They made it to the house in one piece and undetected alright, but from what he could see through the kitchen window, the children weren\u2019t alone. They were with adults with guns and from what he could tell, the front door was booby-trapped, no doubt the back door was too. He pulled Bella down to the ground. \u201cTold you, trap!\u201d He hissed at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut those kids!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, no doubt they\u2019re in real danger,\u201d he said as he pulled a smoke grenade out of his coat pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen did you have time to pocket that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He smirked at her before getting to his feet, smashing the window and tossed the grenade inside the house before quickly moving to kick down the door. \u201cStay behind me and follow me,\u201d he told her before getting inside, quickly taking care of the first two hunters and Bella knocked another unconscious. He then lost her during the scuffle while he grabbed the frightened kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bella coughed as she followed Isaac out, grabbing hold of his belt. \u201cGo,\u201d she said as she kept a hold of him as he moved, she had her gun out as they retreated, just in case, but she was confident that the hunters inside that house were all unconscious. With a little luck, they would make it back to the van in one piece. That is if they didn\u2019t immediately call for backup after Isaac threw the smoke grenade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was tripping over her feet, glad that she was holding onto Isaac and that she was now a werewolf. She would have fallen flat on her face before. She strained her ears like Isaac had taught her to so that she could hear the approaching boots on the ground should they come even closer, but for now, they needed to hurry and get the kids out of here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bella felt a stabbing pain in her side, but the sensation was strange, it was already healing. Okay, so maybe<\/em> she had thought too lightly about this and Isaac wasn\u2019t actually exaggerating. She was scared out of her wits now, the boots were getting closer, and they were slowed down by the crying kids who were being ushered by Isaac. She let go of Isaac and picked up the smaller child while still having her gun aimed behind her. \u201cPick him up, they\u2019re coming, hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac started to laugh as he picked up the boy and pushed Bella out in front of him. \u201cCome on, Bella, live a little!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFuck you, Lahey, I\u2019m hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He knew she was hurt. Likely stabbed with a knife, he could smell her blood and smell her fear. He had warned her, before, but she wouldn\u2019t want to listen, maybe this would have taught her a lesson. \u201cI\u2019ll check you over once we get the hell out of here, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella huffed as she saw one of the hunters turn around the corner and shot them in their leg, causing them to fall over and fumble for their weapon. \u201cHurry up!\u201d Bella snapped as she tried to go faster than she\u2019d already been going. \u201cI swear, next time you\u2019re going by yourself, I\u2019ll stay home!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once everyone was inside the truck, Isaac drove away quickly, making sure not to head for Mystic Falls directly. He kept looking in his mirrors to make sure that they weren\u2019t being followed as he drove them off. \u201cYou all okay back there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella had given the kids something to snack on, to drown their fears or something, and was checking out her cut with her back turned to them. It had stopped hurting as much, and the gash was already closing up. \u201cYou fucking owe me a new shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n ~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n The kids stayed at their B&B for a couple of days until a relative came to pick them up and take them as far away from the hunter hotspots as possible. Bella was still reeling from the experience, though, and had started to question her decision to help Isaac. She wanted to stay, but would he be okay with it if she\u2019d stayed back?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo matter how badass you are, no matter how much you\u2019ve learned, it\u2019s something entirely different if you end up in a violent situation, isn\u2019t it, boss?\u201d Myriam piped up as she sat down opposite her at the table in the restaurant as Bella was going over the books. \u201cOh, I wanted to speak up sooner, but I figured you weren\u2019t up for the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella sighed as she closed the book. \u201cYou\u2019re a vampire, isn\u2019t violence kinda your thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo is being a werewolf,\u201d Myriam pointed out. \u201cHowever, you can choose not to put yourself in situations that you feel uncomfortable with. I was human before I became a vampire, you know,\u201d she smiled at her. \u201cAnd I\u2019m leaving most of the fighting and protecting to my boyfriend and his family. It doesn\u2019t make me weak or fall into the traditional female role, you know. Because I do like a good kill. I just stopped joining him on his fights because eventually, stuff gets to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was scared shitless,\u201d she muttered the reply. \u201cI thought Isaac was overreacting when he trained me, but\u2026 I\u2019m a cop\u2019s daughter, I\u2019m supposed to\u2026 you know\u2026 I\u2019m a big bad werewolf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myriam placed her hand on top of Bella\u2019s and gently squeezed it. \u201cStaying home when you think it might be too much for you to handle is not a crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut I can\u2019t send him out there on his own!