RISK

23

Xander's sitting at his desk when he feels a sinking feeling in his heart. He closes his eyes and takes a breath, waiting for it to pass. Time goes on but the feeling only gets stronger. He feels his wolf yearning to surface and he opens that gate just enough to hear his wolf.

Mate.

Within seconds, he's dialing Isabella's number. Each second feels like a minute as he waits to hear her voice.

"Hello?"

Xander lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding, nervous she wasn't going to pick up. But the sound of her voice doesn't calm him completely. He hears the sadness in her voice. It's softer than usual and it's missing the warmth.

"What's wrong, Iz?" Before he can answer he's already grabbing his car keys, ready to make his way over.

She clears her throat trying to change her voice. "I'm fine!" She says, attempting to misguide him.

"Isabella, I can tell something is wrong."

Isabella takes a breath. "My dad-he-he just told me something kinda big. I don't know what to do."

His heart breaks at the worry in her voice. He doesn't know the problem but he just wants to hold her tell her everything is going to be ok. "Let me come over. We can talk. Ok?"

Isabella thinks about it. She knows that if he comes she won't be able to hide anything from him. She wonders if maybe that's for the best. Her dad will be away for a while, taking stuff to the storage unit so maybe this is a good time.

Xander hears the crack in her voice when she answers, "Ok."

She's crying. His wolf whimpers. He's never felt this before. Her emotions are dictating his. If this is only a portion of how she's feeling, he knows something is really wrong.

"I'm coming now, ok? I'll be there so soon."

"Wait! My dad will be upset if he catches you here so late. He'll see your car."

"No, it's fine. I'll run." Xander says nonchalantly.

Isabella furrows her eyebrows.

"You can't run here Alexander."

Xander smirks at his mate's innocence. "Trust me, baby. I'll be good."

Isabella does recognize that she's attracted to the confidence in his voice.

"Ok, then I'll see you soon."

Xander walks into his backyard. He disappears between the countless trees that form the woods and end at Isabella's neighborhood. Stripping down, he puts his clothes in a bag. Transforming into his wolf with ease. He picks up the bag with his mouth and begins his pursuit.

The closer he gets to his destination the mating bond gets stronger. Xander can feel Isabella's sadness and it weights on him. His speed quickens and before he knows it he can see her backyard. After making sure no one can see him, he transforms back and puts his close on. He jogs to the door ringing the doorbell, waiting to see her face.

Isabella answers the door revealing him.  Even though she's happy to see him, she still has to force a smile.

"Hi." She says but it comes out as a whisper. She swallows, trying not to start crying again.

Immediately, he pulls her into a hug. He wraps his arms tightly around her and Isabella didn't know how much she needed this. She closes her eyes, loving his touch. She takes a deep breath and all she smells is him. It's stronger than the scent she has smelt before. It instantly relaxes her.