Chapter 9 ~ Second Tuesday of next week

My room is a mess. Literally, every deess and skirt I own.. is on my bed.. or my floor..or the floor of my closet. I have tried on every single one. Deciding what to wear on a date.. is problematic enough.. but deciding what to wear on a date..with my mate is anxiety inducing.. I never had to dress for a date. I’ve never had one.

My makeup is done.. My hair lies in soft curls, falling free to the middle of my back. I finally narrowed my choices to three.. and Grandmom walked in. She grins at me “Having trouble?!” At my exasperated nod she laughs “When in doubt.. always go with the little black dress!” And she walks into my closet… coming back out with a one shouldered long sleeved a-line dress and black and silver heels. “Here! It’s simply elegant..and black never does you wrong!”

I slip into it.. realizing I have never worn it.. Stretchy velvet, it fits my form perfectly. Makes my eyes pop and my hair seems to shine! Slipping into the strappy heels, I stare at my reflection. I smile at her “It’s perfect!” She smacks my behind and says “Go now! He’s waiting!” And I walk out of my room.. reaching the top of the stairs. He was standing at the foot of the stairs, talking to Granddaddy.. and he looked gorgeous! His long hair was gelled up into a bun.. wearing black jeans that seemed he had been poured into. His shirt was black.. with tiny silver pinstripes and now, I’m thinking my grandmother deliberately dressed me in what she did so I would match my handsome mate!

His head lifted slowly, and when he spotted me, he stopped talking. As I walked down the stairs, his eyes had widened, and his lips began to lift slightly at the corners.. Until I reached him, then his smile covered his whole face “You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on! I can’t believe you are mine! Thank Goddess!” I smiled “You look incredible! I’m pretty shocked you’re mine!” He kissed my knuckles and we told my grandparents good night.

Arriving at the restaurant, he lifted me down from his truck.. laughing at me for needing help.. I said “Yeah.. yeah.. nice truck! But you’re going to have to help me in and out, in this dress.. not like I can mount the bitch, on the run!” He laughed even harder.

We stood at the hostess station several minutes.. even though Kendrick had given her our name, as we walked in. She just stood there..staring at him.. just…staring.. I finally said “Excuse me, if you’re going to drool all over my mate, all night, could you, at least, show us to our table, first? I’m hungry!! And you look thirsty!” And Kendrick laughed again.

We finally had gotten seated and actually ordered.. he asked me questions about my art.. my life.. silly things like my favorite color.. music.. movies.. I asked him about growing up.. sports he played.. favorite artists.. and he.. being ever my mate.. told me I was his favorite.. Everything. Which caused me to giggle. He told me about girls he had casually hooked up with.. wanting me to understand that they meant nothing.. simply to satisfy an urge. But, that was all behind him.. that he hasn’t ever even looked at another girl, since he met me.. on the side of a lake.. so long ago. He told me about Amber.. and how she tried to lie her way into Luna.. and I told him I had saved everything for my mate.. had never even held the hand of another guy! He smiled sadly “I wish I would have waited! I am truly sorry, my Belle!” And, I told him he is forgiven.. one of us should, at least, have an idea what to do!

We arrived at The Pub.. and Alexander and Jaxson were already three sheets to the wind. Baron sat there.. looking bored.. and babysitting! I ordered a Washington Apple.. in the mood for some whiskey.. and sat down.. watching Alexander dance. He is usually a good dancer.. not at all sure what he’s calling what he’s doing now though!

Kendrick and I danced several dances, and I had a couple drinks.. before we decided to take the drunk boys home. We had to stop by Debbie’s Diner for pancakes.. and by the time they had all eaten, the guys were sobered up, somewhat. We finally headed home..saying good night and going our own separate ways.

Morning came early.. with Granddaddy and Grandmom leaving soon after breakfast. Kendrick asked to speak with Alexander and I… as he is going back to his pack house for a few hours to take care of a few things. I don’t want him to go.. but he’s Alpha.. and has already been gone a few days. I’m sure paperwork is piling up!

We sat down in the office and Kendrick began to speak.. he told us everything my grandfather had told him.. Alexander is pissed. He wants to talk to our parents.. for now, he has called Aunt Helena and Uncle Max in.. wanting to find out if they have any further details. Kendrick hasn’t let go of my hand.. and I am numb.. just numb.. so I don’t even feel the warmth from his fingers.

I stand and walk over to my twin. Wrapping my arms around his waist… letting Angelica soothe Idris.. until he calms. He kisses the top of my head, and Kendrick takes me in his arms.. whispering “Are you okay?” I shrug and tell him “I am numb.. I just feel… nothing. I guess I am processing. I don’t know.”

When Helena and Max come in, she sees our expressions and immediately asks “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Alexander huffs “Define ‘wrong’? Why were we never told about Bella’s abduction? How is keeping us in the dark our whole lives… the right thing to do?” Helena’s eyes were huge.. Max cleared his throat “We were following orders. It was not up to us to inform you. Your parents commanded everyone to never sat anything.”

I spoke quietly “Alex.. it’s okay to be angry.. it’s not okay to direct that anger towards anyone who was following a command. That is beyond their control. Keep it in check, brother. Please? At least, until you hear from Momma and Daddy what their reasons are”

He nods and mutters “For you.. but it feels like betrayal! Especially with the attempts to abduct you, recently! What if it turns out this is all connected from your infancy and being unaware of it… I could have lost you! I can’t stand the thought of that!”

Kendrick suggests we set a time for a video conference with our parents.. that way, we have time to decide how we want to approach the situation…have an idea what questions we want to ask. Time to process.. so nothing regrettable is said in anger. Alexander agrees and asks “Belle.. I will shoot them a text with date and time.. when do you think we should do it?”

I shrug.. still not knowing what I feel “I don’t know… Second Tuesday of next week?”