Chapter 14

One of Nathan’s friends playfully slapped him on the shoulder and jested, “Nathan, you’d better hustle and bring Isabella back pronto. Imagine if one day she waltzes back, pregnant and demanding a divorce. You’d be left high and dry, bawling your eyes out.”  

“Plus, if the great Nathan gets ditched by Isabella, it’d be a real hit to your werewolf - enhanced reputation.”  

Nathan gritted his teeth, muttering, “She wouldn’t dare...”  

Ultimately, perhaps under the mounting pressure of the impending company gala, a significant event in the werewolf - human business calendar, Nathan decided to yield.  

“Noah, book me a flight to the U.S. And get some top - notch gifts for my wife,” he commanded, his werewolf pride slightly bruised but his sense of duty to maintain appearances kicking in.  

His assistant, whose face betrayed no emotion, replied, “Yes, sir.”  

The next day.  

Nathan boarded a flight to the U.S., clutching a ragdoll cat as a gift his assistant had procured. The cat, with its soft fur and docile nature, was meant to be a peace - offering, a symbol of his attempt to win Isabella back.  

He had finally resolved to personally retrieve Isabella and bring her back to their werewolf - influenced world.  

He mused to himself, This trip will make up for the months I’ve been neglecting her. Once I’m there, a little sweet - talking, and she’ll be back at my side, just like old times.  

Nathan arrived at the Smiths’ residence. Six months ago, he had instructed his assistant to find a trustworthy werewolf - friendly family to care for his young, unfamiliar, and timid human wife.  

But when Nathan eagerly rapped on the Smiths’ door and announced his purpose, their bewildered expressions promptly doused his enthusiasm.  

“Isabella!” Nathan called out, his voice carrying a hint of werewolf authority, expecting her to come running at the sound of his voice.  

However, contrary to his expectations, Mr. and Mrs. Smith responded with a firmness that caught him off - guard.  

“Mr. Hill, please keep your voice down. You’ll stir up the neighbors, and in our werewolf - human neighborhood, that’s not taken lightly.”  

“Mr. Smith, I’m Isabella’s husband. I’m here to take her home. Kindly let her know I’m here…”  

But their answer was like a frigid wave crashing over him.  

“Apologies, Mr. Hill. Miss Isabella never came to us.”  

Nathan was left speechless, his werewolf senses dulled by shock.  

“What? She didn’t come to you?”  

It was in this moment that he realized Isabella’s decision to break away from him six months ago wasn’t a fleeting fit of anger. She was dead - set on leaving him.  

Like a werewolf - controlled puppet whose strings had been cut, Isabella had escaped his grasp.  

Feeling disoriented, Nathan bid the Smiths goodbye.  

“Mr. Hill…” Mr. Smith called after him, offering a well - intentioned tip.  

“Six months ago, a foreign student was unfortunately killed during a street riot in California. Her body was never claimed and was eventually dealt with by the federal authorities. You might want to check with them?”  

Nathan’s face paled further, and his voice softened. “Thank you. I’ll look into it.”  

At the federal office, Nathan explained his situation.  

A staff member reprimanded him sternly. “You’re dreadfully late. What on earth were you doing six months ago? In a world where werewolves and humans co - exist, timely action is crucial.”  

“The body has already been cremated, and the perpetrator has been executed. There’s no way to identify the deceased now. However, based on the autopsy report, we can share some details: the victim was a 22 - year - old female, wore a red dress, had long hair, and weighed around 90 pounds. That’s all. You can leave now.”  

Nathan had no clue if Isabella had ever owned a red dress, nor could he clearly recall her hairstyle.  

Furious, he slammed his fist on the desk, his werewolf strength making the surface tremble. “Is this how you handle things? That could have been my wife! Can’t you understand my pain?”  

The staff member regarded him as if he were a fool.  

“If you truly cared about your wife, you wouldn’t have waited six months after her possible death to discover she was missing. Frankly, if she’s your wife, she probably wouldn’t want to be found by someone as negligent as you.”  

It was as if Nathan had been plunged into an icy chasm.  

The staff member’s words hit him like a sledgehammer: If you truly cared, you wouldn’t have been so careless.  

He left the office, his legs shaking, as mocking whispers trailed behind him.  

“What a heartless werewolf - influenced scoundrel. No wonder his wife wanted nothing to do with him.”  

For the first time, Nathan felt a profound sense of guilt towards Isabella.  

He had failed her, and the weight of his failure pressed down on him.  

“Isabella, I’m sorry…”  

“Where are you?”  

Meanwhile, in Milan, a city renowned for its fusion of human and werewolf fashion sensibilities, Isabella’s life was brimming with joy and anticipation.  

Her teacher summoned her to the office to share exhilarating news.  

“Thea, I’ve entered you into the 24th Global Fashion Festival’s Newcomer Competition. This is a big deal, especially in our werewolf - human fashion community. Prepare well—I have a feeling you could achieve something extraordinary.”  

Isabella felt a rush of excitement. Although this competition wasn’t an instant career - maker, it was a vital stepping - stone. Winners had the opportunity to apprentice under industry titans, including the legendary fashion maestro, Jasmine.  

Jasmine wasn’t just a trailblazer in luxury fashion design; she was also a respected figure in the werewolf - human philanthropic world and one of the most influential women across both species.  

Coincidentally, Isabella had crossed paths with Jasmine once before.  

But that memory was one she would rather forget.  

Back then, she had accompanied Nathan as his official girlfriend to a sumptuous event, an occasion where the werewolf - human elite gathered.  

Due to Nathan’s neglect, she hadn’t prepared an appropriate gown, making her the butt of the elite socialites’ jokes.  

Behind her back, people sneered, calling her nothing more than Nathan’s submissive pet, a common insult in the werewolf - human social hierarchy when a human was seen as overly dependent.  

Humiliated, she had asked him for a bit more allowance to buy a decent dress.  

His response? A cold stare and a contemptuous comment: “Isabella, stop being so shallow.”  

She had been taken aback. Was wanting a proper dress really being shallow?  

Yet he showered Victoria with countless jewels, designer bags, and outfits without a second thought.  

That night, she had hidden away in a lounge, weeping in despair.  

It was then that Jasmine had found her, gently wiping away her tears and complimenting her on her natural elegance and striking features.  

Jasmine had even bestowed upon her an exquisite jewel—the legendary *Lone Moon*, a piece said to have been crafted by werewolf artisans long ago, fit for a queen.  

As she left, Jasmine had softly advised, “Remember this, Isabella: every girl, whether human or with werewolf connections, is her own queen. Learn to love yourself.”  

Jasmine had been a guiding light for Isabella.  

Sadly, it had taken her far too long to recognize her own worth.  

“Isabella?”  

Her teacher’s voice jolted her out of her reverie. “What are you daydreaming about? Did you hear what I said?”  

Snapping back to reality, Isabella smiled. “I’ll give it my all, Teacher.”  

Her teacher nodded approvingly. “If you run into any snags, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. In our world, we need to support each other, whether human or werewolf.”  

“Thank you, Teacher.”