Siblings' Secret: The Forbidden Flame

Isabel’s Point of View~

I was so elated as the term's ending was fast approaching. Not only was I excited as I anticipated the forthcoming holiday, I was also happy because my boyfriend, Mason, would be claiming me as his mate in front of everyone.

My face blushed in excitement and I closed my eyes as images of Mason flashed in my mind. Last evening I saw him at the school garden, he looked so hot in his unbuttoned shirt and pants. His long blonde hair and alluring blue eyes were qualities I loved the most in him.

"Gosh! Don't tell me you're daydreaming about Mason again huh?" Bonnie, my best friend asked as she wrapped her hands around me, snatching me out of my reverie.

We had been friends since childhood and we attended the same school together. Our parents were best friends too and I saw Bonnie like my very own sister.

I turned to look at her, my gorgeous set of teeth showing through a warm smile. Her ability to accurately anticipate who I was thinking about didn't surprise me.

"I'm correct, aren't I?" She cocked her brows and wiggled her lips, asking again.

"You are right. I just feel anxious as well as happy. He'll finally announce our relationship and claim me as his mate. It still feels like a dream to me."

"Yeah, I'm so happy for you Isabel. Come on, let's go meet the rest at the hall. We don't want to miss out on Mr Richard's announcement," Bonnie said, holding my hands as we both hurried down the corridor.

The hall was crowded with students when we entered. Bonnie and I scrambled to take a seat at the back, keeping our faces hidden from Mr. Richard's prying eyes as soon as we spotted him heading toward the podium.

If he happened to see us entering at such a late hour, we knew what would happen. He would get furious and put us in detention. Mr Richard was one strict and stern looking teacher who you wouldn't want to offend or mess with.

After some minutes of his boring lectures, the students clapped and smiled happily as they watched him leave the podium, his feet dragging as he adjusted his spectacles.

My heart raced in anticipation of what would happen next.

"Wow! If I'm so nervous, I wonder how you'll feel right now," Bonnie said to me as she held my hands which were on my lap.

Mason wasn't just one of the hottest kids in school with an athletic build, He was also smart, and good in sports.

He wasn't the Alpha's son but his parents were rich and were also great sponsors of our school.

"Trust me, I know why Mason can't resist such a beauty like you. You have every feature that a man wants. You're smart, you're beautiful. You have those, you know, caramel blond hair, stunning blue eyes, cherry lips and flawless white skin." Bonnie said to me admiringly as she held my cheeks gently, her gaze studying my features.

"Thank you, Bonnie. I'm so glad to have you as a friend," I muttered to her before leaning in to give her a warm hug.

The loud screeching sound from a speaker at the far end caught everyone's attention. As Bonnie and I released ourselves from our hug, our attention was drawn to the scene going on at the front of the stage.

"What's happening? I thought we would be dismissed after Mr Richard's stupid speech." Mandy, a plump tanned girl with dark fringed hair asked, her face etched with confusion as she stared at the boys who were arranging some items on the stage.

Bonnie and I glanced at each other before shrugging.

"Let's just watch what they're up to," Bonnie suggested.

"Wait," I said abruptly as I clutched onto Bonnie's arm, a faint smile glowing on my face. "What if Mason wants to make the announcement now? Maybe that's why the boys are preparing the stage." Looking at a dumbfounded Bonnie, I guessed as I squinted and enlarged my eyes.

"I guess you're right. He's about to propose to you and announce you as his mate." Bonnie concurred with my guess and we both squealed silently as we wriggled our toes in excitement.

Just then, Mason appeared on the stage, flashing every one of us with a warm smile. My heart skipped a moment. Was this really happening?

Did he want to announce me now as his mate in front of everyone?

My brows furrowed and I got confused when I saw two boys bring a cake to the stage. What exactly was the cake for? If I could recall, today wasn't my birthday and neither was it Mason's.

The stage was adorned with flashing lights that materialized as one of Mason's boys approached and turned on a switch.

"Awwn! Isn't it so sweet? Mason is doing all of this for you. You're one lucky babe, Isabel,"

As Bonnie met my gaze, she exclaimed with joy. I bit my lip, making a concerted effort to contain my smile.

