Chapter One

His touch wasn't hurried, it was slow, sensual and deliberate . It was gentle, searching almost reverent as if he was handling a precious gem that could get destroyed even if a little bit of pressure was added.

She felt her pulse rise, not from fear but from pure pleasure and recognition. She yearned for this, for his touch and she's been yearning for ages.

She turned away, heart pounding realizing this wasn't just desire, it was something deeper and intriguing. Something she wished could last but something felt off, different and she couldn't point out what it was. She very much knew she wanted this but something inside her was repelling it.

He watched her in silence knowing the line they'd cross.

A knock at the door shattered the moment. Maybe she knew or maybe she remembered she wasn't supposed to be there. The room felt smaller now, suffocating, too quiet.

Her heartbeat slowed but her thoughts refused to. She wasn't sure what scared her more, what they had just done or how wonderful it felt but wrong at the same time with guilt gnawing at her. chest .

The knock sounded again and she froze for a second, her breath catching halfway between panic and guilt.

"Sweetheart? Isa? Can I come in? " her mother's voice came through the door.

" Go and find a place to hide" Isabella said to him.

"Are you sure? You don't need to worry, I can handle this" he replied. " Just relax - she cut him off " hurry up and hide

The doorknob cracked .

He slipped into the shadows behind the curtains just as the door creaked open. Her mother peeking through the small opening at the door, her eyes scanning the room.

"You didn't respond" her mother said frowning " We need to talk now and it's urgent "

Swallowing hard, she forced a shaky and nervous laugh " Sorry, I was just thinking about something and didn't realize you were knocking"

Her mother sighed and fully entered the room closing the door behind her. " It's related to something serious and you're not going to like it"

There was something heavy in her mother's eyes, the kind of look that always meant bad news.

"Have a seat" her mother said to her .

She hesitated but reluctantly perched at the edge of her bed trying so hard not to glance at the curtain behind which he was still hiding, barely breathing careful not to make a sound .

Her mother sighed heavily rubbing her palms together as if trying to find the right words to use

I didn't want to tell you this , not yet" she begun. But things have changed and I have no control over how things happen here. Your father's decision stands and the family alliance is happening.

Her chest tightened"Alliance ?"

"Yes" her mother's voice came out low and cautious. Your father has agreed to unite our family with the Blackthorn pack. Their Alpha's son will take over after the alliance and...she paused looking straight into her daughter's eyes " you're expected to stand by his side"

She blinked, processing what her mother haa just said " you mean marriage!?"Her mother nodded " It's the only way to make peace continue to reign" The council has already been informed.

The atmosphere shifted. Behind her she could almost hear the faintest rustle from behind the curtain, the sound of him shifting from behind the curtain realizing the meaning behind the issue that was being discussed.

PEACE, ALLIANCE, MARRIAGE

Three words that was going to be a turnover in Isabella's life.

She forced a shaky and nervous laugh. " You can't be serious mother, I don't even know him "

" I wish it didn't have to happen this way my child " her mother whispered, eyes soft with guilt. " But your father has made up his mind, and you know he never listens to anything I say. Your father's stubborn, he believes this is the only way to protect the us all".

For a moment, silence swallowed both of them.

Then came the ache, slow, sharp and burning. Because she wasn't only loosing her freedom but she was loosing him as well. She was loosing her love.

Her mother's words hung in the air, thick and unbearable. For a brief moment, she couldn't breathe and then something inside her snapped.

"Protect us?" she said her voice trembling with disbelief. " By selling me off to someone I don't even know?"

" Watch your tone young lady " her mother warned softly. " Believe me when I say I don't want this to happen my dear, it isn't easy for me either".

" Easy" Isabella stood up anger flushing on her cheeks "you're sitting there telling me my own life has already been decided as if I'm just a tool or some bargaining chip in one of father's deals!"

Her mother flinched, " you don't understand the danger we're in. The council is growing relentless, there have been threats- "

" I don't give a fuck about politics " she cut in voice cracking. " What about my life and what I want?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Her mother's shoulders sagged, tiredness evident on her face. " Sometimes what we want does not matter my love, not when the safety of the entire pack depends on our choices"

" That's not choice mother, that's control “

Her mother's jaw tightened, "you'll understand one day"

Tears stung at her eyes. "No" she said quietly but firmly. " I don't think I ever will. I don't think I will ever understand why I'm forced to be with someone I don't know or like. I don't think I ever will understand why I'm forced to choose other people over my own life and happiness " Isabella replied with tears streaming down her face.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke with things unsaid... Love, Duty and betrayal all tangled together.

Finally her mother turned towards the door "The Ceremony will be announced next Friday, don't make this harder than it already is Isa" her mother declared

And with that she left shutting the door.