Chapter 41
Isabella
I carefully noted down the questions, unacceptable clauses, and points that needed further discussion. The issue of "exclusivity" was at the top of my list, double-underlined in red pen.
Just as I was making my final preparations, my phone chimed with a text from Richard:
"Kevin will pick you up tonight, be ready at seven. See you at the club, little wolf girl."
My heart skipped a beat. Kevin was coming to get me? While I was certainly attracted to him, the silent, tattooed Alpha also intimidated me more than the others.
His powerful presence and minimal speech left me off-balance—never quite sure what he was thinking.
Since that night he pressed me against the table and made me scream, I knew his mouth and hands were good at doing things that pleased me, but we'd barely exchanged more than a few sentences. Now we'd be alone tonight, and I hoped it wouldn't be too awkward.
Before I could overthink it, my phone rang—Julian's video call lighting up the screen.
"Hey," I answered, seeing Julian's disheveled appearance. His hair was sticking up in all directions, and his neck was decorated with several fresh, obvious hickeys. Fuck, he looks like he's been having sex all night.
"So tonight's the big night!" he exclaimed excitedly, adjusting his camera. "Are you sure you want to leave your hair like that messy disaster?"
"What, Julian. I should just leave it wild and untamed, very primal, don't you think?" I teased, running my fingers through my tangled hair.
"Absolutely not," Julian rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll fix mine too. Hope I'm not interrupting you and Taylor?"
"It's fine, he's in the shower," Julian waved dismissively. "Are you ready for the mate bond discussion tonight?"
"As ready as I can be," I admitted, feeling butterflies in my stomach. "I'm so fucking nervous I barely slept a few hours last night."
"That's anticipation, not nervousness," Julian corrected, his expression softening. "Seriously, Isabella, you're being really brave. It takes guts to put yourself out there in front of three Alphas, and I know how uncomfortable you get in new situations. So this is really impressive."
His sincerity touched something deep inside me. "Thanks, that means a lot. You're a good friend, Julian, meeting you was practically a gift from the wolf gods."
"Please," Julian scoffed, though his smile was genuine. "We met cleaning up customer vomit at the café. That wasn't the wolf gods, that was Jacob being an asshole and refusing to help."
The memory made me laugh—an elderly man had thrown up on the floor during our shift, and Jacob had flatly refused to clean it. Julian and I had tackled the mess together, forming a friendship in our shared disgust and determination. We'd been inseparable at work ever since.
Fuck, I thought he was an annoying, superficial guy at first, and he ended up understanding me and supporting me more than anyone. First impressions can be so wrong sometimes.
After careful deliberation, Julian helped me select a silver body-hugging dress with a slit up the side that showed off my legs. I rarely wore dresses, feeling too exposed, too vulnerable, but knowing I would be with three Alphas—under their protection—made me feel safe enough to try.
By evening, I stood before the bathroom mirror, making final adjustments to my makeup. I had opted for smoky eyes to enhance the allure of my gaze, with a pale pink lipstick that made my lips look fuller without being too bold. My black hair hung in loose waves down my back, gleaming in the bathroom light.
You don't look like that ordinary girl who hides behind an apron at the café anymore, I thought to my reflection. I hope they like this look, but more than that, I hope they actually want to know the person beneath it.
A sharp knock at the door made me jump. Seven o'clock exactly—Kevin was punctual. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to see him standing there in a black leather jacket, his powerful frame filling the doorway. As he looked at me, the tribal tattoos extending up his neck seemed to ripple, his dark eyes scanning me from head to toe.
Without saying a word, he walked straight into my apartment, eyes restlessly scanning the space as if searching for danger.
"I thought we were going directly to Erotic Paradise?" I asked, confused by his strange behavior.
Kevin didn't respond, walking straight to my front door to examine the lock. His large hands tested the mechanism, his brow furrowing in disapproval.
"What are you doing?" I asked, watching as he moved to inspect my windows next.
"Lock not secure," he muttered, his deep voice almost inaudible.
Fuck, is he worried about my safety? That's... unexpected but touching.
After completing his inspection, he turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Go."
I grabbed my purse and followed him out, surprised when he stopped to check that the main entrance door to the apartment building was properly secured. The gesture left me puzzled—was this standard Alpha behavior, or was he particularly concerned for my safety?
Of the three Alphas, he looks the most dangerous, yet he's the one most concerned with my safety. The contradiction makes my heart beat a little faster.
Outside, Kevin led me to a large black SUV parked at the curb. He unexpectedly opened the passenger door for me like a gentleman, waiting until I was seated before firmly closing it.
Once behind the wheel, he accelerated away from the curb at a speed that pushed me back into my seat. He drove as if traffic laws were merely suggestions, weaving skillfully through traffic while maintaining complete silence.
This is going to be an interesting night, I thought, stealing glances at his stoic profile as we sped toward Erotic Paradise and whatever tonight might bring.
Even though he's said fewer than ten words to me, he makes me feel safer now than before, maybe because of our soon-to-be mate relationship. God, am I really going to bond with three Alphas? This is all so crazy.