Submitted to Love

Chapter 17

--Isabella—

Gradually after several attempts I opened my eyes to see a room full of people staring cautiously at me. I woke up to smell of medicines, beeping sound from monitor and dry mouth. I blinked my eyes staring at the white ceiling when the enormity of the previous events hit me. They are not humans…well I knew they are not humans …but shifting into an animal? What is that? I have read about those only in fantasy books.

“Calm down Isabella. You are safe.” Dr. Nora replied, worry laced in her tone. A nurse gave me a glass of water with sipper.

I stared at the faces of everyone standing there. The Luna, Jared, Justin, Joseline, Ariana, Jasper and even one of the guards were present , probably accompanying them.

 All of them stared at me with caution. Involuntarily my eyes searched for the one who protected me and was called my “mate” …. whatever that means.

The Luna was the first one to approach my bed and she carefully sat down at the edge. I pulled my legs near my chest even without realizing what I was doing.

“Would you kill me for knowing your secrets?” I blurted out the first thought that crossed my mind after waking up.

Luna smiled kindly and held my hand, even after I flinched at her nearness.

“My sweet dear girl, killing an innocent human is the last thing on our mind. We live to protect humans, to shield them away from the supernatural world and to take care of them when ever needed. No harm will ever befall you here. Trust me, darling, when I say, anyone who tries to harm you, or any human will be severely penalized. Often leading to banishment from the pack.”

My experience in the castle corroborated Luna’s words. I have some of my good memories here and my best friends too. Speaking of best friends, I stared at Jasper with open wide eyes. I saw him transform and it is so hard to digest. Ariana too. She is like this lanky teenager and yet can become a powerful wolf. My head is hurting from all the information.

“I want to lie down.” I whispered to all of them. “Alone please” I am exhausted with this information overload.

“I love you Bella. You know that, right? This changes nothing.” Ariana smiled uncertainty at me.

“Yes. I just need some time.”

“Sure Isabella. Take all the time you need, and we will always be here to hold your hands whenever you need us.” Luna Mary tucked me in with a comforting smile and soon the medications pulled me into a deep slumber.

--- ---- ---

I woke up again at an odd time. Around 1:30 am at night according to the alarm clock on my bedside table. It is full moon tonight. The moon rays are falling into the room through the open window creating a square shape on the ground. A tree branch is moving in the light breeze, playing peek a boo with the moonlight. Not so far, an owl is hooting happily.

I stared outside the window while I recapped what happed in the last few days. So, they are some wolf people. Strong, unnaturally strong …but protective, some loving…some shrewd…some indifferent …exactly like how we humans are. It is so odd; we are so uninitiated. Completely oblivious to the supernatural world around. I wonder where Adrian went. I remembered his wolf …jet black, biggest on the ground after Alpha, strong …. beautiful. Odd how my mind identifies something so dangerous as beautiful.

“You would hurt your head with so much thinking.”

A quiet voice in the dark made me jump out of my skin and I was about to scream my lungs out, when I noticed that the owner of the voice is none other than Mr. Skyscraper.

“What…what are you doing here?” I squeaked after finally finding my voice

“I am hungry. So thought of eating…” I could almost hear the word “you”. Did he mean really eat me? Do wolves eat humans? Fear seem to be coursing in my veins.

 Fear? Or desire? Because my mind is up and running making salacious scenarios of “eating” me along with dangerous scenarios of being a meal to the wolf. This is really confusing.

“You fear me. I don’t like it. We never harm humans. We eat like normal people.” He spoke softly to me. His eyes were hurt, almost beseeching me to trust him. I wish I could tell him that trusting him comes naturally to me, even when he is in wolf form. He radiates warmth, comfort and protection…and something else also that I fear to think about.

Looking distantly outside the window into the night he spoke again. Quietly.  

“You did not eat anything today Isabella. I got chicken soup.” And on cue my stomach rumbled. He smiled at me and laid out the chicken soup, some bread and fruit juice.

I saw he laid the table for two. Smiling internally at the agreeable arrangement I sat down.

We were eating quietly for some time, when some questions always plaguing me blurted out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

“Why your eyes change color?” Adrian paused his spoon midway and stared at me. I flushed under his gaze and looked down on my fingers on my lap. He put a finger under my chin and pulled up my face to look directly at him.

