The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Book 3 The Alpha’s Substitute Bride – Episode 20

~HUNTER~

It was only at the end of the meeting did I realize that something was wrong. Isabella’s scent wasn’t as strong as it was a few hours ago. But that couldn’t be right; she couldn’t have possibly gone anywhere while I was at home. Her scent was extremely high on me before but that was because of everything that happened between us and the fact that her juices were on my fingers. It would make sense that it was slowly leaving my body and maybe that was the reason I was finding it strange now when her scent wasn’t that strong anymore.

But my wolf was restless again and that only happened when she was in danger.

“Is something wrong?” Dane asked after noticing that I’d just went completely silent.

“I’m not sure.” I answered as I tried to focus on her scent again. I didn’t wait for anyone to ask any more questions, I was already inside the house looking for her.The last time I checked she was in our room. My heart was racing as I climbed the steps two at a time. The closer I got, the more worried I became. If she was in there, I should be able to hear her or at least her scent would hit me a lot stronger than before. None of that happened.

I slammed the door open in a rush and scanned the room frantically.

“Isabella?” I called. I stormed into the bathroom when I didn’t hear her answer my call. I grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled at it in frustration.

She wasn’t in here, so where the f**k was she?

I rushed down the steps and gathered all of the servants that I could find.

“Did any of you see my wife in the last hour?”

The gardener turned to me with widened eyes, he was shaking and I could tell that my tone had frightened him. “I saw someone leaving the front gates. But she moved so fast that I can’t be sure that it was her.”

My fists tightened at my sides and I held back on punching the wall.

Where the hell did she go and why did she not tell me anything? There were no notes on the bed or anywhere in the house for that matter. Why would she do this to me?

“What’s going on?” Bruce asked as he spotted the tension in the room.

“I can’t find Isabella anywhere. It also looks like she left willingly.” I growled, it was very hard to keep control of my emotions. I wanted to snap at everyone. Why didn’t anyone stop her from leaving?

Bruce lifted a brow and hit me with a knowing look. “Did you guys have a fight?”

My jaw clenched. “She wanted to go to Eden’s wedding ceremony and I told her no.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the sofa. “Did you really think you were about to keep Isabella from meeting her own sister on her wedding day?”

“I was trying to protect her . . . Her life has been in too much danger lately.”

He swallowed. “You can’t cage her up here forever. You know that.”

I did know that but I didn’t care about any of that. All I knew was that I wanted Isabella in front of me all of the time; it was the only way that I would be able to rest in peace. I should have been in the room tonight with her, I shouldn’t have left her side even for a second. My wolf was pissed with me again and I couldn’t blame him. I kept messing things up when it came to Isabella.

“What are you planning on doing?” Bruce asked as he took a step closer to me. “I’m sure you’re not going to try and cause a scene at her sister’s ceremony . . . Isabella wouldn’t be happy about it.”

I chuckled without any humor at all. “She should have thought about that before directly disobeying my order and putting her life in danger . . . Again.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

~ISABELLA~

The moment I stepped into the palace, all eyes turned to me.

Lucy was the first to look my way and her face immediately brightened. I returned her smile as she rushed to my side and pulled me into her arms. “I’m so happy that you came! We all thought that they wouldn’t have told you the news. Our brothers dropped off the invitation but said that you and Hunter were not there and instead went to visit his sister for the week.”

I nodded. “His sister’s birthday is tomorrow but we ended up going back home due to certain circumstances.”

“We’re sorry the invitation was sent so late. Our brothers mixed up the dates and only realized this morning.” Eden apologized as she also took me into her arms. “I’ve missed you so much and we’ve all been worried to death about you.”

I tried not to cry at her words. “I’ve also missed everyone so much. I’m not used to being away from my family.”

“Where is Hunter?” James asked with a guarded look. I could sense that he was still not happy with him, after all Hunter almost married Eden. I didn’t think James would ever be able to forget about that. It would take a lot for those two men to start liking each other.

“Yes, where is your husband?” A strange woman asked. She had red hair and blue eyes with freckles all over her cheeks. “I’ve heard many things about him and his past wife.”

I stiffened at the mention of Maggie. Even back home I still had to hear about her. I was hoping that I would be given a break from hearing about Hunter’s dead mate at least tonight but clearly I was wrong.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” I asked the woman suspiciously. There was something about her that bothered me. She seemed to know a lot more than she was letting the others think that she knew.

