“The necklace? I have heard of it. I thought we lost it decades ago and the humans possessed it?” Dominque asked.
“Yes. Then how does she have it?” Elder Lawson asked.
Dominque frowned and thought, “She has it? How does she have it?”
Chapter 12
Isabella
Three days later…
It was afternoon when Rose came over to help look after the human pup. Isabella knew that by now, the entire pack knew of the pup’s existence and they would soon enough be attacking. She knew the silence was only until they figured out their plan.
“Dominque?” Isabella said, going to sit next to him. “We have to act fast. They are planning something. They are obviously trying to find a way to overthrow you as well as get rid of the pop. No matter how I look at it, the most obvious way to do this would be to challenge you again when you're down. The presence of the human pup gives them a very strong reason to state you an incompetent leader and challenge you.”
Dominic sighed. “I know. I've been thinking about what I can do since morning and there's only one way I can think to handle this.”
Isabella frowned. She had a very good idea what Dominique might be thinking of. “I know what you're thinking. You're going to challenge them before they can challenge you. I understand the logic behind it and had you not been so injured, I would have supported you, but in your condition it's nothing but folly.”
“When I have a girl like you behind my back, what do I have to worry about?” Dominque said, grinning.
“This is serious. We need to come up with a plan, and we need to come up with one fast,” Isabella said, upset that he was treating it like a joke.
Dominque laughed and sat up. “Are you always this serious?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I have had to be serious. That’s how I got so far in life,” Isabella said.
“Isabella,” he said softly, with a lot of affection in his voice. “Look at me,” he said, putting his finger under her chin and turning her face towards his. “Trust me. I will handle it. I promise.”
Isabella felt her heartbeat increase and a blush spread through her cheeks. Not knowing how to react, she just nodded.
“Let’s talk and sit here,” he said, patting the space on the bed next to him.
“You have never wanted to talk to me before,” Isabella replied, frowning.
“That’s because I was an ass. I never even bothered getting to know you and now that I do, I must say you are a fascinating woman,” he said, smiling warmly.
Isabella felt another blush spreading on her cheeks. “You must really want something from me to be flattering me so,” she said.
“I do. I really want the pleasure of your company, Isabella,” Dominque said, taking her hand in his.
Isabella narrowed her eyes. She found it very hard to believe what Dominque was saying. All her life she had been shunned and hated and now, when compassion was being offered, she didn’t want to believe it was real. She didn’t want to believe and then be broken again, when it turned out to be some joke.
“Isabella. I know what you are thinking. I know what you are afraid of. I told you to trust me. Just give me one chance,” Dominque said, squeezing her hand. Isabella felt her heart melt and she nodded, giving him a small smile.
“What do you want me to talk about?” Isabella asked.
“Tell me about your childhood. What was your mother like?” Dominque asked.
Isabella looked down at her hand, still clutched in Dominque’s. She felt a rush of emotions. She felt loved and accepted.
“My mother. I don’t remember much about her. She passed away giving birth to me. Which was good, I guess. She was spared the pain and worry my father had to go through. What about yours?”
“I lost both my parents in the great battle. They both went to fight and they both died fighting,” Dominique said. They were both silent for a while, Isabella enjoying the warm rays of the sun coming through the window and the feel of Dominque’s hand in hers.
“Isabella,” Dominque whispered, and she turned to look at him. He was looking at her as if in a trance, his eyes seemed to be drinking her in. Isabella swallowed, her heart beating faster as Dominque leaned close. Isabella had never before noticed how seductive he smelled, strong, musky and manly. She was acutely aware of his hand in hers, his thumb tracing circles in her skin.
“Dominque,” Isabella whispered back, trying to understand her own feelings. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes looked. They were hazel, but in the sunlight, they shone like sapphire. She found herself leaning forward, her heart racing, her body craving the warmth she had been missing all her life.
