CHAPTER FOUR

ISABEL

 The heavy timber gates of Rivercrest stood wide open, framing a winding southern road that vanished into the thick forest.

I tightened my grip on the worn leather strap over my shoulder. Everything I owned fit inside that single bag: two plain dresses, a faded shawl, a wooden comb missing half its teeth, and a small wolf carving my old nurse had secretly slipped into my hands on my tenth birthday.

"Every human deserves someone who believes in them," she had whispered before pressing it into my palm.

She was gone now, but that tiny piece of wood was all I had left of someone who had once looked at me with genuine kindness.

The courtyard overflowed with people. Pack members lined both sides of the stone path, speaking in hushed tones as I kept my chin up, my eyes fixed on the muddy gravel. After twenty years of being the pack's disappointment, pretending not to hear had become second nature to me.

Ahead of me waited Fireclaw. Warriors sat perfectly still atop their enormous black horses. Not one spoke. Their silence was disciplined.

Standing at the front was Asher Rowan, the future Alpha.

"Isabel."

Father's deep voice cut across the courtyard.

I turned toward the stone steps where Alpha Darius stood flanked by Mother and Vivian.

I lowered into a curtsy.

"Father."

"From this day forward, you carry Rivercrest's name," he said, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Conduct yourself with dignity. Remember the blood in your veins, and do not bring shame upon this pack."

"I understand, Father."

That was all. No blessing. No embrace. Not even a simple wish for my safety. Disappointment tightened inside my chest, and I hated myself for expecting differently.

Beside him, Vivian folded her arms with a dry, bitter laugh.

"The Moon Goddess truly enjoys cruel jokes," she whispered as she walked toward me, her eyes traveling down my plain blue dress. "The future Alpha of Fireclaw... and he ends up with you. The moment he discovers you're a wolfless failure, he'll send you crawling back."

Mother stepped forward next, tears shimmering in her eyes for the crowd to see as she pulled me into a tight hug.  But her fingers pinched sharply into my skin.

"You had better pray every night," she whispered softly into my ear, her voice cold enough to freeze blood. "If your wolf doesn't awaken before Fireclaw discovers what you are, you'll regret it. No one will protect a wolfless disgrace."

She pulled back, gently wiping away a tear that didn't exist.  "My sweet girl, take care of yourself. You will always have a home here."

Home.  The word felt hollow. Rivercrest had never been a home. It was simply the place that taught me love was conditional. 

Without looking back, I climbed into the waiting carriage. The heavy wooden door shut.

The iron wheels began to turn, and my past slowly disappeared behind me.

The carriage rolled steadily down the winding forest road, its wheels crunching over wet gravel. I stared blankly at the seat opposite me, waiting for my chest to ache.

Instead, there was only a heavy emptiness. Twenty years inside those stone walls, and I was leaving behind nothing that would miss me. I had no friends.

Outside, the Fireclaw escort rode in tight, flawless formation. They didn't chat or laugh, speaking only when necessary. 

Hours passed as daylight faded, stretching long shadows over the narrow road. The forest went dead quiet—not even the birds made a sound. Then, the carriage ground to a halt.

"Form a perimeter!" a warrior shouted outside. "Protect the carriage!"

A terrifying howl broke the silence, answered by several others, and everything turned to chaos. A massive gray wolf burst from the brush toward one of the riders. Before it could strike, a broadsword flashed, its steel bursting into bright flames that lit up the trees.

More attackers charged, but Fireclaw held the line effortlessly. One rider shifted mid-stride, his black wolf slamming into the enemy while heat radiated from its fur. Another swung a flaming blade, raising a wall of fire that cut off the attackers' advance. The rumors were true. They really did command fire.

"Archers!" a voice shouted from the ridge.

Arrows tore through the trees. The attackers moved in organized groups, dressed in dark leather. This wasn't a rogue attack. It was an ambush.

The carriage lurched as something slammed against its frame. I gasped, my hand flying to the carriage handle on instinct, but I stopped myself. I couldn't fight. I couldn't shift. I didn't even have a wolf. Stepping outside would only make me a burden. Slowly, I pulled my hand back into my lap, feeling helpless.

Through the curtain, I saw a Fireclaw warrior thrown into the mud. Before the enemy could finish him, another rider cut in between them while two others dragged their injured comrade to safety. No hesitation. No one was left behind.

I swallowed hard. Rivercrest would've left me behind without a second thought.

"Fall back!" a voice barked.

Just like that, the attackers retreated into the woods, leaving behind smoke and the quiet crackle of burning brush.

A shadow fell across my window. Asher and Alpha Rowan rode alongside the carriage, their horses stepping carefully over the scorched ground. Faint embers still glowed along Asher's sword.

He glanced through the curtain, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. His gaze lingered on the fading mark on my cheek, but he didn't say anything.

Neither did I.