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLooks to me that he\u2019s been doing that for a very long time and he\u2019s been doing fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella huffed. \u201cYeah sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not weak or giving up when you stay behind to hold down the fort. What if you get more protectees? I mean, I\u2019m a vampire, sure, but even I can\u2019t take on a group of hunters at once,\u201d Myriam shrugged. \u201cBesides, there\u2019s nothing wrong to stay home, period. Waiting for your man to come home after a battle, take care of him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not my man!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you sure? I mean, the way you two move around each other speaks volumes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not. Jesus fuck, I\u2019m one of his special projects, remember? I\u2019ve only been away from my boyfriend and his family for a few months and—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myriam started to laugh. \u201cYou\u2019re blushing ever so slightly, and your heart beats a little bit faster\u2026 you have feelings for him. Ah, don\u2019t worry, your secret is safe with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella sighed as she withdrew her hand and folded both of them in her lap. \u201cHe\u2019s complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAren\u2019t all men? But at least it looks like you\u2019re making progress with him, right? I mean\u2026 I had the same thing with Klaus. He saved me all those years ago from a situation that was\u2026 well, let\u2019s say that it wasn\u2019t a pleasant one. And he didn\u2019t know what to do with me, because I told him that I wanted to stay with him. I was scared of the world, and the man who saved me made me feel\u2026 well, safe,\u201d Myriam said carefully. \u201cLike you, I was Klaus\u2019 protectee, and on top of that a brand new vampire with anger issues. He had his hands full with me, but he always approached things clinically, from a distance. Almost as if he didn\u2019t want me to get any closer. Trust issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow long did it take you to, you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTwenty-five years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella\u2019s jaw fell open. \u201cTwenty-five years? Myr, we\u2019re werewolves and may have a longer lifespan than humans, but we\u2019re still mortal! I\u2019m not going to wait that long! My patience isn\u2019t even that long!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, but those years gave me experience, and I can help you with helping him,\u201d Myriam winked at her. \u201cTo make sure it won\u2019t take you that long, so you two have enough time to make some puppies together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut he\u2019ll be alone in the field if I stay here, I don\u2019t want him to be alone, Myriam. I mean, he\u2019s great at what he does, he\u2019s a true soldier and all, but if things are as bad as this, he can\u2019t do everything by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, he likes Jeremy, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She wasn\u2019t sure about Isaac liking Jeremy, but Jeremy came over a few times to play video games with Isaac, or they\u2019d go for a run in the morning. \u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJeremy used to be a special kind of hunter, and honestly, his talents are wasted at magic school. You could suggest to Isaac to have Jeremy join him when he goes out and tell him why you think he\u2019s a better fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t want to disappoint him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he will be, but you\u2019ll never know until you sit down and have a talk with him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She sighed. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n ~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were watching some comedy on Netflix with a good bottle of wine and some snacks that had been left over from the high-tea that Isaac had served that afternoon to a bunch of executives out of Richmond. Bella liked their evenings of decompression, especially after their rescue mission. It was nice and comfortable. Easy. Relaxing. But, she needed to talk to Isaac after her talk with Myriam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She let out a sigh and paused the movie. \u201cCan we talk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t we always talk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah\u2026 but\u2026 this is different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOhh,\u201d Isaac said playfully as he put his glass down and shifted, so he was more comfortable and looking at her with a curious look on his face. \u201cThis oughta be good!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoofball,\u201d she let out a snort and shook her head. \u201cI know that I\u2019ve been basically pushing you to train me to come along with you\u2026 and I hate for you have wasted your time on me and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey,\u201d he interrupted her and took her hand. \u201cMy time is not wasted on you. Ever. I liked teaching you new tricks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, okay, your time was not wasted. Got it. