Run! The Black Wolf's prey.

Chapter 33 - Heartbreaker

Marcus was acutely aware of Isabel’s proximity, his whole body responding to her presence. Her scent was filling his nostrils, and her femininity made his wolf prance inside of him, making it hard for him to be still. He wanted her! And he wanted her badly.

It was strange, he thought. He had never reacted this way to any human girl before? He usually considered human girls too weak and submissive. But not Isabel. Somehow, her slender figure got him thinking she was delicate, exquisite even, instead of weak. Her hazel eyes were so mesmerizing, that if he hadn’t known better, he would have thought they would glow in the dark...

However, the most intriguing thing about her was definitely her scent, making his mind all blurry with desire! It made him wonder if she really was human, after all? However, her scent was lacking that base note of female werewolves. So, if she was neither a werewolf nor an ordinary human, then what was she?

As a child, Marcus had been told a story about a witch that lived hundreds of years ago. She had created secret love-potions that she had used as perfumes, aiming to lure male werewolves into believing that she was one of them. But not only had she tricked them into thinking she was a wolf, she had also made them believe she was their true mate!

After spellbinding those poor unaware wolves, who hadn’t understood why they were sharing the same fated mate, she had made them worship and protect her, basically becoming her lovers and personal bodyguards. It wasn’t until she had been killed by those werewolves’ families that they finally had woken up from their bewitchment, realizing they had been deceived.

As far as Marcus knew, there were no longer any witches, they had been extinct a long time ago… but the thought had crossed his mind. What if Isabel was a witch? What if she was creating that enchanting scent of hers, only to seduce him and other wolves?

However, every time he laid his eyes on her, such thoughts felt completely silly and ignorant. Isabel was so clearly innocent, so obviously unaware of the effect she had on men, and on werewolf men in particular... Besides, what would she gain out of making them all crave her? It was only putting her in dangerous situations. No, she couldn't be doing it on purpose, Marcus stated. She was probably just an unusually enticing human, happening to have a scent that made all male werewolves go crazy in her proximity.

Marcus let his gaze wander around in the bar. He did not like what he saw... The place was incredibly busy, now filled to the brim, and he could count at least a handful of different werewolf constellations, each and every one of them sneakily peeking at Isabel with hungry eyes. Marcus instinctively wanted to protect her, to keep her off their radar – he did not like the way those beasts looked at her! Not that he could blame them, of course, he was just as smitten himself. They just didn't know that he had already decided to make her his.

Marcus knew, of course, that she was probably still in love with John. Not that he could see what she liked about that narcissistic prick?! But anyhow, his game now was to make her forget about him, and he did everything he could to avoid the subject. It was so incredibly irritating that Lucas had come and dropped the bomb, revealing that they were actually working at John's father's company.

Now she wanted him to explain why he hadn't told her about it, and he did the best he could to make her think about something else. John was the last thing he wanted to talk about! Not that he wanted to talk at all, to be honest... He would prefer it if they could just leave and go straight to his apartment so he could get her into bed. He was sure he could make her forget about John if she only gave him the chance.

***

Isabel was getting a little drunk and drowsy from all the sangria they had been drinking, and she suppressed a yawn as she was trying to listen to June telling some story about one of her clients at work. She guessed it was supposed to be a funny story, but she had a real hard time following... Not only because it was June telling it, but also because Marcus was being so incredibly close, his whole presence oozing masculinity and s*x appeal, and it made her own body react in peculiar ways.

Their legs were touching, and she found him searching her gaze. She didn't accept his advances, though, ignoring him since she was quite annoyed over the fact that he refused to tell her anything about his association with John. Every time she asked, he steered away from the subject. Lucas, Marcus' colleague from work, was apparently John's cousin, but that was all the information she had gotten out of the two.

It’s not like she wasn’t attracted to Marcus, she was!

He was incredibly handsome, his dark auburn hair and the slight freckles in his face contrasting his high cheekbones and strong jaw. He was tall, well-dressed and very fit, looking like a real playboy. His blue eyes were outstanding, the blue colour contrasting the copper tones of his hair and skin. But even if she couldn’t deny there was an attraction between them, it wasn’t like what she had experienced with John...

What she had felt with John was like a force of nature, the pull so strong there was no way she could resist! Not that she had tried, she had thrown herself into John's arms at the very first opportunity.

With Marcus, she had to admit that she was definitely tempted, but her mind was still in control. His attention was very flattering and she guessed he would be as attentive in bed, probably being a great lover. He would have been the perfect 'first pancake', as Emma called it!

But... Isabel's heart was still aching after John. Besides, it was quite obvious Emma was infatuated with Marcus, and hurting her was the last thing Isabel wanted to do. Unless she was seriously interested in having a relationship with him, going to bed with Marcus would be a stupid idea.

Another thing that Isabel noticed this evening was that Marcus wasn’t the only one looking at her.