When Mason caught eyes with me, he looked away immediately as if ignoring my existence.

Okay that wasn't right. I wonder why he did that because he has never done that to me before.

"Hello my fellow students, as we all know the term is over and we are so excited for the forthcoming holiday. I would love to make an announcement and I want everyone to know about it before the break," Mason's voice boomed in the mic and I could see many girls drooling as they listened to him.

"Isn't he just charming?" Bonnie asked as she gave me a wink. I smiled back faintly, not knowing why I had two thoughts about everything that was going on.

"I, Mason Michaelson, would love to announce my girlfriend and dearest mate. Without this pretty lady I won't be doing all of these. I've decided to announce her to you all so you can have an idea of the one that is clearly mine." Mason said once again and I could feel my heart beating loudly like I was in a test trial.

My hands quivered and I shuddered as I maintained a gaze with him. I was trying hard to control my anxiety.

"It's because of my mate that I decided to make this little celebration here today. Not only do I want to announce her as mine but I also want to celebrate this special moment with her,"

"My mate is none other than Patricia Gilbert." Mason revealed with a smile and I watched as Patricia walked over to him to embrace him.

The students clapped and cheered them on while I was left with nothing but heartbreak and confusion.

No! This can't be. Mason is joking right?

I clutched my heart tightly as I watched how Mason wrapped his hand around Patricia before giving her a tongue kiss.

Why on earth did he treat me like I was his mate when he knows he'll only end up breaking my heart?

"This can't be real. Why would Mason do this to you?" Bonnie asked with wide eyes as she stared at me.

I was too broken to speak or exchange words with her. The only thing visible were the prickling tears in my eyes.

I watched as Bonnie walked up to Mason with clenched fists and reddened face. She was willing to stand by me at all costs.

"Why Mason? Why are you doing this to Isabel? You said you'd announce her publicly as your mate and now you're casting her aside like she's a piece of trash to you?"

Mason looked up at me after Bonnie finished speaking. My teary eyes looked back at him and I wished all of these weren't real.

"She's just Isabel. She can't be my mate,"

Mason revealed and I heard gasps as well as mocking chuckles from the audience.

"Why? Tell me why you did this?" Bonnie asked with clenched fists and gritted teeth as she glared at Mason.

"Because she's just an omega. I'm a notable son from a rich home. My parents are even close friends to the Alpha and you can't expect someone of high status as me to be a mate to an Omega," Mason revealed coldly, his face void of emotion and his piercing blue eyes gazed into mine.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces at every one of his words.

I've always done everything to please him. Even though I was wolfless, I always felt he was mine and he did treat me like I was his destined mate.

"Besides, she's just weak, wolfless and nerdy. She's not my type of girl. I only became close to her because I wanted to know how it feels to taste a pure nerd like her, unfortunately for me, she never gave me the chance to sleep with her. How on earth can I claim a boring person like her as mine?"

Mason revealed further and more tears pricked my eyes like thousand needles.

I was speechless as all eyes were on me with laughter erupting and filling the hall.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I ran out of the hall in embarrassment, looking for somewhere quiet to be.

All thanks to Mason, now I'll have to spend the holiday brooding and sulking.

"You've been moody these days, Isabel, Is something wrong with you?" My mother asked, her face etched with concern as she stared at me.

When she noticed that I didn't give her a response, she tied her green apron and wore her spotted mitten, getting ready to make some pancakes for breakfast.

I lost my dad when I turned nine and I've been used to growing up without him. I remembered how I often shared my worries and burdens with my mom when I was a kid but now, I chose to keep things to myself.

My relationship with my mom wasn't the same anymore as we moved from being friends to more like acquainted strangers.

Besides, she has been so busy with work these days that she barely has time for me plus I felt I was too grown to tell her all of my problems.

"I'm not moody. I'm just a little tired lately," I lied as I reached for a drink in the fridge, trying hard to avoid a gaze with her.

"You know we haven't been discussing with each other lately and I know that's because I've been too busy with work and…

"Your relationship with a married man, right?" I cut in as I turned to face her with my arms crossed.