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou found it was a little bit extreme when we rescued those kids?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA bit\u2026 and it\u2019s probably not that way all the time. Things could be worse or easier, it\u2019s not for me. Is it okay to stay here and hold down the fort with Myriam instead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He softly kissed her hand. \u201cOf course, Bella. You can do whatever you want, and holding down the fort is just as important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not angry or disappointed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy would I be, Bella?\u201d He smiled at her. \u201cI\u2019ve been doing this for years, by myself and the occasional assist from Peter. It\u2019s not for everyone, and that shouldn\u2019t be taken the wrong way. Your talents lie elsewhere. You can protect yourself, and I fully believe that you can hold down the fort when we have guests over that need our protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s that easy?\u201d she laughed. \u201cSeriously? I thought you\u2019d be a bit more\u2026 anal about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf anything, I\u2019m glad you\u2019ve decided to stay behind. It\u2019s not easy out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I know. Which brings me to the next thing I want to talk to you about,\u201d she said as she scooted up closer to him. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be doing this alone. What if you get hurt during one of the future rescues? You could risk being killed or taken, or you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He pulled her into his arms, so she was leaning against him with her back. They often watched TV like this, it was comforting and nice. And he hated it, but he was really trying to get that out of his mind; Bella wasn\u2019t going anywhere. She was allowed in. \u201cPeter\u2019s a walking disco ball in daylight, and I can\u2019t see who else we can ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo you\u2019re not opposed to the idea then?\u201d She looked up to him, his face close to hers, her heart skipped a beat. Oh, she wanted to kiss him badly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. Why, you have someone in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ve made some friends here. Like Jeremy Gilbert. He used to be a supernatural hunter, a mystical one. He\u2019s had training, and he might even think like you. You like him, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He thought for a moment about his running partner. He had considered him before, to make a group out of him and Bella, but he had been under the impression that the fighting days were well behind Jeremy. \u201cYou think he\u2019s open to this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou never know until you ask him,\u201d she gently pat him on his arm and got the remote to unpause their movie. \u201cSo you\u2019re going to ask him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan I consider asking him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen I will ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood,\u201d Bella smiled as she settled against him again, letting out a deep, content sigh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella found it incredibly endearing to watch Isaac stand in front of a class of children. He looked so uncomfortable, it was hilarious. Bella didn\u2019t even know that magic school had Parents Day, a day where the parents of the children could visit the school and sit in on classes to see what their kids were learning. And Isaac didn\u2019t like the idea of having parents in his class. But, here they were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caroline had asked Isaac to do a guest lecture on their kind of werewolf to show the children that the supernatural world was more significant than they thought it was, and that was a month ago. She had failed to mention Parents Day, and she had failed to mention that Myriam\u2019s boyfriend Klaus was going to be there, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And apparently, Isaac found him quite intimidating, Bella could tell. It was that she was standing next to Klaus and Myriam; otherwise Isaac wouldn\u2019t have dared to look to the back of the class to engage everyone. After he was done, he didn\u2019t know how fast he had to get out of that classroom to get a breather, which Myriam and Bella found hilarious. \u201cHey man, you did great. Wasn\u2019t so hard now, was it?\u201d Jeremy laughed as he caught up with his friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d rather take my chances with a live grenade,\u201d Isaac muttered as he let out a deep breath. \u201cOn Parents Day, really?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, we have to charm the parents, don\u2019t we? And you have quite the charm,\u201d Caroline smiled as she joined them. \u201cThose haunted, innocent blue eyes of yours\u2026\u201d she then ran her hand through his hair. \u201cThat hair\u2026 and that scruff\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey,\u201d Bella swatted Caroline\u2019s hand away from Isaac, who looked even more spooked. \u201cAsk before you touch.