She could feel several men staring, and it was almost as if she was sunbathing, all their gazes burning at her skin. She couldn’t remember having ever felt men’s gazes be so physical before? Or was it just her imagination? She wished she had chosen a lighter dress for tonight, her long-sleeved wrap dress was starting to make her feel overheated.

“So, you’re a doctor,” Lucas woke her up from her reveries, his brown eyes twinkling in the candlelight.

“Yep… Like John,” she said meaningly, hoping for him to pick up the thread.

He glanced at Marcus, who furrowed his brows, giving him a daring stare.

Isabel sighed, she might as well just give up. They were not letting her know...

“What kind of doctor?” Lucas smiled wryly.

“I’m a resident in Cardiology... So, basically, I’m into hearts,” she winked.

“I can imagine you’ve broken a few,” Lucas chuckled.

“Oh really?” she laughed half-heartedly. “Never heard that one before...” she paused. “It feels like I’m the one who is heart-broken though.”

“You must forget about him,” Lucas said with a low voice, suddenly with a serious face. “I don’t know how much he told you, but the two of you… it’s impossible.”

Isabel felt her heart sinking. Lucas looked at her with pity.

“I think he really likes you, you know," he whispered. "I could tell by the look on his face when I met him the other day. But there are… circumstances.”

“Is he... married?” Isabel uttered the words she had hardly allowed herself to even think about before. But that was the only possible explanation for John's irrational behaviour.

“I can’t tell you,” Lucas replied apologetically, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

Isabel lost herself in her thoughts again while the others started comparing who had the worst colleagues. June was constantly trying to get Marcus' attention, and he was patiently listening even though he clearly wished to talk to Isabel instead.

However, the more tired Isabel got, the more irritated she became. She was having such contradictory feelings! She hated the fact that she was attracted to Marcus, finding it hard not to simply give in to her physical desires, and at the same time she was so angry with him for not telling her the truth about him knowing John. She was also feeling very hot and lightheaded, as if there wasn't enough air in the room. She desperately needed a break.

“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” Isabel stood up.

“I’ll join you,” Helen smiled and rose as well.

They walked together towards the restrooms.

“Are you OK?” Helen asked softly.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Isabel started laughing at herself as she wiped the tears out of her eyes with her sleeve. “I’m just a bit tired. And feeling silly...”

“You’re not silly,” Helen objected before locking herself into the lavatory.

Isabel started washing her hands, enjoying the coolness on her skin. She was going to take a cool shower when she came home, for sure!

“I think it’s time for me to go home,” Isabel said as Helen exited.

“I’m so glad you came,” Helen smiled at her in the mirror and started washing her hands. “Are you sure you want to leave already?”

“Yeah, I’m exhausted,” Isabel smiled faintly, leaning against the wall. “Besides, it’s getting late”.

“But you’ll join us again tomorrow?" Helen quirked up her brows. "I think maybe we’ll round off soon as well, so we’ll be fresh to go clubbing tomorrow. I don’t want to go dancing with a hangover.”

“I’m not sure…” Isabel hesitated. She really liked Helen, she and Emma had the same sense of humour and it was really easy to hang out with her. But Isabel wasn’t fond of June, that girl's sour attitude made her feel so tense.

“June is not coming tomorrow,” Helen winked, as if she read her mind. “So, it will be just you, me and Eileen. And maybe Marissa. And Eileen adores you as much as I do.”

“Well, in such case,” Isabel smiled wryly. “But I’m still not sure. I feel like such a party pooper! I can’t keep my mind off John...”

“No wonder with those guys hanging out with us tonight! So mysterious about it all,” Helen chuckled. “You know what, I think you really need to go out, get tipsy and flirt a little. With someone who doesn’t know that jerk of yours. And we’re not going to invite Marcus and his friend to join us this time, they are such c**k blockers.”

“Helen!” Isabel burst out laughing.

“What? They are! No other guy has dared to approach us tonight! It’s boring.” Helen put on some red lipstick, pouting at herself in the mirror. “I like Marcus, but he’s off limits since Emma likes him. Besides, he only has eyes for you, which makes things really complicated.”

“Maybe you’re right…” Isabel looked at her nails. She still hadn’t polished them, and they looked like a wild woman’s. At least they were clean.

“I am right,” Helen affirmed and smiled. “So, what are you going to wear?”

They walked out of the restroom and went back to their table. June was obviously flirting with Marcus, who was looking bored, and Marissa was giggling at something Lucas was telling her. Helen took her seat and Isabel grabbed her jacket, ready to leave.

“OK, I’m going to head home,” she smiled at them. “But it was great seeing you all!”

“I'll drive you home,” Marcus immediately stood up. Lucas was looking at him with amusement, a little smirk curving his lips.

“It’s fine, thank you, I’ll take a cab,” Isabel objected.

“I insist,” Marcus looked her straight in the eye, his blue eyes gleaming. “It’s not safe for you to go on your own.”