A Princess Lost

Chapter Four

Standing in front of her floor length mirror, Isabella looked over her perfectly styled hair, the back pinned up into a french knot whilst curled tresses framed her face, softening her features.  Her light make up brought out her blue eyes and the long flowing strapless silver dress clung to her curves, showing off her figure perfectly.

A light knock at the door caught her attention, 'come in' she called

The door opened and Charity came in, her blonde hair cascading down her back as her midnight blue dress clasped her body exquisitely, gasping as she saw her daughter, 'well don't you just look like the most beautiful angel in the universe' she finally said, wiping tears from her eyes as Isabella blushed.

'Still biased mom' she grinned as Charity laughed despite herself. 

Walking over to her daughter she held out a small velvet covered box that she had clasped in her hands.  'A birthday present from your dad and I' she said with a small smile.

Taking the box gingerly in her hands, Isabella prized open the lid to reveal a stunning diamond encrusted bracelet, staring up at her mother she managed to mutter 'its gorgeous'.

Charity smiled as she lifted the bracelet from its velvet cocoon and placed it around her daughters wrist, firmly fixing the clasp before stepping back to take in her daughters frame.  'You are a vision my Bella Boo, I hope you find your true love tonight' she said as she stepped forward again to pull her daughter into a tight hug.

Smiling happily, Isabella pulled away from her mother before taking her hand and leading the way out of her bedroom and toward the stairs, suddenly nervous but refusing to show it as she lifted her head and walked with her mother down the steps to the waiting guests.

As they reached the last stair case all eyes turned to watch them as they descended to the foyer, her father stepping forward to pull her into a hug before grasping his wife and whispering something in her ear that made her blush a faint rose hue and a smile to creep across her lips.

The crowd parted to allow the Alpha and Luna to make their way into the dining hall that had been transformed that afternoon into a celebration for Isabella, Silver and blue streamers hung from the ceiling whilst helium balloons stood in bunches on the tables.  Banners wishing her a Happy Birthday hung on the walls and a huge chocolate fountain cascaded in the corner of the room, various fruits and sweets encircling it ready to be dipped by hungry guests.  The teen grabbed her brothers hand, who had been stood beside his father, and followed behind them, ignoring the lustful stares from the teen boys who were here with their parents, looking straight ahead as Aaron led the family up onto a small stage that had been set up for the party's DJ, gazing down as the pack members filed in behind them, gathering on the dance floor to listen to their leader.

When the babble of noise died down, Aaron raised his hand smiling, 'Family' he called out, his voice echoing around the room with ease, 'tonight we celebrate the coming of age of one of our own, we have watched her grow from a toddler who liked to steal her grand fathers biscuits to the beautiful teenager here with us tonight' he said as the pack laughed and Isabella blushed furiously.

'She has become a formidable warrior and I have no doubt that when her time comes, she will make a formidable Alpha, may I present to you my daughter, your future Alpha, Isabella Mary Annalise Cross' Aaron announced, reaching out his hand to his daughter as the pack erupted into yells and howls from the pack members.

Taking her fathers hand nervously, Isabella stepped into the centre of the stage, bowing her head at her father before murmuring 'Thank you everyone'.  Quiet fell again as the pack house waited expectantly, taking a deep breath, Isabella searched the crowd, staring into the hopeful eyes of every unmated pack male and watching as their expressions turned to sorrow as the realization they were not her mate hit them.  After having gazed into the eyes of every single male, Isabella lifted her face to her father and shook her head sadly.

Giving her hand a tight squeeze Aaron turned back to their pack, 'Though Isabella has not found her mate tonight among us, we are still going to celebrate her coming of age in the best way we can, so everyone join me in wishing my beautiful princess a Happy Birthday' he shouted as the pack all replied with 'Happy Birthday Isabella!' before breaking up and wandering off into groups to talk, eat and dance as the DJ set the music going and Aaron led his family off the stage.

'Sorry you didn't find you mate sweetheart' Charity said sadly

Isabella smiled up at her parents concerned faces, 'Hey dad didn't find you till he was in his twenties! so obviously by having to wait, i'm going to find someone just as amazing as you Mom' she said smiling as her dad grinned down at her.

'It's true, the longer you wait the more perfect your mate is when they finally find their way to you' he agreed, pulling his wife into his arms and kissing her whilst Marcus pulled a disgusted face.

'Eww get a room!' he moaned as a loud chuckle sounded behind them and they turned to the beaming grins of Justin and Hazel stood behind them.

'Uncle Justin!' Isabella yelled happily as she threw herself at him, 'I thought you couldn't make it' she squealed

'As if I would miss my Izzy Wizz's big eighteenth' Justin said with mock horror, 'plus I had to be here in case you found your mate to stop your dad killing him' he added with a grin as Isabella chuckled, hugging him tight before releasing him and hugging Hazel.