\u201d She then turned to Klaus as he and Myriam joined them. \u201cAnd you! Stop intimidating him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klaus blinked at her. \u201cI\u2019m not doing anything, love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella stared him down, her red eyes flashing briefly. \u201cTurn it off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAw, she\u2019s asking you to turn off your sex appeal,\u201d Myriam purred as she looped her arm through Klaus\u2019 and took a few steps closer. \u201cDoesn\u2019t she know that that\u2019s impossible?\u201d She whispered in his ear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was Bella\u2019s turn to blink in surprise. It was almost as if Myriam was a completely different person around her boyfriend. \u201cI think you two should get yourself a room at our B&B,\u201d she eventually remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klaus smiled amused at his lover before looking at Bella. \u201cOh yes, Myriam told me the beds were quite comfortable. Would you like to join us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caroline and Jeremy had taken a few steps back and were now leaning against the wall, looking utterly bored, but this behavior was something Isaac and Bella had to go through to find out for themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac stopped sulking long enough to look up and narrow his eyes on the hybrid. \u201cDo you mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s not like you have a claim on her, mate. Not from what I\u2019ve heard, she\u2019s fair game and Myriam and I love<\/em> an adventure!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella stared at the nearly millennia old man, her mouth gaping like a fish, speechless. Isaac, on the other hand, while knowing he couldn\u2019t go up against with someone with as much experience as Klaus Mikaelson, let out a low growl as he walked away from his place at his lecture. \u201cYou will stay away from her. She left one manipulative bastard and his family, and it\u2019d be a poor job done for me if I\u2019d allow her to go and join another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, the pup\u2019s got bite,\u201d Klaus said amused as he looked at Myriam, who had a big goofy grin on her face as she looked back at him. \u201cMaybe he should join us instead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was now Bella\u2019s turn to scowl at the two. \u201cHow about you go find Peter? I think he\u2019d be more interested in your games than Isaac and me. I\u2019m fine right here,\u201d she replied, a slight snarl curling on her words as she took a step closer to Isaac. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd yet, you bite so wonderfully,\u201d Klaus smirked, and he once again looked at Myriam. \u201cWhat do you think, love? Are we going to take them up on their offer to take a room at the famous Mystic Night Owl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think you can find yourself some accommodations out in the woods on your own and stay away from Bella and me,\u201d Isaac grumbled, much to Myriam\u2019s delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, darling,\u201d Myriam purred. \u201cI think they\u2019ll want the place to themselves tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, we just don\u2019t want you anywhere near our guests or us, you freaks,\u201d Bella answered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright, that\u2019s enough,\u201d Caroline said as Jeremy snickered. She approached Klaus and Myriam and turned them around towards the exit. \u201cGo. Go and do your\u2026 business and come back normal, no more playing with the puppies. Don\u2019t make me kick you out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As soon as the two were gone, Bella angrily turned on their new friends. \u201cWhat the hell was that about? Neither of you seemed surprised by any of that? Myriam looked like she was taken over by a purple people eater or something!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, well, this is normal for them, gets quite boring after you\u2019ve seen it a few times,\u201d Caroline shrugged as she put her arms around both Isaac and Bella. \u201cHave you guys ever been on a proper date?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wolves eyes grew wide and bewildered as they took in the information. \u201cThis is normal?\u201d Bella blinked. \u201cNo way! Myriam\u2019s like the most down to earth person and\u2026 no, this isn\u2019t normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, yes it is,\u201d Caroline smiled. \u201cNow, go home, decompress and get yourselves cleaned up. Meet me in the town center at 7 tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause I say so,\u201d she smiled at them as she walked them out the door. \u201cThank you so much for your class today, Isaac. You should do that more often.\u201d Caroline let go of them and slapped her friends\u2019 asses. \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella grabbed Isaac and started walking back, in a hurry to get away from the school. It wasn\u2019t that she was afraid of them or their new friends. She just wanted some time away from the sudden weird quickly. \u201cWhat the fuck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur friends are so weird,\u201d he agreed with a nod. \u201cWell, except for Jeremy,\u201d he added before carefully looking over to her. \u201cYou\u2026 You wouldn\u2019t consider to actually\u2026 you know\u2026 to go with them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shot him a \u2018go to hell\u2019 glare. \u201cNo. Are you nuts? Yes, I\u2019ll admit that I can see the appeal Myriam had been talking about with Klaus, but he\u2019s got a lot of that clout and arrogance that I ran from with Edward and his family. While I do think he can be a very valuable ally, just no to whatever the hell was just