Isabella's Dilemma: Wolf Secrets Book 1 Read online

  “This is...,” Izzy began.

  Fucked up, she finished silently. As if reading her mind, Jackson agreed, “Yes, it is.”

  “Stay with me, Bella.”

  She lifted her head to look at him.

  “So now you ask? What happened to your demands?”

  “What did you think I would do, Bella? Tie you to our bed? Hmm....”

  Jackson fell quiet while he thought about the possibilities of tying his mate to their bed.

  “Don’t even think about it. I’m not into bondage.”

  She held up her wrist as a reminder.

  “Not even for your mate?” he asked.

  “No. Especially not here.”

  Jackson frowned. Staying in his Pack would be a problem.

  “Why not give them a chance, Bella? They’ll get over Thor’s...demise, especially once you tell them why you had to...kill him.”

  Izzy stiffened.

  “Bella? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I—I just don’t want to get into that right now.”

  Jackson’s eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to him.

  “Bella, did my brother—”

  Bella shook her head adamantly.

  “No, Thor didn’t rape me, but he did rape three women that we know of. I really don’t want to discuss this now.”

  She turned away from him, ending the conversation. This was her first time with her mate and Izzy didn’t want to taint the experience by discussing Thor.

  Jackson gazed at Izzy’s back, noting the recently healed set of wolf teeth marks on her shoulder. He traced the teeth marks and instantly felt jealous. When two dominant wolves mated, the dominant female sometimes submits to her male by allowing him to mount her from behind and mark her with his teeth. Sometimes the male will then submit to his female, allowing her to mark him. The resulting teeth marks are displayed with pride, evidence of a mutually satisfying relationship between two dominant wolves. To see another male’s mark on his mate’s body infuriated him.

  She refuses my claim yet allowed another male to mark her? She submitted to another?

  Unable to keep the anger out of his voice, he asked, “You let a male mark you when he mounted you from behind?”

  Izzy stiffened.

  “I have never allowed a male to mark me, Jackson.”

  “He forced you then?”

  Izzy kept silent as she contemplated telling him the truth. Impatient, Jackson grabbed her arm, turning her to face him.

  “I will kill the wolf who forced his mark on you, Bella. Tell me who he is,” he demanded, wolf eyes flashing furiously.

  “Thor did. Right before I killed him,” she said softly.

  “Thor?”

  Jackson shook his head in denial. He sat up, turning his back to her, head down as he stared at his feet. Suspecting he would regret it, but needing to know, he turned to Izzy and asked, “Tell me what happened.”

  Izzy took a deep breath and told him how his brother ended up dead.

  Chapter Five

  About six weeks ago....

  Aleksandr heard the irritating buzz of his cell phone as it vibrated on the nightstand. Reluctantly he moved away from the warm body of his mate and reached for the phone. Recognizing the number, he answered immediately.

  “Izzy? What’s wrong?”

  “Did Hunter get back to you?”

  “No. I haven’t spoken to him since you two left earlier tonight.”

  He heard Izzy swear and asked, “Where are you?”

  “Outside.”

  “I’ll be right out.”

  He hung up then searched for a pair of boxers and pajama pants. Dressing quickly, he went outside and stood on the porch with Izzy.

  Izzy turned to him and frowned. She sniffed several times and gave him a puzzled look.

  “You smell...it sounds crazy but normally you smell so...I don’t know, attractive, I guess, but tonight...,” she shook her head, unable to explain how Aleksandr smelled the same yet...subtly different.

  Aleksandr grinned happily as he informed her, “I claimed my mate. Her scent is probably all over me, marking me as ‘unavailable’ to other females.”

  Izzy’s eyes went wide with surprise.

  “I’ve heard that happens, but never witnessed it before. Hey, you’re actually smiling! She must make you very happy. Or is it just the sex?”

  “It’s more than just sex, Izzy. Being with her feels right. Like a missing piece of me has been returned.”

  “Must be nice,” Izzy said sadly.

