The Dark Alpha

Chapter 18

"I'm starting to think we should never have cooked," Pearl sighed as she stood with the fire extinguisher in her hand and looked down at the completely wet floor.

My arms were sore from trying to put out the fire that started in the kitchen, I leaned against the kitchen tops as I let whatever was left of the dishcloth fall to the floor. "We didn't appreciate Miranda," I added as my mind went to the thoughts of our head chef who prepared all of our meals at the Louise residence.

It was at this point that I saw how hard that woman worked to make sure that we had a variety of options for every meal. We never ate the same thing twice every month. She made sure that she delivered with every meal and I now realize that I never showed my gratitude to her.

"When I get back home, I'll make sure I give her a raise. For all of those years of work," Pearl said as she put the fire extinguisher down on and then looked at the stove like I was, "cooking is so hard. How do people cook everyday? I'm sorry, Diamond, this is all of my fault. I was just trying to prepare something to impress Arthur."

I looked at my sister to see that she looked devastated as picked up the completely burnt pot that we had used to try and prepare the steak, "it's really not such a big deal, Pearl. It's not the first time that we've burnt something in the kitchen and I'm sure that it won't be the last time."

"f**k," she exclaimed as she rubbed her temples, "I just can't do this."

"What's wrong?" I asked her as I walked to her and she took a step back from me.

"I just...I feel so f*****g overwhelmed. I feel all over the place. I don't know what I'm feeling, Diamond, I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how to f*****g do anything, I can't even f*****g make a simple steak! Imagine having to be a mother. That's so much of f*****g pressure. I can't do it, I can't do it Diamond...I can't..."

I wrapped my arms around her and brought her close to me, trying to calm her down, "shh," I hushed gently as I rubbed her back as soothingly as I could, "it's going to be ok. Don't be upset, it's all going to work out and you'll figure it all out. You always do, Pearl."

"But I can't. I can't, Diamond. I can't do anything. I can't even stop thinking about him and I can't stop dreaming about him. I feel like I'm losing my mind and it's all because of this stupid," she pushed out of my arms and glared at her stomach, "...this...stu...thing."

"Let me get you a glass of water," I said as I walked over to the tap.

"No," she stopped me, "get me a glass of wine, or a beer."

I stopped and looked at her, "but...but you're pregnant."

She pursed her lips and shook her head, "not for long. Just bring me a beer or anything that's strong. Vodka shall do the job."

I gave her a nervous look, "I don-" I was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell and I almost let out an exhale in relief because I didn't want to argue with my sister, "Arthur's here," I announced, the familiar feeling of butterflies came over me as I rushed out of the kitchen, not caring about the damage that had been done.

"I hope you brought pizza," I said as I opened the door and there he stood holding a big white plain pizza box as he grinned at me like he was seeing me for the first time after months.

"Hey," he said breathlessly as he looked me over and I smiled at him.

"I could really use a hug," I whispered, hoping he heard me as I took a step towards him but he took two towards me and wrapped an arm around me. I sighed into his expensive warm coat as I closed my eyes and took in his masculine scent that I didn't know I had missed so much.

He felt so familiar and calming. He made me feel like all was right with the world. I didn't know if I hugged him because I missed him and I loved the connection that we have or if I hugged him because of my sisters draining situation and the secrets that I had to keep for her. It was probably a mix of both.