She was at a loss for words, and I watched as she bit her lips.

My mom is in a relationship with someone and I know she has the right to but I felt worried that the little relationship we were trying to maintain might worsen.

Was I feeling jealous that she might forget me totally after getting married?

"Look Isabel,"

"I know you're not fully happy with me marrying someone else but I just want you to know that I will always be there for you no matter what. I took a week off from work so I can spend some time with you during the holidays. So we could have some fun time together, you know,"

With a groan, I immediately downed my drink.

I turned to look at her after moving over to set the empty glass down on the sink.

"I've had a lot of plans for this holiday. I even bought two tickets so that I could go to a concert together with Mason. I – I made a list of the activities we'd do together but I guess some things just don't go the way you plan," I finally revealed everything to my mom who left the cooking to advance in my direction, her face etched with concern and curiosity.

"What– what are you trying to say, Isabel?"

"Mason rejected me as his mate. He said I was wolf less and that he could never have someone like me as his mate."

"You're just telling me about this now, Isabel. Why are you just telling me about it? You were broken, you sulked all this while and I had no idea?"

"It's because you were too busy with work and going on dates to see your new husband,"

"Mom, I've gone through so many difficult moments without you, but you weren't always there. Are you even aware that I am frequently bullied at school? Even now, do you know when I had my first period? Do you even have a clue what my goals are or what my dreams are? You don't, that is true. You don't even know me as well as the housekeeper does." My emotions overtook me, and I blurted out in anger.

Before turning to face her, I wiped the small tear from my eye.

She must feel bad about herself right now but I can't blame her.

She's doing her best to work so hard she could provide for us and I felt she is lonely which is why she needed a partner.

"I am not against you getting married in the first place. The only thing I ever wanted was for you to understand me. To be there for me and to feel my pain as yours,"

I said lastly before taking short steps to the door.

When I reached the doorstep, I turned to face her, and said, "I'll be spending the holiday with granny in Newton's ville pack. You don't have to drop me with your car, I'll take the commercial bus."

I said lastly before walking out of the kitchen.

***

I became bored and decided to explore the streets of the pack after spending the entire day with granny Maggie, the mother of my late dad.

I could no longer contain my wrath as Mason's memories raced through my head. I still don't know why it's so difficult for me to move on from him.

I wiped away my tears with my handkerchief and entered the tiny bar at the front of an opulent hotel "Two bottles of whiskey please," After I gave my orders, a waiter arrived with the drinks in a short while.

My phone buzzed and I saw a notification while I was swilling down several glasses of the drink.

I read the messages with bleary eyes. On a group chat that was for our class, a ton of messages kept popping up.

I read the messages and I was stunned to hear the news about Mason and Patricia marking each other. My heart broke beyond repair. After they've marked each other, I know what comes next: they'd want to mate tonight to formally seal their mate bond.

I saw different pictures of them having fun together. Mason truly had changed. He wasn't the Mason I knew.

"Hey! How're you doing?" A deep but gentle voice asked at the right end and I turned to look at the person.

A charming young man's emerald eyes captured mine and ensnared me. He had dark raven hair, gorgeous olive toned skin, and a sharp jawline that appeared to have been expertly molded.

His brilliant smile showed off his perfectly straight, white teeth.

He took a seat beside me and I furrowed my brows at him, wondering if he knew me from somewhere.

"I'm Derek Walton, mind if I drink with you?" He asked, his voice like fine red wine.

"No, no I don't mind," I responded with a sad smile as I watched him grin before taking a seat in front of me.

"What's your name angel?"

"Isabel. Isabel Montes,"

"Cool," He nodded and looked at me closely, analyzing my features while he poured himself more drinks.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks with ease as I sucked down more sips. Derek studied me, attempting to read my face.

"Are you crying, angel?" He asked and I smirked before cleaning my tears.

"I know I'm a stranger but you can always tell me what's bothering you. I can do my best to help." He said to me convincingly and I raised my head to look at him, his charming green eyes alone turned me on.

I just didn't know why but there was something about this young handsome dude sitting right at my front.