  Aleksandr stepped closer to Izzy and put his hands on her shoulder, offering her comfort.

  “One day you will find your mate, Izzy.”

  She shook her head and touched her scarred face.

  “I don’t think so, Aleksandr. Even if I did find someone, I wouldn’t expect him to...he’s not going to want to be stuck with a scarred female.”

  She turned her head away from him and Aleksandr touched her chin, forcing her to look at him.

  “Your scars will not bother your mate, Izzy. He will think you are beautiful, because you are.”

  Just then the cabin door opened and Seph whispered uncertainly, “Aleksandr?”

  Aleksandr turned to Seph and smiled apologetically.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you, Love. Come here.”

  He stretched out his hand and Seph walked toward him, slipping her hand into his.

  “Seph, this is Isabella, one of my Soldiers. Izzy, this is my mate, Persephone.”

  “A female Soldier?” Seph exclaimed with surprise.

  She saw the way Isabella stiffened and continued, “I have never met one before. I’m guessing you were teased often?”

  Izzy nodded.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Izzy. Why are you out here? It’s a bit chilly. Why don’t you come inside?”

  Izzy followed Aleksandr and his mate into their cabin. Aleksandr sat on the couch, pulling Seph on his lap.

  “What happened Izzy?”

  “After we left here, we staked out Thor’s apartment for about three hours. Eventually, Thor left and Hunter followed him. I went into Thor’s apartment searching for any clues about the identity of the other wolf. I didn’t find anything, and I did a thorough search. Hunter was supposed to call me when he was done. But he hasn’t called me yet. Something is wrong, Aleksandr, I just know it.”

  “You’re right. Hunter would have given us an update by now. I’ll call Jared and see whether he can track Hunter’s cell phone.”

  Izzy nodded.

  “Get some sleep. In the morning, I want you and Gabriel to follow up with Hunter’s cell.”

  “Got it.”

  She stood to leave.

  “And Izzy?”

  “Yes?”

  “I still don’t want you tangling with Thor. Leave him to Gabriel.”

  “That is so—” she complained.

  “Sexist? Tough shit. I call the shots, Iz.”

  “Aargh!”

  “You’ve never fought a Rogue Alpha before, Izzy.”

  “Which is exactly why—”

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you, kiddo.” Aleksandr said softly, deflating Izzy’s anger.

  “Gabriel has more experience. You can stay and watch, but don’t interfere, ok?”

  “OK, OK. I’ll be careful, ‘Daddy’,” she replied sarcastically before she left.

  Aleksandr shook his head but said nothing.

  “You care about her,” Seph said as she brushed away a lock of hair.

  Aleksandr’s arms stiffened around her.

  Is Seph jealous? I can’t afford another misunderstanding between us.

  “You’re my mate. No one is more important than you,” he declared.

  Seph laughed.

  “I didn’t mean to imply—I just meant that she’s special to you.”

  Aleksandr nodded, relieved Seph wasn’t jealous.

  “I’ve been watching out for her since she joined us. She was o
nly sixteen when she ran away from her pack. I’ll tell you her story later. Right now....”

  He squeezed her breast gently and nipped her neck.

  “Mmmm.”

  Seph wrapped her arms around his neck and he carried back to their bed, intent on claiming his mate once more. Aleksandr gently placed Seph on their bed and stood.

  “I have to make a short phone call, Love, then I’m all yours.”

  Seph smiled as she nodded. Aleksandr picked up his cell and scrolled through his contacts. He found Jared’s number and pressed ‘dial’. The phone rang for a few moments before Jared answered.

  “Good Mornin’ Aleksandr,” Jared said in a slow Texan drawl.

  “I apologize for disturbing you but I have a situation. My tracker is missing and I need to find him.”

  “You want me to track his cell through GPS triangulation?”

  “I’d appreciate it, Jared. He was hunting a Rogue and I fear the worst has happened.”

  “I’ll have them contact you directly with the coordinates. What’s the number?”

  Aleksandr gave him Hunter’s cell phone number and thanked Jared before hanging up.

