Chapter 8

ISABELLE'S POV

My eyes narrowed as I watched him lower his head as he admitted, “I did go to the club.”

“And did you go alone?” I asked, my tone sharp and firm.

He stammered, his face growing pale. My wolf stirred, urging me to press him further for answers. I could sense there was more to what happened that he wasn’t saying. I just needed to scare the truth out of him.

“Levi,” I called out, my tone turned icy. “This is your very last chance. Your brother went through so much just to get here and see you, and we both know this prison is crawling with rats and cockroaches. If you don’t want to live like this and then be executed, you’d better be honest with us right now.”

His grip on the bars trembled, his lips quivering as he finally broke down. “It wasn’t my idea. A friend… he told me it was a fun place, and I thought we were just going to hang out. I didn’t know it was a club until we got there. When I went in, I… I saw…” He swallowed hard, his face flushing red with embarrassment. “I saw a naked woman. And then, all of a sudden, the ministry officials barged into the club and took me away.”

I exchanged a strange look with Kael, my suspicions rising. “And who is this friend?” I asked.

Levi hesitated for a second before he answered, “Thane’s son, Casper.”

The air between us fell into silence as Kael and I absorbed this revelation. My wolf bristled with the information sensing an opportunity; this lead could be the key to unravelling the entire case.

I leaned down, my tone softening. “Listen carefully, Levi. Real friends would never put you into such trouble. Choose wisely in the future, or you’ll end up back in a place like this.” I said solemnly, turning around and walking out of the prison.

As I stepped outside the prison, I took a deep whiff of the clean air, Kael still seemed a little pensive, his mind far away.

Finally, he turned to me, “Do you even believe him?” He asked.

“That’s not going to be enough to save him. We’ll need to find strong proof, Kael. But I do believe your brother is telling the truth, he was led into this.”

Kael nodded, his expression dark. “My family has a long history with this pack, Princess. We were part of the founding members that helped the former Alpha establish this territory.” He took a deep breath, his voice thick with emotion. “And since we corresponded with the family that ruled this land before, suspicion of disloyalty has always lingered over us.”

My heart softened as Kael continued, “ My father had been imprisoned due to such accusations and, to prove his loyalty, he took his own life in his cell. When he died the former Alpha later cleared his name and awarded him the title of Marquis,” Kael said and I could hear the bitterness of his words as he recounted the story. “But what is honour worth when you are already dead.”

My chest tightened as I stared at him. “ You are right, honour means nothing to those who have already suffered and sacrificed.” I glanced up at Kael, hoping his brother was truly innocent.

As the conversation continued, I slowly realised Levi wasn’t Kael’s biological sibling. I froze, turning to him in shock.

“We took him into the family when he was a young orphan and I've always loved him like a brother.”

I felt a surge of admiration as warmth bloomed in my chest. Beneath his icy cold exterior, Kael and his family were bound with immense loyalty and kindness, and I found my admiration and interest in him strengthening.

The car stopped at Thane's residence, and I looked outside at the villa. We approached the entrance and a woman was already waiting for us.

“Princess,” She greeted with a slight bow. “General Kael.”

“Good day, Mrs Thane.” Kael responded, with a curt nod.

She kept stealing glances at me, and I could see she was a little surprised by my presence.

“Where is your son, Mrs Thane?” I questioned, my tone laced with impatience.

Confusion flooded her features as she replied. “ Both my husband Thane and my son had gone to visit Beta Rowan.”

Disappointment flickered over my expression; I was so eager to get to the bottom of the case but it seemed that wasn't possible today. A part of me was also relieved by an excuse to return home, my impatience and laziness urging me to take the easy way out.

My wolf, however, did not agree with my plan. ‘You can’t let this chance with Kael slip away. He’s not just anyone. Are you just going to let him go so easily?’

Kael must have noticed my hesitation. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze glinting with a challenge. “Are you afraid of encountering Bet Rowan?” He asked.

“No, I'm not!” I blurted out feeling a wave of irritation. “I’ve made a clean break with him. And now the less contact between us, the better.”

But then even as the words left my mouth, I realised that avoiding him would only start up more rumours and a reason to think I still harboured some type of feeling for him.

I couldn’t let that happen, if I wanted to completely break away from Rowan. Squaring my shoulders and raising my chin, I waved my hand. “No, we’re going to Rowan’s house.”

Kael’s lips curled into a smile, and I felt satisfaction surge through me. This was my chance to prove I wasn’t just some spoiled and lazy princess, hiding from difficult situations.

As we walked back to the car, I glanced at Kael, feeling unexpectedly grateful for his presence and giving me clarity on the situation.

“Thank you, Kael,” I whispered, reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a small, wrapped candy. “Here, for you,” I said, offering it to him with a smile.

Kael’s expression softened, his usual demeanour melting into something gentler as he took it out of my palm. “Thank you, Princess,” he whispered in response, unwrapping the candy and popping it into his mouth.

Her wolf’s voice chimed in with amusement. ‘He must think you’re adorable. Just look at him—he’s smiling.’

I could feel my cheeks getting warm, but I brushed it off with a scoff, pretending not to notice the lingering warmth from his gaze.