then I was at peace with it. He never knew I was there, or did he? He gave no sign that he knew about my constant presence day by day.

And so it all began. His mother and I moved in with him to Bellingham. I was recuperating quick. He even took the time to help me with exercise, as my muscles were weak.

With his every touch, we grew closer. His mother refused to work with him at GenetiX, as she said that she preferred staying home and taking care of me. I didn’t mind. She was a caring woman, still stunningly beautiful, but I guess with a heavy past. I admired her in her way of handling things, in her way of loving her two children, even though Victoria, Bash’s sister, was so far away.

I would wish to approach her one day and just go deep inside her soul and head as much as I could. But her pain still unquenched left marks that not even she can heal.

So today could be that day. The new house Sebastian bought had a dazzling outside garden and a greenhouse. It was very welcoming, and he made it to our taste as he barely stayed home with all the business he had to take care of. This house was my home, my returning place, my refuge. And the people I loved were inside of it. But when I wanted to talk to Dorothea, Bash called.

“Bella, in about an hour, I shall return home. I have a surprise for you. Do you wish to accompany me?” His voice was so joyful that I couldn’t say no and I didn’t even intend to.

“Of course, with you to the end of the world, Bash!” My statement made him giggle like an in love teenager when he had his first date. I just loved that about him. He was so genuine in everything he did. As soon as he hung up, I went looking for Dorothea for advice.

“Thea, please help me look my best for you, son! He just invited me out.” as I mentioned that Thea’s smile widened all over her face. She was just wonderful when she smiled.

“Oh, honey, I am so happy for you two. Quick, let us go up to your room and find you a nice, stunning dress. As I know, my son, the restaurant he selected must have high standards.” I blushed suddenly as Thea mentioned our room.

My cheeks were on fire, but Thea’s naturalness was enough to chill a little. “I am sorry I turned those cheeks into pink roses,” she muttered as she placed her warm palms on them. Her motherly touch was so sweet. “But to be honest, I was kind of praying for something like this to happen. My Sebastian had suffered a lot since Victoria left and their father’s death, so if you would ask me, he badly needs someone like you to steady him, to love him and give him all that life has denied him.”

This hour passed so quickly and by the end of it, I looked ravishing as Thea said. She was admiring her work when we both heard the door closing. Bash was home. I could inhale his scent from here. Motioning me to follow her, Thea went ahead. I was nervous, and I got worse when my gaze locked with his.

From the top of the stairs, I held his piercing eyes as I descended them one by one, slowly, alluring like a feline when spotting its prey. But I guess I was the prey in this game I fancied. Not a single second did he look away from my curves and only God knew what was going on in his mind right now. How far did we go in his thoughts?

Stretching his arm for me to grab it was the beginning of a wonderful night in the company of a wonderful man. It took us ten minutes to arrive at the most beautiful, elegant restaurant. We made our entrance and dozens of curious looks were following us until we sat at the table Bash had reserved for us.

“This place is sparkling with beauty, Bash!”

I got mesmerized by the immense columns holding this place and the noisy guests, as the restaurant was full.

“Not more than you, Bella!” His remark made me blush again, but this time was different from the one back in our room. As his eyes were contemplating me, I could just stare into those deep blue orbs that were devouring me. “Please excuse the noise. I was just told that the local newspaper has an event here tonight, but I had already made the reservations”

It was so sweet how he excused himself that way. He looked so innocent. And I just loved this sensitive side of him. I displayed a wide smile to him as the waiter approached our table. “No problem, I don’t mind the noise, Bash!”

“Teresa, there you are. Come quickly, we need your camera!” a hoarse voice echoed through the entire restaurant as a young girl was rushing to follow that order. But nothing prepared us for the full glass of red wine shed on Bash’s white shirt as she was trying to get past our table. Poor girl and her blushing was a different story compared with mine, when Sebastian rose from his chair with his menacing, thunderous eyes towering over her.