  “Now, where were we?” he asked as he joined his mate on their bed.

  Bright and early the next morning, Gabriel and Izzy left in search of Hunter. They headed to the last known coordinates of his cell phone. Gabriel turned in to the road that led them to the state park. A few minutes later he parked the car in the empty parking lot. They left the car and exchanged worried glances. The stench of death permeated the air. They took off, running through the thick trees, following the unmistakable scent.

  Fifteen minutes later they found the carcass of Hunter. Cautiously they approached him. The putrid smell was nothing compared to the sight before them. His body had been mauled and most if it was missing. Izzy saw the enlarged wolf teeth marks left in the remaining skin. She glanced up at Gabriel.

  They ate him?

  Gabriel paled and he stepped backward. Her stomach rebelled and she turned away, heaving. She heard a THUD and turned around to see Gabriel unconscious, a large male standing over him, a large rock in his hand. Izzy glanced up at the trees.

  He must have been on the branches, hiding and waiting for us. The death stench from Hunter’s body covered up his scent.

  Izzy glanced around quickly, checking for the second Rogue wolf. Nothing moved around her. She turned to face the Rogue, who was now facing her. The Rogue was tall and muscular as most alphas were. But some of his wolf features blended with his human features. His ears were at the side of his head, but they were pointed and covered in brown wolf fur. His wolfish eyes glowed bright green and his face was unlike anything she had seen before. His mouth and nose were long and distorted into a wolf’s snout, but it was covered in bare skin instead of fur. He was naked and the rest of him looked human, except the sharp wolf claws at the end of his fingers.

  He closed his eyes and sniffed the air. He turned his head to her, his wolf eyes locked to hers.

  “Yooouuu!” he growled.

  Izzy sucked in air, realizing the Rogue must have returned to his apartment and scented her there.

  That’s why he returned here. He was waiting for me to show up. She glanced around again. Where was the other Rogue? Since he didn’t show himself, he is probably waiting for me at Thor’s apartment.

  Thor growled at Izzy, drool dripping down his malformed face. He ran his claws through his hair, as if primping, then reached for his cock and stroked it.

  “Fuuuck,” he growled as he stepped toward her, the sneer on his face looking awkward.

  She was surprised Thor could still speak.

  Izzy snapped out of her shock. He wanted to... fuck? He thinks...he thinks I’m Hunter’s girlfriend? He doesn’t realize I’m a Soldier. Izzy shook her head. They never think I can be anything other than something to fuck.

  Thor stepped closer, again repeating, “Fuuuucckkk.”

  Izzy laughed and he stopped momentarily.

  “You want to fuck me? With that?”

  She pointed and laughed at him. Confused, he glanced down at his massive erection then back up at her.

  “Whyyyy....laaaaugh?” he demanded angrily as he moved toward her.

  Izzy stepped back a little each time he stepped forward.

  “An inexperienced young woman might be impressed with that little thing, but I’m not. I’m not interested in boys. I only fuck men.”

  The smug look she gave him pushed him over the edge. Enraged, his wolf eyes flashed and he swung his right arm, two-inch claws fully extended.

  Izzy ducked. Moving swiftly to her left, she avoided Thor’s claws, which became embedded in the large tree behind her. While he howled with frustration, she sunk her claws deep into his chest, puncturing his right lung.

  She slipped around him as he gasped for breath. She kicked him in the back of the leg, forcing him to his knees. She grabbed his head, slamming it into the tree.

  Gabriel moaned and Izzy turned to glance in his direction. Thor managed to free his claws and lunged at Izzy, knocking her flat on the ground. He kept her pinned under him as he ripped her shirt off. He bit into her shoulder and Izzy cried out at the sudden pain.

  Humiliated, Izzy tried to fight. Anyone who saw the teeth marks would assume she had submitted to her dominant mate. Thor marked her against her wishes and fueled her rage. Tapping into her rage, she tried to push up and dislodge him. With his teeth still clamped on her shoulder, he grabbed her right arm and twisted it behind her back. She felt blinding pain as the tendon in her shoulder tore. Tears filled her eyes and he finally released her shoulder. He flipped her over, sneering as he told her, “Nowww... weee ...fuuuccck.”