“You can ask me anything Isabella. It is natural you have a lot of questions. It is okay to ask.” Adrian told me putting down his half eaten bread. “I would prefer if it’s me who answers your questions.”

I like that too….

Alright, who is that creepy broken recording? And why is some one playing it from far away ..like through the walls …but I did not get much time to dwell on the thought.

“My eyes get darker for several reasons, but generally there are two strong emotions that trigger the change. If I am extremely angry on someone or some situation.” Adrian was staring intently at me while speaking. He paused a bit and then continued. “Or, if I am very much turned on”

I blushed at his words and looked down at my food. It is so difficult discussing anything even closely related to intimacy with this guy. I get hot and bothered. Almost like when I was in early teens and some of us girls found a book with nasty pictures in it. I can have easy conversation with Jasper, even laugh at his lewd jokes. But with him it is so awkward. And he is staring at me like I am some trapped kitten, which is making things worse. Desperate to change the subject I commenced a different line of questioning

“So why did Kahn want me? And he was ready to kill.” I shivered at the memories coming back.

“Relax Isabella. I won’t let any thing hurt you.” Adrian said, ardently. There was so much promise in the voice that it made me feel safe.

“I am not sure why he wanted you. I think Maria might be able to shed some lights. But she is still unconscious from the exhaustion of the war.” Adrian pondered deeply, running his hands through his hair. A simple gesture that made me want to run my hand through his hair.

“Kahn called me your mate. What does that mean?”

Adrian looked uncomfortable. He was looking anywhere but at me. This got me intrigued.

“It does not matter. It should not concern you, anyway.”

His voice was anything but convincing. I do not know what this mate thing is or how can Kahn pinpoint me as his mate and not any other girl, but I think I can push some buttons here. Something made Kahn think I am Adrian’s mate that is partner, at least that is what mate means in human terminology.

“Hmm…so I can be any body’s mate, right?” I thought out loud. “So, if someone else chooses me, I can date that person, right? Be his mate?... oho …I think Jasper wants to be my mate.” I laughed out loud at the thought. But I was not prepared for what followed.

A loud c***k indicated that the wooden table leg had broken with the cutlery falling on the floor. Some nurses came running to our room, but Adrian barked at them to stay out and not let anyone enter this room. My heart was pounding in my chest.

Adrian mechanically cleaned all the spilled food and utensils…but I sat on the bed, still as a rock. Finally, he turned at me …eyes darker than coal. Veins throbbing on his neck, jaws taunt and hands clenched in a fist.

“No, you cannot be any body else’s mate Isabella. No one can make you their mate because you are mine.” Adrian strode quietly at me, while I looked like a deer caught in the headlight.

“Adrian…I was just …joking…”

“Well you should not. At least not about another man being your f*****g mate.” His words and his manner fired my rage and suddenly I went ballistic on him.

“Oh, really Adrian? What is your problem? When did I become your mate, partner or whatever the s**t that means? You have been nothing but rude to me. Distant, cold and condescending.”

“And I have apologized.” Adrian shouted. Pinching the bridge oh his nose, he took some calming breath. “Look I know I have been a jerk. But I cannot make you explain why I have been so volatile with you. Mate is something related to werewolves and you as human need not bother about it much. Yes, a mate is a partner, but it is so much more than that. Every werewolf feels blessed to have a mate. But it is not your concern”

Oh no mister. Not good enough explanation for me. Some crazy ass wizard is after me and he talks gibberish such as me being you mate. If I am part of this supernatural world, I deserve to know every bit about it.

“Right. Tell me then Adrian, why cannot I be someone’s mate? Why cannot another werewolf make me his mate. I can have a partner in life….”

The low growl that escaped from his mouth halted me. What happened next was something I have never dreamt of.

Adrian grabbed my shoulders and put his mouth on mine. Kissing me with all that he has and taking much more that what I can give.

“You cannot be anyone’s mate Isabella, because no one can make you feel this way…” Adrian whispered yelled before pushing his mouth on me again. He was dominant and demanding. He pushed his tongue and felt my resistance. He bit slightly on my lower lip which made me gasp. Taking advantage, he put his tongue inside my mouth. His tongue danced inside my mouth teased and caressed. And I forgot every thing around me….Closeness to this man , always meddles with my brain….