Chapter 137 MY MOST BEAUTIFUL FANTASY

Chapter 137 MY MOST BEAUTIFUL FANTASY
ISABELLA
He took advantage of the moment, while Kaden went over to tell the poor guard, loaded down with packages, that he could head back to the Academy and take the shopping to the car.
“Forget this boring food with those ice faces, Bambi and the heavyweight,” he said, tugging me to the side, hands moving fast, all twitchy and impatient.
It took me a second to realize he meant the others, and I almost burst out laughing.
“Focus, woman... I found a betting room down in the basement. They say it’s bingo, but I know there’s mage business because, look... I can smell them in the air...”
He made a gesture like he was smoking something strong.
“So you fake going to the bathroom, or you faint, whatever... and we...” “Ah!”
He yelped when an enormous redhead behind him grabbed him by the neck and hauled him back.
“I told you not to make things up, Willy. Or do you not fear the consequences? I think I’ve been way too soft on you lately.”
That’s what I caught before Darius dragged him off.
Oh my Goddess, Darius’ voice was so savage. It sounded like his wolf was the one talking.
William’s eyes turned complicated when he looked at me, and I gave him a pitying look.
No idea what he was going to do to him, but that direction definitely wasn’t the restaurant.
“Fall in battle with honor... and the pharmacy’s that way,” I called after him, laughing.
He flipped me off before he disappeared around the corner.
“You can tell you’re already a millionaire!” he shouted back. “I’m not taking you with me anymore!”
I was still laughing when I finally walked in with Kaden and the girls, down the hallway that led to the chic restaurant.
Those two showed up halfway through the meal and slid into their seats like nothing happened.
But William’s lips were noticeably swollen.
Kiara shot me a stunned look, like she’d just had an epiphany.
Goddess... I couldn’t stop laughing. I couldn’t stop feeling relaxed.
The day felt perfect... but I knew tonight things would get complicated.
I told Kaden about running into Leonardo, and we all talked in the private room about the plan.
Things were going to get intense. Fast. So fast I never would’ve imagined this much madness, this many dangerous situations.
Because today I had a “secret” date with Professor Leonardo, and I knew that would set every macabre mechanism in motion to take Kaden down.
The masks were going to hit the floor tonight...

NARRATOR
“Girls, I think I’m going to steal the show at that party today,” Isabella said, fluffing her curls a little more as she gave herself the final approval in the mirror.
She was more than satisfied with the jaw-dropping look Kaden had sent so they’d match.
She’d decided to get dressed with the girls, and there she was, showing off like crazy in front of the mirror.
“My human is such a diva. Not prettier than me, obviously, but you’re trying,” Isabella smiled at her wolf’s nonsense.
Not even Thera’s affectionate poison was going to throw her off today.
This was her big day, and her heart sped up just thinking that she’d finally stand in front of everyone as Kaden’s official mate.
She turned one more time, letting the lace layers of the train float like a whisper of fabric.
She wore a black dress covered in gold details, even the buttons that climbed up the tight bodice, lifting her breasts and hugging her figure.
The puffed lace sleeves fell gracefully over her pale shoulders, and the snug choker on her neck made her look sexy and mysterious.
This gala dress was a mix of classic, modern, and sensual.
Isa had loved it the second she opened the surprise box.
Then she paused when she realized she couldn’t hear the girls. Weren’t they ready yet?
Last, she touched up the light-colored lipstick and ran her hand through her hair again, giving volume to the waves of blonde that fell from an elegant updo that still looked relaxed.
“Wait, you’re missing the matching mask!” her wolf reminded her as she was already clicking her way out in gorgeous black heels with amber gemstones.
Isa grabbed the finely crafted mask. Like the rest of the outfit, it was dreamy. She really did feel like a princess.
She lifted it to her face carefully as she walked into the little sitting area.
“What do you think?” she said to the air, and lifted her gaze, only to find empty space.
She frowned, and even though Thera told her she couldn’t feel them in the apartment, Isabella checked their rooms anyway.
Obviously, they’d already gotten changed... so where were they?
“Maybe they went out into the hallway?” She lifted the layered skirt and went to look for them.
But they weren’t in the hallway either. It was weirdly quiet.
Isabella started to worry.
“Girls?” Her heels echoed down the corridor toward the stairs. Behind every bedroom door, she couldn’t hear so much as a breath.
“Kiara, Harper? If this is a joke, it’s not funny,” she shouted as she headed down the central staircase, floor by floor, until she reached the main hall.
Horror crawled up her spine when she realized the building felt like a ghost town. She didn’t run into a single person, and Thera kept insisting there wasn’t a single presence.
Isabella stepped out of the dorm and into the small plaza, scanning in every direction, alert, her magic vibrating under her skin.
“If this is something that idiot Miska planned, I’m not holding back,” she whispered, but worry squeezed her heart tight.
Then she saw a shadow walk toward one of the narrow alleys connecting the buildings.
She followed, cautious but fast.
“I’ve got a feeling it’s some weird guy. Be careful, Isa... and please don’t let it be Professor Leonardo.”
Thera warned, but Isabella’s heels kept clicking on the pavement until she reached one of the small inner gardens.
“I’m sure he came this way.” Isabella looked around, at the fountain in the middle, at the small benches.
The cold night wind blew and made her shiver. She’d forgotten her shawl in the room, but right now that didn’t matter.
“He’s behind a column!” Thera growled at the intruder, and Isabella spun with her canines out.
Out of the shadows stepped an elegant man, blond hair falling to his shoulders, a curious smile on his lips.
“Well, now I get why the Lycan prince is so crazy about his mate. And honestly, that cage scene wasn’t bad at all.”
Isabella took a step back when she recognized the Arcane Prince.
What was a man this dangerous doing here? Wasn’t he supposed to be a temporary ally... or was he about to betray Kaden?
“What does the sorcerer prince want with me?” Isabella asked, but her eyes searched for an exit.
Suddenly she felt a rush of wind. She barely had time to blink before that handsome face was right there, too close.
“I’m not the one who wants something from you, sweetheart...” he said, his tone mocking, but Isabella wasn’t about to sit there and get kidnapped.
She attacked, her Seraphina magic bursting out in a violent snap, but she only hit mist.
A curtain of fog rose, blinding her completely, and all she heard was a low, mocking laugh drifting through nothing.
“You’re welcome, little princess...” was the last thing that strange man told her.
Isabella started pushing the fog away, disoriented, calling for her friends, fear and uncertainty twisting in her chest.
“Isa, I feel my mate, up ahead. I feel my mate!” Thera suddenly roared, excited.
Still, Isabella moved carefully through the same alley she’d come through, but at the end... it wasn’t the dorm.
Something else, something unbelievable, unfolded in front of her.
“What... what is all this?” she whispered, stunned as she stared at the ruins where that festival had been held.
But this time, they were decorated with gorgeous rose arrangements, music floated in the air, and a stage stretched out before her, leading her to the center where her mate was waiting.
Isabella walked toward him like she was living inside the most beautiful fantasy of her life.
Under the moonlight, his hair looked like silver, and his outfit matched hers so perfectly it was unreal.
He waited with his hand extended, like he’d been waiting for her his whole life.
Isabella’s eyes went wet with emotion as she reached out too and slid her hand into the larger, warmer one.
Kaden pulled her in by the waist, drawing her against him as the music carried them into a slow dance.