RYKER’S POVI stared at Isabelle in utter shock, her confident confession hanging heavy in the air between us. Her words were bold and direct, cutting through my usual stoic defences like a sharp blade.“I’m here because of you,” she said and I couldn't get her voice out of my head.It wasn’t just her words but the way she said them—with so much sincerity and brashness—that managed to throw me off balance. For the first time in so many years, I was not sure of how to respond.For a man like me, used to control, logic and order, the raw emotion I could feel in her voice left me almost speechless. My wolf growled, urging me to respond and acknowledge the feelings stirring deep within me. But I just couldn’t, I needed to leave.I was flustered under her prying gaze, my face turning a deep shade of red that spread down my neck.I took a step back, “I... I need to review a case file,” I blurted, stumbling over my words as I quickly retreated.Without waiting for her reply, I spun on my he
ISABELLE’S POVI turned around, only to find myself face-to-face with Beta Rowan. He had a dark scowl on his face, but his stern expression immediately softened when he saw Matilda still lying helplessly on the floor.Before I could say a single word, she scrambled off the ground and rushed towards him to stand behind his towering figure, clutching his arm and casting a wary glance back at me with an innocent expression.Rowan watched the scene with confusion, his gaze flickering between us. His frown deepened when he looked down at Matilda behind him.“What’s going on here?” Rowan asked, his deep voice filled with concern as he looked between both of us.Matilda, looked up at him with her doe-like eyes, “I-It’s nothing, really. Princess Isabelle was just... pressuring me.” she said, her voice trembling.Rowan's eyes whipped back towards me, a deep frown marrying his features. I could see the questions in his gaze, wondering who to believe.I can't believe Matilda would go as far as l
ROWAN’S POVShe hesitated for a second, biting her lower lip. “She’s already invited me, hasn't she? Maybe... maybe it’s time I stopped seeing her as my enemy. I don’t think she hates me anymore.”I studied her closely through the mirror, my brows furrowed. Matilda had always been timid, hiding behind others. But deep down, I knew she wasn't a bad person.“Well then, I guess I'll come with you,” I said after a moment.Matilda smiled faintly. “Thank you, Rowan,” she whispered.Despite my calm exterior, I was feeling a strange tension gnawing at me. Something was disturbing me and—it was Isabelle. For some reason I couldn't explain, I also wanted more interactions with her. Ever since she suddenly stopped clinging to me or chasing me, I couldn’t shake the unease I was feeling in my gutIt was as though I lost something without even realizing it.ISABELLE’S POVOnce I left the supermarket, I went straight to Alan’s modest home with the groceries I bought. My mind still wandered briefly
ISABELLE’S POVAlan looked away, his voice barely audible. “You are clearly of noble descent. And I'm just a struggling painter trying to make ends meet. We are from very different worlds.”For a moment, I stared at him and didn’t know what to say. Hearing such words from Alan touched me more than I expected.“You’re wrong,” I spat out, my voice sharp and firm. “Alan, you’re one of the most confident, most talented people I have ever met. Our worth isn’t defined by titles or wealth.”Alan’s eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for a moment, there was tense silence between us.I leaned in closer to him, our warm breaths mingling in the air between us. “I don’t care about status or wealth,” I whispered, my voice gentle and tender. “Those things don’t matter to me.”His face turned a deeper shade of crimson, his body trembling beside mine. I giggled softly, and I couldn't resist leaning in and pressing a gentle kiss to his cold cheek. Alan froze, his heart pounding loud enough for me to he
ISABELLE’S POV“You think you belong here?” one of the women at the head of the circle sneered. “With such an ugly dress? Did you sew it yourself?”The circle erupted in laughter. “Honestly, the audacity of some ugly paupers to show up to the palace New Year banquet in nothing but rags.”My blood boiled as I watched the scene unfold.My attention remained fixed on the group gathered near the bushes. At their centre stood a tall slender woman, with dark luscious hair, her voice sharp as she mocked a plainly dressed girl clutching a necklace.“You dare bring this cheap trinket to a royal ball?” she sneered, yanking the necklace from her hands.The girl in the middle held her head up high despite the humiliation and mocking. “That necklace was my mother’s. Please return it,” she asked calmly, although her voice was shaking with emotions.The bully's lips curled into a cruel smile as she held the necklace up with one finger. “Why would I return this trash to you?” She mocked.“Please, d..
