Chapter 56

The heavy wooden door closed behind them with a low cream and Isabella found herself standing in the dim warmth of Leo's room. The space was simple yet deeply personal, an extension of its owner.

The air was scented faintly with pine and leather, and the faint bluish light of the moon filtered in through the narrow window. Her eyes immediately fell on the intricate carvings etched into the walls—images of wolves mid-run, trees swaying and the crescent moon. Each one was unique, bearing the unmistakable mark of Leo's careful hand.

She stepped closer to one of the larger drawings, tracing the grooves with her fingers. “You carved these yourself,” she murmured, her voice reverent.

Leo, standing a few places behind her, crossed his arms over his chest and kept mute, his eyes following her movements closely.

Isabella inhaled deeply, her eyes roaming the room. It had been so long since she'd last stood here. She took in the sturdy wooden bed, its frame hand-carved to match the alls, the stacks of books and maps scattered across the desk, and the faint scent of damp earth lingering from a recent rain. A

Everything about the space felt distinctly Leo— strong, grounded and untouchable.

Her hand lingered on the craving before she turned her back to it. With a sigh, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting herself feel the weight of the room and its owner.

This is where he lives, where his thoughts dwell. If only he knew how much I wanted to be a part of it, to be a part of him. Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath but the wistfulness didn't linger. She opened her eyes and pivoted sharply, her gaze locking with his.

“What are we doing here, Leo?” she asked, her voice firmer now. “Why did you bring me to your room?” 

Leo's expression remained unreadable as he stepped closer, his boots scuffing softly against the wooden floor. “Are you done?” he said simply.

Isabella replied with a grunt and looked away.

“Well, I have a question.”

She arched a brow, folding her arms as a shield of her own. “Questions? About what?”

“About Aiden.” The name left his lips like a challenge, sharp and direct. He stopped a few feet away from her, his gaze steady. “And about Lucy.*

The mention of Lucy sent a jolt through Isabella. Her composure wavered for a split second but she recovered quickly. “What about them?” she asked, her tone more cautious now.

“What happened between them in the hall?” Leo's voice was low, demanding and filled the space between them. “What do you think Aiden did or say to her?” 

Isabella blinked, caught off guard by his urgency. She stared at him for a moment, searching his face for answers of her own. “Why does it matter to you?” she countered, her voice quiet but pointed. “Why are you asking me this?”

Leo's jaw tightened, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Just answer the question, Isabella,” he demanded, his voice low and rough.

She huffed, her lips twitching in annoyance. “Fine. All I know is that Aiden didn't hurt her,” she admitted, though her tone carried an edge of skepticism. “But… he might have done something else.”

Leo's eyes narrowed, his body going rigid at her words. “What do you mean by that?” he pressed, taking a step closer. “What else would he have done?”

Isabella's frustration flared, and she raised her hand, palm up as if to push the conversation away. “Why are you even asking me, Leo?” she snapped. “How am I supposed to know? If you're so desperate for answers, go ask Aiden yourself!”

The words had barely left her mouth before Leo moved. It was so fast, so sudden, that Isabella barely registered it. One moment he was standing a few feet away and the next, he had crossed the room and grabbed her wrist.

His grip was firm, unyielding—not enough to hurt her, but enough to send her heart racing. She gasped, startled, as he pushed her back, her shoulders almost hitting the wall but Leo already supported her and instead, hurt the back of his hand.

The air around them seemed to crackle with energy. His proximity was overwhelming, his wolf barely restrained in his eyes, which glowed faintly with golden intensity. Isabella's breath hitched as she looked up at him, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind.

Now he's close again… This time, too close… and he's having the same effect on me.

“Speak,” Leo demanded, his voice a growl. His thumb brushed her lower lip, the touch both rough and strangely tender.

Isabella's heart pounded in her chest, her body betraying her usual composure. Her lips parted slightly under his touch, as if moving in their own accord. She felt an undeniable pull toward him, her gaze flickering to his mouth. For a moment, she leaned in, the air between them charged with something unspoken 

No. Stop. Don't let him see how weak you are for him. She scolded herself. But her head tilted of its own violation, her lips parting further as though inviting him closer. Her pulse thudded loudly in her ears, drowning out all rational thoughts.

Leo's eyes darkened as he noticed her movement but instead of closing the distance, he leaned back slightly. His thumb pressed against her lips, gently but decisively shutting them. “Not like that,” he said, his voice soft but firm, carrying a hint of something unspoken—perhaps restraint.

Isabella blinked, her face heating with embarrassment. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Because you're not telling me what I need to know,” Leo replied, his gaze piercing. His hand lingered on her wrist before he released her, stepping back just enough to give her space. “What did Aiden do? Did she seem different?”

Isabella shook her head, biting the inside of her cheek as she tried to regain her composure. Why does he have to do this? Why does he have to look at me that way—like I matter to him, even if only for information? Her hands trembled slightly.

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, standing tall against the imposing figure of Leo. Her lips curled into a defiant smirk, but her eyes betrayed the turmoil brewing inside her.

“What do you want me to say, Leo?” she asked, her voice sharp yet controlled. “That I'll just stand by and watch you chase after someone who doesn't deserve you? Lucy is my maid, and—”

Leo cut her off, stepping closer, his voice slicing through her words like a blade. “Just because she's your maid doesn't mean she can't become my mate.” His tone was firm, and the intensity in his eyes made Isabella falter for a split second.