Chapter 39

Leo stood at the front of the main gate, his posture straight and commanding, as though he were a living statue carved from the stone of authority itself. His hands were clasped firmly behind his back, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure. Beside him was Ethan, who stood with an equally serious demeanor, his sharp eyes scanning the scene with a mixture of scrutiny and concern.

Behind them also, a contingent of guards maintained their positions, their expressions betraying nothing but readiness. The air was tense with anticipation, each member of the pack aware of the significance of the visitor about to arrive.

Isabella soon emerged from behind them, her presence purposeful. She stood at first on a spot but soon maneuvered to Leo side, her gaze immediately drawn to the distant figure on the horizon. As she took her place next to him, the space between them felt charged with unspoken emotions. 

Her heart fluttered nervously, a blend of excitement swirling within her. Her affection for Leo was an open secret to herself but a closed book to him. She stole a glance at him, hoping for any sign of recognition or regard, but Leo's focus remained unwaveringly on the approaching prince.

In no time, Leo's face softened with a warm smile, a rare and precious expression Isabella had seldom seen. He reached out to her, his arms encircling her in a gentle embrace. She could almost feel the strength of his arms, the warmth of his body. 

His eyes held a tenderness that was meant only for her. Isabella's heart fluttered, a bittersweet smile touching her lips as she imagined what it might be like to be held by him. But just as quickly as she has her imagination, she waved it away. She was left with a sign, knowing that her thoughts were nothing more than wishful thinking but she had confidence that someday, Leo would appreciate him for all that she had done for him.

Isabella soon tried to focus on Aiden who was almost at the gate, drifting her mind to a blank state. Ethan, sensing the charged atmosphere, took a sidelong glance at Leo. He knew the deep-seated rivalry between Leo and Aiden. It was a conflict marked not just by personal animosity but by the larger stakes of power and respect. 

“There he is,” Ethan muttered, his voice low. “The Lycan Prince makes quite the entrance.”

Leo's jaw tightened, his gaze narrowing as Aiden's form became clearer. “Always the showman,” Leo replied, his voice laced with a barely concealed edge of contempt. “He enjoys reminding everyone of his superiority.”

Isabella's heart skipped a beat as Aiden drew closer. His white horse was a striking contrast to the more practical steeds of his escort. The horse was draped in a royal robe, its face elegantly veiled, adding to the air of grandeur that accompanied Aiden's approach.

Her eyes were locked into him, her feelings a tumultuous mix of awe and unease. It was if Aiden's mere presence commanded a gravity that was both alluring and intimidating.

As the gate guards, stationed at their posts, began to open the heavy gates, the anticipation grew. The guards immediately fell into a deep bow, their heads lowered in respect. The gestures were automatic and ingrained, but Aiden paid them no mind. His gaze remained fixed forward, a cold, unyielding expression on his face as he advanced through the gates. 

Aiden guided his horse with practiced grace, moving forward with the confidence of one who was accustomed to being the center of attention. The gates swung wide and Aiden rode through them, his escort following closely behind in a disciplined precession.

Leo's expression remained a mask of cold look, but the tension in his stance spoke of a deeper internal struggle. His eyes stayed locked on Aiden, refusing to yield. Aiden's demeanor was a direct challenge to Leo's authority and every movement Aiden made was scrutinized with the utmost intensity.

Aiden, noticing the assembled company, walked past the bowing guards without a glance the moment he jumped down from his horse. He moved directly towards Ethan. The air seemed to crackle with tension, each step of Aiden's echoing a reminder of his elevated status. 

Isabella watched as everything slowed down to her. Aiden's appearance was a striking blend of elegance. He wore a fitted black jacket that clung perfectly to his athletic frame, tailored precisely to magnify his broad shoulders and narrow waist. 

The jacket was sleek and spotless, with deep red linens running along either side, a designing but deliberate touch of color that hinted at a more dangerous allure. The red trim seemed to pulse against the black fabric, a quiet but bold statement that mirrored Aiden's own presence–controlled yet impossible to ignore.

His slacks matched the jacket, the same deep black that fit him like a second skin. Every inch of fabric was meticulously chosen, emphasizing the powerful lines of his legs and the fluidity of his movements. The jacket was not fully buttoned just enough to reveal the curve of his chest beneath, the fabric parting slightly at the center. 

Aiden's chest was well defined, carved by years of training and discipline, each muscle clearly visible through the fabric. It was a glimpse of strength, not flaunted but present, like the hint of steel beneath silk.

His black hair, thick and slightly tousled, fell to his neck in loose waves that framed his angular face. The golden stands caught the light as he moved, a soft contrast to the dark clothing that made his hair seem to glow. The length of it was just enough to brush his collar. 

Aiden's blue eyes were striking, a vivid shade that bordered on icy, yet with a depth that drew people in without warning. His gaze was intense, focused as he walked and utterly captivating, each glance holding a silent power that was impossible to resist. His eyes seemed to shift, capturing every detail around him, always watchful, always aware.

