Chapter 3

Isabella's POV 

I had totally forgotten that there was another reason why I had run away from home…my father also wanted me to marry someone. Last I remember, I think he'd already arranged a young King for me. 

I never got to know who the person was or what kingdom he came from and that was because I was not interested. I wanted a real love life and not some political arrangement where my heart had no say. Besides, marrying a King meant that we would have to merge the kingdoms, which equated to me having to deal with so much royal stuff.

I heaved a deep sigh, raking my hands through my hair. I couldn't believe we were still talking about marriage, especially after walking away from one in ruins. 

“I'm sorry, Isabella, I can't allow you to rule this kingdom without a support system…”

I did not even let my father finish as I suddenly said, “I'll do it. I'll get married to whoever you've arranged for me.” 

I didn't really think about it but I agreed, hoping that whoever my father wanted me to marry would be like one of those male leads who wanted nothing to do with the female lead…cold, distant, and completely uninterested, so we could both go our separate ways and live our lives without ever having to truly play the role of husband and wife.

My father's features lit up, and the brightest smile I'd ever seen crept up to his face as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. On one ring, the call was answered, and my father said, “Get ready, son, my daughter is back and has agreed to marry you!”

Soon, dinner was over and my father didn't end the phone call as he continued rambling with his friends about how he was going to have grandpups soon. 

My stomach churned at the thought—grandpups? He didn’t even know I’d been married before and couldn't even conceive for unknown reasons and now here he was, planning my future like the past never happened.

I forced a smile and then walked out of the dining room, my heart heavy as I remembered how badly I wanted a child with Brandon. 

I reached my room and tried to sleep but I couldn't as my thoughts kept going back to Brandon and Stella. What were they doing at the moment? Were they having dinner like a real couple or were they in the room having sex? 

I clenched my jaw as I remembered that I legit watched my ex husband cum inside another woman. “I hate him! I hated both of them and I can't wait to show them that I'm not so boring!” I muttered bitterly, then went outside to look for fresh air. 

***

The next day came so quickly and in a blink of an eye, it was evening too and I began preparing for dinner with my soon to be husband. I've tried asking my father about him, but he kept the man's name to himself, saying he didn't want to ruin the surprise and that he was sure I was going to like him. 

I had to stop myself from scoffing because I was very certain that I wouldn't ever see men as humans ever again. Animals…they should be classified as animals. 

In no time, dinner was ready and I was sitting in the dining room waiting for my soon-to-be husband. They were not late but I was annoyed at the fact that they couldn't even try to be much earlier. 

Before I could let out a frustrated sigh, the door opened and a man who looked my father's age walked in. I looked behind, expecting to see the son… the young king, but I saw no one and I let out an irritated scoff. 

But before I could jump to the conclusion that he could not make it, a dangerously handsome man walked into the room. My jaw dropped and my pupils dilated as I stared at the man who looked like a demigod. Fuck he was so huge and tall I could already picture myself fitting perfectly into his chest. 

Wait, what the heck?! I wasn't supposed to be admiring any man. The pretty ones are always the dangerous ones! The man turned to face me, and my heart skipped a beat, but my expression was rigid. 

Everything was going well, my father and his friend were engaging in a lively conversation, laughing over old memories and political nonsense, while I sat quietly, pretending not to notice the intense gaze the demigod of a man kept throwing my way. Then, all of a sudden, I heard my father say, “Come on, Isabella, are you not going to say hi to King Kaelion Thorn?”

My eyes widened and I snapped my head towards him. Kealon Thorn? As in the mysterious King of Broodwin City? As in the King above Alpha Brandon's pack? The man Brandon secretly worshipped and couldn't wait to meet? 

I smirked. Oh, this was going to be fun. Seems the moon goddess is on my side and I was already thinking about how I would teach Brandon and Stella a lesson after rising to power. Imagine marrying the one person Brandon and Stella admired? 

I cleared my throat and then stretched out my hand for a handshake. “Forgive my manners, King Kealon. There's just been so much going on in my head.”

“It's fine.” He said in a stern tone as he grabbed my hand firmly. Maybe it was just me, but he held my hand longer than he should, his eyes swirling with emotions I couldn't name. 

After my small ‘talk’ with King Kealon, the elders went on to blab more about business things. The topic dragged on for long and I started getting bored. However, King Kealon suddenly said, “Can I use the restroom?”

My father turned to me with a smile, “Go on darling, show your husband to the restroom.” 

I forced a small smile as I stood up gracefully. “Of course,” I said, gesturing for King Kealon to follow. As I led him out of the room, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his stare on my back. What was he staring at? My ass? Nah, I was feeling his gaze on my head. 

When we were far from the elders and in a quiet hallway, I snapped my head in his direction and our eyes instantly met. My breath hitched as I only just noticed that he had insanely gorgeous blue eyes that were similar to Brandon’s. 

“Is there a problem princess?” He asked, surely noticing that I was staring at him like my eyes could shoot out daggers. 

“I don't want this marriage and I know you don't.” I began, deciding to go straight to the point. I would not allow his insanely handsome self to distract me from my main focus. “So, I'm making a deal with you now. We go through with the marriage to keep our families and the council satisfied, but behind closed doors, we live our own lives. You don’t interfere with mine, and I won’t interfere with yours. Deal?” I stretched my hand for a handshake, very certain that he would accept the deal. 

However, to my shock, he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to his chest as he whispered. “What if I tell you that I was the one who set this marriage up three years ago?”