Submitted to Love

Chapter 10

--Isabella—

The connect with those in duty of coordinating the guest ended in over an hour. All through the meeting I had stubbornly kept my eyes away from Adrian, but I could sense, almost feel, two eyes constantly on me…. burning my side.

“Isabella, please stay back dear. I need to discuss some things with you.” The Luna spoke while dismissing others. Adrian seemed quite reluctant to leave. His eyes beseeched me to forgive him, but my self-respect can never.

“Adrian, I asked everyone to leave…I meant everyone.” Mary was staring sternly at him.

After the room was empty Luna came and sat by my side. I was bracing myself for another bad news, though I am not exactly sure what else could go wrong.

“Isabella, how are you now? I have heard about the attack from Adrian?” 

“I am much better Luna, thanks.”

“I am glad. Isabella tell me about your plans before you came here. What did you want to do? I am sure you had some dreams.”

I pondered for a moment. Deliberating whether to share my thoughts with her. Finally, I decided to go ahead.

“Yes Luna.” I spoke quietly, “I had plans…well actually I wanted to attend university…I love literature. I write sometimes in my journal…. But it is okay Luna, I accept my life is not the same. Though honestly, I am not sure if my Aunt would ever have allowed me to attend any college.” I sighed quietly.

Mary was staring intently at me.

“Tell me Isabella. What if I help you to attend University? You need not worry about anything but your studies. Will you be willing to put that effort?”

“Really Luna? Can you…is that …how can you?” I asked incredulously at her. My heart beating fast. Is this happening? Can I actually live my dreams? My voice was shaky and cheeks surely flushed.

“I can call in a personal favor so that you are considered for the English Literature course. However, you might have to pass an interview as early as next week. Will you be willing to put in the effort? All other duties related to the wedding will be excused. I will personally see to that.”

“Yes Luna.” My voice dripped with conviction and passion. This is my only opportunity and I cannot let that go, simply cannot. “I will do anything I can. I would be immensely grateful if I can get time off to study. I know it is unfair on my part to ask for the favor after the ridiculous amount my Aunt had surely demanded for my exchange. But I promise you Luna, I will make it up to you in my coming years. I will do much more for the Castle and I will repay my debt. I promise you…”

I was ranting desperately. I cannot…simply cannot let this opportunity go. I am willing to give the rest of my life to repay the debt. I strongly believed education elevates not only one person but everyone around him/her.

Mary smiled warmly at my eagerness. She stood up, cupped my face and kissed me softly on my forehead.

“Go and study hard little girl. Do not worry about the debt. I expect great things from you and I envision that this pack will one day be indebted to you…..Now I will have my Gamma send you the pass to our castle library. You will have plethora of books to study from. I will inform you about the date and time of the interview.” With those words Mary left me. 

I was lost for words. Is this happening truly? I can’t wait to check the library. Some of my lessons need a refresher before the interview.

------

Ariana has become a close friend of mine. My days have fallen into a humdrum. Mornings are spent in the library. Evenings in the ground near the castle or with Ariana. Ariana’s mom is an amazing baker. The cakes I had are delicious and her mom loves to feed! Sometimes we get kidn*pped by Joseline. She makes us try all kinds of dresses. I refused profusely when she gifted me a dress for the wedding, but all my protests fell on deaf ears.

Of course, the dirty glances of the village girls did not escape my notice. They surely thought I had seduced the Adrian or someone important. Alas! Little did they know while they go back to their familiar place ..I stay back here, alone. My initial sadness at knowing I will never go back to my village is gradually getting eclipsed by the warmth and kindness of all the members of the castle. Well mostly all.

The library is amazing. Sometimes I would sneak up there at night with a cup of hot chocolate and read for hours. Alone and silent. Curiously, the skyscraper would be seen hanging around the library whenever I would sneak in past midnight. I generally avoid Adrian, but I cannot deny I feel safe and warm with him around. He also has not spoken a word to me, and I prefer it like that.

I breezed through my interview and was waiting patiently for the results to come. My acceptance came on the morning of Justin’s wedding. I was excited to attend University, of living my dream but it would be a little hard to leave the Castle behind. All of them have become so dear to me. There is a tiny part in my, not unignorable, that was pained at the thought of being away from Adrian. But my logical mind assures me that it would be a relief to be away from the constant tension.

My classes will commence next week. I wonder what personal connections Mary used to get me into a class this fast. Luna, upon hearing the news, was overjoyed and arranged everything for me to start my new journey. Sometimes she seemed too eager to have me out of the Castle. But I am not complaining. She did more for me than my Aunt ever did.

--Adrian--

Isabella has been drowning herself in literature books. Her sincerity awed me. But I wonder why? Why did mom ask us to leave her alone?

What I do not like is her sneaking up past midnight alone to the library. Really, do that girl has no sense of personal security? I often pay the library a visit at night though I make myself scarce.

Sounds of multiple carriage and a flurry of activities woke me up from my slumber the morning after Justin’s wedding. I assumed it were the guests leaving the castle.

Rolling back to sleep I woke up well past noon. Heading down to the kitchen I saw Ariana sitting alone toying with her food. I head up to her and asked casually.

“Fancy seeing you alone girl, where is your sidekick this morning?” I smirked at her. Ariana sighed and looked at me with curious eyes and long face.

“Oh, don’t you know? Isabella has left to attend university. She was such a kind person and a lovely friend….hei Alpha??...”

I could hardly hear her voice because everything faded around me hearing the news. My wolf is howling. It knew something was off and I ignored it.

I burst into my parent’s chamber completely forgetting to knock.

“Why..Why did you let her go?” I bellowed. My father stared confused at me while my mother had a knowing look. She ushered me into the emergency meeting room to give me some privacy, ignoring the tirades from my father at my behavior.

“Ady..Isabella always wanted to study. Would you have deprived her an opportunity?”

“And you let her go? No one told me ……WHY? She is new to our world, un aware , where have you sent her?” Blood is still pumping hard in my brains. I am beyond furious.

“Calm down Adrian. I sent her to attend university in the Firewolf Pack. Many humans attend the school, unaware of us. It is the best I could arrange for her.”

“Many human males as well, right? Why could you not have waited mom? Why was the whole process completed in a week? Just because your brother is the Alpha does not mean you go in pulling useless favors.”

“That is enough Adrian. You will speak of your Uncle Josef with respect! Isabella has been given an opportunity and I believe she will make good use of it. Might I ask, why are you so agitated? Why her absence bothers you? I believe you two were not on talking terms.”

“Because she is HUMAN and she is fragile….”

“Many humans study there. Cool yourself off Adrian. Soon it will be your birthday. Maybe you should think about your plans now.”

I was still fuming but I conceded and left, slamming the door on my way. I wish I could shift, but I cannot till I am eighteen. I put on my training shoes and started running through the forest trail…

It is for better she left….I get to focus on my vision and also on the looming threat  ….I keep chanting to myself. But then why does it is so heart wrenching? Why does it feel like letting go of a part of my soul?

It is for better…Goddess …I hope it is for better..