Chapter 3

I approached the door on shaky legs and paused, listening for sounds outside the hallway. 

I held my breath, straining to catch the faintest movement. 

When I didn’t hear anything, I quietly opened the door and stepped out.

The hallway stretched endlessly before me.

It smelt faintly of polished wood and something deeper beneath it. 

The Alpha’s estate was not just a home; it was pack territory.

The hallways looked identical, and I quickly lost my sense of direction. 

I nearly ran into some omegas who were cleaning the stairs. 

With my heart in my throat, I retraced my steps and everything went downhill from there.

Every turn led to another corridor, another dead end.

It was like being trapped in a maze designed to confuse intruders… Or keep prisoners from escaping.

After wandering for what felt like an hour, my legs began to tremble.

Even breathing became difficult.

My body had reached its limit.

I gave up and slid down against the wall, sitting on the cold floor as exhaustion weighed heavily on me. 

I decided to rest when voices drifted through the wall behind me. 

I forced myself to stand; maybe if I followed the voices… I could find a way out.

Step by step, I followed the sound until I reached the top of a staircase that opened into what looked like the main hall. 

“Is it true?” 

It was Luna Estelle’s voice. I froze.

“Is what true?”

The Alpha’s voice followed, calm but cautious.

“Don’t play dumb. You knew I was worried, so why keep it from me? She’s my daughter too,” Estelle snapped.

Her voice carried emotion, but beneath it was something else. Disappointment. 

‘They found their daughter? And the Alpha hid it from her?’

Before I could piece the puzzle, the Alpha spoke again. 

“Which one of you told my Luna about our findings?”

Silence.

It was the heavy, oppressive kind. Even from where I stood, I felt it pressing down on my chest. That Alpha pressure. 

My instincts reacted, and I took a step back.

“I won’t repeat myself. Who told my Luna…”

“Enough. Stop frightening them and show it to me. I need to see what Isabelle wrote in that letter. Or are you planning to keep the truth from me forever?” 

Luna Estelle cut him off.

“My dearest wife, please listen. I was going to tell you personally. I didn’t know someone would speak out of turn. I didn’t want you to worry,” the Alpha replied, his tone softening instantly.

I didn’t need to see him to know his expression had changed.

If there was one thing I had noticed in between my being in and out of consciousness, it was this.

The Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack might command fear from everyone else, but when it came to his Luna, he yielded.

Completely.

“So what are you waiting for? Give me the letter,” Estelle demanded.

“I… I left it in the office…”

“Joel. The letter.”

“I really don’t have it…”

“Joel. My patience has a limit. Give me the letter.”

“I don’t…”

“Joel!”

“Alright, alright. Here it is. Look at that temper. I always said you pampered her too much. Now look at what she’s done.”

The sound of paper being snatched echoed through the hall.

“Rita, get me my reading glasses,” Estelle said.

Footsteps approached the staircase.

I stepped back again, my heart pounding, ready to flee.

“Forget the glasses, Rita. Come here and read it to me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Alpha Joel said quietly.

“You're not allowed to speak,” Estelle warned.

Silence followed.

Five long seconds passed.

“What are you standing there for? Can’t you read English?” Estelle asked sharply.

“Umm… sorry… I’m starting,” Rita replied nervously. 

“Except Rita, all of you leave,” Alpha Joel ordered.

Several footsteps retreated, and then it was silent again.

“You may read.” 

“Ahem… Mom and Dad,

If you have received this letter, then it means the one month I gave the delivery company is up. I only want to put your minds at ease, even though I don’t think you deserve it. 

For twenty-one years, you kept me in a gilded cage and made me believe the outside world was dangerous. 

Your obsessive love felt like chains that turned me into a prisoner in my own home. People envied my life, not knowing I hated being born as your daughter.

I didn't like playing piano. I only said I was interested in playing because I knew it was my only chance to attend Magnifique and see something else apart from the pack house. 

And the world is nothing like you said.

I met a man who loves me, and I want to spend my life with him. I don’t need your approval.

I will not marry the cruel and vicious Cassian for your political benefit. From this moment, you no longer have a daughter. I choose freedom over chains and love over control.

Isabelle.”

I inwardly winced. ‘What a brat.’ 

“Are you sure Isabelle wrote that?” Luna Estelle asked, her voice breaking.

“The handwriting and the seal are hers,” Alpha Joel admitted, his voice solemn.

“Tell me… did I do something wrong? I raised her myself. I didn’t let anyone else care for her because I feared they would hurt her. I kept her away from the violence of our pack. I only wanted to protect her,” Estelle cried.

“I knew this would happen. She’s young. She’ll come to her senses and return,” the Alpha said gently.

“She hates me… my daughter hates me…”

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s confused. The outside world will teach her what we couldn’t. She will come back.” 

The more I replayed the words, the more Isabelle’s letter sounded absurd.

The Swans never cared enough to cage me. 

They barely noticed me.

I thought I had been loved once, but now I knew better. What I had received from my parents was nothing. 

They were mere crumbs. 

I had heard enough and began to walk away before they caught me eavesdropping. 

I saw another hallway and followed it, my hand sliding along the wall for support.

“Now that we know she’s safe, go and rest." Alpha Joel's voice sounded low behind me.

“I still have to finalise the alliance terms with the Knights. Isabelle's disappearance has reached them for a while now, and the delay has gone on too long. The Iron Lady does not tolerate being kept waiting.” 

Their voices softened and faded, but my thoughts didn’t. 

The Lycan king… No, the mad Lycan king. I've heard the rumours. He was a devil. 

The Swans rarely spoke of him. 

An alliance between the Quinns and the Knights, it will be a powerful alliance. 

~~~

My pace increased, moving toward the direction I hoped would lead me outside.

Then I froze. My reflection stared back at me.

No, it was a large portrait of a girl… Isabelle.

The girl staring back at me was—me.

My—no, her skin was flawless, pale and smooth. Her hair fell in soft waves, framing her delicate features. 

We looked… the same.

The resemblance was terrifying.

Aside from the faint bruise on my neck where the collar had cut into my skin… We were identical.

I raised my hand slowly and touched the glass, tracing the line of her jaw that was identical to mine yet felt like a mask. 

“Isabelle,” I mouthed. 

For a full minute, I just stared. 

‘What kind of sorcery was this?’ 

What if… 

What if I become her? No, that's absurd… Right?

Another full minute passed.

My thoughts wandered again.

My father’s cold eyes. 

Vanessa’s smile. 

Lucas’ betrayal.

Nathan’s lifeless body. 

If I remained Yvette… I would be a corpse. I'll die again. 

But if I became Isabelle…

I looked around.

The Crimson Moon pack was powerful, ancient and respected.

Their Alpha alone could crush the Swans.

As Isabelle, I would have protection.

A place in a pack.

Something I had never had.

I leaned closer to the glass.

The softness in my eyes disappeared.

The girl who begged for love died in that torture chamber.

“You want a worthy princess?” I whispered softly. “I’ll give you one.”

And when I’m done… the Swans won’t have a pack left to return to.

I turned away.

My steps were steadier now.

Stronger.

I was no longer escaping. I was staying.

I would become Isabelle Quinn.

Alpha Joel and Luna Estelle’s perfect daughter.

The future bride of the mad Lycan king 

When I descended the stairs, both Estelle and Alpha Joel turned toward me.

Shock filled their eyes.

“You…you're awake,” Estelle began.

“I want to become Isabelle Quinn,” I said, not allowing her to speak.

“I’ll marry the Lycan King in her place… and step aside when she returns.”