Chapter 20

Isabella Martini - POV

"Good morning, Luna!" I heard an overly cheery voice, which made me groan as I stuffed my face deeper into the pillow while my stomach grumbled. "Wake up, Bella." Sofia began shaking me, and after my failed attempts to try and push her away, I finally opened my eyes and stared at Sofia, who looked a little too excited. 

"Why did you wake me up?" I asked her as I sat up on my bed and began rubbing my eyes to get rid of the sleep. 

"Jacob told me that an Alpha is coming to meet Arlo today." 

"Okay, so what does that have to do with me?" I asked her with an arched eyebrow, and her smile only got wider. 

"Arlo asked you to be present in that meeting," she said, and for a couple of moments, I didn't believe her, but then it dawned on me. Of course, he wants me there to show this alpha that we are truly mates. 

"Right, when is this alpha coming?" I asked her in a bored tone when the smile on her face gradually vanished. 

"Why aren't you happy? Arlo, wants to show you around, isn't that an improvement?" she asked me as I let out a sigh and got up from the bed. 

"Well, when we first had dinner together, he clearly mentioned that he does not need a mate. And that I would only be here till he gains the alliance of certain packs. He just wants to create a good first impression." I said as I walked inside my closet. I looked at all the clothes that were inside when my eyes spotted a beautiful long-sleeved sundress that had purple flowers on it. 

"I know he is changing, Bella. Trust me." Sofia said as she walked inside my closet. I grabbed my outfit and matching shoes as I turned around to face her. "I will wait for you in the kitchen," she said, and I nodded my head. 

After taking a shower, I changed my clothes, and as I walked into the kitchen, I saw that it was spotless. And I was a little shocked since I don't remember cleaning my mess last night. 

The maids must have cleaned it. 

"Jacob?" I called out as he turned around with a plate of my pasta in his hand. "What are you doing?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow as he walked towards the table and took a seat with a fork in hand. 

"It is very rare that Arlo cooks, but when he does, it is the best dish you would have ever eaten," he explained, and before I could stop him, he took a large bite of my pasta. I saw his face contort as he looked down at the food in disgust. 

"Hey, what's… why do you look constipated, Jack?" Sofia asked him as she walked inside. He immediately spat the food on the plate and abruptly got up.

"Has Arlo's cooking skills gone so bad?" he yelled as he abruptly got up from his place.

"That is your Luna's cooking, not mine." I heard a gruff voice behind me, and when I turned around, I saw Arlo standing there with a stoic expression. "Let go," he said as he walked out of there, I stared at him dumbfounded. 

"He asked you to come, Bella." Sofia explained, and my mouth formed an 'o' before I quickly ran to catch up with him. I nearly missed being crushed by the elevator doors as they closed behind me as I glared at Arlo.

"You could have pressed the button to hold the door, you know?" I asked him while he was busy browsing through his phone and completely ignoring me. A few minutes later, we reached the ground floor, and as the doors opened, I was about to step outside when I felt tingles run up my waist. I looked up to see Arlo had a blank look on his face.

"Stay close to me and pretend to at least love me. The alpha is here." he more like ordered me as he led me down the hallway. My mind was turning into mush in being so close to Arlo as I felt his warmth radiate all over my skin. 

As we got close to a large oak door, one of the warriors opened it for us as we walked inside. This room was the size of my bedroom upstairs, and it had one of the most beautiful views of the forest right behind the office table. 

"Good morning, Alpha Ross." a cold shudder ran down my body as I felt like my legs wouldn't move an inch. 

This can't be the same Alpha Ross, right? 

The man stood up from his seat and turned around to face us. And I felt like the air in my lungs was knocked out. The man was fairly a few inches shorter than Arlo, but he didn't look like he had changed from the last time I saw him. His black hair was styled with gel, and his pine green eyes were staring at me in confusion. 

"Good morning, Alpha Bianchi." he greeted as his eyes turned towards me. "And this must be your Luna," he asked.

"Yes, she is Bella." Arlo introduced while my eyes were looking at anything but Alpha Ross right now. I can hear my heart hammering against my chest, and I have a feeling that these men can hear it as well.

"It's nice to finally see you mated, Alpha Bianchi." Alpha Ross commented while I was praying that he wouldn't say anything about who I really am. But looking at him, I have a feeling that he doesn't recognize me. 

"He has only seen us once. And that was during our mating ceremony. So I don't think he remembers." Rose consoled me.

"My beta informed me that you are willing to form an alliance with me?" Arlo asked me walked towards his desk and took a seat while Alpha Ross took a seat as well. 

"Yes, but I have my conditions." 

"Of course, but why all of a sudden, Alpha Ross?" Arlo questioned while I slowly slipped away and walked out of the room.