Chapter 22

ISABELLE’S POV

I rose up from the sofa with narrowed eyes, slowly stalking towards him, my expression hardening.

I crossed my arms over my chest, our eyes locked in a heated gaze. “I saved your brother just as I promised I would. And now it’s time for you to honor your end of the deal we made.”

Kael didn’t immediately respond, falling silent. He broke away from my gaze, his eyes flickering around the room, anywhere but at me.

His usual calm composure was cracking, and I finally started to see the man underneath. I tilted my head, studying him carefully. I wasn't going to give up until he agreed to honor his end of the deal. He made a promise to me and he has to keep it.

“Kael?” I pressed my voice firm as I took a step closer towards him. “So do you really plan to break your word? We both know you’re not that kind of man, or am I mistaken, General?”

His younger brother, standing nearby was watching us intently, his eyes filled with confusion.

He looked at me with wide eyes. “What deal are you talking about? What’s going on?” He asked, his gaze flickering back to his brother, waiting for a response.

Kael shot him a warning glare that instantly shut him up. “Stay out of this.” He growled.

I ignored them, placing my hand lightly on his rock hard chest. I could feel the waves of heat radiating from him, and to my surprise, my wolf stirred awake.

‘Do you feel it?’ she purred. ‘His wolf... it’s reacting to you.’

Kael’s heart was pounding erratically beneath my touch, and I could see beyond the calm and cold exterior he was always putting on.

“Are you joking with me, General?” I whispered softly, my fingers slowly trailing up his body to lift his chin towards me.

His dark eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, the time around us froze. As I stared into his deep dark eyes,I suddenly felt like I was in a pool of shadows drawing me in and I was drowning.

He clenched his jaw, his body stiffening under my touch, his eyes burning with intensity. They narrowed into slits, a predatory aura surrounding him.

I felt a slight shiver as chills ran down my spine. I gulped hard, hardening my resolve, I refused to back down.

My wolf growled with approval, her fur bristling with the tension between us.

‘Push him, Isabelle. Till you get what you want.’ she whispered. I couldn't waste any time now, the countdown was still over my head and every second I wasted,I was closer to dying.

Time was running out for me to complete my first bond and my life was on the line, I needed to push him till he did what I wanted.

Swallowing a huge lump in my throat, and took a deep breath to steady myself, leaning closer, my voice barely a whisper. “You should know my patience is very limited, Kael. Don’t make me regret ever trusting you.” I whispered, my eyes swimming with emotion.

My words hung in the air between us like a silent challenge. Kael remained silent, his expression tight and his hands curled into fist, still like the perfect soldier.

But his eyes betrayed him. There was something simmering beneath the surface—something he tried to but couldn't hide from me.

Stepping back from his warmth, I shot him one last heated glance before I turned on my heel.

My heart was racing uncontrollably as I walked out but my confidence held me up. “Come find me when you’ve made up your mind,” I said, my voice echoing in the quiet room.

KAEL’S POV

For a moment I stood frozen in the same spot Isabelle left me, staring at the door with millions of thought's swirling in my mind.

Her scent and warmth still lingered in the air even after the door slammed shut behind her—wild and intoxicating, like a flower field after it rained.

My wolf stirred with unease, a growl rumbling in the back of my mind.

Since returning home with from the prison, I had known she would come eventually.

To my surprise, I was looking forward to the meeting even though I had no plans to fulfill her request.

But I never imagined she would arrive with such boldness to make her request. The way she had pressed her hand to my chest, her touch burning my skin even though the thin cotton shirt I wore.

The way she lifted my chin so I could look at her, and the way she claimed control over me in a way no one else ever had.

Her brashness continues to astound and unsettle me, I have never met a woman that wielded her power like the princess.

I found myself at a loss for words for the first time when she whispered that she never joked.

I looked down, staring at the space she just stood, still feeling her warth engulf me.

“You’re very quiet, brother,” Levi teased from the corner of the room, watching me warily. “Wasn’t the princess in love with Rowan before? Why is she suddenly so interested in you?”

I turned sharply, my face flushed red. “Mind your own business,Levi” I snapped, my voice harsher than I intended.

Levi smirked, but he knew me, and he knew not to say anything more, he kept quiet but his eyes were still wary.

I clenched my fists, my mind spinning. Isabelle was a relentless woman, and I feared she wouldn't rest until she got what she wanted.

I turned to see Levi still standing in the corner, a weird expression on his face as he watched me.

“Go study your books!” I growled in his direction, my voice echoing through the house.

I drew in a deep breath as I watched him leave the room, but my thoughts were still clouded with confusion. What was I going to do?