Leaving the adults to talk, Marcus disappeared into the crowd in search of Justin and Hazel's son Jason whilst Isabella lost herself in the sea of people, thanking each one as they stepped up to give her birthday wishes.  Making her way over to her friends, she dropped into one of the empty chairs, smiling round at the faces of her closest mates.

'Sorry you didn't find your mate Bell' Courtney said with a small smile.

Isabella shrugged, 'it's ok, just means I have more time to focus on the pack before I have to deal with some horny teenager following me around' she giggled.

'You know what we should do!' suddenly said Darcy, 'girls night out! this weekend, there's that hot new club in the local town, now Bell is eighteen the Alpha should let her come'

'You never know, maybe your mate will be at the club' Courtney added with a smirk.

'I don't know girls, I still have a lot of training to do' Isabella argued.

'Don't be such an old granny' Darcy mocked, 'You have years to be a boring old fossil doing Alpha work, this is the time to have some fun! ask the Luna, she'll say yes' she urged.

Her resolve swaying under the intense cajoling of her friends Isabella finally relented, 'OK I will ask Mom if I can go' 

The girls screamed happily as they all piled on her in excitement, 'this is going to be the best night ever!' Courtney yelled as they caught hold of Isabella's hands and dragged her up to the dance floor, Darcy running over to the DJ and demanding he play their choice of song.  As 'girls just wanna have fun' belted out of the speakers, the group of teenagers danced together, yelling out the lyrics as they swayed to the music.

As the night wore on, the guests gradually took their leave, some very much the worse for wear, being supported by partners or friends as they wandered out of the pack house and back to their cabins.

Walking up behind her daughter, Charity put her arm around the young girl, pulling her sideways so her head rested on her mothers shoulder, 'Did you have a good night?' Charity asked with a soft smile.

Nodding happily, Isabella replied, 'The best Mom, though I need to ask you something' she added looking nervously up at her mother who's brow creased in concern.

'What is it Bella?' Charity asked worriedly.

'The girls want to take me out this weekend, sort of a 'sorry you didn't find your mate' girls night out' Isabella muttered hurriedly, 'They want to take me to a club in the town.'  keeping her eyes on the floor Isabella waited for her mothers answer.

'Ummm, I don't know Bella, you are the future Alpha, we need to keep you safe' Charity began,

'I know' interrupted Isabella quickly, 'But we would all stick together, no-one leaves or stays by themselves, they'll even escort me to the bathroom! We will be super duper careful I promise' she pleaded, her eyes connecting with her mothers, begging her silently.

'Well' Charity wavered, 'Maybe Merrick could take you down there and pick you up?' she suggested.

Squealing, Charity threw her arms around her mothers neck, 'Absolutely! then you know we'll all get there and home safe'

Nodding reluctantly, Charity replied, 'I'll talk to Dad ok, no promises, but i'll see what I can do, OK?'

'Thanks Mum' Isabella grinned, giving Charity a quick kiss before skipping out of the dining room and heading to her room, desperate to ring Riley who she knew would be waiting up to hear how he party went.

Falling into her room, Isabella unzipped her dress, allowing it to drop from her shoulders before stepping out and grabbing her warm fluffy pyjama's, throwing the top over her head and pulling on the trousers quickly to protect her from the night's chill air.  Picking up the dress, she hung it carefully on a hanger in her wardrobe before heading into the bathroom to brush her teeth and remove her makeup.  Finally, having brushed her hair into a high ponytail, Isabella dropped onto the bed and grabbed her phone, flicking through her contacts until she came to Riley, pressing his name and holding the phone to her ear as she listened to the shrill ring at the other end.

'Bella?' Came Riley's sultry tones moments later, 'Happy Birthday Babe! finally the big eighteen!' he growled affectionately, 'sooooo what's he like? could I take him in a fight? who am I kidding? of course I could, i'm an Alpha' he boasted as Isabella laughed.

'Calm down stud' she growled playfully, 'I didn't meet my mate tonight, so there is no need for a show of masculinity'

A short pause followed her words, before Riley spoke, 'Aw sorry babe' he said gruffly.

Shaking back her hair from her face, Isabella smiled, 'don't be, i'm not, one less thing to distract me from my Alpha lessons' she replied airily.

Chuckling sexily, Riley replied, 'so tell me about the party, who got drunk? anyone actually find their mate?' he asked as Isabella lay back on her pillows and happily filled him in on the nights adventures. They finally managed to hang up at 1am after Isabella promised to visit for his party in two months time.