Chapter 66

Leo's expression darkened, his instinct sharpening. He motioned for Ethan to stay quiet, then moved silently toward the door.

Ethan's back pressed against the wall near the door, his shoulders rigid as his fingers splayed wide, trembling faintly as if longing to shift into claws. His breaths were shallow but controlled, his focus unyielding. He couldn't fully shift—not here, not now—but his instincts surged, the wolf within straining to break free.

Leo moved into position, his body low and tense, a predator ready to strike. His gaze bore into the doors, his thoughts racing. Whoever stood outside, if they had heard too much, they wouldn't leave this room without consequences. His fists clenched, knuckles whitening, a slow exhale leaving his lips to steady the simmering rage beneath.

The door creaked open, a sound so small yet magnified by the charged air in the room. Ethan raised his fists higher, his stance widening, every muscle coiled to unleash a decisive strike. His mind darted through possibilities—an enemy, a spy or worse, someone who might have piece together his thoughts about becoming Alpha.

Leo's eyes narrowed, his chest rising and falling evenly as he prepared for the worst. He saw the faint outline of a figure skipping through the crack in the foot and his mind screamed readiness.

The door swung open fully.

Ethan lunged, his fist flying forward, only for his arm to freeze mid-motion as recognition strick him like a lightning bolt. His eyes widened, his body suddenly feeling every ounce of tension he'd been holding.

“Isabella?” Ethan rasped, disbelief thick in his voice.

Leo blinked, his body easing only slightly but his gaze sharpening as she stepped into the room, her expression poised yet weird. She stood there, her eyes flicked from Ethan's still-raised fist to Leo, who hadn't yet shifted from his predatory stance. 

Isabella froze as the sharp movement caught her off guard, her breath hitching as she stared at Ethan's raised fits mere inches from her face. Her wide eyes darted to Leo againz who stood a few places away, his body rigid, poised as though ready to spring into action.

The tension in the room hit her all at once, suffocating and sharp and before she could think, a small scream escaped her lips.

“What's going on?” she demanded, her voice shaky but edged with irritation.

Ethan immediately dropped his hand, his face stiffening into a neutral mask as he bowed slightly in reference. But he said nothing after the mention of her name but his silence hung heavy in the air.

Leo's eyes flickered to Ethan briefly before settling back in Isabella. His jaw was tight and he didn't move from his stance as if bracing for whatever words she might hurl at him next.

Isabella hesitated for a moment, then squared her shoulders and took a deliberate step forward, her sharp gaze fixed on Leo. “Why are you two acting like this?” she demanded, her fouc steadier now. “What exactly is going on here?”

Leo straightened, his stance shifting slightly, though the tension in his body remained. His tone was curt, almost biting. “Why did you come into my room without knocking?”

The question caught her off guard, and for a moment, her carefully controlled demeanor faltered. “What?” she asked, genuinely confused.

“You heard me,” Leo said, his gas narrowing. “Why didn't you knock?”

She blinked, her lips parting as though to argue but then she caught herself. “I… I'm sorry,” she said, her voice softening. “I don't think it was a problem.”

Leo exhaled sharply through his nose, his gas not softening but his posture relaxing slightly. “Next time, knock,” he let out a deep breath.

Isabella nodded, trying to push aside the prickling unease that had settled in her chest. “I came to tell you that your father is waiting for you,” she said, carefully watching his face for any flicker of emotion. “He asked to see you.”

Leo nodded, a quick, dismissive gesture, his eyes briefly meeting hers before darting away. “Fine, I'll go soon.”

But something about his tone made her pause. She tilted her head, studying him more closely. “Are you okay?” she took a step further, closer to him, her voice quieter now.

“I'm fine,” he responded quickly, his tone sharper than intended. “Don't worry about it.”

That was a lie and they both knew it. Isabella's brows furrowed and her thoughts immediately turned to Lucy. Was this about her? The way Leo had been distracted during the fight, the way his mood seemed to change more easily than usual—it all pointed to the same source.

She sighed, not bothering to mask her frustration. “Well,” she said finally, “congratulations on your win against Aiden. It was impressive, even if it did leave everyone on edge.”

To her surprise, Leo chuckled, though the sound was low and humorless. “That wasn't really a fight,” he shrugged, shaking his head. “Save you congratulations. I don't need it yet.”

His words carried a weight she couldy quite place, but she decided not to push further. Instead, she gave him a small, tight smile and nodded. “Fine. But you should know your father won't be kept waiting for long.”

She turned to leave, her steps deliberate but when she reached the door, she paused. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught Leo's eyes and lowered her voice so that only he could hear. 

“Hope…” she whispered, “that you've made plans about what you told me about… becoming the Alpha.”

Leo's mused, his teeth checked as her words hung in the air. He didn't respond, his silence more telling than anything he could have said. His gaze bore into Isabella with a weight that could crush lesser wills. 

Alpha. The one word that carried his ambition, his burden and the line he couldn't yet cross. Ethan stood a few feet away, shifting uncomfortably. He was no fool—he could feel the tension thick as storm clouds, the kind that warned of a lightning strike. But he didn't dare interrupt.

Isabella, however, wasn't one to cower under pressure. When she noticed the hardening of Leo's expression, she stepped forward, her chin tilted slightly in defiance but her voice calm. “Don't look at me like that,” she said, though her voice wavered. “You were the one who told me this was what you wanted—to become the Alpha.”

Leo's jaw worked, the muscles clenching and unclenching as he said nothing. His silence was louder than anything he could have said.

Isabella exhaled sharply and folded her arms across her chest. “You don't have to pretend with me,” she continued. “I'll support you, Leo. However I can. You just need to trust me.”

Her words hung in the air, daring him to respond but still, Leo said nothing. His gaze flickered to Ethan, who remained motionless, like a statue caught between duty and direction.

Isabella tilted her head, her voice softer now but laced with frustration. “Do you trust me, Leo?” she asked, her tone deceptively gentle.

Leo's eyes darted away, breaking the unspoken challenge in her stare. He didn't answer, didn't even look at her.

Isabella's lips pressed into a thin line as she let out a bitter laugh. “Right,” she nodded, shaking her head. “Of course you don't.”

She turned her attention to Ethan, her voice sharp and commanding. “Leave us. I need to speak with him alone.”

Ethan hesitated, glancing at Leo for confirmation. Leo's eyes met his for a fraction of second and with a subtle nod, he gave his silent approval. Without a word, Ethan stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

The silence that followed was defeating. Isabella took a step closer to Leo, her presence filling the distance between them.

“Well?”she sighed, her voice low and tinged with vulnerability. “Why is it? What do you want from me? What do you expect?”

Leo's gaze snapped back to her, his eyes cold and guarded. “What do you mean?” he responded, his voice rough.”

“You know what I mean,” Isabella replied immediately, stepping in even closer. “Why do you act like I don't exist? Why do you push me away every time I try to get close to you? You know how I feel about you, Leo. You've always known. So tell me—what is it about me that makes you ignore me?”