Chapter 58

The early days of the sun were faintly breaking through the cracks of the heavy curtains in Leo's room when he pushed open the door. The air inside was still, carrying the faint scent of cedarwood and smoke from the fireplace he hadn't lit in days. 

He exhaled heavily, shutting the door behind him and moved to the center of the room. He shrugged off his jacket, hanging it on the peg by the wall, before tugging his shirt over his head.

The cool air kissed his bare skin, drawing out a soft sigh as he stretched his shoulders. His muscles ached from the night's relentless training—he’d spent hours in wolf form, rubbing and fighting to exhaust the emotions that had been clawing at him since yesterday. But the ache was nothing compared to the battle in his mind.

Turning to grab a clean shirt, his eyes caught the faint rise and fall of a figure on his bed. He stilled, narrowing his eyes, his wolf instantly alert. It took only a moment for him to recognize the brown hair spilling over his pillow, the small, delicate features relaxed in sleep.

“Isabella,” he muttered under his breath, a mixture of surprise and irritation tightening his chest.

He moved closer, his steps quiet, and bent down to get a better look at her. She was curled on her side, one hand resting close to her face, her expression usually soft. Her breathing was slow and even, her lips slightly parted.

Why is she still here? he thought, his brows knitting together. Father must not see her in my room sleeping like this.

For a moment, his irritation faded, replaced by a strange sense of curiosity. He reached out, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek. Her skin was warm beneath his touch, and a small shiver ran through him—an unfamiliar pull he wasn't sure he liked.

What are you doing, Leo? he scolded himself, withdrawing his hand quickly. But it was too late. 

Isabella stirred, her lashes fluttering open. Her green eyes met his, still hazy with sleep, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

Leo straightened immediately. “What are you still doing here?” he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Isabella blinked, sitting up slowly, her hair tumbling around her shoulders in soft waves. She looked around the room, clearly disoriented, before her gaze returned to him. “I… I must have fallen asleep,” she murmured. “I didn't mean to—”

“It's fine,” Leo cut her off, his tone softening slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. “But you know, my father can't know you slept in my room, right?”

She nodded. “Unless I would be in trouble… who knows what he will do.” she shrugged.

Isabella opened her mouth to apologize again but froze when her eye dropped to his chest. She hadn't realized he was shirtless before. Now, she couldn't look away.

His broad shoulders were lifted with faint scars, each one a story she didn't date to ask about. His skin gleamed faintly in the morning light, his muscles rippling as he shifted his weight. Her heart skipped a beat, her fingers twitching at her sides as if they longed to trace the lines of his body.

Stop staring, she scolded herself. But how can I? He looks…

A deep, rich chuckle snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Leo smirking, his eyes glinting with amusement. He leaned closer, his face only inches from hers, and clicked his fingers in front of her nose. “Haven't seen a shirtless man before?” he teased, his voice low and playful.

Isabella cheeks flushed a deep red and she immediately looked away. “Don't flatter yourself,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Leo laughed, the sound surprisingly warm, before turning away to loosen the laces of his boots. He sank onto the edge of the bed, his movements deliberate and unhurried as if he had all the time in the world.

Why is he this happy? It's been a long time since I'd seen this side of him, not until that wretched Lucy came into his life… Has he gotten the answer he's looking for? Did he fight with Aiden? Isabella wondered. 

This is the side of him I'd love to see… not the angry and lonely side of him.

“So,” Isabella said after a moment of thought, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Where were you all night?”

Leo didn't answer at first, his attention focused on removing his boots. His silence was maddening, and Isabella found herself fidgeting, waiting for his response.

Finally, he looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. “Training,” he said simply.

“All night?” she pressed, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded, tossing his boots aside and leaving back on his hands. “I needed to clear my head.”

Isabella smiled faintly but quickly masked it when Leo's gaze lingered on her. “Well,” she said, standing abruptly. “I should go… before the Alpha asks of me… and even, there's work to be done.”

She turned to leave, but Leo's voice stopped her. “Isabella.” 

She paused, her hand on the doorknob, but didn't look back.

“You're not very good at hiding your thoughts,” he said, his tone somewhere between amused and serious.

Her grip on the doorknob tightened. Maybe it's the same with you, Leo, she thought, before forcing a smirk on her face. “Maybe you're just too good at reading people,” she said lightly, opening the door.

