Chapter 57

The words struck her like a blow. She felt her knees weaken momentarily, but she quickly steadied herself, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. How dare he? she thought, fury and disbelief tangling in her mind. He even has the audacity to call Lucy his mate right in front of me. 

Her composure wavered for only a moment before she regained her footing, glaring at Leo with newfound resolve. “And exactly are you planning to do that?” she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “She's a maid, Leo. She has no standing here. Why make you think you can claim her? Not when your father is here.”

Leo didn't back down. If anything, her defiance only seemed to stoke the fire within him. He took another step forward, closing the distance between them. “Because I'm going to be Alpha soon,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “And when that happens, you'll see. I don't need your permission.”

The determination in his voice sent a chill down Isabella's spine. She narrowed her eyes, studying his face for any hint of doubt but found none.

He's serious, she realized, her mind racing. He must be thinking about the full moon. That's when everything could change. But if that's true… then I have to act fast. I can't let Lucy stand in the way of everything I've worked for. 

She glanced at Leo's face again, her gaze darting to his clenched jaw and the fire in his eyes. He won't stop. He's too stubborn, too determined. I have to take Lucy out of the picture probably before the night comes.

But onwardly, she kept her expression neutral, her lips curving into a mocking smile. “Bold words, Leo,” she said, her tone light but edged with joke. “But being Alpha doesn't mean you can have everything you want… you still have to follow our culture, right?”

Leo's eyes darkened, and he straightened, his presence suddenly more commanding. “Enough,” he yelled,” his voice cutting through like a whip. “You're going to tell me what you know. Right here, right now.”

Isabella stiffened at the commanding tone, her chest tightening. She hated how easily he could rattle her, how effortlessly he could assert control. But she wasn't about to let him win so easily. “And what exactly do you think I know?” she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.

“You know something about what happened between Aiden and Lucy in the hall…. I know you, Isabella… you were also curious to know what happened back there and I know that you've questioned Lucy already… I'm I wrong?” He responded, his voice steady with an edge that made it clear he wasn't asking. “And you're going to tell me… Right now.”

She hesitated, her mind racing. If I tell him, he'll only get more involved. But if I don't… she glanced at him, her gaze locking with his. He won't let this go.

“I already told you,” she said finally, her voice quieter but still firm. “All she told me was that Aiden didn't hurt her. I questioned her but she didn't tell me anything other than that… that's all I know.”

Leo stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “You're lying.”

Isabella's breath hitched, and she fought to maintain her composure. “I'm not,” she said, though her voice faltered slightly.

Leo tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “If you're not lying, then why do you look so guilty?”

Her heart pounded in her chest and she clenched her fists tighter and her nails dug into her palms. Why does he always have to see through me? Why can't he just leave this alone?

But before she could respond, he leaned in slightly, his voice rising, almost like a scream. “You know something and you're going to tell me how.”

She shivered but soon exhaled slowly, glancing at him with a mixture of irritation and caution.

“Seriously, Leo… you had to yell at me, huh?” She wagged her head. “You want answers, right?” she began, breaking the silence since Leo didn't respond to her question. “Fine, I'll tell you what I've noticed. But don't come at me later thinking I'm making this up… you asked for it.”

Leo tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “Go on.”

Isabella adjusted her posture, sitting on his bed. “Since Lucy came out of that hall with Aiden, something's been… different about her. She's quieter, more thoughtful. But it's not fear—at least not the kind you'd expect if he hurt her.”

Leo's jaw tightened, his fingers clasped behind his back. Different? he thought. What could Aiden have done to make her act differently?

“I don't think he punished her,” Isabella continued, her gaze flickering. “But that's exactly the problem, isn't it? Aiden doesn't show mercy, Leo. We both know that. He doesn't just let things slide unless…” She trailed off, her eyes flicking toward the window.

“Unless what?” Leo pressed, his voice low but demanding.

“Unless there's something else,” Isabella said, leaning forward slightly. “ I don't know… I'm not sure. But maybe he knows Lucy from somewhere. Maybe he's interested in her. Or maybe he plans to use her for his own agenda… I don't know.”

Leo's expression fell, his hands balling into fists at his sides. The thought of Aiden having any sort of interest in Lucy, for any reason, sent a surge of anger through him. 

Why would Aiden care about her? And why would Lucy act differently around him?

“You're suggesting he might… like her?” Leo asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Isabella shrugged, a spy smile tugging at her lips. “It's possible. But it's also possible that he's just toying with her. Aiden doesn't exactly have a reputation for being sentimental.”

Leo turned his back to her, pacing the room as his thoughts swirled. Could it be true? Could Aiden have some kind of connection to Lucy? Or is this just another game to him? He probably knew I like Lucy… is that the reason? He shook his head, trying to make sense of it all.

“What else do you know?” he asked, his voice sharper now, filled with suspicion. “You're still holding something back, right?”

Isabella raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading. “I've told you everything I've noticed, Leo. I'm not even sure of all I said to you. And if you want more answers, you'll have to ask Aiden yourself

Leo stopped pacing and turned to face her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. He studied her carefully, his gaze probing, but Isabella didn't waver. She met his eyes with defiance, her chin tilted slightly upward.

“Fine,” Leo said finally, his voice cold. He turned toward the door, his movements swift and deliberate. 

Isabella watched him, her heart pounding slightly faster as he reached for the door handle. He's so stubborn, she thought. But at least, that will keep him distracted for a while.

Before opening the door, Leo paused and glanced back at her. “Shut the door when you leave,” he said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Isabella's lips parted, a retort forming on her tongue but she held it back. Instead, she nodded silently and watched as he walked out, the door closing with a soft thud behind him.

Once he was gone, she laid on his bed and exhaled deeply. Her fingers grazed her lips absently, her mind replaying the intensity in his eyes as they had spoken but in no time, she closed her eyes and she was nothing else.