"I missed you," I whispered into his shoulder, knowing that my words were muffled by the material, I stood up straighter, "come on in, my sister's right here."

~~~

"So what do you do?" My sister asked him as she sat with her back straight and her eyebrow arched perfectly, giving him the popular stone cold face and hard eyes that she used when she addressed anyone who wasn't family and she didn't like, "I'm not asking this to undermine you, Arthur, but as you can see just judging by her attire that she doesn't come from your average family. Our family is very well distinguished and well off."

Arthur nodded, "I am well aware of that and I'm more than certain that I can take care of her," he answered seriously. He was acting a bit strange to be honest, ever since he set his eyes on my sister, he went as stiff as a board before his eyes scanned her over and over again. I didn't think Arthur was easily intimidated, but hey, that's the power of Pearl Louise.

My sister gave a condescending smile, "did my sister tell you she got a G5 instajet as a gift for her 19th birthday?" She asked him, and I chocked on my champagne, quickly dabbing the corners of my mouth.

"Pearl," I warned, giving her a stern look like you would a child, but she simply turned her nose up at me as she picked up her glass of wine and brought it to her lips. Causing unease in my stomach as I watched her consume the alcohol.

Arthur stared at the glass and then at her, "I don't think you should be drinking," he commented as he shifted in his seat, "it's not safe for the baby."

Pearl froze at the words and so did I as my heart dropped and I wondered if I'd ever said anything to Arthur.

"What baby?" Pearl asked nonchalantly as she tilted her head at Arthur, "if that's your way of telling me that I'm fat, it's rude and I'd like for you to apologize."

Arthur pursed his lips, "you're pregnant," he said shortly, glaring at the glass that my sister held, "you should stop drinking."

"Stop that," I snapped as I looked at Arthur, "what the hell are you talking about?" I felt my irritation shine through and I glared at him. How dare he come into my home and say such things to my sister? "You should leave," I said through gritted teeth as I stood up and looked down at Arthur who hadn't taken his eyes off Pearl. "Arthur," I called his attention, "go."

His eyes snapped to me before he held my gaze and he stood up slowly, adjusting his jacket.

"Just...stay away from the alcohol... please," Arthur decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Why are you telling your boyfriend of two seconds about what's going on in my life?" Pearl snapped as she glared at me, and I gasped, shaking my head.

"I swear," I raised my hands defensively, "I didn't tell him anything."

"Then how does he know?" She retorted and I furrowed my eyebrows. I'm sure I've never told him about my sister being pregnant.

"She didn't tell me anything," Arthur interrupted and my sister's fiery gaze turned back to him.

"No, you know what, you should shut up. Why don't you leave? Didn't my sister tell you to leave? And don't you ever tell me what I can and can't do, do you understand?"

"I didn't mean to upset you, but you can't be drinking while you're pregnant. I don't think it's very safe and I'm just worried about-"

"Arthur stop!" I exclaimed as I tried to shut him up but my sister was fuming.

"I can do whatever the hell I want with my body," she turned her attention to me, "thanks a lot for telling your boyfriend about me. Why else have you told him, huh? That I'm going to get this baby aborted?"

There was such silence after that little statement as she stood there with the glass of wine in her hands and gave me an indescribable facial expression. My blood ran cold as I heard the words and the confirmation that she was going to pull through with getting rid of...it.

She let out a heavy breath, "now you're all caught up, Arthur," she said with a shrug as she downed the rest of the drink, "now you're all f*****g caught up," she finished as she folded her arms.

"...I should go," Arthur said, breaking the silence and I blinked.

"Maybe you shou-" my sister began before I heard the sound of my doorbell and I fixed my Givency dress, smoothing it over as I ignored the two and walked to the door to see who it was.

"Who is it?" I asked as I leaned in and took a peep in the peephole, unable to see because my light wasn't working.

Feeling a bit safe because I had Pearl and Arthur here, I wasn't too nervous to open the door. I swung open the door and stood there, the cold wind smacked me in the face, but something else was chilling me to the bone...or should I say someone else.

I seemed unable to do anything but stare at the face of a man. Stare at the face of a murderer. Stare at the face of none other than, Isaac.

He towered over me, dressed in all black and looking like something out of a horror movie with the scars that marred his neck. The deep gash across his throat where he was slit open in an attempt of his murder. The scars on the corners of his lips when he was captured and tortured, and tried to be turned into the real life version of the Joker.

He stood before me with all of that, well, it's not like he could hide it. But he stood looking down at me, looking anything but calm. He looked ready to kill.

He snarled, his face twisting into something I can't even begin to describe. I stumbled back, unable to find my voice or my footing as I kept looking into his eyes where you could see nothing but all black. I could see my reflection in those eyes and I felt like something was pulling me into this dark world.

I heard the sound of glass breaking and the sound of a scream, before something massive and furry jumped above my head, and lunged for Isaac's neck. My eyes could've very well have fallen out of my skull, but it was not before I saw Isaac turn into something just as large and furry, and the two massive beasts begin to tear chunks of hair off each other.

It took long to find my voice, but when I did, I'm sure even the most evil in the deepest depths of hell, heard the pure sound of fear and despair.