Beauty And The Beast

Isla POV His name was painted all over the streets of Los Angeles/ Our Pack as the richest and the most feared. Everyone feared him, including myself. His name sent chills down the spine of the commoners, and rumors also had it that he belonged to the strongest Mafia cult ever. No claims had been proven, but still the fear stayed deep within us all. I sat down in front of my painting. His face looked at me from the canvas, all glossy and vibrant, mixed with a lot of colors. His exhibition was today, and every little artist was invited to come participate. Even though I felt scared, this was my only chance. I took a deep breath in and out. My breath felt lost at first. My phone rang. I stretched my hand to grab it. The screen lit up with the name Anna. I let out a deep sigh. "So, how's the artwork going?" She let out a chuckle. I couldn't place what it meant, but still ignored it. She had always hated my choice of career since we were both kids. Growing up, drawing was one thing I loved more than anything else. I speak my emotions through my drawing, but my best friend, Anna, was the complete opposite. "Anna, did you call to support me or to mock me?" "I would always support you, Isla, but remember he is the pack Alpha, and he hates bad work." "Gosh, don't make me scared!" My chest heavied at once. "Not trying to make you scared, but trying to make you aware of what you're about to do before starting up." "Okay, bye, we would talk later!" I dropped my phone on the little table stool standing close to me. My gaze shifted back to the artwork hanging in front of me. I picked up my tiny brush, wetting it with gold glossy paint. A little scrubbing went into it and then it was a finished look. I stood up and a grin spread across my face. A part of me felt fulfilled. And then a bit of sadness spread through my chest. "Would have been better if I had a mate," I let out a quiet sigh. "Brush up, Isla, it isn't the end of the world. You're just 23!" My inner self said. I smiled a little. I pulled off the dirty apron. ****** "Welcome to the Art Exhibition. Every contestant should move to the left." My chest raced as I saw the number of people contesting for this. The best artists were standing there with their art. I took a deep breath, clearing up my emotions. My legs felt stiff and stuck to a particular spot. Rough emotions. Bad ones. I tapped hard on them and they finally cooperated. I let out another lazy sigh. "Soon, Alpha Alaric would be here to see your art," the man from the upper platform said with a thick expression. "Set up your art!" There was nothing to set up with. Just a table. I slowly turned around — everyone was with their standing tools. Just a confused 23-year-old omega trying to pass through hard times. "You can get a stand in the back door arena, just be careful!" Her voice felt more than soothing to the ear. I turned — it was a female contestant, looking all young and brushed up for the event. "Oh, thanks." I took a few steps and turned back, looking at her. "Can I trust my work with you? Please, it's very delicate and heavy!" "Sure." She revealed her perfect white teeth. I dropped it and took off. My legs moved faster than normal. I had less than 30 minutes before the whole start. And as Anna had told me before, he hated arriving before the people. "f*****g Christ." My eyes scanned the area, but within was nothing — just pieces of broken art stands. It felt as if my world was ending already. Nothing. The girl wanted to play with my head. I should have known — what could a fellow contestant do. "Oh, f**k, my art!" I took off again, my legs almost reaching the top of my head. A few minutes in, I was back in the hall and she was standing there looking like a lost soul. I approached her with both anger and rage. "Could you get one?" "They were all broken!" "Let's welcome Alpha Alaric!" My breath hung deep in my lungs. What? I hadn't even set up my own space for the art display. My world felt as if it was coming to an absolute end. The raw emotions. The whole room went dim and dark, and utterly quieter than usual. The sound of a needle could be heard. "It's Alpha Alaric!" The man from the high podium screeched out at the top of his voice. The room returned to its original lit state. He looked far more different than I usually saw him on screen. Taller, broader, with huge shoulders and silver eyes that felt like they were piercing straight through me. A chill ran down my spine. "Each contestant would come up with their art." It felt like good news. No standing exhibition. Names were called one after the other. My chest felt as if it was leaving its cage. My brain felt like it was filled with fog. I stood there like a confused woman — not one seeking a mate or a better life. And then my name was called, not once but twice. Something within me immediately shifted. My legs moved. My drawing felt heavier than before. "Isla Rose!" It was called again. Everyone's eyes were on me. It felt as if the hall stretched, adding an extra 450 meters. Soon, I was standing on the podium with the most feared man in the entire pack. "Pick it up for her and open it up." His bass voice almost took my breath away permanently. I couldn't get my eyes away from him, even though I tried hard. "You don't want to get to the storyline right?" His voice was barely above a whisper while he maintained his gaze toward the crowd. I cleared my throat. I slowly unveiled the artwork. His expression changed immediately. "What is this?" "It was a dream that I brought to life." My voice was quiet and calm. His expression sent a chill through my veins. What was that expression? Whispers filled the whole room. What have I done? "Keep this and wait up after this, Isla Rose!" What. Was I meant to meet with him? I nodded slowly and walked down the podium with my face facing down. "What have I done to myself?" I murmured the words. Everyone's eyes were on me as if I had killed someone. I hated it more than anything. My face was down throughout the whole event. I walked into an open balcony with just a few people there. "Hey, Miss Isla!" I turned at the call of my name. "Yes!" "Alpha Alaric wants to see you in his private chamber. Alone." An unfamiliar chill ran down my spine. What have I done. "Don't be scared! You might come out alive or dead, because it seems like you know quite a lot." The suited-up man said.