Alpha Isaiah ✔️

TWENTY NINE

Word Count: 1681

~Avia

It's virtually impossible to look anyone in the eye.

I've taken up almost permanent residence on the couch since Isaiah left this morning. It wasn't too hard to brush him off, considering he was in a rush to get to his meeting, and barely muttered a goodbye to me before he was out the door. Had I wanted to reveal that we are mates to him, I could have.

But of course, I didn't.

This means nothing and so much all at once. It means nothing, because of the rebellion. I mean, Malin would be done with me if she knew my mate is the Alpha whose life she is trying to ruin. But...but he's my mate.

Can I really let this information change anything? I made a vow to the rebellion that I can't easily go back on. But I've been thinking about my mate for a long time, wondering when they would come into my life.

And now they have arrived, at the worst time possible.

"You look sick."

I look up, glaring at Zire. Nobody in this rooms knows, but me. Isaiah doesn't even know. And now I'm sitting with this burden, not knowing whether I should tell him or not.

If I do tell him, I know what my fate will be. Isaiah won't just let me go once he knows the news. He will expect me to stay, to be with him, regardless of what his father has to say about it. I'm not sure if I can take that risk, but I also don't know if I can keep his secret for very long.

"I'm fine," I snap, tugging the blanket up to my chin. Zire frowns, making me exhale, not wanting him to start asking too many question. "I'm sure you had a wonderful night."

"I did actually. Cherry-"

"I don't want to hear it," Mari growls from the other side of the room, where she stares absentmindedly through the window at the mountains. She's given up on complaining about how small this place is and how much she would rather be trapped here with anyone other than us.

Zire's eyes narrows upon her. "Walk away then."

"If you think a girl of her rank is going to settle from some random guy who Isaiah felt pity for, you're as stupid as you happen to look," Mari replies, not even bothering to look at Zire as she talks to him.

Cherry, who sits at the small dining table playing cards with Savea turns, mouth gaping open. I think we all know Mari isn't just being protective of her friend. She wants someone to push for a reaction, regardless of how vicious she has to be to get it.

"Mari!" Cherry admonishes.

"You're not going to make me feel bad for working for my position instead of having it handed to me by my family," Zire bites back.

As much as he's obviously falling into Mari's trap, it's the first piece of entertainment I've had all day since Isaiah's left, and the first escape from my own mind which has only been focused on my mate. It's also a benefit listening to Zire try put the rich and entitled Mari in her place.

"Not that you have family," Mari says, the laugh in her tone making my fists curl, and I'm not even Zire. I can only imagine what she would say if she knew my parents perished in a fire caused by Isaiah's father. She would likely smirk and make sure to bring it up later to dig into me.

"You are all so boring," Elise yawns, looking up from over her book in the chair next to the couch. "Can you all shut up so I can read?"

Mari rolls her eyes, deciding Elise is far too large of a big of a target for her current mood, so stalks into one of the bedrooms, slamming the door promptly behind her.