Chapter 5

Isabeau's POV

A new found hope floods me with joy and I'm finally able to relax back into my bed.

"Don't get too happy yet." Aello speaks,

"You mustn't forget that everything in our previous life is yet to happen. This is a different reality, one in which King Stellan doesn't love us. Heck, he's yet to know we even exist. This certainly won't be easy." She concludes

"That might be true but as long as there's a chance, I'll take it. I made him fall for me the first time, though unintentionally. I'm pretty sure I can do it again, especially if I put my mind to it. I have to come up with a plan now, one which will ensure my marriage to the Lycan King." I assert.

The best way to go about this is to first gather as much information on him as possible. In order to capture one's prey, it's essential to learn everything about them.

I won't have to search very far either, the women of this Pack are notorious for gossip. I'm sure I'll be able to get the information I need without rousing any suspicion.

***

I've just arrived on the training grounds with Leo who insisted on coming. She knows she can't do anything here but watch but funny enough she'd always followed me to training, when we were young.

In the past, I thought she did it to support me but now I realize she's purposely torturing herself. Perhaps it's a way of reminding herself of her inferiority and how much she hates me for being born better.

No matter how much she plots this time, I'll take what's rightfully mine and leave her in the dust.

I take a quick look around the grounds and easily spot Daleth, an information dealer and notorious rumor monger. She's not very strong physically but her father's the Gamma so she has no choice but to train hard in order to meet his expectations.

In my previous life, I'd avoided her as I didn't want to get entangled in her gossip but now, she'll prove very useful to me.

She's seated on a bench, watching the others practice. I easily make my way there and join her.

Two guys are fighting and they appear to be evenly matched. One of them seems determined to take down the order but no matter how strongly he attacks, the other seems to counter it perfectly. She watches them carefully.

"Do you know why his attacks are unsuccessful?" I ask and she turns to me in surprise.

"Uh?"

"He's rigid and has only one style of attacking. His opponent has realized it and is using it to his advantage. It's easier to counter a blow if you can predict it, that's why he's not been able to land a single hit on his opponent despite the fact that the other guy's simply defending and not retaliating.

If you look closely, his opponent has a blind spot, the lower half of his body, namely his sides. If the first guy aims for his ribcage with non lethal force, he'll land a perfect hit." I explain while she stares at me in awe.

It quickly morphs to a half smile.

"Your analysis is spot on but I have to admit I'm surprised. It's not everyday that the future Luna of this Pack talks to someone like me."

"Does my company bother you?"

"Not particularly. I just assumed you didn't have the best view of me."

"Don't go making assumptions like that. According to you, I'm the future Luna of this Pack, it's imperative that I get along with everyone and ensure unity amongst us."

"That bit is true but you don't really expect me to believe you suddenly had the urge to chit chat with me. There's something you want to know, I can tell, so just ask what's on your mind."

"You're as perceptive as ever. I'll go straight to the point then. During my visit to the palace, I overheard the Alpha talking about a possible treaty with the Lycan Kingdom and it piqued my curiosity.

I realized that I barely know anything outside of this Pack and its people and that won't do since I am the future Luna so I want to find out everything I can about the Lycan Kingdom.

I'm particularly interested in the Lycan King, what is he like?" I surmise and she chuckles.

"I can't say I'm surprised that you'd ask that. King Stellan is quite notorious. He's a war god, there's not a single battle he's fought and not won. 

As a result, he has a good number of Packs under his rule, they send tributes to him monthly." She begins and I'm barely able to hide my shock.

From what I remember, King Stellan is nothing like that. He was more of a peace loving person and was really friendly.

She continues,

"He's also very mysterious, very few people know what he actually looks like. He's withdrawn and hardly leaves his castle, unless he's going to war of course. He's said to be enigmatic, ruthless and unforgiving."

As her words sink in, my nails dig into my dress and I squeeze tightly.

How is this even possible? From her description, Stellan's personality is the complete opposite of how he was in my first life. I remember him to be easy going, social and very lively. 

Could she be wrong? It's possible her information was gathered from rumors, that has to be it.

"Are you sure of what you're saying?" The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Her face contorts in a frown.

"Of course I am, you're acting like you've actually met the guy. Staying informed is a hobby of mine which I take very seriously. Everything I've told you is the truth." She affirms.

If that's true then what could have caused such a drastic change in him? Aello's warning suddenly pops up in the back of my mind. She had warned me that our descent back in time would have devastating consequences; some events will play out differently from how they're originally supposed to so I guess this is one of those situations.

Now that I know this, I'll have to adjust my plans accordingly. King Stellan is a totally different person now, a completely unapproachable one at that. I need to be careful so that the same fate doesn't befall me.

"The duel is over. It seems the second guy got tired of defending and finally attacked, he landed a clear hit on the first guy. I think you're up next." Daleth speaks, pulling me out of my reverie.

Despite having a lot on my mind, the fight ends quickly as my opponent goes down after the first hit.

