Isabella's POV
I cried until my body shook.
Not loud… not dramatic… just quiet, painful sobs that soaked into my pillow and burned my throat.
Magnus's face wouldn't leave me.
His arms around my neck every morning.
His tiny voice saying, Mommy, wake up.
His warm cheek against mine.
Gone. My baby was gone...
Because of Clara.
Because of Redmoon.
Because I couldn't protect him.
I covered my mouth as another sob tore through me.
If anyone heard… it would be over.
After a long time, the tears finally slowed. I stared at the wall and whispered:
"I'll avenge you. No matter what it costs."
My voice broke, but the promise stayed.
I wiped my face, washed up, and forced myself to breathe normally.
For now, I had to survive.
For now, I had to hide.
And the best way to hide was to blend in…
to become invisible.
A maid.
I made my way to the kitchen. The maids were already busy — chopping vegetables, washing pots, preparing trays. They didn't ask questions. They didn't stare.
Perfect.
I tied on my apron and grabbed a tray of cutlery.
"Isabella," an older woman whispered, "you look tired."
"I'm fine," I said softly.
She didn't push. No one here ever did.
I stepped out of the kitchen—
And stopped.
The air got heavy.
Cold.
Like a shadow had walked into the hallway.
A voice echoed from behind me:
"I, Elder Taron, would like to know why a stranger from who knows, some stupid pack is walking freely in the Lycan palace."
Every maid froze.
Then they stepped aside…
leaving me standing alone.
Taron walked toward me with slow, confident steps. Gray hair, sharp eyes, a cruel mouth that looked like it never smiled without hurting someone.
He stopped in front of me.
"Look at me."
I lifted my eyes.
His expression twisted. "So. You're the one who made my daughter cry."
I stayed silent.
Taron circled me, hands clasped behind his back.
"Do you understand the trouble you've caused? The gossip you've started? Sierra is furious. The council is annoyed. And Leon…" he paused. "Leon is reacting… strangely… to you."
My heart skipped, but I kept my face blank.
Taron leaned closer. "Who are you really?"
"A maid," I said quietly.
He laughed once. "No. You're something else. I can smell it."
Then he grabbed my chin.
I stiffened.
He tilted my face up, inspecting me like an object.
"You look like someone who has lost something important," he said softly. "Someone who has buried a child."
My stomach twisted.
His smirk grew. "Ah. I hit something, didn't I?"
He let go of me with a sharp flick.
"You will stay away from Sierra. You will stay away from the council. You will look down when spoken to. If you defy me even once—"
His eyes darkened, sharp and deadly.
"I will tear you out of this palace myself."
The hallway felt too small. Too silent. Too dangerous.
Then—
A cold, angry voice cut through the air:
"Taron."
We both turned.
Leon stood a few feet away.
Dark clothes. Wet hair. Sharp eyes.
And a deadly expression I had never seen before.
Taron straightened his back. "Leon. Good. We need to talk about this girl—"
Leon stepped closer.
"Step away from her."
Taron scoffed. "She needs discipline."
"That is my decision," Leon replied.
Taron laughed. Actually laughed. "Leon, I am a council elder. I have authority—"
"No," Leon said quietly.
"You don't."
The hallway went silent.
Leon's voice dropped lower, colder, sharper:
"I am the Lycan King. I am the only one with authority in my palace."
Taron blinked, surprised.
Then he laughed again, louder this time.
"Are you threatening me, boy?"
Leon didn't blink. "I don't threaten."
He took another step, and Taron's laugh died instantly.
Leon's presence hit the hall like a wave — heavy, powerful, the kind of dominance only a king could carry.
Taron clenched his jaw. "Leon—"
"Silence."
One word.
Taron shut up.
Just like that.
Leon didn't look at him again. He looked at me.
His eyes moved slowly from my face… to my hands… to the tray I was holding.
Something cold tightened in his gaze.
He stepped forward.
"My chamber," he said quietly.
My breath caught.
"What?"
He didn't repeat himself.
"My chamber. Now."
Taron's jaw dropped. "Leon, you can't—"
Leon didn't spare him a glance.
He turned and walked away, expecting me to follow.
My heart raced as I looked at Taron one last time.
He stared at me with murderous eyes.
And in that moment…
I knew I had just made another enemy.
I set the tray down.
Took a breath.
And followed Leon.