A Matter of Convenience

Forty-Two

~Blade~

I pace back and forth, waiting for that phone to ring. Who the f***k had the audacity to touch someone close to me, touch someone who's mine? She isn't ours, Blade. She-

I quickly throw a block up, unwilling to deal with my human's bullsh.it. I don't care what fu.cked up thoughts he has about Isis. Right now, she's mine, and I intend to act accordingly. If he has a problem with that, he can f***k off!

The phone rings, and I practically smash it in an attempt to answer the call. “Glad to see that you're taking this seriously. Let's talk specifics.”

“What the f***k do you want, other than death?!”

“I thought i warned you about being a smartass,” I growl into the phone, and he just chuckles in response. “I can't believe that this bi.tch is really worth all that. I mean, come on! Is her p****y lined with gold or something? Is the sh.it that good? Maybe I should get a taste.”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” He chuckles again, and I have images of ripping his head off.

“I want you to meet me tomorrow morning. I’m going to send you the details. Come alone, and maybe she will remain untouched.” The call disconnects before I could get any more information. I slam the phone down and grip the sides of my head. This can’t be happening. They have no idea who they’re fu.cking with. When I catch whoever took her, I’m going to make him wish he was never fu.cking born.

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I put on a pair of basketball shorts as I walk up to the Scarlettmaw packhouse. People are looking at me, but I could care less what they think. My only goal is to get with Isis’s people and get her back. I know they want my human, and I will figure something out, but she will be coming home. “Uh, Alpha, uh, are you looking for someone?”

“I need to see Beta Lionel.”

“Please follow me.” I follow the warrior into the packhouse and up the stairs. I notice him shivering a few times, and I’m sure that’s my fault. My aura is out times 10, and I know it’s a crushing weight. I’m fu.cking pissed, and I’m not interested in reeling it in. Besides, I have to keep my focus on keeping Ericson contained. I won’t allow him to mess this up for me.

A door opens, and I’m escorted inside a room, well, an office. I have no interest in aesthetics right now, but maybe another time. I see that guy from before sitting with Beta Lionel. They both look at me, surprised that I'm standing here. I don't miss his eyes roaming my body as I stand shirtless. “Beta Lionel.”

“Uh, I don't think I’ve had the pleasure. You must be Ericson's wolf.”

“Yes, I'm Blade. I've gotten a call about Isis.” They both perk up at this; their full attention is on me.

“What's going on with Isis?” My eyes settle on the other guy as guilt starts to come from him.

“She's been taken and I'm supposed to meet with them to get her back.”

~Isis~

I've been looking at this ceiling for a while now, listening to the sounds outside this room. I have no idea where I am, and what's worse is that I don't have Rona. I knew this was some type of trap, but I wasn't nearly prepared. I'm sure Miles is losing his sh.it right now. I'm going to get an earful when I get back.

The door opens, and his scent hits me, but it doesn't have the same effect. I don't feel for him like I once did, and I'm happy about that. “How are you feeling?”

“Does it matter?” He walks further into the room, but I don't move from my position.

“Of course it matters. No one wants to hurt you.”

“Nah, you just want to hold me captive. Why, Jovanni? Is it some grand scheme to make me take you back, or is there something else going on?” His silence speaks volumes, and I know there's something else other than getting me back.

“This is temporary, Isis. I was hoping we could clear the air while you're here.”

“It isn't like I have much of a choice, do I? You have me here against my will, pumping me up with wolfsbane. What can I really do?” Jovanni has the audacity to sit on the edge of the cot I've been lying on. I move my body as far against the wall as I can get.

“Please, Isis. Just listen to me.”

“Get it over with, Jovanni. Say what you have to say.”

“I… I love you.” The cackle that escapes my lips isn't ladylike in the slightest, but it is what it is. “Why are you laughing?”

“You told a joke, didn't you?” I let the question hang in the air for a bit, hoping it has the impact I want. “There's no way you can honestly say that you love me. You lied to me from the begining. Before you say that you never lied, a lie of omission is still a lie. At no point did you tell me that you had someone else. The fact that there was someone before me isn't even the issue. It's the fact that you kept dealing with her. I mean sending her away when I would stay over? And all that because you wanted to use me for my status.” The sharp intake of breath as I talk says more than any words could.

“I made a mistake. Can't I say that I made a mistake?”

“You can say whatever you want to say, it means nothing to me. Your words are hollow at best. You decieved me with intent and there's no ignoring that.” Jovanni reaches out to touch my leg, but I quickly pull it away. “Don't touch me.” Jovanni sighs and places his head in his hands.

“Please Isis, give me another chance. I know that I messed up. I didn't realize the importance of the bond before. Being without you, having you reject me, it put everything into perspective for me.” I close my eyes, shaking my head.

“So you only figured things out AFTER you screwed me over? Isn't that interesting? You expect me to turn a blind eye because you realize that you made a mistake AFTER you screwed me over. I don't even get how you could ask me that.”

“Isis, please…” I sit up and look at Jovanni. I really study him because I'm curious. I'm curious as to how sincere he is. It won't change my stance, but I just want to know. In looking at him, I see that he feels like sh.it, but it doesn’t speak to the motivation behind it. I don't believe he'd be okay with leaving his side chick for me. Even if he would, he already messed up with me, and I won't be going backward.

“Jovanni, you're selfish. You're sitting here only worrying about what works for you. You're only focused on the life you felt you deserved rather than being a good mate to me. The fact that you want me to ignore your infidelity simple because you messed up speaks to your selfishness even more. You aren't thinking about me or my feelings. You aren't even thinking about what you did to me. You just want me to accept you because YOU feel bad.” I turn my body and settle against the wall. “Get out, Jovanni.” It doesn't take long for Jovanni to stand and walk to the door. He stops with his hand on the knob but doesn't turn. When the soft click of the door closing hits me, I close my eyes and lay on the cot.