CHAPTER 16

Isabella could not deny the fact that her conversation with Gwen rattled her. As the days had passed a small part of her had hoped he saw her in a different light. 

Overtime she had begun to feel things for him, when she wasn't focused on the fact that he had killed her parents she was beginning to see the little things about him that she found cute. 

She tried to wave them off but she felt bad. She didn’t want to attend any ball that would demean her not like she had a choice and she knew she couldn’t confront Alessandro. He made her feel so uneasy in so many ways and that left one option Aunt Marie.

Which was why she was in kitchen playing with her food and looking for a comfortable outlet to share her fears with Marie. However Marie made it harder as she was walking about, ordering the servants in preparation for the evening.

Isabella took a slice of pie and blurted out, “What does it mean to be a vampires pet?”.

“Bella", Marie said protestingly.

“Aunt Marie, please I just want to know”.

“You’re like a slave”, Cecily replied she poured juice into Isabella’s glass, “Only this time you’re a slave bound to do only the biddings of your master. Whatever he asks of you".

“Cecily!, you shouldn’t say such things”, Marie chided.

Cecily shrugged, “It is important that she knows the truth".

“Aunt Marie I know, I just don’t understand. Cecily tell me all you know, I’ve already been through so much, this wouldn’t hurt a bit". Isabella said.

“Isabella you should know things are...”

“Its okay Aunt Marie, I need to know”, Isabella interrupted.

“Over the years vampires acquired human pets, they were for their pleasures, it doesn’t happen very often now, but a few vampires still have human pets", Cecily’s eyes darted across the room to Marie who was shooting deathly glares at her, “For their sexual pleasures especially”.

“How did they acquire these pets?”.

“Most vampires were wicked so they took pets for no particular reason. Some were attracted to their beauty, some their strong wills so they could enjoy taming them. Some took trophies from war like...”.

“Cecily stop it right now!”, Marie interjected, she faced Isabella, “Things are very different now Bella, just very few vampires acquire pets and they are in better conditions".

“I got my dress Aunt Marie”, Isabella interrupted, “There’s nothing better or normal about it. Everything about it screams sexual perversion”.

“It’s a thing about vampires Isabella, their ladies like to show off whereas the Male vampires take pride in showing off what’s theirs”, Marie explained.

“I do not belong to anyone!”, Isabella screamed, tears were already streaming down her face.

“Isabella are you okay?”, Sam came bursting through the kitchen doors. She pulled him in for a tight gripping embrace, she clutched to his chest. His hands smoothed down her hair.

“I don’t want this kind of life anymore. I can’t live like this", she sobbed harder.

“Bella I’m really sorry, it will be okay", Marie rubbed circles in her back. 

“I didn’t mean to offend you”, Cecily spoke in her small voice.

“It’s okay Isabella, everything will be fine, stop crying now", Sam soothed, he placed a kiss on her hair, “Shh, it’s okay...”.

“Get your hands off her!”, It was unmistakingly clear whose voice it was but how had he managed to come through at this exact moment, Isabella wondered. Sam let go of her in an instant.

He took long strides towards her and he took her chin in his palms, “What’s wrong?”.

“I...I...”, she stuttered. He smiled a knowing smile, she knew he had invaded her mind.

“I think your dress is just fine and it would look good on you”, he tucked her hair behind her ears and reached to wipe her tears, “Don’t cry Belle, it wouldn’t be nice on your pretty face”. He straightened up, “The girls are waiting for you in my chambers, you should go get ready", he pulled her towards the door. 

Isabella was visibly shocked, Belle?, was that a nickname and did he just say pretty face in front of people. Isabella glanced back as she left and she could see the bright smile plastered on Marie’s face.

 ☆                             ☆                            ☆                                                                 Alessandro laid out the papers he was going to present at the ball as he waited for the maidens to finish up with Isabella, the ball had unofficially began already, however his presence was needed to officially begin the ceremony. He straightened his collar and pulled his hair back with a tie. 

Earlier he had felt very distressed, soon he realised the pain wasn’t coming from him but from someone else, why that was happening, he had no idea. 

He had rushed to Isabella immediately he found her in the arms of her guard, why her emotions were projecting on him left him puzzled. He didn’t have time to dwell on why because he had suddenly felt over protective over her at that moment and he had snapped. Things were very different with her it was like he was treading on the unknown...”

“Prince Alessandro?”, someone with an accent called out to him to break him free from his thoughts. He looked up to see one of the maidens.

He gestured for her to go on.

“Isabella is ready”, she replied.

“Okay he followed the maiden towards the adjoining closet and he saw her. He was awed beyond words could describe. Her long hair was tied up atop her head, some strands escaped framing her beautiful face. 

The dress clung to her curves just like he had envisioned it would. The dress pooled at her feet, the most part of the dress was see through, he stared at her long legs emphasized by the heels she wore, black was definitely her colour. 

His eyes travelled to her bosoms, the dress revealed enough cleavage, he could see her visibly shuddered at his unbridled scrutiny. He waved the maids off and they quickly exited the room.

“Look at me Isabella”, his voice came out hoarse, he mentally whipped himself, he couldn’t be getting a hard on by just staring at a girl.

Her eyes slowly met his. Those blue depths made him feel like he was outside on a very sunny day under the beautiful blue sky. She looked nothing like any pet, at this moment she was the most beautiful queen he had seen. 

Queen?. Did he just refer to her as queen?. He ran his finger through his hair in exasperation, he had to rein his wild thoughts. He reached for her hair and pulled it out of the tie. Her long wavy black curls tumbled in a cascade down her back. Her cheeks turned crimson, his proximity caused her to be embarrassed. 

“You are beautiful Belle”, he whispered, she just stared at him without a reply, “You’re more than beautiful Belle", his hands moved to cup her chin, he traced her face with his fingers, she licked her lips, moistening them in anticipation...

His chambers doors flung open, he groaned in frustration, “Kieran!”.

Kieran smiled, “You know it feels like I’ve been doing this very often recently”.

“What do you want Kieran?”.

“What do you think I want?, you have centuries old vampires, the most terrifying and powerful of them waiting for you downstairs”, Kieran said, “And you picked this moment to...”

“Don’t say anything Kieran”, Alessandro retorted and went to pick up the items he needed. 

Kieran's eyes finally landed on her, “wow, you do look ravishing...”

“Kieran".

Kieran raised his hands in surrender, “Harmless compliment, why are you acting like a stick is up your ass?”.

Alessandro ignored him he moved towards her to wear her the collar with the royal family insignia, it was a lion with two crossed swords. 

The collar was black while the insignia was gold. He felt her flinch as he fastened it on her neck. He had no choice, he had to do what he had to do. He took her hands in his and led her out, Kieran trailing behind, when they exited the doors five other guards walked behind them. 

Alessandro turned to see Kieran with big smile that hinted on the fact that he expected Alessandro to explain the scene he had witnessed.