Chapter 33

*”What does she mean by getting ready for tonight's work?... Was she deaf and could not hear what we've been saying to her”* Lucy's stomach twisted at the command, the weight of it pressing down on her. She had barely regained consciousness, her body still weak, and now Isabella expected her to go back to work as if nothing had happened? *”How could she?”* Lucy wagged her head to get the thoughts off her mind

Isabella’s gaze shifted to Katherine, who had been standing silently by Lucy’s side. “Katherine,” she said sharply, “are you done with your job?”

Katherine hesitated only for a moment before tilting her head slightly, a gesture that signaled her answer. No, she wasn’t done, and at that instant Isabella’s impatience became palpable.

“Then what are you still doing here?” Isabella snapped, her voice cold. “Get back to your post. Now.”

Katherine’s response was immediate. She nodded quickly, her movements sharp with urgency, and without another word, she turned and left the room. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving Lucy and Marie alone with Isabella once again.

Marie watched Katherine go, her heart heavy with unease. *How can she be so heartless?* she wondered, glancing at Lucy, who was still pale and visibly weak. It was clear that Lucy wasn’t in any condition to work, yet Isabella had dismissed her condition as if it were nothing. The thought made Marie’s blood boil, but she kept her anger in check, knowing that any outburst would only make things worse.

The silence in the room was soon broken by Isabella’s commanding voice. “Lucy, Marie,” she began, her tone authoritative, “make sure our guest has a proper welcome tonight.”

Marie, trying to hide her disdain, managed to ask, “Who is the guest?”

Isabella’s lips curled into a slight smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “Aiden, the Lycan Prince,” she answered, the name rolling off her tongue with reverence..

Lucy’s breath caught in her throat at the mention of Aiden. The name sent a shiver down her spine, and she could feel the tension in the room spike even higher. Aiden was known throughout the packs, not just for his power but for the fear he instilled in others. The thought of having to welcome him, especially in her weakened state, filled her with dread.

Marie’s eyes widened in shock, her thoughts racing. *The Lycan Prince?* she thought, struggling to keep her expression neutral. This wasn’t just any guest—they were talking about someone who could change the course of their lives with a single command. The implications of his visit were enormous, and the fact that Isabella was so nonchalant about it only added to Marie’s anxiety.

Isabella's gaze swept over Lucy and Marie. She could notice the fear that encroached on their faces as she mentioned Aiden's name. Her lips curled into a smirk as she prepared to deliver her next blow. She enjoyed the control she had over them, relishing in the fear she knew she could ignite with just a few choice words.

“Aiden,” she began, her voice low and deliberate, “is not like Leo. You two might think you’ve had it rough with Leo’s temper, but Aiden is a whole different beast.” She paused, letting her words sink in, watching as both Lucy and Marie stiffened. “He’s cruel, ruthless, and if you so much as disrespect him in the slightest way, he won’t hesitate to have your head.”

Lucy felt her stomach churn, a cold dread creeping up her spine. *Why is she telling us this?* she thought, trying to keep her composure. But the fear was undeniable. She could hear it in Isabella’s voice, could see it in the way she spoke about Aiden. This wasn’t just a warning; it was a threat. 

Lucy, despite her exhaustion, could feel the gravity of the situation sinking in. She forced herself to sit up slightly, ignoring the dizziness that followed. “We’ll do our best,” she said quietly, though her voice lacked conviction.

Isabella’s eyes flicked over both of them, her satisfaction evident in the way she held herself. “See that you do,” she replied coolly. “This isn’t just any night, after all. We wouldn’t want to disappoint our guests.” She sighed. “You both should know the implications and what will follow after if Aiden should complain about you two.”

Both Lucy and Marie nodded their heads, a gesture that signified they understood and complied with Isabella's advice. Isabella furrowed her brow for a moment and in no time, turned on her heel and strode toward the door, her presence like a storm cloud leaving the room in a heavy, oppressive silence. 

Marie glanced at Lucy, worry etched across her face. *How are we supposed to handle this?* she wondered, her mind racing. Leo had always been a complicated figure—unpredictable and harsh, but also kind in his own way, especially toward Lucy. But if what Isabella was saying was true, Aiden was an entirely different challenge, one they might not survive if they weren’t careful.

Isabella continued, her tone dripping with satisfaction as she saw the fear growing in their eyes. “So listen carefully,” she said, her voice sharp. “When Aiden arrives, you will compose yourselves. No mistakes, no hesitation. Don’t even think for a second that Aiden will forgive you like Leo might. He won’t.”

Lucy’s hands trembled slightly as she clenched the sheets beneath her. She couldn’t help the images that flashed in her mind—Aiden, cruel and unforgiving, punishing them for the slightest error. It was almost too much to bear, but she forced herself to stay silent, not wanting to give Isabella the satisfaction of seeing her fear.

Marie swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising panic. *How can she expect us to be perfect?* she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. They were still recovering from everything that had happened, and now they were expected to serve someone as dangerous as Aiden? It felt impossible.

Isabella, satisfied with the fear she had instilled, folded her arms and looked down at them with a cold, calculating expression. “You’ll need to prepare the room he’s staying in,” she ordered. “Make sure it’s spotless. He’ll be here soon, and I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

Marie exchanged a glance with Lucy, her thoughts swirling with anxiety. *We’re not ready for this,* she thought, though she knew they had no choice. If they didn’t do as Isabella said, the consequences could be deadly.

Lucy, despite her exhaustion, nodded slowly. “We’ll take care of it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t have the energy to argue, not with the fear of Aiden hanging over her like a dark cloud.

Isabella’s smirk widened, pleased with their submission. “Good,” she replied, her tone icy. “I expect nothing less than perfection. Remember, your lives depend on it.”

With that, Isabella turned and strode out of the room and slammed the door behind her, leaving Lucy and Marie in a heavy, suffocating silence. The sound of the door echoed, the force of but sent a shiver down Lucy's spine but it also stirred something else within her, like a sense of resolve. She couldn't sit still any longer like there was something she needed to do.

Lucy’s mind raced as she processed everything Isabella had said. The idea of serving someone like Aiden filled her with dread, but she knew they had no choice. *We have to survive this,* she thought, her determination mingling with the fear in her heart. *We just have to.*

Marie, her thoughts mirroring Lucy’s, took a deep breath and reached out to squeeze Lucy’s hand as Lucy got up on her feet. “Are you sure you can do this?” Marie questioned with concern.

Lucy took a deep breath, her chest evident through her dress as it lingered. “It's not like I have any choice.” She tilted her head. “We’ll get through this,” she said quietly, though the uncertainty in her voice was palpable.

Marie nodded, though her gaze was distant. “We have to,” she whispered, more to herself than to Lucy. 

Lucy soon paused and wandered with her eyes around the room as she felt a familiar scent that filled her nostrils. It was faint, but unmistakable. *Leo.* Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized it. She didn’t know why, but the scent gave her a strange feeling. She had to see him.

Without thinking, she rushed to the door, her movements still sluggish from the weakness that lingered in her body. When she pulled the door open, there he was—Leo, standing right in front of her. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met.