Amelia’s Awakening

Chapter 7 - Big Business

Isabella’s POV

God these men are ridiculous. The egos are so big and they are often so dumb, maybe I am just pissed because I am sick of having to prove myself when their worth is assumed and mine is tested at every turn.

It is funny because I can put most alphas on their asses, but all they see from me is a pretty face. Ugh, and the lame pick up lines are so stale ‘Si sicura che non sono morto perche giuro che sei in Angelo’ (are you sure I didn’t die because I swear you are an angel) Yeah sure, angel of your death creep. Oh well, smile, ignore the bile coming up my throat and present the contract.

This contract will help us complete with some of the bigger jewelry companies like Bulgari, Buccellati and Palmiero. Right now our jewelry production is number three in Italy, it isn’t our main business, but I love it. What can a say I’m a girl that likes a bit of sparkle.

With this deal we can easily take the number one spot and also assist in buying out some of the smaller companies. My brother and I have been researching our competitors and has a couple of smaller ones in mind, they may not be much competition for us in earnings, however some have artists that could definitely increase our earnings.

Here I am at the Crescent Moon pack, negotiating a deal with Alpha Enzo and his misogynistic beta, Beta Marco. I may have to put him on his ass. I’ll just fantasize about handing him his ass for now, at least until the contract is signed.

“Bourgiorno (good day) Alfa Enzo, Beta Marco” I give a tight smile.

“Always nice to see you Isabella” Alpha Enzo says while raking his eyes over my body making me want to gage.

I give a curt smile and correct, “Beta Isabella, I earned that title thanks”

“Of course Beta Isabella, I meant no offense. Why don’t we get down to business. I read over the contracts and I really don’t have any concerns. It seems to benefit both of our pack’s bottom line, so I am happy to sign. Does Alpha Matteo have an estimated timeline for when we will start production?” He inquired.

I smile sweetly, “Actually I am heading up this project. As soon as the contracts are signed I would like to tour your production set up and once I can evaluate how our two teams will work together then we can start immediately”

He picks up the pen and says, “very well”

Alpha Enzo signs the contract and then pushes it toward Beta Marco to sign as well. As Beta Marco leans over he of course stares down my shirt, typical. I clear my throat so he can get the hint, but that seems to egg him on and he continues to stare and then he just smiles at me like it was no big deal. Goddess, I cannot wait to meet my mate so all these unmated males can leave me alone. I swear, my mate better not be a creep like these men, I’ll drop his ass quicker than he can blink.

Alpha Enzo lead me to where the jewelry artists and artisans work after both he and his Beta sign the contract. I gave them their copy and filed mine in my briefcase.

Their setup was really nice, I must say I was impressed. I can see why my brother wanted to make this deal and I’m glad he is trusting me to head the project. I met the artists they have working on designs and the artisans that help bring their designs to reality. They all seem excited about the partnership and I gave them all my contact information so we can have effective communication and hopefully not have to deal with the Alpha and Beta creep show.

After the tour I shake hands with both perverted Alpha Enzo and creepy Beta Marco and drive the two hours back to our pack. I head straight to my room and jump in the shower, gotta wash off the creep germs. As I am getting dressed I get a mind-link from my brother to meet him in his office.

Once at his office I learned that the guests we are hosting are the Blood Moon Alpha’s brother and his human friend. I didn’t realize that we were going to have a human here for a year, that will be challenging. Seems like we came up with some good options for ensuring our pack stays happy while we protect our identity. I wonder if any other pack has ever done this, may have to mention that to Matteo. If anyone has they may have tips that can help us.

After the meeting with my brother, Papa and Carlo, I decided to meet up with our own creative team before seeing Angelo. After seeing them, I feel like I have a better idea of how to mesh our team with the Crescent Moon packs team.

I mind-linked Angelo to meet me by the edge of the woods so we can let our wolves out and mind-link our ideas while our wolves are in control. We run for a few hours and come up with some loose plans so I can head back to my room for a nap before dinner.