going through your head. Not interested in anything more than what we can get in a business transaction. And that\u2019s what we have Myriam now to liaise with his family\u2019s power and contacts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He let out a breath of relief and nodded. Glad that she was immune to Klaus\u2019 \u2026 charisma. \u201cI\u2019m not going to deal with him. He\u2019s \u2026 he may be a different type of wolf, he\u2019s really powerful, and it was hard not to give in to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe keep Myriam around for that, but if he\u2019s sticking around, then he can stay at the school, and she can go visit him there,\u201d she shrugged. \u201cHe comes to us only as an absolute necessity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah\u2026 good. Because\u2026 you know\u2026 I have been meaning to ask you something,\u201d he hesitated as he ran a hand through his hair. \u201cAnd that something has only gotten a bit of a push with the encounter with Klaus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella glanced at him, arching a brow. \u201cIs it really that bad that he got under your skin? Because yeah, the guy can be slimy. In fact, I really do want to take a damn shower for the innuendos and hints he was throwing around. I feel like I really need to scrub myself raw with bleach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, that too,\u201d Isaac sighed, shaking his head. \u201cAh, forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, we\u2019ll talk about it after I shower. It seems important to you, but I still feel too creeped out to deal with much at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n ~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac had taken a shower himself, and mentally hitting himself for even thinking about this aloud. To her. This was something important, something he had rejected time and time again, but it was necessary. And he wanted to. He was ready, and he fully believed that she wouldn\u2019t hurt him. She wouldn\u2019t push him away or hurt him. She\u2019d let him be himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, after Bella\u2019s shower, she still wasn\u2019t feeling it. They both decided to have something to eat after meeting with Caroline in the town center, only a few steps away from their B&B. They watched some FRIENDS on Netflix instead, to kill time. \u201cYou know, we don\u2019t have to go and meet Caroline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know,\u201d Bella replied as she leaned against him as they usually did when watching Netflix. \u201cI honestly don\u2019t feel like it, either, but maybe she has something to show us or something. I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe wants us to leave the building more often, that\u2019s what she wants,\u201d Isaac pointed out. \u201cYou still haven\u2019t gone on that girl trip with her and Myriam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause I don\u2019t like girl trips! Don\u2019t get me wrong, I like the occasional spa treatment, but by myself, so I don\u2019t have to participate in girl talk. That\u2019s so freaking annoying!\u201d Bella exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. \u201cShopping for clothes, spending hours in shops!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSpending some girl time with girls,\u201d Isaac laughed. \u201cYou can negotiate how these trips go, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want me gone, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d he smiled at her. \u201cI want you to have fun, socialize more. They\u2019re your friends. You can spend a girl\u2019s day out however you want to. I mean, I doubt they say \u2018no\u2019 when you suggest going to Disney or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I want to do Disney with you, and we can\u2019t do that until you hire some capable chefs to take over when you\u2019re not here, or incapacitated or you know, take a few days off because you\u2019re working yourself too hard,\u201d she let out a whine. \u201cYou had some great guys come in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, but not what I wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, ask Peter for friends of his. Or maybe Myriam for some of her friends. Surely they know vampires who\u2019ve been cooking for a very long time, and you won\u2019t be able to say \u2018no\u2019 to them,\u201d she said smugly. \u201cStop trying to control everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have!\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMore. Those vampy chefs are coming. Or, perhaps they know great human chefs. We can pay them more than they\u2019ll ever earn working normally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd what will I do in my spare time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella was quiet for a moment before shrugging. \u201cSit still and be pretty?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, as if,\u201d he rolled his eyes at her. \u201cYou know I\u2019ll just find something to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n ~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is this?\u201d Bella demanded as they approached Caroline and the little area that she had decorated with\u2026 stuff. A picnic blanket with a picnic basket, some fairy lights in trees, candles and was that a portable DVD player? <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDate night. For you and Isaac,\u201d Caroline beamed as she made them sit down on the blanket. She then retrieved a jar out of the basket and set it down in front of them. \u201cWith little notes to help you talk about your feelings and all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella blinked, with little else for a reaction on her face. \u201cIsaac and I aren\u2019t dating. Has Klaus\u2019 mental illness suddenly spread? I had high hopes for you and Alaric.