Chapter 42

ISABELLE’S POV

Alan 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 hear.

“I... Isabelle...” he stammered his voice barely above a whisper. “I admit I have admired you for so long since the day we met. But I never thought someone like you would even...”

I placed a finger against his lips. “You don’t need to say anything more, Alan. I understand.”

“I know I’m not worthy, but I swear I’ll do everything to become someone who can be with you.” He confessed shakily, his voice echoing with emotions

My eyes softened as I smiled warmly. “Win the art competition, Alan. That’s all I ask for now. I’ll wait for you and when you do, I'll be back.”

I nodded, the determination I saw when I first met him shining through replacing his earlier shyness.

I lingered a few moments longer before standing up from the bed and leaving, with a faint smile.

When I returned to the palace, I was a little surprised to see my other maid, standing outside to receive me with a gleaming smile.

“What's happening?” I asked as I stepped out of the car.

“We just received good news.” She responded, her voice rising.

“And…?” I asked with impatience.

“It's General Kael.” She responded.

My eyes widened, and my attention was instantly piqued as I rushed towards her. “Yes, tell me!” I snapped.

“A message just got to the palace that the general has successfully reclaimed the territory and will return to Night Fall victoriously very soon.” She said, brimming with excitement.

My lips curled up into a right smile, my stomach filled with butterflies as joy surged through me. A weight I didn't even know was on my shoulder was instantly lifted with the news of Kael's victory.

I nodded and whipped past her into my villa. ‘Kael did it.’ I whispered with joy. ‘I knew he could do it,’ I murmured, the genuine smile not leaving my lips.

But my wolf stirred with apprehensiveness. ‘If Kael decides to go ahead and propose when he returns back to the pack, what will you say?’

I froze in the hallway, my smile faltering. ‘I don't want to think about that now.’ I muttered back.

Despite my efforts to push the thought away, it kept resurfacing in my mind. Then I thought of the day I bid Kael goodbye.

The strength in his gaze, the faint secret smile he’d given me—it all lingered in my mind, fresh like it just happened.

Before I knew what I was doing, I found myself at my desk, picking up a pen and sketching the image of Kael in his full armour, glistening from the light of the early morning sun from that day.

By the time Kael returned, it would almost be New Year. The realization brought a mix of excitement and apprehension, and I wasn’t sure how to sort through it all.

When I woke up the next day, I was feeling very feverish and weak. My night dress was drenched in sweat.

‘You probably caught this from Alan.’ My wolf muttered.I groaned weakly, pulling the covers over my head.

Once the maids walked in and noticed my situation they scrambled to fetch a doctor, their panic only adding to my discomfort.

I wasn't at all surprised when Tristan arrived not long after, his expression a mix of worry and frustration. The maids must have alerted me.

“Isa, are you okay?” he asked with concern, folding his arms over his chest. “Has Officer Ryker been working you too hard?”

I shook my head and waved him off. “No, Tristan. It’s not his fault.” I whispered, my throat dry and hoarse.

He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly unconvinced, but then his expression broke with concern.

He stayed by my side for a while, watching closely as the doctor examined me and making sure the maids followed the doctor’s instructions to the letter.

I spent the next week weak and confined to my bed as my body slowly healed from the illness. By the time I was well enough to leave my room, the whole pack was bustling with preparations for the royal New Year’s ball.

On the day of the ball, I was determined to make a statement with my entrance and my dress.

My maids showed me a collection of beautiful dresses all with intricate designs and I chose the most extravagant dress I could find—a shimmering silver gown adorned with crystal embellishments and intricate lace trimming.

When I tried on the dress, I was momentarily stunned. The fabric clung to my figure, making me glow with confidence.

My wolf huffed in disapproval. ‘You’re going to blind everyone with that dress. It's doing nothing but undermining your beauty”

I smirked, brushing my hands over the glittering crystals that reflected the light as I moved.

Ignoring my wolf’s complaints, I completed the look with elegant jewellery and an intricate updo with locks of hair falling delicately over my face.

As I stepped out of my chambers, my maids gasped, their eyes widening with excitement.

The royal garden buzzed with activity before the main ball began. Noblewomen from all over the pack gathered in small groups, exchanging pleasantries and gossip over tea.

This time, I instructed my maids and the palace guards not to announce my arrival. I wanted the element of surprise when they saw me.

As I walked into the garden with grandeur, the crowd turned away from me, the sound of champagne glasses clinking filling the air.

I observed the scene quietly, my sharpness quickly assessing the crowd.

It didn’t take long for my attention to land on a commotion near the white rose bushes.

A group of noblewomen stood in a circle, looking down at a hunched figure in the middle, their voices laced with mockery as their eyes shone with malice.

The target of their glares was a trembling young woman, with a drab brown dress and short cropped hair.