  With a torn tendon, Izzy’s right arm was useless and lay limply by her side. Thor’s heavy body pinned hers and without the use of her right arm, she couldn’t push him off. Panic began to grip her mind then her training took over.

  I am a Hoyden Soldier. I am a Hoyden Soldier and no Rogue has ever defeated a Hoyden Soldier.

  She relaxed her body and lowered her eyes in submission. The Rogue, scenting her panic and recognizing the signals of submission, growled low with delight. Izzy slipped her left arm slowly up his chest and to the back of his head. Grabbing a fistful of hair, she pulled him closer as her sharp wolf teeth appeared. She bit him as hard as she could on the neck, ripping through skin and muscle, severing his jugular.

  Thor howled and managed to push her off, but a large chunk of his neck was missing. He covered his neck with a large hand, but blood continued to ooze through his large fingers. Izzy turned to her side, gagging and retching up the blood that had run down her throat. Thor wavered and fell on the ground, too weak to move. Within a few minutes he was dead.

  Gabriel regained consciousness and sat up just in time to see Izzy bite Thor. He rushed over to her and held her while she continued to dry heave.

  “Gabriel got me out of there and I had surgery to repair the torn ligament,” she finished quietly, glancing at Jackson. She pointed to the scar on the front of her shoulder. Stunned by her tale, Jackson sat staring at his mate for a full minute.

  He turned away and stood.

  “No wonder you refused my claim. After what my brother did to your friend...after what he did to you—”

  Jackson was sure of only one thing, he couldn’t give up his mate. He understood that Izzy had every right to refuse him considering how his brother had treated her.

  Ashamed of Thor’s actions, he faced his mate.

  “I’m not my brother, Bella.”

  He climbed on the bed, stretching next to her.

  “I would never force you to bear my mark.”

  “You’re not upset that I killed your brother?”

  Jackson shook his head.

  “I believe you when you say you had evidence against him. I also believe you when you say he attacked you. You defended yourself and he died. The man you described, he was not my brother. Turning Rogue changed him
.”

  He fell silent and Izzy moved to lie next to him, again placing her head on his chest.

  One obstacle down. How many more to go? Izzy sighed and Jackson pulled her even closer.

  Jackson and his mate lay on their bed, each contemplating their newfound relationship.

  “Bella?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Do you have a large family?”

  She stiffened again and Jackson frowned.

  “Aleksandr and the other Soldiers are my family. Aleksandr recently found his mate. I haven’t really had a chance to get to know her, but I think she and I will become friends. Once I return home, I will have a chance to spend some time with her.”

  “You’re not leaving here, Bella,” Jackson stated with authority. “I’ve claimed you and I have no intention of letting you go.”

  Bella sat up.

  “I knew we shouldn’t have—”

  Jackson sat up, insulted.

  “Do you regret fucking me or is it my claim that bothers you?”

  Izzy sighed.

  “I don’t want to fight with you, Jackson.”

  “Then don’t. We can make this work. Sex between us is amazing.”

  He caressed her face gently.

  “Do you want that wolf? Do you wish he was your mate?”

  She heard the uncertainty in his voice and shook her head.

  “My reluctance to take a mate has nothing to do with Harley or anyone else.”

  “Then what? What’s bothering you, Bella?”

  “I’m a Soldier, Jackson. I busted my ass to earn that position and I am not giving it up. We both know Damian isn’t going to let me be a Soldier in his pack. Besides, my loyalty belongs to Aleksandr.”

  “You don’t need to worry about that, mate, because I intend to get you pregnant as soon as possible.”

  Izzy gaped at him, completely flabbergasted.

  “I want a big family, Bella, like mine. I’m one of seven boys. I wasn’t kidding earlier when I said I wanted a houseful of pups.”

  Izzy was still speechless.