ISABELLE’S POVThe murmurs instantly ceased, and a line cleared amongst the crowd as they quickly stepped aside for me to walk past all bowing in unison. I walked in with a tiara that accentuated my royal bearing, but as I stepped inside, I could feel Rowan's presence right behind me.I quickened my pace, to put some distance between us, but I could still feel him trailing close behind me, his presence frustratingly too close.I threw a sharp glance over my shoulder, my voice low but firm. “Why must you follow me everywhere?”Rowan smirked, unfazed by my question or my demeanor. “It would be improper for me to distance myself from the princess, don’t you think?”My wolf snickered, clearly irritated by his cockiness.I quickened my pace, determined to shake off the rumours that my entrance with Rowan would soon spark. I could feel the eyes of the crowd boring through us, I knew they would soon start gossiping about us being back together.I needed to escape him so I quickly strode tow
ISABELLE’S POV The intensity of his sharp look sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to let it show one bit. Instead, I cocked my head at him, arching my eyebrow and maintaining my composure.My wolf didn't stay quiet. ‘Told you meddling in his affairs wouldn’t end well. He seems furious. Are you satisfied now?’ she growled with disapproval.‘He’ll get over it,’ I shot back inwardly, not backing down for a second.Tristan stepped forward, his eyes darting between us, he could already sense the rising tension in the room and let out a light chuckle to diffuse it. “Then let’s forget about it,” he said, dismissing my proposition with a wave of his hand.The crowd began murmuring once again, their tones shifting.“It seems the princess has truly moved on from the Beta,” someone remarked.“Yes, she wouldn’t have proposed it otherwise,” another agreed.Once Matilda stepped away, the crowd eased up and dispersed. Rowan shot me one last look before he also turned around and walked away
ISABELLE’S POVI arched my eyebrows, tilting my head towards her. “And what is this matter that must be addressed?” I asked incredulously.I could see the envy shining in Tania's eyes and the clear irritation under her skin as she looked at Lila. She was going to find a way to bring her down at any cost, even if it meant lying.Her dark gaze shifted to Lila, her eyes narrowing with clear disdain. “This girl owes me something—an item that rightfully belongs to me. The necklace around her neck.”The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Tania with full attention. My expression hardened, and my wolf growled softly in my mind. ‘This girl’s arrogance knows no bounds.’ She snapped.I took a deep breath to remain calm, and then I cocked my head and asked, “And how does the necklace Lila is wearing suddenly belong to you, Lady Tania?”Tania straightened, clearly thrilled her plan to humiliate Lila seemed to be working. “Her necklace is a delicate piece, silver with a sapphire pendant. Lila
ISABELLE’S POVThe morning light streamed through the tall windows of my chambers, as I stirred in the silk sheets. The heat from last night still lingered in the air. I turned with exhaustion, my movement sending tiny shocks through her muscles and my mind playing a reminder of Kael’s hands on my body, his lips tracing wet kisses along my skin.A gentle knock on the door pulled me away from the memories as I quickly sat up, pulling the sheets closer to my body.“My Lady,” my maid's soft voice called through the door.One of my maids stepped inside, a basin of warm water in her hands. Her cheeks flushed red with heat as her gaze landed on the scattered bed and my naked body was barely covered by the sheets.“What do you want?” I murmured, stretching my hands over my head lazily.She quickly averted her gaze, setting the basin down on a nearby table. “General Kael tended to you this morning,” she said. “He cleaned your wounds and ensured you were comfortable before leaving.”My lips
KAEL’S POVI could feel the light of dawn seeping through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the princess's chambers. I stirred awake, my body still warm from the lingering heat of the Isabelle sprawled beside me.I looked down at Isabelle, lying asleep against me, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, and her breathing slow and even. Something tightened in my chest from the sight of her, so calm and vulnerable in her sleep.For a moment, I just watched her, memorizing every detail and feature of her face. The way her lips were slightly parted, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the faint bruises along her collarbone. I reached out without thinking, my fingers trailing over her skin, before pulling back. I carefully pulled the blanket up, making sure she was well covered.I wanted to stay. But I couldn't.I quietly slipped out of bed, slowly shrugged my clothes back on and cast one last glance at Isabelle before I left.Once I was fully dressed, I slipped through th
ISABELLE’S POVThe warm steam hung in the air, wrapping me in heat as I leaned against the edge of the bath. Kael stood across from me, his body stiff and his shoulders tense as if he wanted to run away at any moment. I smirked at his obvious discomfort, finding his hesitation cute."You look like you're preparing for battle, General." I teased, lazily running my fingers across the water.Kael let out a sharp breath. "I don't think we should be doing this, princess." He whispered I raised an eyebrow, my eyes shining with amusement. "And yet, here you are."He hesitated for a moment then he shook his head with a defeated chuckle. "You’re relentless.""I would prefer you use the term determined."He laughed his chest rumbling with the low sound and I used the moment to move closer to him, As I closed the distance between us, Kael tensed slightly but still, he didn't pull away. I suddenly turned around, slowly prying the straps of my dress over my shoulder.He let out a gasp, but coul