I haven’t been sleeping well lately, I keep dreaming about Mama. It’s weird I haven’t been like this for years, the first year after her death I had nightmares every night. I slipped into depression and if it wasn’t for Matteo, I don’t know if I would have recovered.

But here I am every night plagued by memories, some good some sad, many of the last day with her, all over again. The last day always replays over and over in my dreams. If only I had gone with her, I was already a fierce warrior then, but no I was too busy with my friends.

~Flash back to seven years ago~

I’m hanging out listening to music while lying on bed. I hear a text notification chime in. I roll over to grab my phone on my nightstand and see a text from my friend Sophia, my best friend.

Sophia - hey Izzy, me and the girls are headed out to go clothes shopping you want to come?

Isabella - when do I ever turn down shopping?

Sophia - meet me in front of the pack house in 15 minutes and we will go from there.

Isabella- see you there.

I run into the living room with a skip to my step. “Ciao (hello) Mama, I’m heading out with the girls for shopping”

“Ciao Bella, I thought we were going out to lunch in the city today” Mama says with a raised eyebrow.

“Shoot, sorry Mama I forgot. Can’t we do it tomorrow? Sophia and all the girls are going now” Mama comes and hugs me “si, si (yes, yes) we can do it domani (tomorrow) she kisses each of my cheeks before I run out the front door.

~End of flash back~

That was the last time I saw of her. She went to the city alone and was attacked by rogues when she was coming back. They savagely killed her and my Papa almost died from the lose of his mate.

My Papa still isn’t the same. The pack’s counsel of elders were concerned that our pack would become weak if Papa didn’t have a mate. After two years, the concern turned to directives from the elder stating that it wasn’t an option to not take a chosen mate as the council had voted unanimously.

Packs are stronger with their Luna so they forced his hand. They gave him one year to find someone of his choosing or they would find someone that they deemed appropriate. How creepy a bunch of old wolves forcing you to mate with some random she-wolf, ugh.

Papa finally met someone a year later that he decided to take as a chosen mate. My brother and I were against it, we didn’t like her. I got a weird vibe from her, but I also wanted my Papa to be happy and he did seem a bit better with her.

A few months after they had marked and mated my Papa was training my brother and he suddenly he clutched his chest before falling to his knees and then falling unconscious. My brother mind-link the doctor and he was able to easily diagnose it as his mate had cheated on him. I don’t think I have ever seen Matteo that furious.

My brother immediately had her locked in her room with guards stationed outside until papa was strong enough to decide what to do with her. We all wanted to kill her on sight,but we knew papa would need confront her himself.

Two weeks later she was put to death for her crimes against the Alpha. My Papa rejected her before her execution and didn’t stay to witness her execution. My brother and I represented our Papa instead and I smiled right at her as her head was removed from her body. Hope that c*ck was worth it.

Shortly after my Papa handed the pack to my brother. Matteo was twenty two at the time and was one of the youngest Alphas of a pack this size. Most packs are around 500-1000 wolves. Our pack has over 10,000, so yeah, we are just a bit bigger than most. Not only are we ten to twenty times larger than most packs, but all our pack members are trained the same as our warriors. That is why no one messes with us. We could crush anyone around us if we wanted to.

After that happened with Papa and his chosen mate, the counsel of elders no longer pushed a chosen mate to strengthen our pack. My brother still hasn’t found his true mate, but picking a mate is no longer seen as an option. They realize that true mates make a pack stronger, but chosen mates can be its downfall. I mean can you imagine what would have happened to my papa if his chosen mate had pulled that sh*t when my Papa was in battle. Stupid b*tch could have killed him.

I do hope my father gets a second chance mate some day. He has been through so much heartache he deserves some true love, Mama would want that. Maybe since Mama is up with Selene she can ask her to help our Papa.

I lay my head in my bed with my earbuds in listening to calming music and finally drift off into a dreamless sleep. Finally, just what I needed.