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh please,\u201d Caroline huffed as she crossed her arms over each other. \u201cAlaric and I co-parent, we\u2019re not compatible. He hates vampires,\u201d she retorted. \u201cAnd no, I didn\u2019t drink from Klaus\u2019 Kool-Aid, this is a long time coming,\u201d she said all motherly. \u201cWe\u2019ve been watching you two walk around each other for a very long time, and you\u2019re both not talking about the thing you two have. You\u2019re both ready for this. Date night. Your first date.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, so not doing this,\u201d Bella shook her head as she got to her feet again. \u201cCome on, Isaac, let\u2019s go home and continue our FRIENDS marathon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac looked at Caroline for a moment before pulling Bella back down. \u201cOur friend went through a lot of trouble to do this for us, we might as well go ahead with it,\u201d he told her, before looking back at Caroline. \u201cThank you, Caroline, for doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caroline beamed with pride. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome! Now, enjoy, and don\u2019t worry about the cleanup, I\u2019ll do that after you\u2019re done,\u201d she then made herself scarce with help from her vampire speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho are you and what did you do to my Isaac?\u201d Bella looked at him, head half cocked, a curious look on her face. \u201cSeriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDidn\u2019t want to upset the preppy vampire,\u201d he shrugged as an excuse and opened the basket to peek inside of it. \u201cShe\u2019s got us Alfredo\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSeriously? She went all the way to Richmond to get us food?\u201d Bella blinked as she peeked into the basket. \u201cOh man, that food\u2026\u201d She got the food out of the basket and sighed. \u201cOkay, fine, we need to thank her for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac grinned as he tucked into his food. \u201cThis isn\u2019t date night. This is good food in the park.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella hummed for an answer as she took a bite of her spaghetti. \u201cThis is so delicious\u2026 look, I love your cooking, but—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlfredo\u2019s is run by real Italians, Bella, of course, their food is better than mine,\u201d he let out a snort. \u201cI know my limits. Doesn\u2019t take away that I really love to cook,\u201d he smiled at her as he kept eating. \u201cAnd are decent at it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you\u2019re great, I just— sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to insult you or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella opened the jar with the little notes in them before taking another bite of food. Since they were going with whatever this was, why not humor Caroline by playing around with this? \u201cOkay, what\u2019s your favorite food?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaac raised a brow. \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to choose, either. All food is good. Right now I\u2019m particularly fond of this stuff,\u201d she said as she motioned to their food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He thought for a moment and sighed as he put his food down and looked down at his hands. \u201cRemember I wanted to talk to you about something, earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was food related?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. It has nothing to do with that food question. It\u2019s more of a personal matter, but it\u2019s important. I think. At least I feel like it\u2019s an important matter we need to discuss. Been wanting to talk to you about this for a while now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She lifted his chin, so he looked at her. \u201cYou know you can talk to me about anything, right? You\u2019ve done so well with opening up to me, why didn\u2019t you come to me before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s different than all of those other things? It\u2019s nothing permanent or anything, I mean\u2026 you\u2019re in control over that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re freaking me out, Lahey,\u201d she narrowed her eyes at him. \u201cStop being so cryptic and just say it. What\u2019s been on your mind for all this time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to be your beta if you\u2019d accept me as yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was taken aback by that. She hadn\u2019t anticipated that. She had been fine with the way they had been for over the last few months since she learned that she was a werewolf, and Isaac had told her then that just because she was an Alpha, he wasn\u2019t just going to roll over for her. He was fine on his own. He\u2019d been hurt and rejected by his previous Alphas, and she understood the reasoning of him rejecting her. She wasn\u2019t particularly waiting on becoming an Alpha with a beta, either. The responsibility alone would make her fuck up, fuck her Isaac up, and she didn\u2019t want to hurt him. She didn\u2019t know how to be a proper Alpha, and she didn\u2019t want to try it on him, either! \u201cIsaac\u2026 I—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNothing changes, Bella,\u201d he said as he took her hands. \u201cI am trusting you with my life. I have been for a while. I look at you to be my compass. And spending time with you has made me realize that maybe having someone else around isn\u2019t so bad. That being the lone wolf that I tried to be, wasn\u2019t exactly working out in my favor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stared back at him, entirely unamused considering that the entire day had gone already for them. \u201cYou do know what this sounds like right? A really sad proposal\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not proposing,\u201d Isaac huffed. \u201cIf I were, I\u2019d do it more spectacularly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know, I get that, but consider the day we just went through— Say what\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually the main reason I wanted to get this out of the way now, you know. If you\u2019re my Alpha, I\u2019ll be less inclined to feel intimidated by other Alphas. Sure, they\u2019ll still be able to influence me, but less powerful, because I\u2019ll be tethered to you. You\u2019ll be stronger, and I\u2019ll be stronger too. I trust you, Bella, and I think you\u2019ll make a wonderful Alpha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan I think about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you have to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, but Isaac, I don\u2019t know what this is going to do for us. With us. I\u2019m not experienced, at all. What if something goes wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m willing to give you the power to overrule and empower me, Bella, not to take my mind and turn me into a brainless minion,\u201d he let out a snort. \u201cBut sure, you can think about it, it\u2019ll be okay if you decide that it\u2019s not a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella squeezed his hands to make him look at her again. \u201cI am not rejecting you, Isaac,\u201d she said kindly. \u201cI think it\u2019s a matter of confidence that\u2019s getting in the way,\u201d she let out a deep breath then. \u201cFor a while now I\u2019ve been feeling like you\u2019re mine to protect, to look out for. Are you sure nothing will change between us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNothing will change, I promise. If anything, it\u2019ll make us stronger in every sense of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElaborate,\u201d Bella sighed, still uncertain about his sudden change of heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, a beta draws his or her power from their Alpha, and in turn, the Alpha does the same. Even when we\u2019re far apart, you\u2019ll be stronger. You\u2019ll gain limited telepathy and mental control to stay in control over me. Like, it\u2019d be easier for you to snap me out of a rage or your roar can help me out. You might have a slight readjustment phase as you\u2019ve been ignoring some of your abilities like sniffing someone\u2019s scent and make sense of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike dogs? You know, when you see a bunch of dogs in the dog park, they sniff each other and say \u2018hey you\u2019re my friend!\u2019 or \u2018I hate you!\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you too, but yeah, you\u2019ve been either ignoring it or pushing it down,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cLook, if you\u2019re not sure, call your brother or uncle, I\u2019m sure they have a better way of explaining it to you. And they\u2019ll likely want you to reject me or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou said nothing would change, Isaac, but you\u2019ve just given me a list of what will,\u201d she should feel angry about this, but she wasn\u2019t. In fact, she was scared. She\u2019d been ignoring her own feelings for Isaac, not to have him as a beta but as a boyfriend and she didn\u2019t want to risk it getting out before either of them were ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsn\u2019t life all about taking risks?\u201d He smirked, still holding onto her hands. \u201cWeren\u2019t you the one who told me to live a little? Live a little, Bella. Trust me that it\u2019ll be alright. And things will change for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He had so much faith in her, so much trust. And she had the same. She only hoped that she would remain in control over her own emotions and feelings. And he was right. Likely. Probably. Yes. Okay. Better her than someone else, right? \u201cYou\u2019re not going to get mad or angry when I get things wrong?\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou won\u2019t do anything wrong, trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally?\u201d His face lit up like a Christmas tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYep,\u201d she replied with a nod. \u201cNow what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know to be honest,\u201d he said as he felt his cheeks turn red. \u201cIt was natural with Derek because he bit me\u2026 with Scott\u2026 it was easy but\u2026 I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella shrugged and finished her food. \u201cWe\u2019ll see then. Wanna head home and watch FRIENDS?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, Bella so much appreciated the way Isaac tried to let her in. It was a lot easier to be around him now, and he was significantly happier, much like a puppy. Whenever she had time, he invited her to come and join him in the kitchen where he was…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/next6.jpg?resize=250%2C167&ssl=1\")
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