Chapter 8
1118 Words
Kael
Isolde’s hands shook as she fastened the last button on Luna Maya’s dress. The fabric was soft under her fingers, smooth and rich, nothing like the rough clothes Isolde wore every day to work.
Maya turned to the mirror, tilting her chin. Her lips curled in displeasure as she grimaced. “It’s too loose.”
“I’ll tighten it,” Isolde whispered, her fingers already working at the laces. She liked working for Luna Maya. She wasn't nice, but she was not as rude as the other pack members.
Maya sighed loudly. “You’re so slow. I should have asked someone else.”
Isolde bit her tongue and pulled the laces tighter.
Maya threw her long, dark hair over her shoulder and admired herself in the mirror. She looked perfect. Of course, she did. The whole pack had been preparing for this wedding for weeks.
The halls were filled with flowers, the banquet tables groaned under the weight of food, and the entire pack was agog with excitement.
It was a celebration, for everyone but Isolde. Isolde had work to do. But at least, there would be food to eat. Lots of good food from the kitchen.
She needed to sneak some to Liam. She knew he'd be happy for better food than what she could give him daily even though he never complained.
A guard appeared at the door. He must have been let in by one of the wolves standing guard outside. He was an Omega. “Good morning, Luna. Alpha Caleb wants to speak to her.”
Maya barely looked at Isolde. “She’s done here.”
Isolde hurried out, her heart pounding. Caleb never sent for her unless he had something cruel planned.
She followed the guard through the long halls of the packhouse. The walls were high, the floors marble, polished until they shone for the wedding. She had scrubbed them herself more times than she could count.
The door was already open. He stood by the window, his back to her. His dark hair was neatly combed, his suit crisp. He looked every bit the powerful Alpha he was.
Isolde stepped inside and lowered her head. “You sent for me, Alpha?”
Caleb turned, his eyes settling on her like a predator watching prey. “You will pack your things before the wedding.”
Her stomach dropped. “What? Have I done something wrong?”
“Isolde, please. Your very existence is wrong. But no, this time, you’re leaving.”
Isolde’s legs went weak. She heldthe doorframe to stay standing. “Leaving?”
Caleb chuckled at her reaction which chilled her. “Yes. You’re no longer needed here.”
Her breath came in short gasps. “I can’t leave.” Her voice cracked. “Liam—”
Caleb’s snile widened. “Ah, yes. Your sickly little brother.”
Isolde fell to her knees. “Please, Alpha. He can’t survive without me.”
Caleb bent laughing, his eyes evil. “Not surprising. Your father was a healer, yet his own children are weak. Perhaps he was cursed.”
Isolde pressed her forehead to the cold floor. “I’ll do anything. Just let me take him with me.”
Caleb walked over to her, crouching so they were at eye level. “You’ll go where I send you. And your brother will stay here.”
Tears burned Isolde’s eyes. “Please, I beg you…”
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I might allow you to see him. Once a week.”
Hope made her look up. She held a begging hand to her chest. “Truly?”
Caleb grinned. “If you behave and do as I say.”
Isolde swallowed hard. She didn't know what she was meant to do and she didn't care. She would do anything to keep Liam alive. He was her only family. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Now get out,” Caleb said, standing. “And don’t make me repeat myself.”
Isolde scrambled to her feet and ran. She barely noticed the people in the halls as she ran to the house. He was the only thing that mattered.
But when she got there, the door was open.
Her heart stopped. Liam was already being taken.
Two warriors carried him between them. He was small, too small for a ten-year-old. His skin was pale, his hair a mess. He looked barely conscious, his head lolling weakly.
“No!” Isolde ran forward. “Where are you taking him?”
One of the warriors shoved her back. “Alpha’s orders. He’s moving closer to the main house.”
Liam blinked up at her, his eyes dull with sickness. “Issy…?”
“I’m here.” Isolde reached for him, but another warrior grabbed her arm.
“Go pack.”
Her hands curled into fists, but she couldn’t fight them. She was powerless. Her things were thrown into a small bag, what little she owned.
Then they burned her father's house to the ground.
Flames consumed everything she had left, just like they had consumed her father a month ago.
She stood frozen, watching, unable to move. In that house burning to the ground were the last memories of her father before her died, of her family complete and happy.
And now it was all gone. “Move,” someone barked, shoving her forward.
She looked away, refusing to look back as they walked back to the pack house, Liam coughing. When they reached the pack house, Isolde was pushed away as her brother was taken inside so she didn't see where the took him.
She watched until they disappeared inside then she sighed and headed back in. She would find her brother that night and make sure he was safe even if she had to search the entire house.
But not for her.
She walked back to the Luna's room. Maya was dressed, her make up expertly done by the women who had been sent to replace Isolde. Maya didn’t spare her a glance.
The ceremony began. Isolde barely heard the words. Her mind was trapped in a storm of fear.
She was leaving. Her brother was staying. And she had no idea what awaited her wherever she was going.
A maid walked over to her. “The luna wants you to get her fsn from her room.”
Isolde nodded quickly and walked out of the hall. The moment she stepped outside, she collided with someone. A strong hand grabbed her arm to steady her.
A deep growl sent chills down her spine. “Watch where you’re going.”
Isolde looked up into cold, unfamiliar eyes.
Mate?
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