Chapter 12

ISABELLE’S POV

I frowned, turning to Kael, and asking, “What stories are they talking about?”

Kael's expression darkened immediately, his jaw clenched as he muttered, “Just some fanciful tales.”

The sudden harshness in his voice startled me for a moment. I still desperately wanted to press him further but decided against it, I could sense he didn't want to talk about the hidden stories.

Since Kael was so hesitant to share the story for some reason, I guess I had to get it some other way. I was already intrigued and I had to know more about what the people were murmuring about.

I turned around glancing at Rowan's stiff figure, my gaze flickering to the matrons still talking in hushed tones. “ Beta Rowan, what stories are they talking about?” I asked, my curiosity evident in my impatient tone.

He raised his brows at me and I kept my expression stoic, our gaze clashed for a moment before he realised I was dead serious, he shifted uncomfortably on his feet, arms crossed across his chest as he finally explained.

“There’s a common tale in the pack about a noblewoman who came to this same cafe and fell in love with an artist she met here in the competition. The artist won the café’s art competition and became very famous. Later on, the artist and the noblewoman wanted to get married, but it was revealed that the man already had a wife secretly. The first wife eventually died from heartbreak, and only then did he marry the noblewoman.”

Kael scoffed, cursing under his breath as Rowan finished the story, his fist curled into a fist. “Disgusting!,” he muttered, hissing with disdain.

I rolled my eyes with a scoff, my expression twisting with annoyance. “What sort of love story is that? The man is a complete scoundrel and a low life who cheated on his wife, and the noblewoman remains blind to his lies. How insulting to think I’d ever be compared to someone like her!”

I shook my head, irritation bubbling on the surface,“How dare they even compare me with her? I'm not so naive as to be blind to such lies and be deceived in such a manner.”

My wolf chuckled within me, shaking her head with amusement. ‘You're so blunt.’ She remarked. ‘But it's so refreshing. What kind of man fantasises about such a story?.’ She snickered also as disgusted as I was.

Rowan merely shook his head at my reaction, his lips parted to give me a reply but before he could say anything, suddenly loud voices rose from below.

My head whipped towards the noise as we shifted closer towards the railing, leaning over, my eyes scanning the cafe's main floor.

“You don’t belong here,” one of the staff in the cafe in his server uniform shouted at a strange-looking man. “This is a prestigious café, not some shelter for dirty and stinky beggars.”

My eyes landed on a scruffy-looking artist standing at the centre of the commotion, his clothes torn and ragged and his hair a tangled mess on his head.

He looked homeless, his threadbare clothing hanging off his shoulder, with dark stormy eyes and chestnut coloured hair.

But there was something about the way he stood, holding his head up with undeniable elegance. His expression remained stoic and calm amidst the chaos and the raised voices.

He was surrounded by a dozen of the cafe staff, all eying him with wariness. It was obvious they did not approve of his presence here for some reason.

The artist was barely disturbed by their disapproval, his voice cool and firm as he argued with them, their voices getting louder attracting a small crowd around them.

‘Here we go again.” My wolf muttered dryly with a deep low growl.

I shook my head, watching the man intently, immediately wondering if this man was another target.

“You need to leave right now, your presence is dirtying this establishment.” One of the staff sneered at the man.

But to my surprise, the man remained calm, his expression cool as he responded. “This is a public space. No one should be turned away and I have a right to be here just as anyone else.” He said nonchalantly.

The crowd murmured, and tension rippled through the room as the staff sputtered, their faces turning red and frustration clear in their expression as they glared daggers at him. Just then a man stepped through the crowd, clearly a nobleman.

He was well dressed in a purple robe with gold finishing, tons of jewellery dangling from his neck and all fingers adorned with gold rings.

He approached the artist with a tight expression, his eyes bloodshot as he shoved him hard with so much force, he stumbled back into the cafe's chairs.

The cafe echoed with the noise of the chaos, every single person watching the exchange.

“Get out!” The man ordered, his thunderous voice echoing through the whole building.“You’re making a scene, and your kind isn’t welcome here.”

My wolf growled in my mind, already sensing the trouble that was silently brewing in the air.

But I remained still, observing the situation closely. I could feel Kael and Rowan tense up beside me.

Kael's hand instinctively moved toward his sword and Rowan’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased by the unfolding drama.

I shook my head slightly, waiting patiently for the next move.”This isn't going to be an easy encounter.” I whispered under my breath.

My patience snapped as I watched the scene unfold below, my anger rising till I couldn't bear to watch anymore.

I pushed off the railing with a huff, “Who made these rules?” I questioned, my commanding voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd as I descended the stairs with an air of authority.

The whole café instantly fell silent as all eyes turned to me. I crossed the room with large determined strides as I approached the harassed artist, Alan.

As I got closer, I was momentarily stunned, my gaze softening slightly as I took in his appearance. Despite his ragged clothes and scruffy beard, he was strikingly handsome.