I also got a feeling that she was trying to find out more about my relationship with Hunter. That didn’t seem normal to me. I considered that maybe she was just one of those women that enjoyed sticking her nose into other people’s business but I still felt like it was more than just that.

“Isabella, this is our amazing decorator. She did all of the work around here.” Eden introduced her. My family didn’t seem to have a problem with her. Maybe I was overthinking everything.

“Hunter had business to attend to at home. So sadly he couldn’t make it.” I explained to everyone.

“That’s weird.” The woman commented. “From what I’ve heard, Hunter always attended all events with Maggie; they always showed up everywhere together. They were such a lovely couple . . . At least that’s what everyone has told me before.”

I felt a sharp pain in my heart at her words. Every direction I turned I was reminded with how much Hunter loved his first wife. I’m sure that everyone were saying in their heads that he didn’t love me and that I would never be able to take her place in his life. I had hope that maybe it would change one day but I didn’t know how long I could take this heartache. Hunter was my mate and knowing how much he loved Maggie was like someone taking a dagger and stabbing me multiple times in my chest.

It hurt . . . It hurt so much.

“I’m sure he had his reasons for not coming. After all, Hunter and my brother aren’t exactly on good terms.” Lucas cut in. “But does it matter that he isn’t here? I mean we’re lucky to have the beautiful Isabella with us tonight. I think that’s all everyone wanted.”

He winked at me and I couldn’t help but smile at him and mouth a thank you in his direction.

“Well why don’t we get you inside and dress you up a little.” Lucy offered. “Most of the ceremony has already been completed but there’s going to be dancing in like a few minutes. The crowd is in the back and waiting on James and Eden to introduce the first dance.”

I nodded and followed my sisters up the stairs where they both cornered me with multiple questions all at once.

“Does he treat you right?” Eden asked.

I tried to keep a straight face. I didn’t want them to worry about what I was going through, they had both already went through enough. Lucy was also still pregnant and I didn’t want her to be stressing out over me.

“He takes care of me . . . He’s also very protective.” I told them. It wasn’t far from the truth. Hunter was extremely protective . . . A little too protective in my opinion.

“Are you happy?” Lucy asked.

I didn’t want to answer that question. I would only be happy when Hunter offered his heart to me and stopped pushing me away.

“Why are you guys asking all of these questions?” I asked. “Today is your day Eden. The spotlight should be on you. I just want to have some fun tonight; we can talk about this another time.”

They gave each other knowing looks but did as I said. They dressed me in a pretty silver dress that touched the floor. There was a long slit to the side and a cut-out V shape at the top of it. When they were both finished with my hair and make-up, I was surprised at how beautiful and flawless I looked.

“You both should consider doing hair and make-up for a living.” I teased my sisters.

They laughed and pulled me out the room.

“Well, since Hunter isn’t here . . . how about we find you a dance partner.” Lucy suggested.

I shook my head. “I’ll just stand back and watch you guys.”

They weren’t happy with my decision but the moment we touched the bottom of the stair they were distracted by their mates. I felt an ache in my chest as I wanted my sisters with their husbands. They were both so happy and I couldn’t help but wish that I could be as lucky as the both of them.

Austin looked at Lucy like he couldn’t live without her. I watched as he leaned down and gave her stomach a small k**s before reaching up and gazing lovingly into her eyes.

James and Eden were no different. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. In fact, they were both locked in a passionate k**s right now.

“Do you see what I have to deal with on a daily basis here?” He asked me with a shake of his head.

“Don’t worry, very soon you’ll be with your own mate and you’ll be no different than your brothers.” I teased.

His body stiffened at my words and I was left to wonder what I’d possibly said to make him uncomfortable. My eyes widened then, how could I have forgotten? He was being forced to marry one of the Blackners . . . Now I felt bad for bringing it up.

“How about you two join the dance with everyone instead of sulking by yourselves in the corner here.” Maya cut in.

Lucas laughed and took my hand in his. “If we don’t, believe me they would find strangers for us to pair with. This wouldn’t be so bad.”

I had to agree with him. I preferred to dance with him as opposed to a stranger. At least this could help me forget about Hunter . . . At least try to.