Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Isabella sank into the carriage bench with tears blurring her vision, a cold tightness crawling all the way to her chest region.

She knew she couldn't escape Kade.

Ten carriages packed with armed soldiers followed close behind, so even if she dared to run out, they would drag her right back. What they might do to her then sent a shiver down her spine.

She pressed her forehead against the glass of the window, watching helplessly as her home shrank into the distance. Every stone of that castle reminded her of her mother, yet here she was, being carried off to a cruel man in another kingdom against her will.

A bitter ache washed over her. Would her mother rest peacefully in the spirit realm knowing her own husband had traded his daughter for money? or knowing that greed had turned him into a complete stranger.

She shut her eyes tightly, letting tears trace hot paths down her cheeks during the long, suffocating ride.

It was already evening by the time the wheels of the carriage rolled to a slow stop. Her eyes flew open as she observed the gigantic iron gates in front of them, as it took several guards to push it open.

Those same guards inspected each carriage with rigid caution before signaling them through. When her carriage finally halted inside the main courtyard, Isabella stared out, her mouth falling open.

The place was immense, easily ten times larger than her home. Heavy power and a dark, oppressive aura hung over every corner. It was immediately obvious why the Serpent Kingdom held the second rank in the realm.

She could hear heavy boots thudded on the dirt outside, pulling her out of her thoughts. The coachman jumped down and yanked her door open, holding out a hand to assist her.

Isabella ignored his palm entirely, stubbornly shoving past him to get down on her own. The man’s face twitched in clear irritation, though he kept his tongue firmly behind his teeth.

He knew better than to utter a word to someone who belonged to Kade, a man who was pure danger.

Two maids wearing plain black gowns and white scarves stood waiting near the entrance.

A guard passed Kade's earlier instructions to them while they kept their eyes fixed on the floor.

Isabella looked for a chance to break away, but the two maids moved fast, grabbing her firmly by both arms.

"Let me go!" Isabella screamed, her chest heaving as raw panic overflowed. "I want to go home!" Her voice broke into bitter sobs, her feet kicking wildly at empty air as they dragged her toward the entrance of the castle.

Their grip felt like iron clamps as they held her tight. The intense heat radiating from their skin and the sharp scent clinging to them left no doubt that they were Alpha werewolves, just like the coachman who had opened her door.

"Please, just let me go back," she whimpered, dragging her heels across the floor to slow their movement.

Her pleas did nothing to stop them. They pulled her through endless stone halls with tight determination, knowing full well their lives depended on bringing her to her room.

They finally stopped before a door, catching their breath from the struggle while resentment flared across their faces. One maid held Isabella, while the other reached into her pocket, slid a key into the lock, and swung the door open.

Isabella could see ten more maids waiting inside, dressed in matching white dresses and black scarves. The Alphas shoved Isabella straight into their hands, then stepped out and pulled the door shut without turning the key.

Isabella caught their scents instantly, they were nine Betas and a single Omega. The maids shifted nervously, casting cautious glances at one another as they were waiting for who should move first.

Isabella took advantage of their hesitation. She was not about to let them bathe her and prepare her like a gift for that Serpent.

She dashed across the room to the dressing table, grabbed a glass jar, and slammed it into the large mirror.

The mirror shattered into pieces. She snatched up a sharp piece of broken glass and pointed it directly at them, her chest rising and falling in sharp gasps.

The maids stumbled back, fear breaking across their faces as they looked to one another for a solution.

"Don't come close to me," she rasped out, her hands shaking uncontrollably as panic constricted her breath.

"My lady, please," the Omega pleaded, her hands clasped tightly against her chest as her voice trembled. "Just let us follow the prince's orders. You will only bring trouble down on all of us if we fail before he returns."

Isabella refused to listen. She grabbed a thick chunk of her own hair, pressed the sharp edge of the glass into it, and severed it completely. The maids watched in absolute horror as her hair fell to the floor.

She gathered another section, did the same thing to it and let it drop. The length of her hair was now short and uneven as they danced around her chin line.

In the beast realm, long hair was part the beauty standard for woman, and she remembered Prince Kade had said earlier about paying extra silver coins simply because he liked her long locks.

So if ruining her hair would make him despise her, then the sooner he hated her, the better off she would be.

"My lady, what have you done?" the oldest Beta barked out, her face was mixed with disgust and irritation as she stepped forward.

Isabella was still pointing the broken glass toward them, warning them to stay where they were.

Just then the door swung open, and Crown Prince Cassian Vane walked directly into the chaotic room.

The Beta who had just spoken rushed toward Cassian, keeping a respectful distance as she bowed her head. "My Lord, I have no idea what has come over the princess," she said, her tone dripping with self-important arrogance. "I suggest perhaps we call a royal psychiatrist to come check on her."

"Royal psychiatrist?" Cassian repeated, the words coming out cold and sharp. "Are you suggesting that Kade's future wife is mad?"

The maid's voice dried up in her throat, her face draining of color. "No, no, my lord, I was just..."

Her excuse cut short as Cassian turned his back and stepped out into the hallway, waving the guards inside.

Panic finally broke through her haughty posture as she lifted her head. "My lord, I was only concerned!"

"Take her to the dungeon," Cassian ordered, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Teach her the difference between concern and disrespect."

The guards grabbed the maid roughly by her arms and dragged her out, her desperate begging echoing down the corridor.