Big Bad Alphas novel Chapter 9

Slowly, I lift up my face from the pillow beneath it. I blink, close my eyes, and blink again. Rays of sunlight shine through the windows and blind me. I reluctantly sit up and rub my knuckles onto my eyes. Looking around the bedroom, I find myself alone, so I instantly wonder where Eric is.

I slide out of bed and peek into the bathroom, but it too is empty. Raising an eyebrow, I check the guest room I was supposed to sleep in— then all the others. After that my feet carry me downstairs and random noises grab my attention, sounds that are coming from the kitchen. "Eric?" I call out as I make my way towards them, wanting to unmask the creator. "Eric is that you?"

Instead of seeing Eric, an older woman turns around and smiles. "Hello, good morning, I'm Marina, the housekeeper. You must be Isabella; it is so wonderful to meet you."

"It's wonderful to meet you too Marina," I walk in and she turns away from the stove. "Do you know where Alpha Tate is?"

"Why he's probably off by the borders, there were some problems earlier this morning. And don't worry about calling him Alpha Tate around me, I helped change his diapers when he was a little one."

I smile and sit down at the counter. "Do you know when he might be back?"

"Soon most likely. He did tell me that he would be back to take you to Evangeline and Sebastian's. Would you like anything to eat? I was just about to bring Caroline a grilled cheese." She offers but I kindly decline. "Aright, well I'll be right back. Please help yourself to anything."

Marina leaves with Caroline's food and I chuckle to myself. She seems like a lovely lady; I just can't get over the fact that Caroline asked her to bring her grilled cheese. I guess Marina must be like family if she helped change diapers. With my elbows against the counter, I sigh, wanting to know what Eric is doing. He must be busy being the Alpha and all, but it's not like I know too much about an Alphas work. Sure I know the basics, but not how tiring it is, or if he ever wants to drop everything and just give up. There must be a lot of pressure weighing down on his shoulders.

Grabbing an orange from the fruit bowl, I slowly begin to peel the skin off. The fresh, citrus smell fills my nose and wakes me up fully.

I am excited to see Evangeline, especially since we did not get enough time yesterday. She seems lovely, so I am sure her mate is too. I should be more nervous to meet his parents formally, though I am a little, it doesn't feel like enough. Maybe this is how it is when you are mates; there is a different type of confidence in your relationship because you are made for each other in some sense. Maybe this is why Olivia does not threaten me as much as she should.

Looking down at my arms, I sigh. The bandages are no longer needed, and almost all of the smaller cuts have faded away, though a few of the deeper ones are still very visible. I do not understand how she could have watched me slide down the tree, knowing that the branch was not strong enough. I shouldn't blame everything on her, but the mate half of me wants to.

"You sure are a deep thinker."

Glancing up from the countertop, I see Marina. "Oh sorry, I didn't even know you were here."

She waves me off and says, "I know. Evangeline used to drift off like that all the time."