Party Pooper
1343 Words
Bella
Ben drove Bella back. Their home was in the No Man’s land. It was the unclaimed part to the South of Myponga. It was a well-kept secret.
The Royal Academy was located on Kangaroo Island also known as Karta Pintingga literally meaning the 'Island of the Dead'.
It was one of those islands where the wolves would say goodbyes to their dead in the past but slowly the place had gotten inhabited by the white dwellers and now this island was out of bounds to the wolves.
Even today, there were spaces on the island concealed by magic where the mysterious beings gained their education and training. These spaces had government protection.
They had a 3-hour ride from the island to Myponga. They dropped Ira and her parents at the Kingscote airport and proceeded to take a ferry and drive out.
Bella was excited to be going back. Her brother’s friend Liam was their uncrowned king. He was their saviour. He ruled the rogues and made sure that the packless wolves had a roof on their heads and food on their plates. They all adored their king.
He had rescued Ben and Bella long time back when they were thrown out of their own pack. Their parents were accused of betraying their Alpha. She did not know the whole story. Her brother always avoided talking about it.
But she remembered the bone-chilling cold sleepless nights. The constant running away from the faceless predators. She and Ben were twins but Ben loved to call himself the elder sibling. He was born only 5 mins earlier than her, yet he took his responsibility seriously and looked out for her.
Even when they were moving away from their pack he had kept constant vigil making sure that they were safe.
When they had finally met Liam they were surprised to see that he was of their own age but he was powerful. He had convinced Ben to send her to the Royal Academy.
He was himself homeschooled but he needed a qualified smart team to grow his empire. His vision for his wolves and his land was crystal clear. He would make sure that the rogues had enough money and strength.
His mother, the witch, had only revenge on her mind but Liam was more ambitious He did not allow revenge to consume him. Instead, he got the rogues together and got them into businesses. This had made their pack rich. He sure was accepted as the king by all.
His command could not be denied by any living wolf she had known of. He was strong and ruthless. She loved the guy like her elder brother.
He and Ben had become best friends and Ben soon became the Beta of his growing empire. They both got along like a house on fire.
When Liam observed Bella’s sharpness of wit, fiery nature and fighting skills he had insisted on sending her to the Royal Academy. She and Ben could never have afforded the education otherwise.
She was forever indebted to their Alpha, their Rogue King!
They reached home and got busy getting ready for Ben’s engagement party in the evening. He had found his mate in a rogue omega from a pack from Victoria.
Such celebratory occasions in the No Man’s land were few and far between. So their pack was excited. It was the day everyone would get to dress up. Bella was so looking forward to it.
Bella had become friends with Ben’s mate too.
The party began with a bang. Liam had got his wolves to set up the party in the garden in front of his chambers. He was away surveying their perimeters for any possible breach while the party started.
Bella got ready in her red satin off-shoulder dress and wore Ira’s red bracelet & her red Madonna stilettos. Ira loved high heels and thanks to her short stature the shoes looked amazing on her.
Bella turned around looking at herself in the mirror. Happy with her look she walked into the party. Brianna, Ben's mate welcomed her in excitement. They hugged and got chatting.
It was good to see Brianna so happy. The girl had enough horrible experiences for her lifetime. The scares on her body spoke of the horrors that she had gone through in her parent pack. Every rogue here had a s********e stories were tragic and some just showed the beastly nature of the werewolves.
As the party was in full swing Liam arrived. Silence followed wherever he went. His huge 6 feet 4 inches ripped and the muscular frame looked dapper in an all-black suit. It was funny to see him dressed up but she appreciated the effort. The colour complimented his tanned skin. He looked dangerous and powerful.
He walked over to Ben and Briana and handed them an envelope. A gift from him to his Beta. Bella had just finished her dance and joined them. The envelope had return tickets to Bali. Brianna was overjoyed with the gesture.
As Bella reached the group Liam suddenly closed his eyes, lifted his head and sniffed the air. His weird behaviour looked funny as he tried to focus. All of a sudden when he opened his eyes and looked at Bella. His brown eyes lit up with purple edges showing that his wolf was surfacing.
Scared Bella stepped back. Her heart paced even as Ben tried to stop Liam by holding his shoulder but Liam could not be stopped. His eyes were focused on something else.
Bella watched him with fear. What was wrong with Liam? Why was he acting as if he did not know her?
He walked close to her and hissed, “Mate!” His dilated eyes alternating between brown and purple made him look savage. For the first time, she appreciated how dangerous Liam could look.
She shook her head. This wasn’t happening. She couldn’t picture Liam as her mate. He was like an elder brother to her! It felt incestuous. She gulped trying to soothe the sudden dryness in her throat. How was she going to talk sense into him?
The entire party had come to a standstill. Everyone watched Bella eagerly. Nobody knew what was happening. Liam’s words had been merely a whisper. No one had heard them in the cacophony of noises from the party.
He held her right hand and pulled it up to his nose. Taking a long whiff of the bracelet he looked into Bella’s scared eyes and commanded. “Whose is this?”
Bella’s eyes widened in surprise. What the real f**k? Ira? Is she his mate?
“I asked who does this bracelet belong to? Who had worn this before you?” Liam gritted his teeth. A vein in his temple throbbing, showing how her silence was upsetting him. He menacingly bared his canines. "Answer me, Bella!" His voice was almost a growl.
She tried to speak but words failed her. She knew the witch did not want Liam to be mated. She knew the witch would want Liam’s mate dead. Everyone knew about it. Liam himself was against finding a mate. If she spoke out, would it mean Ira’s death?
Bella looked at Ben trying to get her thoughts across to him through her eyes but she only saw confusion. Like everyone else, he hadn’t heard Liam’s words either. She mind linked him. ‘Liam is asking about Ira’s bracelet. He believes it is his mate's.'
She saw Ben’s eyes widen in recognition. “Party over!” His voice boomed through the venue. Briana looked at him confused but thankfully did not protest. He replied to Bella over mind link. 'Don't mind link. Liam can intercept."
Ben strode over to Liam and pulled him towards his chambers. Liam’s stronghold on Bella’s had refused to loosen.
Exasperated, Ben mind linked Liam. ‘You are scaring Bella. Let's talk inside your chambers. Or do you want everyone to know that you have found your mate? Do you know what your mother will do?’
*****
- Writer
