Chapter 36 CHAPTER 36
The car hummed softly as it rolled out of the city, and Isabel pressed her palm against the cool window, watching the streets she’d known for so long blur into the distance. Her stomach fluttered with a thousand nervous butterflies. Not the happy kind - the kind that came when your whole life was changing, and you weren’t sure if you’d made the right choice.
She tried not to think about Pauline and Alina, but her thoughts found them anyway. Pauline had been more than an employer - she’d been the closest thing to a mother Isabel had known since hers disappeared. When her mother had stopped leaving the bed, it was Pauline who slipped groceries into Isabel’s hands, who told her to come by the café and help in the evenings. Pauline never said it out loud, but Isabel knew she’d kept her on the payroll long after she stopped needing help just so Isabel could eat.
And Alina… Alina had been the big sister she never had, before Cindy came along. The three of them - Pauline, Alina, and her -had built a quiet rhythm together at the café. Morning coffee, whispered stories, laughter shared over spilled milk. Saying goodbye had been harder than she’d expected. Pauline’s hug had lingered, and Alina’s tearful smile had nearly broken her resolve.
She blinked hard now, forcing the images away as she glanced at Cindy seated beside her in the car. Cindy’s gaze was fixed on the road, her fingers tightly clasped on her lap. Ahead of them, Ethan and Liam occupied the front seats - Ethan calm and silent, Liam focused on the drive.
The car smelled faintly of pine and new leather. Isabel sat up straighter, trying to look braver than she felt.
“So…” she started, voice bright with forced cheer, “do I start calling you Your Highness now, or do you prefer your grace, or your shiny –majesty- of the moonlight?”
Cindy groaned. “Please don’t start.”
Ethan chuckled, the sound quiet but unmistakably amused. “You’ll actually have to call her Princess soon,” he said, not turning around. “There will be a proper coronation. The people deserve to meet their long-lost royal.”
Isabel’s eyes widened in exaggerated shock. “A coronation? Wow.”
Cindy swatted her arm. “Stop it.”
Ethan’s shoulders lifted slightly, a ghost of a laugh caught in his throat. “There’s training waiting for her,” he added. “Lessons in etiquette, history, combat, and leadership. It’s a lot, but she’ll manage.”
“Training?” Isabel grinned. “Oh, that sounds like fun.”
This time, Liam actually laughed - a brief, surprised sound. Isabel smiled proudly, warmth blooming in her chest. Making people laugh was easier than letting them see how scared she was.
Because she was scared. Terrified, even.
Behind every teasing word, she could feel her pulse racing. She hadn’t even known Cindy for that long. Yet here she was, driving out of the only city she’d ever known, heading toward a kingdom full of Lycans—wolves who could shift, fight, and probably tear her apart in seconds if they wanted. She didn’t want to imagine what that would look like.
She stared out the window again. The city had melted away completely now, replaced by rolling hills and dense forests.
Her thoughts drifted to her mother, uninvited. The image of her sitting at the edge of the bed, lost behind hollow eyes, still haunted her. Depression had taken her piece by piece until one day, she’d just… vanished. Isabel had waited for weeks. Then months. She’d learned that waiting hurt more than moving on.
That was why she joked. Because if she stopped laughing, she might drown. And maybe end up like her mother.
She glanced at Ethan. There was something about him - something solid. Safe. Even though he was Lycan, his calm presence eased her nerves. But she noticed the way his fingers tapped lightly against his knee, as if to a rhythm only he could hear. Maybe even kings had storms inside them.
When he caught her gaze through the rearview mirror, he offered a faint smile. It was brief, but it was enough.
She exhaled softly. “I hope I don’t end up being eaten by wolves,” she whispered under her breath.
Cindy turned. “What?”
“You’re going to be princess. I’m just worried I may end up being a meal on a plate.”
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “You’ll be fine, Isabel. No one will harm you. We do not make meals out of our guests.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Your Majesty, I forgot to pack my peper spray.” she said, feigning humuor.
The road curved, and the trees began to thin. Ahead, the landscape opened into something vast and breathtaking. Stone towers rose in the distance, their walls climbing with ivy. Golden banners fluttered in the breeze. The gates - tall and wrought in silver - swung open as their convoy approached, and guards lined the driveway, bowing as Ethan’s car passed.
Isabel’s jaw fell open slightly. “They bow like that all the time?” she whispered.
“I think so,” Cindy murmured.
Inside, Isabel’s heart was thudding so loudly she was sure even the wolves could hear it. The place looked like something out of a fairy tale - a dangerous one.
The car slowed to a stop before a massive arched doorway. When Liam opened the door for them, cool mountain air swept in, carrying the scent of cedar and stone. Isabel stepped out hesitantly, blinking at the grand staircase, the carved pillars, the enormous chandeliers that glimmered beyond the open doors.
Ethan gestured for them to follow. “You’ll get to know the people later,” he said. “First, let’s take you to the house.”
The hallways stretched endlessly, filled with portraits of Lycans in royal attire - past rulers, ancestors, faces marked with power. Isabel could feel eyes on her as they walked - servants whispering, guards nodding, curious gazes flicking to her human scent.
Her skin prickled. She’d never felt more out of place.
When they finally reached two adjoining rooms, Ethan stopped. “These are yours,” he said, turning to Tomas. “Make sure they have everything they need.”
The rooms were breathtaking - high ceilings, embroidered curtains, soft beds, and ornate mirrors that reflected the glow of golden lamps. Isabel stared around, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
“This room is bigger than my entire apartment,” she whispered to herself.
Cindy looked toward Ethan, her voice gentle. “Can we share a room for now? I think it would make things easier. Isabel’s not used to this place yet.”
Ethan paused, then nodded. “As you wish.”
Isabel blinked. “Wait… we can share?”
“Yes. Just for now,” Cindy said.
Something inside her unclenched, a knot she hadn’t even realized was there. She felt tears threaten but quickly covered them with humor. “Good. Because sleeping alone in a castle full of wolves sounded like the start of a horror movie.”
Cindy rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“Admit it,” Isabel said softly, looking around the grand room that was now theirs. “I make a pretty great sidekick.”
Cindy smiled - an honest, warm smile.
As the servants slipped quietly away, Isabel walked to the balcony. The night air brushed against her skin, cool and sweet, carrying the sound of distant waterfalls. She looked out at the sweeping gardens, the watchtowers, the moonlit hills.
Somewhere behind her, Cindy unpacked her bag. Isabel closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
She thought of Pauline and Alina again. Of the tiny café, the smell of roasted beans, the laughter that had carried her through some of her darkest days. Thank you, she whispered inwardly. For being my family when I had none.
Now, everything was different. Terrifying, yes - but maybe new beginnings always were.
She turned back toward Cindy and smiled faintly. Maybe this was the start of something better. Maybe the gods hadn’t forgotten her after all.