As she stepped into the hallway, her heart was pounding. The image of his bare chest and the warmth in his eyes lingered in her mind, making it impossible to focus. Yet, she wondered if it was Leo talking to her or not.

Back in his room, Leo sat on the bed, staring at the closed door. His thoughts swirled, a mixture of confusion and curiosity. What is it about her that gets under my skin? he wondered, running a hand through his hair.

“It's all about Lucy now… only Lucy,” he nodded.

***************

The sudden chirping of birds and the faint rustle of the trees outside the stable startled Lucy awake. She blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the soft morning light that filtered through the gaps in the wooden stable walls. 

For a moment, she didn't move, her body stiff from the awkward position she had fallen asleep in. The earthy smell of hay and manure filled her nose, grounding her in the reality of where she was.

Turning her head, she saw Marie slumped beside her, still fast asleep, her face half-buried in her arm. Lucy sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face, and looked up at the stables entrance. Outside, she could see the faint outline of guards patrolling the grounds. The day was already in full swing.

Her heart raced as the thought of Isabella crossed her mind. She quickly nudged Marie. “Marie,” she whispered, her voice urgent. When there was no response, she shook her harder. “Marie, wake up.”

Marie stirred, groaning softly before opening her eyes. “What is it?” she murmured, still half asleep.

Lucy sat back on her heels, glancing around the stable. “We slept in,” she said, her voice laced with worry. “The day's already bright and we haven't finished cleaning. If Isabella comes to check in us—”

Marie sat up abruptly, her eyes wide now. “Oh no.” she breathed, her voice filled with dread. “We can't let that happen again.”

Without another word, they both scrambled to their feet. Lucy grabbed the spade they'd been using the night before, and Marie followed her lead, picking up a second one. The stable smelled strong, the pungent mix of dung and straw hanging heavy in the air. Lucy wrinkled her nose but said nothing. There was no time to complain.

They worked in silence, the sound of the spades scraping against the dirt floor echoing through the stable. Lucy focused on the task, her movements quick and efficient, as she shoveled the dung into a large wooden bowl set in the corner.

Marie glanced at her as they worked, her brow furrowed. “I still can't believe we fell asleep in her,” she said, breaking the silence.

Lucy offered a faint smile, though her worry still lingered. “We didn't have a choice. If we don't finish this, Isabella will humiliate us again… especially me, saying things she knew would hurt me.”

Marie nodded, her grip tightening on the spade. “She'll find an excuse to make our lives harder.”

They continued shoveling for a while, the mound of dung growing smaller with each passing minute. The stable felt oppressive, the heat of the morning sun starting to seep through the walls, making the air sticky and heavy.

Finally, Lucy straightened, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. She glanced at the nearby full bowl of waste and made a decision. “I'll take this to the disposal pit,” she said, stepping toward the bowl.

Marie paused, leaning on her spade. “Are you sure? It's heavy. I can help—”

“I've got it,” Lucy cut her off, her voice firm. “We'll be faster if we divide the work.”

Marie hesitated but nodded. “Just be careful,” she said, her tone cautious.

Lucy bent down, gripping the side of the wooden bowl. The stench made her stomach churn but forced herself to focus. With a grunt, she lifted the bowl, balancing its weight against her upper chest and shoulders. It was heavier than she had expected but she gritted her teeth and started toward the stable door.

The bright sunlight outside momentarily blinded her as she stepped into the open. The guards were still patrolling, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. Lucy avoided their gazes, her heart pounding as she made her way towards the disposal pit at the far end of the yard.

As she walked, the weight of the bowl pressed into her arms, making her muscles ache. She pushed forward, her mind racing with the thoughts of the previous day—of Aiden, Leo, Isabella and the strange pull she felt toward Aiden.

Why is everything changing so quickly? she wondered. Why do I feel like I'm being pulled in every direction at once?

Her thoughts were soon interrupted when Ethan approached her, his brow raised. “Lucy, do you need help with that?” he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Lucy shook her head quickly, adjusting her grip on the bowl. “No, I can manage,” she said, her tone polite but firm.

Ethan nodded and stepped aside, letting her pass.

She adjusted the weight of the bowl on her head as she walked. She soon neared the pit, the path narrowed into a corner. The edges of the yard were quieter, away from the bustle of guards and other workers. She was grateful for the momentary peace but it didn't last.

Turning the corner, Lucy collided with something —rather, someone