Chapter Four: Marked For Betrayal

Isabella's POV 

“I didn't want to have to do this, but you forced this ending,” I said, my voice hoarse, rolling my eyeballs to look at him.

His face was pale; his expression was blank as I stood before the ungrateful creatures I had once considered family.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat, taking a step back, glancing at my mate one last time.

Before I could say anything else, Cassian's father, Alpha Zachary, walked in

“ Release her now,” Alpha Zachary ordered, his deep voice resonating in the room, silencing everyone.

They loosened their grip on me stepping backwards as they bowed their heads.

“ My child, I came as soon as I heard. I'm so sorry.” he looked at me with pity in his eyes, stretching his hand to touch my hair.

I melted in his touch, as this was the only person from whom I received warmth. 

“ Come with me,” his voice was soft, his touch was gentle, which made my anger vanish without a trace.

He led me to the back yard, slowly walking side by side with me, the cool breeze brushing against our skin.

This man adopted me. The only light in my life.

“My wife and my son wronged you but I care. Please don't leave,” he mumbled softly, begging me to stay.

“I swear I will help you avenge your family” he whispered.

“ I'm grateful Alpha Zachary. I'm so grateful, but I must go, my eyes beaming with gratitude.

“Darling I warn you. Do not incite my anger” he grinned wickedly, running a finger along my jaw.

My blood ran cold.

“ What do you mean?” My voice broke out in a sweat as I struggled to process his words.

“Ten years ago I saved you from ruin. Have you forgotten? He snapped with anger.

“Of course I have not forgotten that Cassian betrayed me, and Amelia hates me,” I blurted out, my voice cracking.

“You promised me revenge when I came of age, that time is now,” I said, my tone soft.

He narrowed his eyes adjusting his sleeves.

He gripped my shoulder forcefully placing me in a chokehold with a smile playing on his lips 

“You lied” I gritted my teeth glaring at him

“Let me go,” I muttered as tears glistened in my eyes, staring at his crimson eyes.

“Where's your civility?”I inquired as he gazed into my eyes.

“Do you have any idea how powerful your enemies are?” His expression darkened low and dangerous, as if they were cutting through me.

He released me abruptly as he stormed out of my sight leaving me utterly alone.

I stumbled backwards gasping for air, my head spinning as many thoughts lingered in my mind.

“I'm sorry, Father, they never saw me as their own,” I cried out my chest tightened in pain 

“I was blind to have trusted him, but I'm still too weak to avenge you,” I murmured, holding the necklace which curled around my neck.

It was the last thing the keepsake my father left me before vanishing away from this cruel world.

“ I must speak with Zachary. He is the one who raised me after all,” I thought to myself, using the tip of my fingers to wipe the tears that had stained my cheeks.

I strode inside the passageway and could hear murmurs erupting behind the closed door pointing in the direction of Alpha Zachary's room.

I climbed the staircase, my heart racing as I got nearer to the door.

“How dare you? Don't ever lie to me, Zachary. “I heard a woman's voice, which echoed in the passageway like a dagger cutting through the air.

“Why have you been keeping her here? Who is Isabella? Tell me the truth at once,” the woman demanded, and I instantly recognized the voice belonged to Amelia who was Cassian's mother.

“Fine, I didn't mean to hide the truth, but nobody else can know this.” His tone was cold.

“What I'm getting ready to tell you is that she is worth a lot more than her wealth. More than wealth,” he said. My eyes widened at the realization which made me stop in my tracks.

My breath hitched.

I swallowed hard and kicked the door instantly barging in.

He turned to look at me.

“ What are you doing here? He demanded

You hypocrite.You thief, liar. I hope you rot in hell,” my voice cut through the air.

“ Enough” he roared as he glared at me bitterly.

I chewed on my lips, bitterness tasting on my tongue like iron.

“I'm leaving,” I blurted out, my heart breaking as their discussion kept replaying in my head.

“This is a plot twist I didn't see coming. But now that you have heard it all, leaving won't be that easy,” he snickered, a smirk tugging on his lips.

His brow was knitted with irritation as he faced me.

I never imagined that the man who had once showered me with love and care was a devil hidden in the shadows.

“Why don't you try and stop me?” I spat dashing out of the room.

I descended the stairs, and my eyes landed on Cassian eagerly waiting for me.

“If you leave now, you can never return,” Cassian warned, staring at me with cold eyes.

“Return? I was never wanted in the first place,” I scoffed, my voice barely audible as he stood before me.

“Your family imprisoned me for ten years. Now that we are no longer mates, I'm taking back everything that is mine,” I declared.

“Without her money, I cannot fulfill my wedding promises to Lisa,” Cassian thought to himself.

“You can have one hundred thousand dollars, but no more than that,” he sneered, his expression unreadable as his eyes filled with greed.

“That's very generous. You should be grateful, “Zachary snapped, my eyes blazing his words, cutting through my bones, striding into the hall.

“One hundred thousand dollars. What a jest Mere scraps of my family's fortune” I shouted 

“Zachary vowed to guard it. Yet you dare try and steal it now?” 

“If you’re unhappy, you can always sue me in court, but no one will believe a word you say,” Zachary said mockingly his voice cold and merciless devoid of compassion 

“Why don't you stay and become my lover?”Cassian leaned forward, his hand resting on my shoulders.

You need to reconsider your actions, Isabella.

I'm willing to give you a second chance “ he chuckled darkly.

“Save it, “ I replied coldly, shooting him a withering glare.

“Beg the moon goddess for forgiveness for your thieving hands and lying heart”

“Silence, “ Alpha Zachary shouted, his crimson eyes blazing fiercely like a hot furnace.

“You have no idea who you're speaking to” he clenched his jaw as my eyes filled with hatred.

Disgust swept through me and my eyes flickered at his statement.

“ It's not too late Isabella,” Cassian said with a smile playing on his lips.

An invisible force surged through me forcing him against the wall.

“Who are you and why do you have such power? Cassian blurted trying to free himself from my grip.

Heat enveloped his body as his face became pale.

“When did you learn this? And why hide it? You‘ve never truly known who I am” I met his gaze.

“Are you mad Isabella? Attacking my son, your future alpha?”Zachary screamed as he shoved me against the wall brimming with rage.

“Guards grab her,” he barked.

“ Don't touch me,” I warned, my voice echoing like a tidal wave.

Before they could take a step, a guard rushed in, his breathing was heavy, and sweat popped on his forehead.

“Alpha Zachary urgent matters await. Alpha king is here” The guard announced.