We also have a wolf race and I come out on top and receive praises from most of the people around. After the race, I'm done for the day.

Usually after my training, I'd stick around and chat with everyone but as it stands, time is of the essence. 

Besides I have nothing to say to these people who are willing to turn their backs on me the minute I fall from grace. They're only seeking my company because I'm Alaric's fiance.

If the Lycan King won't come to me, I'll just have to go to him. I've made up my mind, I'm just going to have to pay King Stellan a little visit, it has been quite a while since we had a chat.

I walk over to Leo who's still waiting for me, she sizes me up but looks away when I throw her a glare.

"If you have something to say to me, spit it out or fix your face." I speak coldly.

"There's something about you that's changed. You've been acting differently since you woke up, you're treating me like I'm your enemy. We're sisters Isa, if you're mad at me just say it, I don't like it when you give me the cold shoulder." She says and sniffs. Her eyes are glossy, like she's about to cry.

For a moment, my sisterly instincts kick in and my first thought is to pull her into a hug but I quickly remind myself who I'm dealing with, a lying, scheming and manipulative bitch.

I can bet on Aello that those are crocodile tears. My hands bunch into fists but I quickly recover my cool. I can't afford to let it slip that I know her true intentions.

I pull on a sickeningly sweet smile.

"What do you mean by that, Leo? You're the one who keeps telling me not to treat you like a invalid just because you have no wolf. I finally decided to heed your request and now you're upset. Please make up your mind." I retort and she frowns.

"When did you start talking to Daleth? Don't you know she's bad company, I'm worried that she might get you into trouble with her lies."

"Thank you for your concern, Leo but I'm pretty sure I'm old enough to decide who I want to communicate with. I've never stopped you from talking to anyone so please don't meddle in my affairs." I warn her as politely as I can possibly manage.

"I'm not trying to meddle, I'm just worried about you." She maintains.

"And I'm telling you not to, I can take care of myself. Let's go home, I'm tired." I say dismissively and take my leave while she stands there, stunned.

As soon as I get home, I grab a duffle bag and start preparing for my trip. The Lycan Kingdom is considerably far from our Pack, it'll take about 3 days to get there on foot but it's fine.

I also have to come up with a plan for when I get there, I must become his wife. It won't be easy but he's my only hope of survival and I'm willing to do anything to achieve my victory this time.

I pack some clothes, some food and water, a sleeping bag and a blanket, a small first aid box in case of injury and a pocket knife just in case I run into rogues or thieves on the way. Finally, I add a lighter just in case I have to make a fire. I zip up the bag and hide it carefully due to the possibility of Leo coming into my room without my knowledge.

I'll leave at midnight, when I'm sure that everyone is asleep. 

I end up counting the hours as time moves like a snail. After having dinner, I retire to bed early so as to get some sleep before the big escape.

Aello wakes me up as soon as the clock strikes twelve. Despite feeling groggy, I dismiss my tiredness and fish out my duffle bag from under the bed. 

I do a final check to ensure that nothing is missing before leaving my room as quietly as possible.

The house is quiet and dark, everyone is thankfully asleep. I can easily navigate my way through the darkness, thanks to Aello. I reach the door and attempt to open it but I'm forced to freeze when I hear footsteps approaching.

I duck behind the sofa and I spot my mum walking past the living room and into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she passes by with a jug of what I assume to be water and a glass.

She pauses for a second and looks in my direction and I clutch the bag to my chest, trying to control my breathing.

She continues on and when I hear a door closing, I finally release a breath. After making sure that she's truly gone, I quickly but quietly make my way out of the house.

The night sky is bright and the full moon shines radiantly, illuminating my path.

After about twenty minutes of walking, I finally make it to the border but I'm forced to stop and hide behind some bushes.

Crap! How did I not consider this? I might have made it out of the house but how am I supposed to make it past the border with the scouts vigilantly patrolling around?

If I get caught, there's two outcomes. One, I get attacked and end up seriously hurt. Two, I get recognized so no one harms me but both outcomes will end badly since I'll be taken to the palace which will land me in serious trouble. There's no way I'll be able to talk my way out of that.

What should I do? I can't go back now. Running away during the day will prove more difficult. How do I go about this?

I move further into the bushes to avoid getting seen but that turns out to be a mistake as I step on a twig.

This attracts the attention of one of the scouts nearby and he quickly alerts the others.

Three of them approach my hiding spot cautiously and from their movements, I can tell they'll attack me on sight.

As their footsteps become closer, my heart pounds erratically against my chest. I cover my mouth with my hands and stop breathing.

Just then, I feel something slitter against my left leg and it takes all my willpower not to scream. I take a quick look and almost flinch but Aello warns me to remain calm so I freeze.

A snake is just beside my leg, it wraps its tail around my leg and hisses at me suspiciously. One wrong move and it'll bite me and all the while, the scouts are only a few feet away from me.

I'm doomed.