Isabella couldn’t help but steal glances at him, her heart fluttering despite her better judgment. She knew the effect Aiden had on people—how his presence could draw attention in any room, how his looks could leave even the most composed person momentarily breathless. 

She had seen the way his blue eyes could turn from cold calculation to smoldering allure in a heartbeat, a silent promise wrapped in mystery. Aiden was the kind of man who didn’t need to try to be noticed; he simply existed in a way that made everyone else fade into the background.

But for Isabella, Aiden was more than just a beautiful man—he was a constant reminder of her own place in the world, of the lines that could never be crossed. She had always admired him from a distance, always aware that his world was far removed from her own. He was powerful, confident, and dangerous in ways that she could only imagine. 

Aiden moved through life with a grace that was almost predatory, and while she was drawn to him, she knew he was untouchable—his status, his ambitions, and his history placed him in a realm she could never reach.

Still, she couldn’t stop the stray thoughts that wandered into her mind, the small fantasies that played out when she watched him. 

What would it be like to have someone like Aiden as a mate? To be the one he looked at with those piercing blue eyes, to feel the weight of his attention focused solely on her? She quickly pushed the thoughts away, chastising herself for even entertaining such ideas. 

Aiden was not the kind of man who would ever see her in that light, and she knew better than to get lost in impossible dreams.

But even as she told herself to stop, Isabella’s gaze lingered on him for just a moment longer, drawn to the sharp lines of his jaw, the confident set of his shoulders, and the effortless way he seemed to dominate every space he entered. Aiden was a man who carried the weight of his world with ease, and while Isabella knew she was far from his league, the allure of his presence was impossible to resist.

Isabella, standing beside Leo, felt a jolt of urgency to bridge the growing chasm. She took a step forward, her voice ringing out with an enthusiastic warmth that belied her nervousness inside.

“Prince Aiden, we've all been eagerly awaiting your arrival. It's truly a pleasure to see you here.”

Her greeting was meant to convey respect and hospitality but as she spoke, she caught a glimpse of Aiden's expression. His face remained expressionless and unmoved, a stark contrast to her eloquent tone. 

When he finally responded, his words were deep and cold. “That's very kind of you.”

Isabella's smile faltered slightly. She had anticipated a warmer reception, one that might acknowledge her efforts to make Aidens arrival as smooth as possible. Instead, she felt a sharp pang of ridicule, as though her attempt at courtesy had been dismissed with an air of superiority. She gave a quick nod and stepped back, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Leo, observing the exchange with a critical eye, felt a flicker of annoyance. He was keenly aware of the tension that loomed in the air and Isabella's attempt at peacemaking seemed to have only made things worse.

He couldn’t help but question Isabella in his mind, why she had chosen to put so much effort into her greeting. The idea that they had all anticipated Aiden’s arrival, as Isabella had put it, made him bristle. 

It implied a collective recognition of Aiden’s importance, something Leo resented deeply. His eyes followed Aiden, who was now standing directly in front of him, the Prince’s gaze locked onto him with an almost palpable sense of challenge.

Ethan, standing slightly behind Leo, tried to diffuse the tension with a more measured approach. “Welcome, Prince Aiden,” he said, his tone respectful but neutral. “We’re honored by your visit.”

Aiden acknowledged Ethan’s greeting with a brief nod but did not shift his attention away from Leo. His smile, though present, was tight-lipped and didn’t reach his eyes. The moment was heavy with unspoken words.

Leo and Aiden stood facing each other, the space between them charged with rivalry. Leo's thoughts churned as he tried to read the subtle nuances of Aiden's attitude .

The tension in the air was noticeable, a heavy weight that pressed down on everyone present. The silence hung in the air, thick and suffocating, as Aiden and Leo stood facing each other. Their eyes locked, unyielding, as if each was daring the other to blink first.

Neither of them was willing to make the first move, to offer a greeting or break the unspoken challenge that lay between them. They were both charged with silent words, memories and the simmering resentment that had never quite faded.

Isabella took a few cautious steps back, her movement slow and deliberate as if she were trying to become invisible. She knew this standoff too well–the suspense that once sparkled when Aiden and Leo were together in the same room. She glanced at Ethan, who, mirroring her, also took a step back, his face laced with concern. He could feel the hostility rolling off the two men in waves, and he silently cursed himself for not finding a way to avoid this encounter. All he could hope for was that Leo should not take the first action, knowing that it would affect all that they had prepared for.

But at that moment, Marie and Lucy rushed out of their room down to the field, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floor as they hurried to join the other maids who had already gathered outside. Since Marie and Lucy had received different instructions —they carefully navigated their way through the crowd, making their way to where Isabella stood.

As they approached her, intending to greet Isabella, the moment they caught sight of Aiden, all sense of properness slipped away.