Chapter 24 Back To Evergreen Pack
Isabella’s POV
꧁𓃙𓃠𓃥𓃚꧂
The carriage slowed as we approached the gates of Evergreen Pack.
My heart stopped.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I pressed a hand against my chest, trying to keep my pulse from leaping out of my ribs. So many nights I had dreamed of coming back here… to burn it… to bury them… to scream until the earth split open.
But not like this.
Not wearing a golden mask.
Not standing beside the Lycan King.
“Keep your head down,” Leon murmured quietly beside me. His mask—a dark, carved thing wrapped in gold symbols—covered most of his face. “We don’t need extra attention.”
“I know,” I whispered.
But how could I keep my head down?
I was home.
The same home that betrayed me.
The same home where my son died.
The same home that let Clara rise while my blood stained the ground.
The carriage stopped fully.
Before I could collect myself, Leon opened the door and stepped out first. His height alone drew attention. Even with the mask on, people could feel who he was—danger in a body, power wrapped in silence.
Then he held out his hand to me.
I swallowed hard and took it.
The moment I stepped out, everything… stopped.
Heads turned.
Gasps rippled across the front courtyard.
Even the guards froze mid-salute.
I could practically hear their thoughts:
Who is she?
Who’s the man in the mask?
I forced my shoulders back and kept my posture straight. I couldn’t look nervous. I couldn’t look familiar. I had to be someone else. Someone unremarkable.
Just a maid assigned to a mysterious guest.
Not the Luna they all abandoned.
Not the mother who cried for her dead son.
Not the woman Clara betrayed.
Leon gave a single nod to the guards. They reacted instantly.
“This way, sir!” one said, bowing deeply.
“Your seats have been prepared,” another added, even though we had no seats reserved.
Of course.
They didn’t know who Leon was…
But they knew power when they sensed it.
And Leon radiated enough of it to make the air crackle.
We were escorted through the packhouse courtyard, and every step felt like a punch to my chest. Memories flashed without permission:
Me running across these grounds as a warrior trainee.
Me carrying baby Magnus in my arms under that very tree.
Me standing beside Edmund at ceremonies, always trying to look perfect.
Me smiling, believing I was safe here.
I blinked hard.
Not now.
Not here.
Leon glanced slightly toward me. “You’re shaking.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are.”
I clenched my fists. “I’ll be fine.”
He didn’t push further. He simply walked beside me, tall and silent, as if he was shielding me without saying it.
We reached the main area of the ceremony—a huge open courtyard decorated with gold ribbons, white roses, and glowing lanterns. The smell brought memories rushing back too fast.
Elders… warriors… visiting Alphas… their Lunas…
So many faces I recognized.
So many who didn’t recognize me.
My throat tightened painfully.
Just pretend.
Just breathe.
Just survive.
We were guided to the front section near a beautifully decorated pond. Swans floated across the water. Gold petals were sprinkled everywhere.
And then...
My heart froze.
Edmund.
Standing proudly in front of all the pack members, dressed in the ceremonial Alpha outfit. Smiling. Groomed. Confident.
As if the world was perfect.
As if he never betrayed me.
As if he didn’t reject me like trash.
He didn’t look sad.
He didn’t look guilty.
He didn’t look broken.
No.
He looked happy.
Warm.
Excited.
Glowing, even.
Waiting for his bride.
Waiting for Clara.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
He had moved on.
Just like that.
As if I never existed.
Leon noticed my silence. “If you want, we can sit farther—”
“No,” I whispered. “Here is fine.”
I wasn’t going to hide from Edmund.
Not anymore.
Not ever.
If anything, he should hide from me.
Warriors filled the walkway. Lunas whispered behind their fans. Alphas watched with curiosity, wondering who the tall masked man was. Some even bowed. Others whispered.
“Is he a royal?”
“He must be someone powerful.”
“She’s beautiful… who is she? She might be his Luna."
I kept my head down.
Leon didn’t.
He stood so straight that even the Evergreen guards began adjusting their posture.
He was intimidating without even trying.
But the moment I glanced at Edmund again, something inside my chest cracked.
He had once promised me forever.
He had once sworn he would protect me.
He had once said I was the only woman he would ever love.
And now he was ready to become husband to my traitor. He was really going to crown Clara as his Luna.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Everyone turned toward the entrance of the packhouse.
The officiating elder stepped forward, raising his hands.
“Everyone rise,” he announced loudly.
My breath hitched.
This was it.
My enemy was about to walk down the aisle wearing my crown, entering my role, standing exactly where I once stood.
The doors opened slowly.
Gasps rose.
Clara stepped out.
She wore a white gown so large and decorated that it looked like a palace made of silk and gold. Jewels sparkled in her hair. A diamond necklace—the one I once saw in Edmund’s private vault—glowed against her skin.
She smiled.
A soft, innocent smile.
Fake.
Poison wrapped in flowers.
The crowd admired her.
They adored her.
They bowed.
And she… soaked in every second.
She held a bouquet of white lilies, walking slowly, as if the entire world belonged to her. Her eyes scanned the crowd proudly, claiming everything she saw—even the air.
And then…
Her eyes reached me.
For a split second, her smile dropped.
She froze mid-step.
She didn’t recognize me.
Of course she didn’t.
The mask, the hairstyle, the gown Leon gave me—it all hid the woman she destroyed.
But something inside her sensed… danger. I guess.
I could see it in the way her fingers tightened around her bouquet.
Clara tore her eyes away and continued walking.
Edmund’s face lit up when he saw her. He reached both hands toward her with a smile so warm it made something burn inside me.
They looked like a perfect couple.
They looked like they belonged together.
I wanted to scream.
But instead, I stayed still.
Cold.
Silent.
Watching.
The elder cleared his throat loudly.
“Today, we gather to witness the union of Alpha Edmund Hale and Luna-to-be Clara Rowan…”
My hands shook.
Leon noticed.
Clara reached Edmund’s side. He took her hand. They exchanged looks so romantic the crowd melted into sighs.
My stomach twisted painfully.
But I didn’t cry.
I refused to cry.
I held my chin high… even as my past walked itself into a future that was supposed to be mine.
The elder lifted the ceremonial book.
“Let us begin.”
And just like that…
My nightmare continued.