Submitted to Love

Chapter 14

--Isabella—

My body feels different the moment I walked through the castle gate. Like it is alive for the first time. Do you smell the earth after the first shower? Petrichor brings a sense of happiness, a feeling to blooming or new possibilities. My mind, my body feels exactly like that. I have not had a single clue why.

Leaning across the balcony railing I take a deep breath while I stare far along the ground into the woods. The sun is high up in the sky, glowing in all her brilliance. It is green as far as you could see. Some children are having a merry time by the lake refusing stubbornly to follow their mothers back home. I always find the Lake water mesmerizing, sparkling in the sun and beautiful flowers grown around it.

 I could spot some castle dwellers doing some training of sort. Adrian is also there. I could not tear my eyes away from him. For some moments I examine him, almost involuntarily. But I let out a sigh and force myself to look away.

A sudden knock caught my attention. Ariana walked in with Joseline and Jasper.

“Hiya Bella!! Have you heard there is a small gathering tomorrow? Of some of us in the castle. To enjoy ourselves and to know if Joseline is having a boy or a girl whom I could pamper.” Ariana giggled. “Our Luna is a little old fashioned. She loves a Ball it seems. But I think it would help lift the castle’s spirit after what happened…”

A warning glance from Joseline shut her up.

“Anyway, it is not like last time Bells. This is just an informal gathering for us to mingle, have some food. The gender reveal is a fun event. Some Elders would also be present to bless Joseline.”

“Dad will also be coming it seems after a decade and a half.” Jasper smiled widely at us. I could not help but reciprocate his infectious smile which always lifts my mood.

I do have an impression that Ariana is not sharing some events in the castle that happened in my absence. But I will think of that later. The glow on Joseline and the way she caresses her belly unconsciously makes me want to join this celebration of a new life with her.

How mysterious the ways life work! Today I am so welcomed in a group of young lively chaps, almost as if I belong here. Something that was unthinkable perhaps half a year back.

Justin joined us as the banters followed.

“Hei Bella, let me show you the dance steps I learnt last year.” Jasper said suddenly and pulled me into his arms.

“Ooooo.” I laughed loudly as he twirled me around. He is truly a good dancer. Justin catcalled while Ariana clapped with a broad smile. Joseline however had an odd expression on her face, like she is worried.

“All okay Joseline?” I shouted in my voice thick with glee while Jasper spun me around once more and dragged me close.

Joseline had time to only open her mouth. A deafening crash and a mighty growl near us stopped all of us in our tracks.

“Ari, are there animals inside this castle?” I asked, my voice shaking from dread.

“Umm, do not worry Isabella. I will just check.” Justin had a confused look in his eyes while he exchanged glances with Joseline.

Joseline and Ariana followed suit. I was left alone with Jasper, who was deep in some thought.

“Jas, what is happening? Are we under attack from some animal? Should we hide?”

“Oh no Bella.” Jasper replied with a small smile. “There is nothing to worry…umm…probably some …you know …something in the woods.”

“Jas, the sound was so near…you heard…”

“Relax Bella, I would ensure no harm befalls you.” Jasper smiled at me. But his smile was off…like he was trying hard to discern something.

Before long, Ariana ushered us all for a late Lunch. As soon as we entered the dinning Hall, delicious smells watered my mouth. I have heard most recipes in the castle are built on the Queen’s mother’s recipes. The spread is humungous. Bacons, mashed potatoes, Oven Baked seasoned chicken, Glazed baby carrots, various cold cuts and so much more. We loaded our plates, like some hungry traveler, and continued small banters, previous predicament forgotten.

Some of other Castle members joined us too but I was searching for someone else. I was angry at his for his boorish behavior but also longed to see him, longed to ask him why he hurt me.

“Adrian won’t be joining us. He requested some time alone.” Suddenly Joseline informed the table. My head snapped up at her from my plate and I knew somehow, she is aware I was looking for him. I felt a light blush creep on my cheeks, and I went back to playing with my food.

----

A cry of a bird outside broke me off my slumber. Seems like I had dozed off after Lunch, reading a book alone in my room. I stretch my body and rolled over my bed.

The day is coming to an end. The tired sun had cast a rustic reddish share on mother nature. The birds are returning to their nest. Gradually the buzz of activity outside is dimming. I yawned while staring through my window. The sun, like a red yolk, is staring at its reflection on the lake. Some swans are on their last lap before they retire for the day. Shadows of the trees create a mystic dance of light and darkness.

After a round of cake tasting by Ari for tomorrow’s event, I was finally free on my own. It is full moon today. While days witness my frolics, nights have always beheld my musing. Quietly I made my way through the ground and sat near the lake. The moon shone brightly, caressing the black lake water, almost in a sensuous dance, a show for the on lookers.

“You should not be out here alone.” A deep voice made me jump out of my skin. Adrian was standing there with a deep frown on his face. While the man always had been insolent, something in his face tugged at my heart. He looked tired, dead beat…as if something is deeply troubling him. However, the wounds from earlier are still raw at my heart.

