Chapter 26 I’ll Be Back
Isabella’s POV
꧁𓃙𓃠𓃥𓃚꧂
My heart slammed against my ribs as the mask slid even lower down my cheek.
No…
Not now.
Not here.
If Edmund recognized me in the middle of his wedding celebration, everything would explode. Clara would lose her mind. The entire courtyard might fall into chaos.
Then—
“Alpha Edmund! A moment!”
An elder’s sharp voice cut through the tension.
Edmund jerked around instantly, pulled away by duty, ego, whatever it was that always made him run toward attention.
He snapped his head toward the elder. “Yes? What is it?”
The moment he turned, I shoved the mask back into place.
A breath rushed out of me so hard my knees nearly gave out.
Edmund didn’t look back. He strode toward the group of elders, already wearing his proud, I-am-the-center-of-the-universe expression.
Good.
I stepped away quietly before he could return and complete the disaster.
I approached him just long enough to finish the act.
Just long enough to remain invisible.
“Congratulations, Alpha,” I said politely, voice smooth, expression unreadable behind the golden mask.
He glanced at me once—confused, mildly curious, but distracted—and nodded.
“Thank you.”
That was all.
I bowed gently and turned away, leaving the place before my emotions betrayed me. Before my wolf dragged me back to tear out his throat.
I slipped into the crowd, head down, mask in place, breathing steady again.
Safe.
Invisible.
For now.
A shadow suddenly fell across me... Leon approached.
“Stay close,” he said. “We’re leaving soon.”
His tone felt sharper than usual—controlled, focused. Like something had bothered him. Or like someone had. With a flick of his hand, he dismissed the guards and walked away again, not toward the crowd…
But toward the secluded west hall.
Where only one person waited.
Clara.
I knew it!
꧁𓃙𓃠𓃥𓃚꧂
Leon’s POV
The moment I stepped behind the long silk curtains at the back of the courtyard, Clara appeared like a ghost waiting to be summoned.
She'd changed into a black and gold gown. Diamond crown. Painted smile.
Luna Clara.
“Your Majesty,” she breathed, bowing quickly.
Her tone was sweet, almost too sweet. But I didn’t miss the fear tight in her shoulders.
She knew why I was here.
“You asked for me,” she said.
“I didn’t ask,” I corrected coolly. “I summoned. There’s a difference.”
Her throat bobbed.
I stepped closer until she had no choice but to raise her head and look at me. Her eyes flickered—something like fear, something like admiration, something like the kind of desperation traitors carried.
“You were late with your report this week,” I said softly. “Why?”
“M-my King, the pack was preparing for the wedding, there were eyes everywhere—”
“That’s not an excuse.”
She flinched.
“I don’t reward incompetence,” I continued. “And I don’t tolerate stupidity. If you ever think wearing that crown gives you power to disobey me, Clara, I’ll remind you exactly who put you in that position.”
Clara dropped to her knees instantly.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Please. I swear on the Moon Goddess, I would never betray you.”
She sounded terrified—and she should be. I had seen wolves ten times stronger crumble after defying me. Clara knew her life depended on my favor.
That was the only reason she was still breathing.
“Stand,” I ordered.
She rose, hands shaking slightly.
“This is your final warning,” I said. “Watch your tongue. Watch your steps. And don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t,” she whispered. “I serve you. Only you.”
Her devotion was forced, but useful.
“Good,” I said. “Because from this moment onward, everything changes. And you will not act unless I command it.”
Clara bowed so low her crown nearly slipped.
“I understand.”
I didn’t spare her another look. I simply turned and walked out of the hall.
My guards straightened the moment they saw me. And Isabella… she stood where I left her, arms crossed lightly, gaze lowered.
“Let’s go,” I said. “We’re returning to the Redmoon Lycan Palace. The ceremony is over.”
Isabella nodded and followed me toward the waiting carriage.