Alpha Isaiah ✔️

THIRTY SIX

Word Count: 1675

~Avia

With my hand over my eyes, I lounge under the sun, enjoying the silence, tainted only by the sound of Savea flipping through the pages of her book next to me.

Cherry speaking startles my eyes open again. "And what do we owe the pleasure of having the Alpha join us for tea this afternoon."

Isaiah stalks up the steps, looking over us all. I sit up in my seat immediately, surprised he's bothered to come out to the gazebo where he knows we have our afternoon tea. Usually he doesn't disturb the four of us.

"It's a nice day, and I'm bored," he comments, collapsing into a seat next to Mari, who rolls her eyes.

I clear my throat, looking down at the dregs of my tea, which have gone cold, despite the heat in the air. I'm still not used to being around Isaiah, constantly aware that he is my mate, and he has no idea. All it would take would be for him to touch me suddenly, without me being able to stop it, for him to realise what I'm trying so desperately to keep with him.

Because if he found out...

"You seem distracted today, Kenna," Savea notes, drawing everyone's attention to me. "Is everything okay?"

I stretch back in my seat, yawning. "I just didn't get very much sleep last night."

Cherry twists to face me. "I wish you didn't have to go home."

"I know..." I murmur, having to force myself not to look at Isaiah. This mission is coming to an end soon, and the rebellion has garnered nearly enough information to make their move. Once I'm out of here, I may never see anyone here ever again, including Isaiah. And that thought hurts far more than I ever thought it would.

"You could always stay, you know," Isaiah mentions. When I look back up at him, it's obvious how much he wants me to stay, but he won't push me on it, considering Elise. He's going to be married to her, and there is nothing I can do about that.

Other than reveal to him that we are mates...

"My purpose here is almost completely done," I remind him coolly. People have been liking Isaiah far more, despite all the horrible things that have been done during his reign. It's all because of his father.

"You can stay as long as you like, regardless," he says, looking between Cherry, Savea and Mari. "Everyone clearly likes having you around."

"Oh, that's so wonderful. You have to accept, Kenna," Cherry gushes.

"Do I get a say?"

We all look toward the edge of the gazebo, only to see Elise approaching from across the formal lawn. All of us collectively wilt into our seats.

"And here I was, thinking I could have a perfectly pleasant day," Mari mutters, fanning herself as she stares hatefully at Elise. I smirk, amused by their effortless banter, despite being very alike. At least she is brave enough to speak like that to Elise, because I know I'm not.

"If you're here to taunt any of us, you should probably go," Savea sighs.

"I was going to say that I like the idea of Kenna staying," Elise says, tipping the brim of her wide hat up, smiling cruelly at me. She stands right next to Isaiah, silently staking her claim to him, even though her and I both know she has no interest in him. "She stops all of you mindless fools from irritating me on my visits."

All the girls collectively roll their eyes, but I smile. It's fascinating how unlikeable Elise can be, and how fine is with it.

"Speaking of visits, when do you parents require you home?" Isaiah asks softly, tilting his head back to look at Elise. His voice is tight, not trying to insult her, but it's clear he wants her home as much as the rest of us do.