It was the last day before Aiden needed to leave, and only a day before I planned to flee with Luke. I had thought the day would pass like the others—quiet, unremarkable, just me playing the obedient role until I could slip away. But I was wrong.As I woke up that morning, the weight of everything settled on my chest. The plan was almost in motion. Tomorrow, I would leave. Tomorrow, everything would change. I reminded myself of this as I got dressed, trying to keep my nerves in check.I made my way down to the kitchen, deciding to spend this last day exactly as I had spent the previous two—keeping a low profile, doing nothing to raise suspicion. Just one more day of pretending, and I would be free.When I stepped into the kitchen, the familiar sight of Marcus sitting at the table greeted me. He was reading the newspaper, but his eyes weren’t on the print. They were on me. Watching. Observing.I could feel his gaze following me as I moved around the room, and for a moment, I hesitated,
I couldn’t sleep at all. The entire night was spent tossing and turning, my mind spinning in circles with every possible outcome of what could happen the next day. Fear gripped me, tightening like a vice around my chest, but right beside it was something else—excitement. A strange, twisted excitement that mingled with the horror of what I was about to do.Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured my mother’s face, her worried expression as she waited for news of me. But the fear kept creeping back in. What if Aiden found out? What if he caught me before I could leave? What if Marcus saw through my act? The doubts clawed at me, turning my mind into a battlefield of conflicting emotions.I sat up in bed, staring out of the window as the moonlight streamed through the curtains. My heart pounded in my chest, and no matter how hard I tried to calm myself, the anxiety refused to let me go. The silence of the mansion was almost suffocating, each tick of the clock reminding me how close I was t
Just when Marcus’s gaze seemed to narrow, and I could feel the conversation teetering on a dangerous edge, Aiden spoke up, cutting through the thick tension in the air like a blade.“Don’t tell me it’s become hard for you to keep an eye on her after only a few months?” Aiden’s voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement beneath it, as if he found the entire conversation to be a joke. His gaze flickered between Marcus and me, and I could feel the weight of his words settling into the silence.Marcus laughed, but it was a short, sharp sound—more forced than genuine. “Of course not,” he said, leaning back in his chair with an easy smile. “I love spending time with her.”My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I couldn’t help the way my breath caught in my throat. *What is he doing?* His eyes locked onto mine, the smile still playing on his lips, but there was something in his gaze—a warning, maybe.“Right, Isabella?” Marcus continued, his tone light but with an underlying edge.
I stepped outside the mansion, trying to appear as casual as possible, even though my heart was pounding in my chest. The bright morning sun shone down, warming my skin, but I felt cold inside. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, to act normal. *Just a stroll,* I told myself. *You’re just going out to get some fresh air.*I walked slowly, keeping my posture relaxed, my steps measured, as if I had no particular destination in mind. I couldn’t let anyone suspect that something was off. Not Marcus, not the guards, not anyone. If they saw me rushing or looking too nervous, it would raise questions, and I couldn’t afford that. Not now.As I moved further away from the mansion, I stole a glance over my shoulder. No one was following me. Not yet. The tension in my chest loosened slightly, but I knew it wouldn’t last. This wasn’t just a walk. This was my chance to escape, to see my mother again, to take back some control over my life.The path through the woods was familiar, but today
**Isabella**Life, as I’ve known it, has always had a way of balancing out the good with the bad. Raised in an orphanage, I learned early on that joy was something you created for yourself, even when the world seemed intent on stripping it away. The women who took care of me would often say that I was the most joyful child they’d ever seen, always smiling, always hopeful. I suppose that’s because I’ve always believed that life, no matter how harsh, had to be balanced by something good—something worth holding onto.But today, as I walk through the dense woods with the sun slowly setting behind the trees, I can’t shake the feeling that the balance I’ve always relied on is about to tip in a way I’m not ready for.The forest is familiar to me, a place of solace where I can escape the noise and chaos of the orphanage. But today, the air feels different—heavier, somehow, and filled with a tension I can’t quite place. The cool breeze carries the scent of pine and damp earth, a smell I usuall
AidenThe woods are my sanctuary, the one place where I can be alone with my thoughts, away from the pack, away from the constant pressure of leadership. Tonight, though, it’s different. Tonight, I’m not alone. I can feel her presence before I even see her—an innocent, fragile human, wandering into my territory as if she belongs here. She doesn’t.The very scent of her makes my blood boil, reminding me of everything I hate about her kind. They’re weak, fragile, but also dangerous. My parents learned that the hard way, and their deaths are a constant reminder of the threat humans pose. Yet, as I stand here watching her, hidden in the shadows, something else stirs within me—something I haven’t felt in years.I hate her for it.She shouldn’t be here. She’s trespassing into a world she knows nothing about, a world that would swallow her whole without a second thought. I should turn away, leave her to her foolishness. But I can’t. There’s something about her that keeps me rooted to the sp
AidenI pace the length of my cabin, my thoughts in turmoil. It’s been hours since I left her in the forest, and yet, I can’t get her out of my mind. Her scent, her wide, innocent eyes, the way she looked at me with that mix of fear and something else—something I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s maddening.She’s just a human, I tell myself. Weak, fragile, the very thing I’ve spent my life hating. My parents died because of her kind, and I’ve made it my mission to protect my pack from them. And yet, here I am, obsessed with a girl I should despise.My wolf is restless, prowling beneath the surface, demanding action. It doesn’t understand why I didn’t take her then and there, why I let her go. But the human part of me is just as confused, torn between the instinct to claim her and the knowledge that she’s dangerous—not because she can hurt me, but because she makes me feel things I’ve sworn to bury.I slam my fist against the wall, the wood creaking under the force. This is wrong. Eve
**Isabella**The next morning, I’m still reeling from the events of the previous night. I hardly slept, my mind too busy replaying everything that happened, trying to make sense of it all. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the feeling that something significant has changed, something that I’m not ready to face.I go about my usual routine, trying to distract myself with chores and responsibilities around the orphanage. But it’s no use. My thoughts keep drifting back to the forest, to him. Who was he? Why did he affect me so deeply? And why can’t I stop thinking about him?The other girls notice my distraction, casting curious glances my way, but they don’t say anything. They’re used to me being the quiet one, the one who prefers the company of nature to people. But today, even the solace of nature can’t calm the storm inside me.By midday, I’ve had enough. I need answers, and I won’t find them sitting around here, pretending everything is normal. I make up an excuse to leave