Chapter 22
Isabella’s POV
I woke up feeling warmth around me, Alessandro’s scent still lingering on the sheets. The events of the past few weeks replayed in my mind—being sold, finding my mate, the battle to escape Hell’s Pit, and now… being here. Safe. But for how long?
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I stretched, feeling the warmth of the silk sheets beneath me, a stark contrast to the cold stone floors of Hell’s Pit.
Every time I woke up in this bed, it still felt like a dream. But it wasn’t. I was no longer a prisoner. I was no longer at the mercy of monsters who saw me as nothing more than a possession.
I ran a hand through my thick, wavy hair, sighing as I tried to shake off the remnants of my nightmares. The screams, the darkness, the feeling of helplessness—they still clung to me like a second skin.
A soft knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called, pulling the sheets tighter around me. The door opened, and the same maid from yesterday stepped in, carrying a tray of food. Her face lit up with a polite smile as she set it down on the small table near the bed.
“Good morning, ma’am. Breakfast is ready.” I sighed.
“Please, stop calling me ma’am. My name is Isabella.”
Her smile faltered slightly before she lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. But you are the boss’s mate. It wouldn’t be proper.” I swallowed, the title making my chest tighten. Alessandro’s mate. Was that truly what I was? Or was I just a woman he had claimed out of obligation?
Before I could dwell on the thought, the door opened again, and Alessandro stepped inside. His presence filled the room instantly, his dark blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
“You’re awake,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
“Yes,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the sheets. His gaze flickered to the untouched food.
“You haven’t eaten.”
“I wasn’t that hungry,” I admitted. His jaw clenched slightly before he walked over to the tray, picking up a piece of toast and holding it out to me.
“You need to eat, Isabella. You’re still recovering.” I hesitated before taking it from him, my fingers brushing against his. His touch was warm, firm, grounding. I brought the toast to my lips and took a small bite, more for his sake than my own.
Alessandro watched me carefully before he exhaled, seemingly satisfied.
“After breakfast, I want to show you something.”
“What is it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. His lips curled into a small, unreadable smile.
“You’ll see.”
\---
After I had eaten and changed into a soft cream-colored dress Alessandro had provided, he led me through the vast estate. The halls were lined with paintings and ancient artifacts, a testament to his powerful lineage.
We stopped in front of a set of heavy wooden doors, and Alessandro pushed them open, revealing a breathtaking sight.
A garden.
The air was thick with the scent of blooming roses, lilacs, and jasmine. A cobblestone path wound through the greenery, leading to a large marble fountain at the center. The sound of water cascading down into the pool was soothing, almost hypnotic.
I stepped forward, my fingers brushing against the petals of a deep red rose.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, taking in the vibrant colors and the peaceful atmosphere.
Alessandro stood beside me, his hands tucked into his pockets.
“It’s yours.” I turned to him sharply.
“What?”
“I had this garden built for you,” he said, his voice softer than usual. “A place where you can feel safe.”
Safe.
That word again.
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.
“Why?”
His blue eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he reached out, his fingers gently tilting my chin up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze.
“Because you are my mate,” he said simply. “And whether you believe it or not, I will protect you. Always.”
My breath caught in my throat. The way he said it—with such conviction, such raw sincerity—made my heart ache. I wanted to believe him. But deep down, a voice whispered,
"What if it’s not real? What if he only wants you because of the curse?”
I looked away, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my dress.
“And if I wasn’t your mate?” I asked quietly. “Would you still have saved me?”
Silence.
I felt his body tense beside me. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, but no less intense.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But you are my mate, Isabella. And that means you are mine to protect.”
I wanted to push him away. I wanted to demand answers, to scream that I wasn’t just some responsibility he had to bear. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that made my resolve crumble.
Fear.
Not for himself. For me. I exhaled shakily.
“I don’t know how to be someone’s mate, Alessandro. I don’t even know who I am outside of Hell’s Pit.” His fingers brushed against mine, hesitant yet firm.
“Then let me help you find out.”
A lump formed in my throat. No one had ever said that to me before. No one had ever cared enough to offer me a future beyond the pain.
I nodded slowly, my fingers tightening around his.
For the first time in a long time, I felt a sliver of hope.
\---
Later that evening, as the sky darkened into shades of indigo and gold, I found myself sitting on the balcony of my room, staring at the horizon. The garden was bathed in moonlight, its beauty even more ethereal at night.
I still couldn’t wrap my head around everything. Being here. Being free. Being Alessandro’s mate.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called softly.
The door opened, and Alessandro stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
“You’re awake.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” He nodded as if he understood, then walked over to the chair beside me, settling in with a quiet sigh. We sat in silence for a long moment, the night air cool against our skin.
Then, he spoke.
“I know this isn’t easy for you.” I turned to look at him.
“What?”
“Being here. Being with me.” His fingers tapped against the armrest of the chair. “I won’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through, Isabella. But I want you to know that you’re not alone anymore.”
Something inside me cracked at his words.
I had spent so long feeling alone, so long believing that no one would ever fight for me. And yet, here was Alessandro, offering me a place by his side.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat.
“Thank you,” I whispered. His gaze softened.
“Get some rest.” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “I’ll be right here if you need me.” I nodded, feeling a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the night air.
Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I thought.