Isabella

“So where do I put my bags?” Isabella said over the sound of a dozen or so shifters talking in the main room of the lodge. But of course, no one noticed her presence. Her mother walked past her standing at the entrance. Just as she expected the place was massive and beautiful. She stood in a grand main room with garland hanging from a staircase and railings above. Maybe her room was up there. She clutched her lightly packed overnight bag in her arms. There were presents for the younger cubs to get out of the car but she would handle those later. First, she just needed a moment away from everyone else, just some peace and solitude, because after her mother singing Christmas carols in the car like a dying cat, she needed a moment of peace or she needed a drink.

Finally, Liam greeted her. “Cousin! How the hell are you?”

He wrapped his arms around her in a hug. He might've been two years younger than her but he already had over six inches on her. Part of that was because he was a bear, and the other part of it was because of his perfect bloodline. He was her first cousin, her mother and Liam’s father were step siblings. Her Uncle Joshua was her full uncle, but didn’t know the Bradwick siblings very well. It made for an interesting dynamic.

Bradwick shifters were pretty much royalty. They grew at alarming speeds and whatever they said went. She was so surprised to see him there, after his sister's death. The Bradwick family had themselves holed up in the castle in Crescent Valley and were rarely coming out for any family functions since her death. Isabella remembered her funeral so vividly. Thousands of purple irises placed in long lines. That was one of the few times that most of the shifter clans came together. Otherwise there were always arguing about something. But her death was so abrupt and she was such a kind girl that nearly everyone came out. It was a nice gesture to the clan. But since then she had hardly seen any of them, she heard that Joy and Alan, the girl's parents had gone into some sort of hiding. She wasn't sure she totally believed that, but the lack of appearance at family functions confirmed it for some others. She looked around the room and noticed that Liam was the only one of the Bradwick's present.

“I didn't expect to see you here.”

“Why?” He raised his unkempt blonde eyebrow at her. He had such pretty brown eyes, youthful and innocent. “Because my sister is dead and my entire family is drowning their sorrows back at the Bradwick Castle? The hell with that. I have had enough grieving. Even Olivia went on a little get away, did you hear?”

Of course, she had heard. Everyone heard the latest Bradwick clan gossip about how Olivia the eldest daughter, and one of Isabella’s closest friends was shacking up with some nomad from the south. There was even mumbling that his father was from leadership from one of the other clans. Pretty much a gigantic no-no. That was Olivia for you, always getting into trouble with her love life. Not that Isabella had any issue with it, she deserved a little escape after everything their family had been through recently. Also, Isabella had had her fair share of crazy suitors. What was the saying? Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? If it was true, then it meant that Isabella was never tossing anything.

“I heard something about that.”

He smiled at her devilishly. “Of course you did. She tells you nearly everything. Did she tell you that we had her rush home because the coyotes were going to come and take over our territory to panic her? Dax’s idea of course.” Now that part she hadn't heard. Probably because Dax was involved. One of her crazy past love stories. Not with Dax obviously, but she had barely spoken to him since he beat up one of her old boyfriends. As an only child her cousin’s seemed to feel an incessant need to protect her, stupid boys. “But everything seems to have calmed down as of late so I decided why the hell not? A little family gathering might be good for me. I mean technically we are hosting.”

This time she raised an eyebrow at him. “A little family gathering? This is nearly every shifter from the eastern side of the clan. At least thirty some people, and we’re not all family.”

Liam nodded and she watched as his eyes floated towards a leggy blonde that was standing in the oversized kitchen. She was leaned over the island in a short dress and Isabella watched as Liam’s hungry eyes took in the sights. He moved slightly closer to her and pointed. “Please say she’s not family.”

Isabella rolled her eyes but shook her head. “Not family.”

“Well then cousin, it’s been nice visiting with you but I have to make the rounds and welcome everyone. Oh and by the way you’re in Cabin B. You have the whole place to yourself. It’s around the right side of the lodge.”

Isabella let out a sigh of relief. Some peace and quiet, just exactly what she needed. She made her way back out to the front door, no one even noticed her leaving. She slipped out quietly while all around her family members and friends were laughing and shaking hands after years apart. It had been at least five years since they'd done Christmas altogether, and usually it was Liam’s parents who hosted. It felt slightly emptier without Joy and Alan, even though there were at least two dozen people standing in the living room of the huge Lodge. Isabella quietly followed the path off to the right of the huge Lodge. The woods had a nice fresh smell to it, freshly fallen snow. Whoever planned the getaway had good taste. Off to the left there was a sign Cabin A, B, C. All the arrows are pointing in different directions and it appeared that her cabin was down the path a bit further but directly in front of her. She walked down listening to the snow crunching under her shoes. When she arrived at the small unassuming and slightly rustic abode she breathed a sigh of relief. Total silence. She could go back and handle the family and friends in a few minutes but right now she just wanted to open her suitcase and pop open the bottle of wine that she had smuggled in an ugly Christmas sweater and enjoy a moment of peace.

She pushed open the door and was delighted by what she found. A small one room cabin lay in front of her with a large king-sized bed in the middle and a fireplace off to the side. She hadn't even noticed the chimney when she was walking up, not that she had any idea how to light a fire, but there were probably fifteen or so men within the main house that would be willing to help her. If nothing else she could drag Liam away from the shifter girl he was trying to get involved with. He would help her out, even if he didn't really want to. She set her bag down in the middle of the room and walked over to the mantelpiece, a piece of reclaimed wood and drug her finger along the top. It was the perfect mix of rustic and cozy, just her style. An oversized flannel blanket lay on top of the bed and she sat down on it and flung herself backwards breathing in the crisp cool air of winter. This place would be perfect to let off some steam, just the freedom that she needed. Thank you Liam. She could already see herself running through the trees and letting her animalistic side take over. It was perfect. Three whole days with family, great food, and finally people too busy to be paying attention to her. Just the right amount of freedom. Nothing could go wrong.