Chapter 23

ISABELLE’S POV

The air was crisp and cold as I stepped out of Kael’s residence, the confidence I walked in with already cracking ever so slightly.

I had laid all my cards on the table, pressed him for a response and did everything I could to make him give in but Kael remained silent and that haunted me.

Would he agree to my bold request? My wolf remained calm, hardly bordered by the situation.

‘Just wait,’ she murmured. ‘He’ll come back to you.’

I took a deep breath as I slid into the car, wrangling my fingers in my lap with nervousness. I was trying to believe her and wait but it was harder than it seemed.

I returned to the villa in a dark mood, storming through the halls, ignoring greetings till I got into my room and slammed the door hard behind me.

I Ieaned unto the back of the door, anxiety building up within me. I gave myself a second before I swallowed hard, pressing my cold hands to my face.

‘Just wait.’ My wolf echoed in my mind, her voice calming me down a little. I leaned away from the door and crawled into my bed, shutting my eyes.

Later that evening, I was sprawled on my bed, the soft glow of my bedside lamp illuminating the room as I lay there half-asleep, my eyes closed and my thoughts drifting, when a knock sounded on the door rousing me awake.

“Who is it?” I asked, yawning and stretching my hands over my head.

My butler’s hushed voice came from the other side. “General Kael is here to see you, Princess.”

I bolted upright, my sleepiness disappearing in a split second. My wolf perked up, growling with satisfaction.

I was in nothing but my nightgown, but I was in so much of a hurry I forgot to grab a robe.

I rushed to the door and pulled it open, I nodded at him, “Bring him in.” I responded, hurriedly smoothing my hair and taking out the knots with my hands.

The butler nodded and turned, his footsteps heavy in the hallway. I stood by the window, trying hard to calm my nerves as my heart pounded wildly in my chest.

What was he going to say? Would he give in or give back on his word?

I couldn't mull over it enough as I heard Kael's calm and confident footsteps approaching.

I held my breath as his footsteps stopped for a moment just outside the door. I could already feel his energy like he was in the room, but I turned to the window fixing my face with a calm expression.

When Kael finally entered, the sight that greeted me caught me off guard. He was here and in his hands was a massive bouquet of tulips, large enough it almost covered his face, cascading out of his arms like a waterfall.

My breath hitched in my throat, and my calm expression quickly faltered as I stared at the beautiful flowers. Tulips were my favourite flowers—a detail not many people knew, how did Kael find out.

KAEL’S POV

I froze for a moment outside the door of Isabelle's bedroom, staring down at the flower arrangement.

The bouquet of tulips had seemed like a good idea at the time—a peace offering, a gesture to apologize for how I acted earlier.

My hands were cold around them, my nerves taking over. I took a deep breath before, I slowly turned the brass door handle and stepped into the room

My heart was hammering against my ribs as I saw her, standing by the window, the sunsets illuminating her skin.

As our gazes met, my resolve immediately faltered, my lungs struggling for oxygen.

She was leaning on the window sill, the silk and lace of her nightgown shimmering under the light.

It clung to her form in ways that made it impossible to look away, though I tried desperately to avert my gaze.

I swallowed, my gaze flickering over her curves, hardly concealed beneath the translucent fabric and it was…mesmerizing.

“General,” Isabelle greeted, my voice low and raspy. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I swallowed hard again, feeling the weight of her ocean-blue eyes on me. I stalled to place the bouquet on a nearby table, as I struggled to find my voice.

“I... I wanted to apologize,” I stammered, my skin flushed as my words tumbled out in a rush. “For earlier. For... disrespecting you.”

She raised an eyebrow, cocking her head towards me clearly unimpressed.

I broke away from her gaze, her eyes haunting me even when I stared at the floor.

But I could hear her as she moved, the sheer fabric moving flowing around her, her bare feet soundless on the floor as she approached me.

My heart pounded hard like it was going to burst out of my chest as she closed the distance between us.

As she came even closer, her sweet scent filling the air between us, I burned, my skin suddenly feeling too hot.

“So what does all this mean?” she said, her tone playful yet commanding, “does this mean you have decided to finally honour our agreement?”

My eyes darted to hers, then away, the intensity of her gaze too much for me to bear.

As I sputtered to string up a single sentence, Isabelle stepped even closer, her warmth surrounding me as she reached up, her hand wrapping around the back of my neck.

Her touch was electric, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Well, Kael?” she pressed, her voice a hushed whisper against my ear. “What would it be? Are you going to fulfil your promise?” She said, leaning back, and watching me closely.

She was close, too close. I could feel her soft curves, pushing down on my body. My wolf stirred, growling softly in approval.

My throat felt dry, the words hitching in my throat. She raised a brow at me, her smile getting impatient.

“I... I have no intention of going back on my word,” I finally managed to whisper, my voice cracking and uneven.