Isabella’s P.O.V.

I have really begun to think there’s something wrong with me. I could have just walked out of that conversation without explaining the reason to any of those jerks, but being the dumb person that I was, I ended up poking my nose in the heated conversation between the Sex God and his Malibu Barbie.

Her face just made me mad.

“So, now that you know it wasn’t me who started it, I’d like to go back and enjoy some time with my food—if there’s any left.”

I sensed as everyone’s attention fell on me; everybody except whose attention I might have liked— the hot dude. His eyes were trained at something right behind me, something I understood before feeling it myself. A protective hand came to rest in the small of my back as I was filled with Caleb’s perfume.

I turned to look at him, “Is everything alright princess?” I involuntarily lean into his body, I don’t know what he enquired as his hand rubbed my back to calm me down. He always knew how to bring me back to normal after a fallout.

I just nodded. I didn’t want him to worry over nothing for me. Right at that exact moment, I heard a growl: the same growl that was testing my chastity. The growler was glaring at Caleb’s fingers that peeked from the side of my waist now. He looked pretty pissed?

So I am not the only messed up one here?

Caleb loosened his hand slightly before tightening it back on my waist, looking at me with a baffled face. Who would expect me, out of all women, to get turned on by the man who was threatening her?

Kill me please. This is embarrassing.

I had to get out of there before I made a mess out of myself. Turning to the group of jerks and the Barbie (and sweet Rachel), I said “Well, it wasn’t a pleasure meeting you all. Hope to see you never.”

Rachel looked saddened, probably embarrassed for this mess at a new college. And it wasn’t even her fault!

I smiled at her brightly. “And Rachel, I’ll see you in Class.” She instantly relaxed, a smile popping on her lips.

Leaving with Ryan and Caleb on either of my sides, my insides churn—for more than one reason. “You’re still hungry Bella, you can have my lunch. I’ll go and get another.”

Jumping on him, only to splatter him with kisses, I tell him “I love you so much Ry, now get me some soda too.”

Taking his tray, I noticed the lack of fries in them. I scowled at him, to which he looked taken aback. “Moody much, huh princess?”

Before I could smack Ryan with my bag, Caleb pulled me towards him, saying “You don’t have fries in your tray, you ass. She needs fries after this drama.”

I smiled at Caleb, mumbling a ‘Thank you’ and turning to Ryan I ordered, “You better get me a lot of fries and an orange juice box.”

“Okay. Anything else, madam?” He asked.

“No. Now get going, servant. We hardly have 15 minutes before the next class starts.”

He stuck his tongue out and walked back to the Lunch line as Caleb nudged closer, his arm round my shoulder. As I settled down with my chicken burger that Ryan had left for me, Rose spoke in hushed whispers. “What happened there? She looked like a total bitch. I was about to come with my claws out but Matt had me calm down.”

I smiled at my best friend; she was a cute fighter. “I handled her.” I pinched Rose’s cheeks. “She is a total bitch, sweetie. She thought she could mess with me. I bet that she’ll never pull that stunt ever again.”

Matt and Caleb just shook their heads smiling, they knew there was no way I’d have let her get away with that. Ryan came strolling in with the best thing in the world, my love—Food. Taking my fries, I sit down to gobble it up.

I was too busy inhaling food, when Ryan questioned me with, “So what got your panties in a twist over there?”

I almost choked, the n number of fries in my mouth blocking the airway, as I turned towards him, glaring enough to shut his trap up. Caleb found my inconvenience very entertaining and joined him in the teasing. “Yes Bella, why were your ovaries dancing over there?”

He looked almost uncomfortable as he asked me the next question. “D-Did you find your mate?”

Now, here’s the thing about Caleb. Him and I, we had both been attracted to each other since we were in the 8th grade. He always said that I would be his mate, but we never had the courage to actually date. We always had a tiny doubt in the back of our minds saying, What if we aren’t? I for sure, didn’t want to steal someone else’s mate.

So we waited; waited till we were both 18. But on my 18th birthday, when both of us were waiting for those tingles to flare in our bodies from each other’s touch or to smell that amazing scent that our parents told us about, we realized that we weren’t mates after all.

We were both heartbroken at that revelation, but eventually came around it. Till date, Caleb hasn’t found his mate and neither have I. We were never romantically involved, but we still care for each other like we used to, which would bring us back to why Caleb was acting jealous at the mention of my mate.

Dude, chill. I don’t even know if he exists.

Shut up, Bella. He’s there. My generally quiet wolf also perked up.

The day couldn’t get more dramatic.

Concerned for his behavior even when it had been years to that day, I put my hand on his nervously shaking leg. “No I haven’t. But I will someday and so will you.”

He held my hand, pressing it firmly in an attempt to assure me that he was okay. But I knew better. I still decided to let it go.

Time flew without wait and it was then time for my next class. I picked up my still remaining fries from the tray, shoving some in my mouth, while holding the rest in my hand to shove down on the way.

My friends laughed, commenting about how I wasn't very Lady-like.

Like I’d leave food for anything, ever.

I attended the rest of my classes with Ryan and I was eventually done with all but my favorite class—Music.

