55

ALINA

Lisa was borderline hysterical after getting confirmation that the last time Isaiah had been seen was right after he left her place.

Alexander’s men had picked him up and no one had heard from him since.

She was desperate for answers. I followed her through parts of the house I hadn’t even known existed, struggling to keep up while she hunted down anyone who might know anything. The further we went, the more anxious I got. I kept glancing behind us, scared Alexander would return and find me wandering. That would definitely get me in trouble.

I was just about to suggest going back when someone stepped into the kitchen. Lisa had mentioned the staff there were kind, that they’d shared the first piece of information we’d heard about Isaiah. Maybe they could tell us more.

As soon as the man walked in, the room went still. All the soft conversation about Isaiah, the speculation, nervous guesses, immediately stopped. Eyes snapped to the doorway. A few people exchanged sharp glances, like they were expecting something worse to follow behind him.

I’d never seen the man before, but it was obvious he knew who I was. His eyes landed on me and widened in surprise.

“What are you doing down here?” he asked.

I just stared at him, unsure how to respond. Was he talking to me?

He was staring right at me, so yes. But I didn’t understand why he seemed so thrown. It’s not like he even knew me.

At least, I didn’t know him.

“Yes, you,” he repeated, stepping closer. “Does the Alpha know you’re down here?”

Before I could fumble out a response, Lisa stepped between us and said firmly, “She’s with me.”

At the sight of her, something in his expression softened. His shoulders relaxed just a bit. He sighed and stepped farther into the kitchen, then gently shut the door behind him. Before letting it close fully, he peeked outside like he was checking for someone. He seemed mildly relieved but it didn’t last.

“You know she’s not supposed to be down here,” he said in a low voice, rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to shake off a bad thought. “If the Alpha finds out, he’ll lose it. He’s already in a mood.”

“I know,” Lisa said. “But I couldn’t leave her alone.”

She turned and gave my hand a small squeeze. I tried to offer a smile in return, but it felt tight.

Then she took a step forward. The man held his breath.

“You look tense,” she said, watching him closely.

“I am,” he admitted. “Is Isaiah with the Alpha?”

It wasn’t a question. And the way he exhaled like he’d been holding it in confirmed that he knew. Not just about where Isaiah was, but about everything else too.

“I warned you,” he muttered.

Lisa shook her head, her jaw tightening. “Jason,” she said.

He flinched a little when she repeated his name, like it hurt to hear her say it.

“Just tell me,” she said softly. “Is he alive? Is he in trouble… because of me?”

Her voice cracked on the last part. And the pain in it? It tore something inside me.

I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to hug her. Even though I knew it wouldn’t help. This wasn’t the kind of ache you could fix with comfort.

I’d lost my whole family. First my blood, then the ones who became family. All gone by Alexander’s hand. So yeah, I understood this kind of fear. It stays with you.

Something head lodged in my throat.

“He’s alive,” Jason said at last. Then, after a pause that stretched too long, “But maybe not for much longer.”

He looked toward the door again. It didn’t sound like anyone was close. Still, he didn’t relax.

“He’s not in trouble because of you,” Jason added. “It might be something else.”

“I don’t think the Alpha would kill his cousin,” someone said from near the stove.

Miguel. The cook. Kind faced, early thirties, always smelled like something good was baking. He made Alexander’s food and mine. I’d once told him everything he made was too good and that he was ruining my figure.

He’d grinned wide and told me that meant he was doing his job right. That moment had stayed with me longer than I expected. It was rare for someone in this house to feel… genuinely kind.

Now, his usual cheer was gone. He looked like a man trying to hold on to optimism with both hands.

“Not if he thinks family betrayed him,” Jason said bluntly.

It was the first time I’d seen him, and something about him felt heavy. Not mean, just tired. Like life had worn him down over time.

“What did Isaiah even do?” a maid asked.

“He wouldn’t betray the Alpha,” another maid said quickly. “He always talks about him like he’s everything. Like he wants to be just like him.”

Jason shrugged. “I don’t know what he’s being accused of. But the Alpha’s pissed. Isaiah panicked and tried to run, which only made him look worse. Now he’s locked downstairs under heavy guard.”

“He just left,” I offered, feeling awkward. “Alexander, I mean. It seemed urgent.”

Jason turned to me, eyebrows raised. “I didn’t know that. I’ve been posted at the far gate. I just got back.”

Then his gaze shifted back to Lisa. And it change. Now warmer and softer.

“I’ll ask someone I trust,” he said. “Someone who won’t report back.”

“Please,” she whispered.

His eyes glazed over as he mindlinked someone. Lisa clung to my hand like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

He came back to us seconds later and the look on his face told me we didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“He’s being questioned,” Jason said.

Silence fell like a weight.

“But… he’s alive,” I said. “Isn’t that better than we thought?”

Lisa shook her head, tears brimming. “If the Alpha’s questioning him, then he’s as good as dead.”

And just like that, she turned and ran from the room, her sobs trailing behind her.

I started after her, but Jason stopped me with a quiet, “Let me go. I’ve got her.”

I hesitated, watching him go. His concern for her was obvious but his concern for Isaiah? That was harder to read. I couldn’t be the only one who noticed that.

A soft hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see Jane, one of the kitchen maids.

“She’s his younger sister,” Jane said, answering the question I hadn’t even asked aloud. “Jason’s also close with Isaiah. But he never wanted them together.”

“Don’t say that, Jane,” another maid interjected. “Jason’s just being protective. Isaiah had baggage when he came here. I’d be nervous if my sister was involved with him too.”

And that was it. Conversation over.

I got one answer. But ten new questions rose up to replace it. I doubted I’d ever get to the bottom of all this.

“I should take you back,” Jane said, squeezing my shoulder once before letting go. “Before the Alpha comes back and explodes.”

The others nodded in agreement, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were just a little too eager to see me gone.

I forced a polite smile, pretending not to notice. I didn’t know my way back anyway.