ISABELLE'S POV

The hallway was shrouded in darkness, the faint moonlight filtering through the large windows, casting ghostly shadows along the walls. My heart hammered in my chest, the tension in the air thick and suffocating. I stood frozen, barely breathing, as Gabriel’s sharp voice echoed through the silence once more, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Who’s there?”

I swallowed hard, the coldness of the hallway seeping into my bones. Gathering every ounce of courage I had left, I stepped forward, letting the dim light fall over my face. Gabriel’s piercing gaze locked onto mine, and for a brief moment, I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes before he quickly masked it with his usual cold, detached expression.

“Isabelle,” he said, his voice softening slightly, though there was still a hint of suspicion lingering beneath his words. “What are you doing down here at this hour?”

I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat, willing my voice to stay steady. “I couldn’t sleep. I came down to get some water.” My gaze flicked to Charlotte, who stood just behind Gabriel, her eyes gleaming with malice. She wore a faint, triumphant smirk that made my stomach churn.

Gabriel furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. “Did you hear anything?”

My heart skipped a beat, but I shook my head, my voice betraying none of the anxiety building within me. “No. I just got here.”

Charlotte exhaled dramatically, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “We didn’t mean to disturb you, Isabelle. Gabriel and I were just finishing up.”

I couldn’t suppress the tightening of my jaw, my eyes narrowing as I met Gabriel’s gaze. “Finishing up what?”

The smirk on Charlotte’s face faltered for just a split second before Gabriel intervened, his tone deceptively casual. “We had a late meeting with Charlotte’s pack. It ran longer than expected, and she wanted to stop by for tea before heading home.”

My eyes flicked to the table near them. It was empty—no cups, no teapot, no signs of warmth lingering in the air. My stomach churned at the blatant lie, but I forced my face to remain neutral, unwilling to let them see how badly they had rattled me.

“Tea at three in the morning?” I asked softly, my voice edged with something I couldn’t quite hide.

Charlotte bristled at my tone, but Gabriel quickly placed a hand on her arm, silencing her before she could respond. “You’ve been looking exhausted lately, Isabelle,” he said, his voice taking on an almost kind tone. “You should take a break. Why don’t you spend the day outside tomorrow? Get some fresh air, clear your mind.”

I stared at him, my instincts screaming that something was off. But I nodded, forcing a faint smile onto my lips. “Maybe I will.”

Gabriel’s shoulders relaxed as though he had won some small victory. He smiled, though it was far too faint to be genuine. “Good. You’ll feel better.”

Charlotte gave me one last look, smug and satisfied, before brushing past me. Gabriel followed closely behind her, his eyes flicking back to me with a last, dismissive glance. “You should go back to bed,” he said before disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.

I stood there for a long moment, my hands trembling at my sides. My breath came out in shallow gasps as I glanced back at the empty table. The pieces clicked together, and my suspicion solidified into certainty. Whatever Gabriel and Charlotte were doing, it wasn’t just a late-night meeting.

The first rays of sunlight streamed through my curtains the next morning, but they offered me no comfort. I couldn’t shake the weight of the conversation, and the unease in my chest only grew as the day wore on. The warmth of the crescent pendant around my neck felt distant, like a memory that was slipping further from my grasp.

Unable to sleep, I was already dressed by the time Yna arrived in the kitchen. She smiled when she saw me, setting a tray of bread and fruit down on the table.

“You’re up early,” she said, her tone light, but I could see the concern in her eyes.

“Couldn’t sleep,” I admitted, sinking into one of the chairs. “Yna, do you know if anything’s happening tomorrow?”

Yna froze, her hands hovering over the tray as her expression shifted to something guarded. She avoided meeting my gaze, and I could feel the unease twisting in my stomach.

“Why do you ask?” she said, her voice carefully neutral.

The unease inside me tightened, and I forced myself to keep my tone even. “Gabriel suggested I go out tomorrow. Said I needed fresh air. It felt… odd.”

Yna hesitated before finally letting out a long sigh. “You’re not going to like this, Belle.”

“Tell me,” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

She glanced around, as if making sure no one else was nearby, before leaning in closer. “It’s an engagement party. For Gabriel and Charlotte.”

ISABELLE'S POV

The Ironclaw Packhouse gleamed with opulence, a testament to Eleonor’s meticulous planning for her son’s engagement banquet. The grand ballroom buzzed with the hum of pack members and allies, all adorned in their finest attire. The entire event screamed excess, a show of wealth and status. Gabriel’s mother had spared no expense, determined to elevate Charlotte’s position as the future Luna, and everyone in the room could feel it.

I stood in the shadows, unnoticed, tucked away in a corner of the bustling hall. A headscarf concealed my face, and Yna had worked her magic to mask my scent, ensuring I could slip through undetected. Yet, despite the cover, I could feel the weight of the betrayal pressing on my chest, heavy and suffocating.

“Isabelle, if they recognize you…” Yna whispered urgently, clutching my arm with a tight grip. “They’ll tear you apart. Everyone thinks Gabriel sent you away on vacation.”