I took Music as my Minor, because I love to sing and play guitar. Minor subjects could be taken by any student, irrespective of their class or year. It was meant for one’s own growth with a certification at the end of the course. But people generally took it depending on their hobbies.

When I entered the class, I never expected to see him over there, in the first place. He didn’t look like a Music type of guy, more like a ripped and hot asshole who would spend tons and tons of hours working out, punching a bag.

As if you don’t do that. Hypocrite much?

Shut up, wolfy. You’re being exceptionally snappy today, aren’t you?

He hadn’t noticed me yet, as I made my way to the back room to get my Guitar. I walked steadily, trying not to catch attention as I streamlined to my seat which was diagonal to him. In our music class, we didn’t have seats aligned in a straight row. They were placed in a circular manner with our professor’s chair at one far end of the circle.

As I was untangling my guitar from the bag and setting the chords, I felt eyes on me. I looked up to find him openly staring, and in an unrelenting manner at that. I raised my brows in a questioning manner, his eyes widening slightly, he turned to his instrument—A Keyboard.

This guy plays a Keyboard?

Our Professor entered and acknowledged all of us with a bright and cheerful smile. As it was only the beginning of the year, she asked us all to come up front and play or sing (whatever we liked), so that everybody else could get a glimpse into our minds.

It was nice for someone who had a favorite song to play or somebody who knew which fragment to share. For me, it was a torture. I mean, what was I even supposed to sing about? My parents’ death? My sisters’ love? The concern I have for my baby brothers?

I did the only thing I could think of. I took my phone out of my pocket and texted Ryan, the life-saver.

Me: I need your help. IT’S URGENT.

Ry: What happened? Did that bitch come all over you again?

Me: NO. If she did, you should have enough faith in my handling of her. But this is much worse.

Ry: Would you stop with the riddles already and tell me what happened?

Me: My Music teacher wants us to sing in class.

Ry: US?

Me: Every one of us, one by one. And this is not the main problem.

Ry: Then go ahead and sing. I don’t see a problem here?

Me: Ry, you aren’t listening. I didn’t say that was the problem. The problem is she wants us to sing something that would be like sharing a part of us. What am I supposed to sing about, my dead parents?

Ry: okay. I get it. How about you sing ‘Fuckin Perfect?’

Me: You want me to curse on the first day of my music class?

Ry: Bitch! Most of the songs have curses in them.

Me: You’re not helping.

Ry: Sing Back to December or Scars to your Beautiful.

Me: I shouldn’t have asked you. You’re as useless as the pause button on the recorder.

Ry: Hey! Rude much, Bella. Oka, now listen to me. I know the perfect song for this situation. Sing WOLVES by Selena Gomez and Marshmello. You have perfected the chords and the song is perfect too ;);) ( also because you haven’t found your mate yet.)

Me: PERFECT. Have I told you that you’re a savior, Ry?

Ry: Stop buttering my butt princess. Now go and sweep people off their feet.

Me: Love you bro. See you in an hour.

A smile etched on my lips as I googled the lyrics to make sure I don’t mess it up there. Once I was sure that I knew the lyrics perfectly, I slid the phone back in my pocket only to find the sex god dude staring at me.

Once again.

What is it with him and staring like a creep? I know, I just punched his girlfriend, but she started it. She brought it upon herself.

I heard Aurora, my wolf, growl. Whoa. What got her panties in a twist? She had been behaving weird since morning. And I believe it has something to do with that Malibu Barbie, she expressed her hatred for the fake doll long ago.

Could you blame her for hating that stuck up bitch?

One by one, people started coming up front and singing their songs or playing their music. Our class has 12 people in all. The professor called out names in an alphabetic sequence; I ended up being 8th in line.

When she called my name, I was shaken out of my daze.

I heard her repeat my name and hurriedly made my way to the front. I could feel every eye on me, but there was something about that one pair which felt oddly …nice? I turned towards my fellow classmates to tell them about my chosen song, but instead locked eyes with the sexy asshole—ugh I should know his name. I can't keep addressing him as sexy and hot and handsome although he may be all of those things…

He held my eyes in a hard stare, which was sort of working, even though I was not the type to like someone in the first go. I closed my eyes, gulping down my excitement before opening my eyes once again, only to see a smirk etched on his lips.

His soft luscious lips. Oh, what I would do to them.

That’s when I noticed, that little jerk, he thinks I’m intimidated by him?? You just wait and watch, love.

Wait. Did I just call him Love?

I turned my eyes towards the crowd, “So I’m going to sing ‘Wolves’ by Selena Gomez. I hope y’all like it, and that you join me for the instrumental part if you do know the song.”

I smiled as I strung my guitar.

“In your eyes, there's a heavy blue
One to love and one to lose
Sweet divide, a heavy truth
Water or wine, don't make me choose

I wanna feel the way that we did that summer night (night)
Drunk on a feeling, alone with the stars in the sky

I've been running through the jungle
I've been running with the wolves
To get to you, to get to you
I've been down the darkest alleys
Saw the dark side of the moon
To get to you, to get to you
I've looked for love in every stranger
Took too much to ease the anger
All for you, yeah, all for you
I've been running through the jungle
I've been crying with the wolves
To get to you, to get to you (oh to get to you)”

I feel others joining me, helping me with the music. By the time I was done, I saw everyone staring at me with saucer-wide eyes: Eyes of surprise.

