The Deal
1306 Words
Isabella’s POV
I didn't respond to him right away.
Between us lay the word revenge, still and enticing.
He was seated across from me, patient and quiet, as if he knew what I was thinking.
I tried to avert my gaze from him.
This was wrong.
This was all wrong.
Only a few hours ago I was a prisoner awaiting to be burnt alive. Now I'm in a warm room, talking to a Lycan king who says he's helping me kill my own pack.
It didn't add up to anyone.
“Do you think I can believe you? I finally said.
I was not as loud as I wanted to be, but it was not shaky.
Lucian didn’t look offended.
In fact, he seemed like he was almost laughing.
“Don't expect my trust,” he said in his calm tone. “Not yet.”
I frowned slightly.
“Then what do you expect?” I asked.
That you hear,” he said.
I instinctively raised my arms and covered them with my arms, as if to block out the dull pain that remained in my body.
“And why would I do that?” I asked.
Lucian sat back in his chair and his golden eyes never left mine.
“You can't go any other way.”
He didn't sound aggressive.
It was matter-of-fact.
“You were found guilty of your crime and sentenced to death,” he continued. “You would be ready to burn at sunrise if I hadn't taken you.”
The pressure on my chest grew somewhat.
I didn't like the fact that he was right.
“Oh, no, you are no longer the Luna of Shadowfang Pack,” he continued. “To them, you are a criminal.”
I clenched my jaw.
I am innocent,” I said, “I am innocent.”
Lucian nodded once.
“I know.”
I stopped short at that one.
“You know?” I repeated.
“Yes,” he replied matter-of-factly.
My eyes tightened up a bit.
But how do you know that? I asked.
Lucian didn't reply right away.
Rather, he bent his body forward a little, placing his elbows on his knees.
“But I know what took place in the council hall,” he said.
My heart skipped.
“You were called up on a dime,” he went on. No warning and no preparation.”
My fingers slowly tightened against my arms.
“The charges were brought on speedy basis,” he continued. “Helena Blackwood was murdered, you were accused of it.”
I stared at him.
He was still calm.
“They did use the herbs in your private garden as evidence,” he added. “Hard to find, rare ones.”
There was a coldness that passed through me.
How does he know that?
Lucian went on without a break.
Clara Wells intervened before you could defend yourself properly.
My breathing slowed.
“She has testified against you,” he replied. “You said you were trying out a new drug on the Alpha's mother.”
I felt a tightness in my chest once more.
Lucian's eyes turned a darker shade.
“And your mate… he added…”
My heart dropped.
“He said nothing.”
The room was deathly quiet.
I looked at him, but couldn't talk for a while.
All the things he said were true.
Every detail.
“How can you know this?” I finally asked.
My voice was quieter now.
More cautious.
Lucian locked his eyes on me.
“Watch I do,” he said simply.
The reply did not help any.
It made me uneasy.
“You were there?” I asked slowly.
No, not in the hall, he said. “But close enough.”
My stomach twisted.
That meant he had been spying on the pack.
Observing me.
“For how long?” I asked.
Lucian didn’t hesitate.
“Long enough.”
It made my skin tingle when I heard that answer.
I didn’t like that.
I didn’t like it at all.
You think that I'm just supposed to believe that you were there? I asked.
He replied quietly, "No. “Your trial was never fair to you, I expect.”
I froze.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Lucian leaned back again.
He said that was a decision that was made before he even set foot in that hall.”
My heart began to beat rapidly.
“No,” I replied reflexively, “that's not true.”
As I said, though, my doubts seeped in.
Lucian gave the slightest nod of his head.
“You weren't allowed to provide evidence,” he continued. “When you attempted to speak, you were cut off. And the only witness that they had depended on…”
His gaze sharpened.
“…he was the one who gained the most from your demise”
Clara.
My throat was constricted.
“That doesn't prove anything,” I said, but not very confidently.
Lucian studied me for a while.
“Do you need some proof?” he said.
I focused my gaze back on his.
“You have proof?” I asked.
“I do,” he replied.
There was a glimmer of hope in me.
Then let me see,” I quickly said.
Lucian shook his head.
“Not yet.”
My expression hardened.
“Why not?” I demanded.
“You're not ready to see it,” he said coolly.
But that's not something you have to do, I snapped.
Lucian didn't take offense at my tone.
“Yes, it is,” he said. “It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; if you see it, you can't miss it.”
I stared at him.
My heart was pounding once more.
What was he referring to?
You want answers,” he went on. “You want the truth,” said the old man.
“Yes,” I replied right away.
Then you will hear first," he replied.
I hesitated.
My whole body was saying, "Beware.My whole body was telling me to be careful.
This was a man to be feared.
A Lycan king.
An assailant who attacked my pack with no trouble.
And yet…
Only he had answers for me.
Only one person who appeared to think I was innocent.
“No options,” I said slowly.
Lucian nodded.
“That’s right.”
I took my gaze off of her for a moment.
If I were to leave this…
Where would I go?
I had no pack.
No protection.
No allies.
And I was still considered a criminal.
If I escaped I would be hunted anyway.
Captured again.
Killed.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment.
I opened them back up and gazed at him again.
“No, I'm not saying that I accept anything,” I said firmly.
Lucian didn’t interrupt.
“But…” I continued, “I'll listen to your plan.”
That was as much as I could contribute.
For now.
Lucian nodded once.
“That is enough.”
“Talking,” I said, “let's get started.”
Lucian didn't say anything for a couple of seconds.
His gaze didn’t leave my face.
Then he spoke.
“When we talk about revenge,” he said, “you have to realize what has been stolen from you.”
My chest constricted a little.
I was angry, “I already know what has taken from me,” I said. “My position. My mate. My child—”
“Do you?” he interrupted.
I froze.
His voice had gone all wrong.
It was sharper now.
More serious.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Lucian bent his head forward slightly.
His golden eyes were fixed on mine.
“Well, let me tell you the truth about your child.”
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