Chapter 22

Marie paused, the tension between them was almost palpable, and Marie hesitated for a moment but held back her hand. 

“I don't mean that way. I just want to be left alone and I don't know what could happen if you touch me.” Lucy sighed deeply. 

fore approaching her friend. She had been searching for Lucy everywhere, worried about her sudden disappearance.

Marie folded her lips and nodded, a gesture that showed she clearly understood what Lucy meant by her words.

"Well, Lucy, I've been looking all over for you," Marie said, her voice filled with concern as she came closer.

Lucy didn't respond immediately, her gaze remaining fixed on the ground. It was as if she hadn't even heard Marie speak. The silence stretched on, and Marie grew increasingly anxious, wondering if something had happened.

"Lucy, please talk to me, I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have been more careful." Marie pleaded, her voice laced with genuine remorse. She thought back to their last conversation and tried to pinpoint where she might have gone wrong.

After a long pause, Lucy finally spoke, her tone flat and devoid of emotion. "You haven't done anything wrong, Marie. I'm not angry. I'm just not in for any conversation."

Marie studied her friend's face, trying to decipher the reason behind her uncharacteristic behavior. Lucy's expression was unreadable, and it only heightened Marie's worry.

"Then what's wrong? You're not yourself, Lucy. You can talk to me, remember. I have you and you have me." Marie urged gently, hoping to get the truth out of her.

Lucy shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "It's nothing, really. Just... don't worry about it."

Marie frowned, unsatisfied with Lucy's evasive response. She knew Lucy well enough to sense that something was deeply troubling her. And then, like a light bulb going off in her head, Marie suddenly guessed the reason behind Lucy's melancholy.

"It's about Leo, isn't it?" Marie asked, her voice soft yet probing.

Lucy stiffened, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Marie's question had hit too close to home, but she wasn't ready to admit it. She quickly averted her gaze, trying to maintain her composure.

"That's not it," Lucy muttered, but her voice lacked conviction.

Marie wasn't fooled. She could see the way Lucy's hands trembled slightly, the way her breathing quickened. But instead of pressing further, she decided to share something that had been on her mind as well.

"Isabella asked me something strange today," Marie began cautiously, watching Lucy's reaction from the corner of her eye. "She wanted to know what I would do if I loved someone but couldn't be with them because they loved someone else... someone below their status."

Lucy's attention snapped back to Marie, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, and her heart began to race. Isabella had asked that? And she had asked Marie, of all people?

"What... what did you say?" Lucy asked, her voice betraying the nervousness she was trying to hide.

Marie hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I told her that if I were in that position, I'd do anything to be with the person I loved. Even if it meant removing any obstacles in my way."

The words hung heavily in the air between them, and Lucy's mind raced. Marie's answer was exactly the kind of response that would resonate with Isabella's ruthless nature. She could already picture Isabella's calculating smile, the wheels turning in her mind as she plotted her next move.

Lucy felt a chill run down her spine, and she suddenly realized that she might be in more danger than she had thought. If Isabella truly believed that Lucy was the obstacle standing between her and Leo, there was no telling what lengths she might go to.

"No thinking about it anymore. I'm the one she’s talking about.” Lucy said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marie met Lucy's gaze, her own eyes filled with concern. "I'm not sure, but the way she asked... It felt personal. I never even thought about nor linked it to you until a few minutes ago.”

Lucy swallowed hard, dread settling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that Isabella was possessive and fiercely protective of what she considered hers. And now, it seemed that Lucy had inadvertently found herself in the crosshairs of Isabella's jealousy.

But what could she do? Leo was the Alpha's son, and she was just a maid. There was no way she could compete with Isabella's status and influence. Yet, the thought of leaving Leo, of giving up on whatever connection they had, made her heart ache.

Though she had acted like she didn't care but deep down within her, she wanted to be with him. But what could she do? Everyone was against them. Like she was all alone against the world. All odds are against her.

"I don't know what to do, can't think of anything," Lucy admitted, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I never wanted to get in the middle of anything. I never wanted to cause trouble."