I scrunched up my eyebrows, worried my performance was messy, when everyone started applauding. I relaxed at the sound of claps and thanked them, turning towards the sexy dude. In his eyes I saw something you don’t expect to see in a stranger’s eyes. There was appreciation, yes, but with it was pride.

Huh? What was going on in that head of his?

With that thought in my mind, I moved back to my seat and waited for his turn. What? I was just curious. A few people came in after me; Bloom played her saxophone and some guy sang the opera. I was very distracted when the name Mason King ringed in my ears. Wait, I knew that surname. Rachel’s last name was King.

I looked up so fast; I was surprised I didn’t get a whiplash. That’s when I saw him, walking to the front with that keyboard in his hand looking all mighty and cute.

What the hell Bella? Did you just call him cute?

These hormones are going to get me in some serious trouble.

He didn’t say a word as he began playing his instrument.

Immediately, I was hooked.

As he played the melancholy tune, my eyes turned to look at him, all to notice that he was already staring back. He slowly nodded his head towards my guitar, and I understood. Even though the action was so light that if you blinked twice you would’ve missed it, I understood.

I nodded back before taking my guitar and joining him, as he slowly began to sing the words.

“I've been reading books of old
The legends and the myths
Achilles and his gold
Hercules and his gifts
Spiderman's control
And Batman with his fists
And clearly I don't see myself upon that list

But she said, where'd you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I'm not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can kiss

I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this

I want something just like this”

By the time he was done with his song, I was spellbound. It was amazing. Amazing being an understatement, because of my lack of words to express the awe. He looked at me one more time, as if expecting to see some reaction on my face, and I think he received it because he grinned cheekily and returned to his seat.

Cute.

When all of us were done, the professor walked to the podium to address us before the end of the class.

“That was a great start to this year, don’t you all think?”

Everyone nodded, whispers of agreement spreading around the room. She continued “So now for the first assignment, you would all be preparing a song in a language other than English and present it in front of the class.”

A few groans were heard, whispers spread again but this time they were of protest. But could you even blame them for hating it? How is someone supposed to sing in a language other than English? I never even tried speaking more French than I was supposed to in school.

She continued yet again, “It’s due this Friday. Any language will do; Spanish, French, Urdu, doesn’t matter which unless and until it is music to the ears.” I would have to stay up for a few nights now, it seems.

“This will help you understand that you don’t need to know the words to understand music. All you have to do is feel it. So come prepared. It holds a part of your grading. Now you’re free to leave. See you all tomorrow!” as she clapped her hands excitedly at us as a gesture to get moving.

That wasn’t so bad, was all I could think as I made my way towards the back room to keep my guitar in place before I got to the lockers so I could collect my books. When I reached there, I found a certain someone leaning against a locker next to mine. I didn’t even have to look at his face to know who it was.

He hadn’t noticed me yet, and I took advantage of it, creeping my way towards him as slowly as I could, finally jumping at him with a roar. “Hey Bro!!”

He hilariously lost his balance, but somehow managed to not fall face first on the floor while holding on to me for dear life. I loosened my grip and he was right about to kill me with that glare. “Jesus, Bella, you’re going to give me a heart attack someday.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. It’s not like I could really scare the future Beta. “Real mature princess. By the way, how was the music class? Tell me you nailed it!”

I tried to avoid the lingering images of the guy, mason, from the class and pretended to play with him, “Bow down peasant, for I am your warrior princess. All I do is nail it.”

He just engulfed me in a tight hug, “I knew it! Look at my little princess sister, all grown up.” He wiped a fake tear with his free hand and sniffled exaggeratedly.

I played right along, “You’re choking me Ry” I stifled out between fake coughs. This always got him. He was always scared he’d hurt me with his strength but I too was a warrior. I was prepared for much worse.

I was still playing around with the fake wheezing when I heard a loud growl from behind me. Ryan heard it too, because his grip on my arms loosened noticeably as his eyes glanced at something behind me. I turned to look at the same.

It was Mason.

Why was I not surprised to see him?

There he was, standing in his glory, looking pissed as hell. I wondered what his problem was. It was like the 3rd time since morning that I heard him growl. We had understood he was a werewolf too, why did he have to growl and make it more and more obvious? Men, I tell you. And the much worse part was that it had the same effect on my insides as it did in the morning. I wasn’t even trying anymore. Maybe I needed to stop thinking too much about boys.

Without even realizing, I stepped out of Ryan’s grip, confusion taking over my head as I questioned why I even did that. I could see he was confused too.

It took everything in me, to muster up the courage to ask him the word, “What?!”

The sudden feeling inside my tummy told me that I shouldn’t have asked him. What was it that was so disturbing that my brain didn’t want to learn about it? Why did it feel so wrong, but right at the same time? Why was I so attracted to him?

Oh Boy. I’m in so much trouble.