Submitted to Love

Chapter 3

Walking into the dining room felt like walking into a gala feast. There were many long tables placed in the middle and the food was placed at the side adjacent to the walls. Isabella was bemused seeing the amount of food. Most castle dwellers were sitting in small groups, laughing and chatting while having their food. Gradually the hall was getting deserted with the breakfast hours coming to an end. 

Isabella filled up her plate with some bacon, boiled veggies and boiled egg and sat down quietly in one further corner, alone. Most of the other human girls were either busy socializing with castle residents or flirting with young men. Isabella has always been socially shy. She would usually enjoy a quiet evening , curled up in front of fire, reading a book while sipping a hot coffee. Alas , such days were a rarity for her with the amount of household chores she has to finish. 

Isabella has just indulged in the delicious food when an earthy scent hit her nose. The scent was very faint but it was very enticing, almost mouth watering. Isabella looked around but she was not able to pinpoint the source. Breathing in deeply she focused her attention back to her breakfast when the scent hit her harder. She looked up to see the most handsome face staring at her. He was staring at her with a frown on his face. Isabella’s eyes seemed to have a mind of their own when they travelled down his face, neck , broad chest...Embarrassed at her own action Isabella quickly looked back at his eyes to see they were a darker shade and the scowl had deepened. 

“ Oh hi . You must be a new girl here. I see you have already met our future Alp...I mean our future king ,Adrian” A chirpy girl came to sit in front of Isabella . “Oh I am Ariana , I am Justin’s, as in our Bet...I mean our future king’s second in command’s , sister” Ariana introduced herself. She had kind eyes and a smile that brightens those around her. 

--Isabella--

“Join us Alph...Adrian” Ariana asked the young man with a smirk. Adrian was still standing quietly glaring at me .I cowered under his glare. “Adrian, you are scaring… Hei! You have not spoken a word yet, not even your name. What is your name ?”

“Isabella” . I replied with a smile. 

“That is a pretty name for a pretty girl” . A guy in his late teens with a handsome face remarked as he sauntered towards our table. He had a smooth smile and twinkle in his eyes. 

I automatically smiled at his friendly face but soon I was shocked and rattled to hear a low threatening growl from Adrian. I am aware they are not exactly human but that was a very bizarre sound to make. Ariana and the new cute guy stared at Adrian in surprise. Ariana cleared her throat and turned towards me with a smile .

 “Um Isabella, this is my other brother Callum. He is already eighteen and has not yet found a mat...girlfriend” Ariana snickered while Callum rolled his eyes. 

“Well she will be one in million. My queen for life.” Replied Callum so dramatically that I could not help but giggle. Adrian is the only guy standing in the group with a sour face. I started wondering what his problem is. 

Callum accompanied Adrian to get their breakfast. I turned to Ariana and asked . “Is the future king not happy with this arrangement ? He seemed displeased” 

“No need to worry Isabella. Adrian is a reticent person. He is most comfortable with people close to him. Surprisingly he is quite vocal when it comes to formal meeting and decisions, as a king is required to be. Generally he is very polite and respectful to guests , especially women. I am sure something is really bothering him” Ariana kindly reassured me . 

The boys returned to join us at the table. I have spent most of my time with myself . It felt nice to be surrounded with people who seem to want to spend time with me. Well all except one who still looked pissed as hell. 

“Isabella did you know we are having a ball tonight? To welcome the wedding guests and also all the girls from the village. Wear your best dress for tonight”  Callum said munching on some bacon. 

“Oh right! Isabella what will you be wearing tonight ?” squealed Ariana. “I am thinking of wearing my green gown...and I also have a necklace which matches soooo well with the dress and I have been waiting to wear it for ages. Tell me about what you are going to wear Bella. Is it okay if I call you Bella?” Ariana rambled on. Callum asked her to give a pause. I smiled at the sibling. 

“ I would love it if you call me Bella. I have no nicknames”. I replied shyly. ”But I do not think I will attend the ball”

“Why?”. The question came from the person I least expected, Adrian. His voice though ….the deep rumbling voice flustered me. I felt nervous under his gaze and blood seemed to rise to my face. 

“I do not have anything to wear...I have never been to any such events...I am not really sure….” I mumbled quietly. 

“Oh don't worry Bella. You can come to the ball as my partner. Most village girls are going with some of the guys here.” Callum offered excitedly. 

Again a loud growl ripped from Adrian’s mouth and if looks could kill Callum would be dead by now. 

“Alpha...I was just trying to make it better for her here…..” insisted Callum 

“It is not up to you. You will not be going to the ball with her.” thundered Adrian

Ariana had a strange look on her face and what she told next astonished me.

“Callum, I think we were supposed to go together with mum and dad as a family. Adrian, why don't you take Isabella to the party as your plus one? She would be comfortable being alongside a known face” 

I was going to remind them that I prefer being alone in my room to all the glitz of a party when Adrian shattered my merry time . 

“Ariana , I do not  attend functions with commoners like her. Also I had planned to accompany Justin and Joseline.” 

The words broke something inside me. I am aware of my humble origin. But since when does one’s origin qualify someone  unsuitable as a ball partner? I guess it does in the castle. I could feel the tears in my eyes but I have for long known how to gulp insults and put up a brave face. Adrian’s words affected me more than it should. It felt like someone had hurt my heart. Why did it feel like someone close to me has hurt me badly ? After my parents died, I never had anyone I could call my own.