ISABELLE’S POVThe air between us was heavy with tension as I stood over Axel with a sly smile. “You need to start talking right now,” I muttered.He looked up at me, his body shaking with rage. I could see he desperately wanted to hurt me, raising his hands towards me with force but the chains held him back.His face was pale from blood loss, but his eyes were locked on mine, flashing with warning and danger.“You think you can endure this, don’t you?” I murmured, “you really think I would let you die so easily and escape your punishment for your crimes?”“There's nothing you can do to make you tell you anything.” He snarled.I chuckled, a low sound that echoed through the room. “You are telling me everything you know.” I was warned.He smirked, but I could see his eyes falter when I pulled out the same poisoned arrow he fired and tried to use to assassinate me.The tip was still stained with Rowan's blood and I didn't bother to clean it. I want him to suffer his same crimes.I trail
ISABELLE'S POV I leaned in, as I heard Rowan’s weak voice calling my name, my brow furrowed, not sure if I had heard him. His mouth moved again, forming my name faintly on his lips, and for a moment, my heart fluttered in my chest.I stared at him, his dark hair falling over his face and his eyes still shut tight. And for a second, I let my heart wander, my heart fluttering. But I couldn’t let my mind go far, so I quickly pushed the thought aside. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Isabelle. He’s delirious from the fever.’ My wolf murmured.Rowan’s breathing became steady as he slipped back into unconsciousness, but I remained at his bedside for a moment longer, my expression calm. I let out a deep breath, brushing off the strange emotions stirring inside my chest. The sound of footsteps broke the silence in the room. I turned around to see Kael entering the room, his eyes looked tired but he walked in with his usual confidence.“You’ve been by his bedside the whole time,” Kael teased, his lip
MARCELLO’S POVI stayed hidden in the shadows, my eyes sharp as I watched the chaos near the city gate. The guards all stood around the princess, their weapons drawn and ready to attack.From this distance, I couldn't hear what they were saying but it was obvious what was happening. Axel’s desperate suicide attempt had been stopped, his dagger pushed out of his hands by General Kael. The guards moved swiftly, holding Axel to the ground, and the sound of his bones breaking under their force made me in pain.I watched Axel writhe in pain, his body lying lifeless on the ground.For a moment, I pushed forward to save Axel and get him out of this mess. Even though I didn't agree with his plan to kill the princess, he was still a valuable ally in our mission in the Knightfall pack. But I paused in my steps, I knew it would be almost impossible to get him out. Kael and their soldiers surrounded Axel, leaving no room for escape. To act now would be very foolish, and I wasn't ready to throw
AXEL’S POVThe tension in my chest tightened as I crouched watching over the city gate. I narrowed my eyes as I watched General Kael as he approached the princess’s carriage. Even from this distance, I could see the way Kael’s shoulders relaxed in the princess's presence.My face settled into a deep scowl as the general that conquered the Shallow Land pack army shuddered as the princess took his hand.From the angle, I could see his expression melt when she took a step closer. The fearless warrior who had led NightFall forces to crush mine, wrapped around her finger. How could a man who was so strong and decisive bow so easily to the spoilt and proud princess?My gaze darkened as I returned my focus to the princess. She held Kael's hands to her lips and kissed them.My breath hitched as she pulled her hair away from her face and I could finally see her side profile. I didn't notice it at first, but now I am certain. Her straight posture, the way she carried herself— she acted just li
AXEL'S POVI crouched low on the rooftop, the cold stone pressing painfully against my knees. The cool morning wind bit into my skin, but I stayed frozen in position.Chills crawled into my skin but I shook my head. I can't leave this position after I have been waiting for her for so long.From this distance, I could see the city gate and the road leading out of the pack's borders. I adjusted my position, making sure my bow and poisoned arrow were steady.Through one eye, I spotted the princess's carriage, the woman I spent days tracking finally in front of me. She slowly stepped out, and stood near her car, speaking to a man. Even though I couldn't see her face from this angle, it was obvious who she was from the extravagant dress and the maids standing all around her.Her golden hair flowed down her back, covering the side of her face. I adjusted again till the tip of my arrow was aligned perfectly with her form.“This is it,” I muttered under my breath, my heart racing as I shook
AXEL'S POVI rushed through the club still pulsing with anger. Marcello was on my heels following me around.“Axel, you need to drop your plan for revenge, you can't kill the princess.” He ordered.I clenched my jaw, facing away from him. “Okay!” I spat out. I could see him falter at my admittance, narrowing his eyes. “I just need to get my bow and arrow.” I continued.He watched as I took the weapon and left the room. The cold night air bit at my face as I burst out of the club's back door.The princess was not going to get away with this so easily, no matter what Marcello said I was going ahead with my plan.I stood concealed among the trees near the princess's villa. I adjusted the hood of my cloak, settling down and adjusting my weapon.Marcello’s refusal to kill the princess only made me more angry, but I wasn’t one to give up easily. I didn't need any help, I can do this all by my side.My hand tightened around the quiver slung over my back, my mind was entirely focused on my mi