Chapter 30

Belle POV:

I run back to the house to be with my family and join the party. My father is right, and I have to hold my head high and deal with this head-on. I cannot let someone else keep me from the party. I sprint back to the house full speed. When I get to the house, I sneak into the back and go into my room.

Katherine is waiting for me in my room. "Where were you?" Katherine asks.

"I went for a run," I snap at her. Katherine is so far up mom, that she will tell her whatever I say.

"I was worried about you. Everyone is worried, especially Aria," Katherine says.

I roll my eyes at her and shake my head. "I am sure his she-wolf will keep him company. No one needs to worry about me. I am fine," I say.

Katherine reaches out for me. "You should not be that way. We all love you, Belle. Let me be here for you. You have always been here for me," Katherine says.

I sit down at my makeup table and begin fixing my hair and makeup. Katherine stands behind me while I reapply my makeup. "You do not need it. I wish I were as beautiful as you, Belle," Katherine says.

"Sit down with me," I say to her as I take a deep breath. I pat the seat next to me for Katherine to sit with me.

"Really," she says, giddy.

I turn toward her and brush her hair. She looks like her mother. We have never hidden the fact that Katherine and Levi are adopted, but as far as I am concerned, she is my sister, and I do love her. She is annoying, but I love her. I take some time, apply a little makeup, and braid her hair. She looks amazing.

"Now, how is that?" I ask her.

She looks in the mirror and smiles. "It is perfect. Thank you," Katherine says.

The door opens to my room. Mom is standing in the doorway, smiling at us. She looks happy for a moment. "Kai is here for you, Katherine," Mom says. Katherine puts her arms around me and squeezes me tightly.

"Thanks, sis," Katherine says. She jumps up and takes off for the party and to Kai.

"She will be fine. Kai is a nice guy," I say to mom. I can read her mind, and she is worried about Katherine. I am not sure why because Katherine will never leave her. If Katherine does get married, she will probably move him into this house with mom and dad. I do not think Katherine has ever been away from mom for an extended period of time.

"Are you okay?" my mother asks me.

"I am fine. I saw her at the stream after dad left. She came to comfort me, and it freaked me out a little, if I am honest. I am not sure why she insists that Aria is my mate. I do care deeply for him, but wouldn't there be some sort of spark or something?"

"Maybe it is not time yet. You should do what makes you happy, Belle. Do not lose Aria as a friend. You and Aria are too close to throw that away. Maybe you are destined to be friends," my mother says.

"Maybe. I will be out in a minute," I say.

My mother closes the door and goes back to the party. I put the finishing touches on my makeup and get up to rejoin the party. I will not let Aria or Lakota bring me down. There are plenty of wolves, and I am a beautiful wolf. I can have any wolf I want. I hold my head high and go out the bedroom door to rejoin the party.

I walk through the kitchen as the she-wolves put the finishing touches on the meal. The grand party is outside near the garden. Many of the wolves from Alpha Sebastian's pack are starting to arrive. I watch as they file toward the garden talking to one another and looking at the she-wolves.

"Belle," I hear someone call to me. I turn to see Aria and Lakota, and I intentionally ignore him. I cannot do this in front of everyone. I feel my heart breaking into a million pieces, and I want to cry as I make my way to the party. I bump into a wolf as I am trying to get away from Aria and Lakota.

"Hi. I am sorry. I should be watching where I am walking," I say. I look up to a tall, sexy wolf with long red hair.

"It is okay. I should watch where I am going, Belle. I am Alpha Locke. I know your father and Alpha Sebastian," he says.

"You are awfully young to be an Alpha," I say. I cannot help but look him up and down.

"I believe I am your age. I am 23. My father decided to step down and move to Florida with my mother," Alpha Locke says.

I can smell Aria as he walks past me. My heart is shattering that I am not with him and that he is with her, but I can do nothing about it. I have to keep going and let this go.

"Would you like to join me?" Alpha Locke asks me.

"I can walk with you, but I have to sit with my parents and the guest of honor," I say.

"Well, afterward, you should find me. We could talk or go for a run or maybe get a drink," Alpha Locke says.

"Sure, it sounds like fun. After the party, I would love to meet with you," I say.

Alpha Locke stops in front of his table. There are several wolves with him at his table and one she-wolf. I introduce myself to each of them. They all seem friendly, a little too nice, but I know that I make people nervous.

"See you later," I say as I walk away from the table.

I sit beside my father. I am supposed to sit by my mother, but I leave that seat for Katherine. I am not in the mood for twenty questions about who I was talking to and what we were talking about right now.

"You know he is not a good choice for you," my father says. He looks over at me with the sternness I am not used to getting from him. When it comes to my father, I always get what I want.

"What! We were just talking," I say.

My father continues with the hard, stern look. "He is a womanizer and a playboy. He does not take anything seriously. Be careful, Belle. You need to talk to Aria before you do something stupid," my father scolds me.

I look over to see Alpha Locke. He is looking at me. He is sexy. What would it hurt to have a little fun? I mean, I have saved myself for Aria, who obviously did not commit himself for me.

"Belle, can we talk?" Aria says, touching my shoulder. I look behind me to see him standing behind me.

"Where is your date?" I ask him, pulling my shoulder away from his touch.

"Please, before my father speaks, I need to talk to you. It is very important," Aria says.

"FINE!" I say sternly. I push back from the table, almost hitting Aria.

"Be nice," my father says with a lot of worry in his voice. What does he think I will do, melt Aria's mind? Well, it could happen.

I walk in front of Aria to go to an area next to the garden where we can be alone. "What is it?" I ask.

Aria cups my face and pulls me to him. He takes my mouth and kisses me. It feels like the entire world is sparkling and on fire as Aria kisses me. He is my mate. So why did he bring that she-wolf with him to the party? I pull back from him.

“Tell me about Lakota?” I ask him.

A branch breaks in the distance. Before Aria can answer, I realize we are not alone out here.