Chapter 76

Isabella just stood there. She was motionless, her hand resting on the door handle. The second knock at the door had sent a chill down her, causing her earlier confidence to slip away like sand through her fingers. She glanced over her shoulder, her mind racing. Could it be them? Or worse… someone else?

Her heart pounded as she slowly turned the handle. The door creaked as it opened just enough for her to peek through. The sight of Leo standing there with his mouth shut like he had suspected something and his face unreadable and expressionless made her blood run cold, sending shivers down her spine and making her fidgeting. She tightened her grip, firm on the door to an extent that her knuckles almost turned white.

“Leo?” she managed to say but her voice didn't falter, knowing she had to keep her calm.

He didn't answer. His sharp eyes swept over her before he decided to stop inside without an invitation. It was like he didn't need her consent to take any action. Isabella backed away from the door, taking her steps backwards as Leo pressed forward. He clocked shut the door behind him, the soft sound echoing louder in her ears than it should have.

Isabella shifted from her position instinctively as Leo moved past her. There was nothing on his face—it was expressionless. She could not tell what he was thinking about. To her, it doesn't seem like Leo as he had always worn this expression that she was able to read—as most times, she could tell if he was sad, or happy, or angry… But now, it doesn't seem like that which spiked up her fears.

She watched him as he searched the room for something unseen—something she didn't quite understand and even though he understood it—she wasn't ready to come into terms with it. There was silence in the room as Leo didn't utter a word and if Isabella raised a question, it would evaporate into the air without being answered. The silence between them was suffocating, and she couldn't stop herself from imagining the worst. Does he know? Did someone tell him? Could he have seen something that made him search her room? Or could the omegas have—

“Leo,” she called again, her voice firmer now, even though her heart was still racing. “Why are you here? And what are you looking for by this time of the night? It's late already and I should be sleeping by now but obviously, you stopped that from happening, huh?”

He finally stopped in his tracks, his back to her. For a moment, he didn't speak and he didn't move. And with that, with his actions—the weight of that silence pressed heavily on her chest. But in no time, he turned his head slightly, just enough for her to catch the sharp eyes of his jawline and the glint in his eyes.

“There might be an intruder,” he said, his tone calm and thick but it was laced with something she couldn't quite place. “Stay in your room and don't step out until I say it's safe.”

Her mouth opened to pretest but no words came out. She wanted to question him about what kind of intruder it was… she wanted to be sure if he had any slight hint on what had happened—the scene that had unfolded. But she stood frozen as he walked to the door.

“Wait,” she blurted out, her voice cracking. “What—what do you mean? Did something happen? I've been hearing the patrols of the guards… was there really an intruder?” she questioned, acting like she had no idea to leave no trace back to her.

Leo paused with his hand on the doorknob. He didn't turn back this time but his voice was low. “Just stay inside, Isabella… don't give me the stress of having to worry about you.”

And then he was gone, leaving her standing in the middle of the room. She watched as the door shut behind him, creating only a low sound.

She just stood there, frozen, her breath caught in her throat. The weight of Leo's words settled on her. It was heavy as it came unexpectedly.

Don't give me the stress of having to worry about you.

Her fingers curled into her palms, her nails digging into her skin. A flicker of something—hope? —rose in her. But it was smothered by doubt again just as quickly. Was he really worried about me? Or was it just something he said out of duty?

Her heart pounded against her ribs, betraying the calm expression she tried to keep. She wanted to believe there was something more behind his words, something deeper than his words—his actions. And that was the reason she had to take Lucy out of the picture.

She swallowed hard, watching the door as if she was expecting him to come back, to explain himself—what he meant by his words. But the hallway outside was silent. He was gone.

A bitter smile rigged at her lips. Worry about me? If only you knew what I've done, Leo… would you still say that?

She exploded sharply and turned away, pressing her hands against her face. His voice lingered in her head, repeating itself like a taunt.

For a moment, just a moment, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—he meant it.

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

Aiden moved through the darkened path. His eyes were sharp and scouting through the darkness. The air was thick with the lingering scent of blood and he could smell it from afar. With each step he studied the ground, searching for clues. 

The night was still, but the earth told a different story. The footprints were scattered. It was a deep impression in some places, and dragged in others. He read the footprints as a sign of struggle. His eyes followed the patterns, tracing where she might have been.

Something had brought her to the scene where the fight had unfolded—Lucy’s scent. He inhaled deeply, letting the scents fill his senses. Her scent lingered. It was strong and intense. It was unmistakable. His chest tightened as he imagined her standing here, surrounded and outnumbered. Just the thought of it sent a sharp edge through him.

Then he saw it—the dark stain on the ground. It was barely visible under the moonlight but it wasn't a problem for him. His eyes, sharp and glinting as he could see clearly through the thick fog of the dark. His stomach twisted like a knot as he crouched down. A slight guess crossed his mind but he didn't come in terms with it, hoping it wasn't what he was thinking.

His fingers graze the damp earth—it was blood.

He rubbed it between his fingers, bringing it close to his nose. He sniffed for a second and at that moment, his throat tightened… it was hers.

A low growl built in his chest. She was injured as he didn't want to go with the other option—she might be dead already. But there was hope, as her body wasn't seen,... Maybe, hadn't been found, yet. 

She must be injured, he thought. But how badly. He didn't know. He clarified himself and concluded, being optimistic, that she must have managed to walk away. He stood up and advanced forward, then his eyes caught the drops of blood on the ground. His eyes traced the path she had taken, following the trail of blood but there was no sign of her falling, no pools of blood to suggest she had collapsed.

Still, the weight on his chest, the thoughts of the unknown didn't ease. He should have been here. He should have protected her as he had always promised. He shouldn't have left her when she needed him the most. But he could not love in the past, the best he could do was to find her.

Just as he was about to follow her trail, something else hit him. A scene, faint but familiar.

His body went rigid and his back turned on the direction of the scent.

Leo.

His expression darkened as he turned his head, nostrils flaring. He had been here. Recently.