Chapter 14

Lucy hurried through the bustling field of the Moonshine pack, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way back to the Royal residence where Isabella, the adopted daughter of the Alpha, resided. The events of the past few hours swirled through her mind like a whirlwind, leaving her feeling disoriented and on edge.

As she approached the doorstep of Isabella, Lucy's steps faltered for a moment, her mind filled with apprehension at the thought of facing Isabella's wrath. She knew she had acted recklessly, disappearing for a few hours without reporting back to her post and without a word to anyone and she braced herself for the scolding she was sure to receive.

But as she entered through the doorstep, her fears were realized when she came face to face with Isabella, who stood waiting for her with a stern expression on her face. 

"Lucy," she chided, her voice tinged with frustration, "where have you been? You know better than to wander off without permission."

Lucy hung her head, unable to meet Isabella's gaze as a wave of guilt washed over her. 

"I'm sorry, Mistress Isabella," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just...I needed some time alone."

Isabella's expression softened slightly at Lucy's words, her features betraying a hint of concern. 

"I understand, Lucy," she said gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder. "But you must remember that you are not alone here. I know Leo left you but we are all part of the pack, and we must look out for one another."

A doubt started to grow inside Lucy as she stood in front of Isabella, her head spinning from the unexpected friendliness of hers. Lucy believed that despite Isabella's seeming earnestness, her comments were hollow and untrue. She'd known Isabella for too long to fall for such flimsy pretenses of sympathy.

Her words about Leo tell it all as she was only trying to bring to the present, her past memories.

Lucy recoiled when Isabella reached out to give her a consoling embrace, her suspicions mounting with every second that went by. Even in Isabella's loving touch, Lucy remained cautious, her heart squeezing shut to prevent any more letdown.

Lucy whispered, "Thank you, Isabella," in a hesitant tone. "But don't you think that your words are too much... I know you're just saying that to make yourself feel better." She exhaled and wagged her head.

For an instant, Isabella's face displayed a hint of surprise, which quickly vanished and was replaced with a fake smile. She said, "Oh, Lucy," in a mock-sympathetic tone. "You really are too sensitive for your own good."

The sharpness of the words sent a shudder down Lucy's spine as they pierced through her like a dagger. For a brief while, she had imagined that Isabella's goodwill would be genuine, but now she realized that it was all a cruel prank played on her.

Lucy felt a wave of wrath mounting as Isabella's laughter reverberated throughout the room. How could Isabella play with her feelings in such a heartless and cruel way? After coming to this painful truth, Lucy felt more exposed and alone than ever.

Lucy turned to Isabella and spoke in a shaky voice, her eyes sparkling with hurt mixed with hatred.

"You think this is funny, Isabella?" Her comments were filled with resentment as she spat. "I promise it's not, though. I won't put up with it any longer, despite your belief that you can treat me however you choose." She concluded and bowed her head slightly.

Isabella's gaze darkened with a mixture of astonishment and displeasure as her laughter faltered at Lucy's words. "Oh, please," she rolled her eyes angrily and scoffed. 

"Lucy, you're simply a menial servant. Remember where you are.

Lucy, though, had had enough. She squared her shoulders and met Isabella's stare with a fierce glare. With a fresh conviction in her voice, she trembled and added, 

"I may be a servant, Isabella, but I refuse to be treated as anything less than human." And perhaps it's time I find someone who will if you are unable to see it."

Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief at Lucy's bold defiance, her mouth agape as she struggled to find words to counter Lucy's unexpected outburst. For a moment, she was rendered speechless, her usual confidence shaken by Lucy's unwavering resolve.

"You... you dare speak to me like that?" Isabella finally managed to sputter, her voice tinged with indignation. "After all I've done for you, I took you in... remember, you would have been subjected to more trivial mess if I didn't oversee you, trust me,"

But Lucy remained unmoved, her expression resolute as she met Isabella's gaze with steely determination. 

"You haven't done anything for me, Isabella," she shot back, her voice steady despite the tremor of nerves that coursed through her veins. 

"You've only ever treated me with cruelty and disdain. You made plans and came in between me and Leo... Well, I won't stand for it any longer." She sniffed and folded her lips.

Isabella's face flushed with anger at Lucy's words, her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to control her temper. 

"You insolent little wretch," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner? I'll have you whipped for your impudence!"

But Lucy remained undeterred, her resolve unshaken by Isabella's threats. 

"Go ahead and try, I'm a slave afterall," she said defiantly, her voice ringing out with newfound confidence. 

"But know this, Isabella—There would eventually be a last time for all your actions, someday... trust me,"

Lucy's heart pounded with a mix of fear and exhilaration. She knew that standing up to Isabella would have consequences, but for the first time in her life, she felt a sense of empowerment that she had never known before.

Having known who she was, including her parents, gave her the courage about everything turning out for her good despite the fact the prevailing event didn't guarantee that.

With that, Lucy turned on her heel and was about to step out of the room after leaving Isabella fuming in her wake when Alpha Eric showed up on the doorstep while Marie walked behind him.