“That I believe is not for you to worry.” I snapped at him with venom in my voice.

He stared long and hard at me. His expression unfathomable. The pregnant silence is making me uncomfortable.

“I am sorry Isabella.” Adrian broke the silence in a quiet, tired voice. He sat down beside me, surprising me. “I was out of the line today and should not have reacted that way. I crossed the line many times before.”

His proximity is playing with my clarity. My heart is thumping loudly, and my breathing shallow. His musky scent fills my nostril, desired pooling at forbidden places on my body, like an anesthesia slowly numbing my senses while I fight the stupor.

“Will you forgive me?” Adrian’s sincerity spoke to me. I gave a small smile while replying in affirmative.

For long Adrian was lost in his thoughts, staring unfocused towards the woods while I quietly stared at the lake , running my fingers through the grass at my feet while resting my chin on the knees.

 We uttered not a single word and yet so much was spoken between us. Two young adults sitting silently in the dark, surrounded by nocturnal beauty while lost in their own world. I did not want to leave, seems like he did not either. Have you ever had a feeling of tranquility, of security in someone’s presence, even without talking to him? It is intangible and yet so near.

“Blue suits you. You look really beautiful in it.” Adrian mentioned suddenly with a small smile.

I stared back at him with pure shock written on my face. I have never seen this lad smile. Yet it sits so beautifully on his face, like a jewel that adorns the crown.

“You should smile more often. You look better with it. “I teased with a scoff. He laughed lightly. I wanted to hear his laugh again. It is like notes of music flowing through a small stream.

Oh, the poet in me is working overtime tonight!

“I can take you tomorrow into the woods when the sun is up. You wanted to go ….” Adrian told me quietly, clearing his throat.

Oh! How I would love to go and explore the woods. I got a glimpse of a beautiful place their last time before the attack.

“It would be lovely Alpha Adrian.” I spoke with glee, like a kid offered a very coveted candy.

Adrian laughed softly and tucked a lose bang at the back of my ear. Such a simple action and yet so intimate. Jasper had done that often when we took a class together and would study late at night, but this feeling is different, this is intimate.

Adrian gulped loudly and very cautiously placed his hand on the ground. Absentmindedly, he started running his index finger on my hand. Slowly, almost as if involuntarily our fingers entwined. I gasped at the hunger in his voice. Do I imagine the desire in his eye? Or is it truly there? Like an erupting volcano deep under a calm ocean.

Suddenly, I jerked my hand away confusing Adrian. A small spark went through my hand unexpectedly. I stared at my hand puzzled.

“Something wrong Isabella?” Adrian asked worried. Grabbing my hand, he started examining it himself. But I could not feel any spark now. Brushing it aside as a flicker of my strange mind, I assured Adrian I am fine.

“You know...” Adrian started speaking again very slowly. “You can call me just Adrian. Most of my close friends do that when we are alone.”

He was speaking with his eyes cast down on my hand, now comfortably resting on his lap. The request was so simple and yet so bosom.

“Oh, I thought you liked being called Alpha.” I told him laughing heartily.

Adrian stilled for a moment and then a sly smile broke at the corner of his mouth. He looks even more handsome and alluring.

“I like you calling me that a lot, Isabella. I believe of all the things you address me I like “Alpha” the most. However, I am not sure you would prefer the events that would follow such an action. More so because I would certainly never want you to call me Alpha in public.” Adrian was grasping my chin in his huge arm. He rubbed my lips as he spoke, punctuating each word with promise of passion. I shivered in his proximity while my lips quivered.

Adrian’s eyes became darker or may be the shadows are playing with my mind. His eyes were shifting between my lips and my eyes. While he slowly closed the distance between us a very thin and faraway voice spoke “Mine”. Like an erstwhile broken radio, getting a very poo signal. Broken and weak.

I close my eyes to feel Adrian’s lips on mine. But the world shifted in an instant. Adrian was crouching in front on me, in a defensive way, shielding me from what I presume is some source of danger. Deep growls filled the air, raising the hair on my skin. Are there so many wild animals around the castle? Are those of the pet wolves of the Castle people, gone estranged?

Slowly I could make out figures of both humans and animals, emerging from the misty fog surrounding the woods. Loud thumping of quick steps came from the castle. Before I could make out who joined us from Castle, Adrian whispered turning his head back.

“Run Isabella, get inside the castle, someone will escort you in.”

“But…But…who...”

“For f**k’s sake Iz, do as I tell you, now. I will explain later. Go, Please!” Adrian beseeched desperately.

Ariana has already reached at my side, ready to pull me in. Without further ado, I took a step towards the castle, when a deep rumbling voice emerged from the woods.

“STOP” The voice commanded. It has the power, magic, authority, whatever you may call it to keep you rooted at your place. Not a single plant or animal changed position.

“The girl stays back.”