I excused myself and ran to my room. I am angry now and extremely pissed at Adrian. I do not know why that guy elicits such extreme reactions from me. I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to calm myself down..I started to prepare my bed to make it cozy. This is a very pretty room with a mesmerizing view outside. The setting sun has thrown a tinge everywhere. I am going to spend my time doing what I love the best. Curled up in my bed with my favourite book. Maybe I will take some time to finish a story I started writing. I sighed heavily. My mind travelled back to Adrian. How can I find someone so impertinent this attractive...

---------------------------

--Adrian--

I watched as she left the dining room with hurt and pain written across her face. I cursed myself internally while my wolf went ballistic on me. Why is my wolf so thrilled with her presence ? So am I , to be honest. I do not like this situation one bit. I am affected by the presence of a stranger - the thought is unsettling. Control and clarity are two things I take pride in. I believe coupling that with persistence is what makes one’s life meaningful. But here is one girl, human even, who made my inside , emotion and behaviour aberrant. 

Ariana and Callum were staring at me with an incredulous and disapproving look . 

“Alpha is everything okay?” Callum asked quietly . “It is very unlikely of you to be , pardon my words, so rude to a lady.”

“She is hurt, Alpha” Ariana mentioned. 

I took a deep breath and was going to make up some excuse when Ariana spoke. 

“Alpha. She is fragile and not so cunning as the other girls here. She is vulnerable. I do not know, but I feel uncomfortable leaving her alone in the pack house. I was hoping you could take her with you. It would be better if she is under your protection, though your togetherness would make her enemies among both wolves and humans. Of course I should have asked if you have some plans..If you do I will ask someone else to take her then. Though I have met her for a short time I am fond of that girl. I have been observing her since she entered the castle. She is different….I can ask if one of my friends would like to accompany her. If she chooses to go to the ball it would be better if she had a dance partner. Being the shy girl that she is I doubt she will approach anyone herself in the ball, unlike us” 

Ariana’s word seemed to strike a bad nerve. I was fuming. The thought of her with another man irked me immensely. Ariana and Callum could surely see my eyes turning black. 

“She is not going with any other man.” I snarled at Ariana. “She is not going to be left alone in the pack house full of un mated wolves” 

“But Alpha…”

“I will take her to the ball.” I told Ariana roughly, cutting across her sentence.  I feel horrible inside after speaking to her like that. The hurt in her eyes is painful to think about. I will make it better. Not because I care but I have a reputation to keep for my family and myself. 

Callum looked completely puzzled at my reaction. His expression mirrored my inside. Ariana on the other hand looked pleased , almost triumphant . 

I finished my breakfast and headed to my room. I came face to face with Joseline who was busy munching on some cupcake. 

“You are not going to fit in bed with Justin if you keep up that diet ” I joked at her. She stuck her tongue out at me and continued munching happily , perched on the balcony railing. 

I cleared my throat and asked her something which has been going on in my mind. 

“Umm Joseline, do you know any place where ball gowns are available?” I prayed she would not ask many questions. But I should be ready for some serious interrogation . 

“Well, the shop in the pack supermarket would have some stores and then Maria makes customized...why are you asking about women ball gowns today?” 

“I...umm...Ariana has a new friend Isabella from the village...umm she has no dress...Ariana insisted that I take her to the ball…” Thank god for the tan I have from training under the sun. My blush would not be so apparent. 

Joseline gave a very peculiar look and further asked. “Which one of the girls are you talking about?”

“The one with brown eyes and reddish black hair. She was wearing an old baggy copper colored gown which seemed clean but old. She has a charm bracelet on her left wrist and has small ear rings. Her shoes look old and worn out. She told us she has nothing proper to wear for such an event. She has never been in one, she said” Now that I think about it, the villagers have such gatherings twice a year. Once when the harvest season starts and once in December for lighting the sky lanterns. We also sometimes attend these events. It is very odd that she has never been in one. 

Joseline was studying my facial features minutely. I raised my eyebrows at her and asked her how to arrange for the dress. 

“I will take care of it all. What is the name of the girl again ?”

“Isabella” . I liked how it sounds in my mouth , how the name rolled around my tongue. 

“I will arrange for everything she needs for the ball. I am assuming you are paying for it ?”

I cleared my throat and replied “Yes. Since Ariana insisted for her friend. I would not be taking any payment from her. It would be rude”

“Interesting…” murmured Joseline. 

“What ? what is so interesting?” I asked her, surprised. 

“Nothing my “lord”. I will have everything sorted.”

“Umm she might refuse if she knows I have sent those. Can you please mention that those are from Ariana?” 

“And why is that?” Joseline raised her eyebrows at me. 

“Well I have been ….umm...you know...umm uncharacteristically rude to her….well...I told her I do not go to the ball with commoners like her...umm….just wedding pressure ...got to my head….”

“Last I checked Adrian. I am getting married to Justin. Who are you marrying?” I rolled my eyes at her. 

“The ball starts at 7:00. She would be ready by 6:30. Meet her at the door. She will be ready for you” Joseline smiled widely and left her spot. 

I shook my head at my Beta female. She is one weird character in my life and I can fight till death to protect her . 

………………………………………………………………....

I was nervously pacing the corridor in front of Isabella ‘s room. I was worried about her reaction after seeing that I will be escorting her to the ball and will be her partner for the evening. I hope Joseline has been able to amend things for me.

I knocked at her door sharply. I waited in bated breath for her to open the door. After a few moments when she did I was stunned to the core. 

I looked at her and felt myself growing hard. She is beauty personified. I could sniff the tension in the air though and it was directed at me. I guess I have to do some damage control here. But I would do that if I found my voice. She moved her hand in front of her which accentuated her cleavage. 

“f**k”