Chapter 4 4

Isabella. 

Leaving my true home is one of the hardest things I've ever done but Blaze had won the battle. I had no choice but to follow him home, fearing the consequences if I keep resisting. The safety of my family and pack is all I can think of; I couldn't bear the thought of putting them in danger because of my defiance. What terrified me most was the uncertainty surrounding Blaze's motives. Why was he so insistent on marrying me? What did he want from me?

I pleaded with him to wait until morning, hoping for some reprieve, but he dismissed my pleas with a cold certainty. He claimed he knew I might attempt something foolish overnight, further unsettling me with his perceptiveness.

Wiping away a lone tear, I gathered my belongings and cast a final glance around my room. It felt like saying goodbye to a life I had known, stepping into an unknown future that filled me with apprehension and dread.

Blaze stood by the door, waiting impatiently, his expression as cold as ever. I took one last look at my father, hoping for some sign that this was all a bad dream. But his eyes were filled with guilt and resignation. There was no escaping this.

"Let’s go," Blaze said, his tone devoid of any warmth.

The journey to his pack was silent. I kept my eyes on the road, refusing to look at him. He didn’t try to make conversation or ease my fears. His carefree attitude was a sharp distinction to the storm of emotions inside me. Every mile we traveled took me further from my home and deeper into a future I wanted no part of.

We arrived at his pack’s territory, Starfall pack just as the night got older. The pack house was larger than I expected, surrounded by lush forests and clear streams. It was beautiful, but I couldn’t appreciate it. My heart was too heavy with sorrow and anger.

"Welcome to your new home," Blaze said, though there was no welcome in his voice.

Pack members gathered around, curious and friendly. A young woman forward, her smile genuine and warm. "Hi, you must be Isabella, our new Luna! I’m Lily, Blaze’s sister. Let me show you around."

"Th-thank you, Lily, but how did you all know me?" I asked, feeling a bit confused as we walked around the premises. The place was huge, and everything seemed new and unfamiliar to me.

"Oh, it was announced to us a month ago that you were coming today. I am so happy to finally have a sister-in-law. You will love it here, I promise." She seemed like a chatterbox, her excitement bubbling over with every word.

I tried to smile back, but it felt forced. If only she knew how her brother had brought me here and how I was feeling right now. My heart was heavy with fear and anxiety.

"Everyone is so excited to meet you," she added, her eyes shining with genuine happiness.

I nodded, trying to keep up with her enthusiasm. "That's... nice," I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly. The thought of meeting all these new people, knowing the circumstances that brought me here, made my stomach churn.

We continued walking, and I took in my surroundings. The pack house was grand, with beautiful gardens and tall trees. It looked peaceful, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped.

Lily kept talking, pointing out different places and telling me stories about the pack. Her voice was like a soothing background noise, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept thinking about Blaze and why he insisted on bringing me here so urgently. What did he want from me? What was his plan? What is my father hiding?

As we rounded a corner, I saw a group of people gathered near a large fountain. They were chatting and laughing, looking so carefree. A pang of jealousy hit me. I wished I could feel that kind of happiness and freedom.

Lily noticed my gaze and smiled. "That's the main pack. They're really friendly, and I'm sure they'll welcome you with open arms."

I forced another smile, feeling a mix of dread and hope. Her kindness was a small comfort. Everyone seemed nice and it makes it hard to believe that this was the same place ruled by someone as cold as Blaze.

Our tour took a sharp turn when we encountered a younglady that looked the same age as Lily or even older. She was beautiful, with long red hair and striking green eyes, but her expression was anything but friendly. The moment she saw me, her eyes narrowed.

"So, you’re the new Luna," she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "Don’t get too comfortable. You’re only here because of the Moon Goddess."

I felt a surge of anger but tried to keep my composure. "Nice to meet you too," I said, forcing a smile.

Her hostility was clear. She gives me a tight lip smile and raced both brows. 

"Fuck off, Brooke. If you think you can pick on anyone, don't try it with the Luna," Lily warned, her voice firm and protective. I glanced at Brooke, who shot us both a disdainful look that quickly shifted as she glanced behind us. Turning, I saw Blaze striding toward us, accompanied by the man I had seen yesterday night in my house.

"What’s going on here?" Blaze demanded, his voice deep and authoritative. Brooke hurried over to him, rudely brushing past me in her haste. I grimaced at her blatant disregard and turned to face her in disbelief.

"I was just welcoming... uh, what’s her name? Anyway, the new Luna," Brooke said, her tone falsely sweet as she stroked Blaze's chest and then clung to his arm. It was a nauseating display, and I couldn't fathom why she thought I would be jealous of someone I despised so deeply.

"I don't care. Isabella, follow me," Blaze ordered coldly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. I glanced at Lily, hoping for support, but she simply smiled at me as if nothing was wrong.

"I'll see you in the morning," Lily said casually, brushing past me and offering no indication that she understood the tension in the air.

I hesitated, but before I could react, Blaze had yanked Brooke off him and grabbed my arm firmly. His touch was commanding, leaving me with no choice but to follow him as he led me away from the unsettling scene.