“Vacation?” I repeated, my voice laced with bitterness. “I guess betrayal comes with perks now.”

I couldn’t help but watch them all—their laughter, their insincere smiles. The echoes of conversation floated around me, their words sharp and venomous.

“Did you hear about the royal family’s bounty?” a woman murmured to her companion.

“Yes,” the man replied, his voice dropping. “They’re desperate to find the prince’s murderer. William may have been a scoundrel, but his death embarrassed the kingdom.”

“Scoundrel is an understatement,” another voice chimed in. “He gambled away fortunes and seduced countless women. Honestly, his death feels like karma.”

The mention of William’s name sent a chill through me. I hadn’t been able to process his death until now—my eldest brother, a cruel man who had caused me more pain than I could count. But hearing them talk about him like that… did he deserve to die? Did anyone? The questions gnawed at me, but I forced myself to push them away. There was no time for mourning when I was surrounded by the faces of betrayal.

“Charlotte is perfect—strong, graceful, and from a noble lineage. Isabelle was always… ordinary.”

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my skin. Their words were daggers, cutting through the already fragile remnants of my pride. But it wasn’t just the guests who mocked me—Eleonor, Gabriel’s mother, joined in with a venomous edge in her voice.

“I’ve never approved of Isabelle,” she said, sipping her champagne. “She was always beneath us. Charlotte will give us the Alpha heir we deserve.”

My vision blurred as I tried to steady my breathing. The pain of their words stabbed deeper than I ever thought it would. And then Eleonor spoke again, her voice sweet and calculating as she placed a hand on Charlotte’s arm.

“Charlotte, my dear,” she cooed, her eyes gleaming with false affection, “I can’t wait to see my grandchild. I hope you conceive the Alpha heir soon.”

The words felt like a slap across my face. My own child, the one I had lost, the only thing that had connected me to any semblance of a future, was gone. The grief surged within me, choking off any semblance of composure. I gripped my stomach, my nails digging into my flesh as I fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

“Isabelle,” Yna urged again, her voice thick with panic. “Please, let’s leave. You don’t need to do this.”

But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t leave. I was done. Done with hiding. Done with playing the fool. I pulled my arm from her grasp, my voice low but laced with steel. “No. I’ve had enough. If they want to celebrate, let me give them something to remember.”

And with that, the final thread snapped.

I stepped forward, my scarf slipping from my head. Gasps rippled through the crowd as whispers spread like wildfire, until the room fell into stunned silence. I didn’t need to say another word; the recognition was instantaneous.

“Isabelle?”

“I thought she was on vacation!”

“What is she doing here?”

The murmurs were laced with disbelief, some tinged with disdain. My presence had spoiled their perfect evening. Gabriel was at my side in an instant, his face a mixture of anger and shock, his hand gripping my arm tightly.

“Isabelle,” he hissed, his voice low and furious. “What are you doing here? You told me you were leaving today.”

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Did I? I must’ve changed my mind.” I scanned the room, my gaze narrowing as I found his mother across the way. “What’s this party for, Alpha? You didn’t mention it when you suggested I take a vacation.”

Before Gabriel could respond, Eleonor stepped forward, her lips curling into a sneer, her voice sharp. “Yes, Isabelle, you’re not allowed here!” she spat. “Can’t you see this party isn’t for a lowly omega like you?”

My shoulders squared as I lifted my chin, my voice steady, yet brimming with defiance. “I didn’t realize an omega, who was the long-term girlfriend of the alpha, needed permission to be in her own pack’s party. Or does that only apply to me?”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick as I locked eyes with Eleonor.

“You’ve always been insolent,” she sneered. “What should we expect from a she-wolf with a lowly background, after all? Are you that desperate for my son’s wealth and power?”

My blood boiled, but I kept my voice cold, every word dripping with venom. “Don't mirror your greed to me, old hag.”

The room buzzed with shock, but Eleonor was beyond reason now. She raised her hand, and before I could react, the sting of her slap burned across my cheek.

I staggered back, my heart racing, but I didn’t fall. Straightening, I met her furious gaze, unflinching. “You can hit me, Eleonor, but it won’t change the fact that you’re a greedy old hag.”

Her face darkened with rage, her voice trembling as she screamed, “Gabriel, I want her banished! Banished this instant! Guards, remove this insolent omega!”

The guards moved toward me, their hands reaching out to grab me, but before they could lay a hand on me, a voice rang out from the corner of the room.

“By the Moon Goddess!” the elderly man gasped, his voice breaking through the rising chaos. “The princess with the ice bloodline has been revealed!”

The room fell into stunned silence as all eyes turned to him. The man held up a newspaper, and on its front page was a portrait of a woman—her features strikingly similar to mine.

Whispers erupted all around me, the murmurs growing louder as people compared the portrait to my face.

“Doesn’t this look like Isabelle?” someone shouted, pointing at me.

Gabriel was attracted by the murmurs.

When his gaze turned to the portrait, his blood ran cold.