Marie reached out and placed a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder. "I know, Lucy. Isabella won't take kindly to anyone getting between her and what she wants. You need to protect yourself."

Lucy's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded weakly. She felt trapped, caught in a web of emotions. All she had ever wanted was to survive, to find some semblance of peace in the chaos of her life. But now, it seemed like even that was slipping out of reach.

“But why don't you try to see Leo. He's the only one who could help.” Marie suggested and tilted her head as Lucy turned to notice her face.

Lucy wagged her head sideways. “I don't think he'll want to see me… he's always cold whenever I bump into him.” 

“You can't be so sure about that, Lucy. Something must be done. Isabella might want to use me against you like she did the other time… I don't want to be the one to put you into trouble, Lucy, not after everything we've been through.”

“I know, Marie. He's over there, with Ethan but he doesn't care anymore. Maybe he doesn't want to see me hurt but he clearly stated that he doesn't want anything to do with me.” Lucy drifted into silence.

Lucy took a hesitant step forward, her body betraying her movement. The world around her seemed to tilt as if the ground beneath her feet was slipping away. Her vision blurred, and she felt herself losing balance. 

Marie, who had been standing close by, saw the change in Lucy’s posture and knew something was wrong. She rushed forward, her heart pounding with concern. But before Marie could reach her, Lucy’s legs gave way, and she began to fall. Marie barely made it in time, catching Lucy in her arms and easing her to the ground.

"Lucy! Lucy, wake up!" Marie's voice was filled with panic as she shook Lucy gently, trying to rouse her. But Lucy’s eyes remained closed, her body limp and unresponsive. Fear gripped Marie as she looked down at her friend, helpless and unconscious in her arms. 

She raised her head, her eyes scanning the training ground for help. Then she saw them—Leo and Ethan, standing together, their expressions turning from confusion to alarm. Marie’s gaze pleaded with them to come, her silent cry for help echoing in the distance that separated them.

Leo’s heart tightened in his chest as he saw Lucy fall. Every instinct in him screamed to run to her, to be at her side, but something held him back. He turned his head slightly and noticed the figure standing—his father’s guard, watching from a distance. The realization hit him hard, confirming what he had suspected for some time now. His father was monitoring his every move, especially where Lucy was concerned.

A surge of anger welled up inside Leo. His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as he tried to control the rage bubbling just beneath the surface. He knew he couldn’t afford to act recklessly, not with his father’s eyes on him. He had to keep his emotions in check, even though every fiber of his being wanted to rush to Lucy.

"Leo," Ethan’s voice cut through the tension, pulling Leo back from the brink. "We need to do something. She’s not clearly okay."

Leo’s eyes flicked to Ethan, then back to the guard. His decision was made in an instant. "You go," he said, his voice firm but low. "Make sure nothing happens to her."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, sensing the turmoil in Leo’s voice. "What about you?" he asked, concerned for his friend.

"My father's guard is watching.” He shook his head to the direction of the guard and Ethan could see for himself. “I'll deal with this," Leo replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Just make sure Lucy is okay and safe."

Ethan gave a sharp nod and without another word, turned on his heel and sprinted toward Marie and Lucy. As he ran, his thoughts raced. He knew Leo was furious, more so than he had seen him in a long time. And it wasn’t just because of Lucy’s fall. It was the guard, the ever-present reminder of his father’s control. Ethan had to make sure that Lucy was okay, but he also had to keep an eye on Leo. If things spiraled out of control, the consequences could be dire.

Leo, on the other hand, forced himself to stay rooted where he was. His eyes burned with frustration as he watched Ethan reach Lucy, lifting her gently with Marie’s help. Leo turned away from the scene, his mind racing. *Why does it have to be this way?* he thought, anger lacing his every thought. *Why can’t I just be there for her? Why does everything have to be so complicated?* He knew the answers, but they didn’t bring him any comfort. His father’s expectations, the pack’s politics, and the ever-present threat of disobedience—they all weighed heavily on him, suffocating the man he wanted to be.