“Father,” Isabelle said, her tone firm yet tinged with vulnerability. “I want to return to the palace. I can’t stay here anymore.”

Her father’s response was immediate, his voice steady and commanding. “Come home, Isabelle. Your presence is needed. William… he’s been murdered.”

The words hit her like a thunderclap. Isabelle’s breath hitched as her legs threatened to give way. William, her elder brother, had always been a cruel shadow in her childhood, yet his death left her shaken. Memories of his harsh treatment surfaced—bruises hidden under long sleeves and tear-filled nights—but the bond of blood still tethered her to grief.

Her thoughts shifted to Logan, her second elder brother, the only one who had shown her kindness in a world that often seemed void of it. “Logan… does he know?” she asked.

“He does. We’re waiting for you, Isabelle.”

The mind-link severed, leaving Isabelle staring at the barren trees outside her window.

That evening, Isabelle sat across from Alpha Gabriel at the long dining table. The man she had given years of her life to sat in silence, his focus on the meal before him. Isabelle’s gaze lingered on him, searching for the love they once shared, but all she saw was a man lost in his own ambitions.

A soft knock broke the tense quiet. An Omega entered, bowing respectfully. “Alpha, you have a visitor.”

Gabriel set his fork down and waved dismissively. “Let him in.”

The door opened, revealing a familiar figure—one of Gabriel’s closest friends. The man greeted Gabriel warmly and took a seat beside him, barely acknowledging Isabelle’s presence.

As they spoke, their words shifted into the ancient language of the kingdom. They assumed Isabelle couldn’t understand.

“So, Charlotte is really going to be your Luna, huh?” the man asked, his tone teasing.

Gabriel smirked. “Yes. It’s for the future of the Ironclaw Pack. Her connections will strengthen us.”

“Don’t lie to yourself. You care about her, don’t you? That’s why you’re marrying her instead.”

Gabriel chuckled softly, the sound like a dagger to Isabelle’s heart. “Of course. Charlotte means a lot to me.”

Isabelle’s fingers tightened around her fork. They didn’t know. They didn’t know that she, far from being a simple Omega, understood every word. She was no ordinary woman.

Unbeknownst to them, Isabelle was a princess—a hidden heir to the royal bloodline. Her lineage, traced directly to the Moon Goddess herself, was one of the most sacred and powerful in the kingdom. The ice bloodline, passed through her family for generations, bestowed upon her abilities that few could even comprehend. The mark of her power—a delicate, glowing white vein etched along her wrist—was visible only to those who knew what to look for.

When she was born, healers and royal maids had witnessed the mark, and the news spread like wildfire. Her true identity was too dangerous to be known, so her family concealed her existence from the world. She was raised in secrecy, her name and face hidden from the public eye.

Only a select few nobles were entrusted with the truth of her power.

A week ago, hope had filled Isabelle’s heart. She had discovered she was pregnant, and the joy of a child growing within her had spurred her to take the next step in her relationship with Gabriel. She had planned to propose.

Her confidante, Yna, had been the first to know. But Yna’s face had turned pale as she hesitantly handed Isabelle her phone.

“You need to see this,” Yna whispered.

Confused, Isabelle took the phone and stared at the screen. A screenshot of a post filled the display.

It was from Charlotte, the daughter of a neighboring Alpha. The woman who was always by Gabriel’s side.

[Finally, he proposed to me! I knew this day would come. I can’t believe it happened now.]

Isabelle’s chest tightened. “I… I didn’t see this before.”

Yna hesitated before replying. “That’s because she blocked you. Not just her—Gabriel’s mother and some of the pack members did too. They didn’t want you to know.”

Isabelle’s hands trembled as she scrolled through the comments.

[You’re a perfect match!]

[I’m so glad that Omega isn’t going to be our Luna.]

[Charlotte is so much better. Thank the Moon Goddess!]

And Gabriel’s mother… her words burned.

[I always knew Charlotte was the right choice. That Omega was never good enough for my son.]

Her stomach churned as the betrayal unfolded before her eyes. Gabriel, the man she had loved for years, had already chosen someone else—and the entire pack celebrated her downfall.

The same week, during the eclipse, Isabelle’s most vulnerable moment arrived. The pain struck her like lightning, ripping through her body.

“Gabriel,” she cried through their mind-link, her voice filled with desperation. “Please… save our baby!”

But the bond remained silent. Gabriel never answered.

Alone, she clutched her stomach as agony consumed her. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with sweat as she whispered prayers to the Moon Goddess.

When she awoke in the hospital, the emptiness in her womb was like a gaping wound. She had a miscarriage. Her child was gone. For three days, she lay in that sterile room, waiting for Gabriel to come. He never did.

Back in the present, Isabelle forced herself to remain calm as Gabriel and his friend continued their conversation.

“Our ceremony will be grand,” Gabriel said smugly. “Charlotte deserves nothing less.”

His friend laughed. “You’re in love, admit it! But are you sure she doesn’t understand us?”

Gabriel glanced at Isabelle, dismissive. “She can’t. She’s just a lowly Omega.”

Isabelle’s nails bit into her palm, the sting grounding her. She couldn’t stay here. Not after everything she’d heard. He didn't even know she was already aware of the engagement. Of course, they never intended to let her know. They wanted to treat her like a fool.

She rose from the table, her chair scraping against the floor. Gabriel barely noticed as she turned and left the room.

As she stepped outside, the cold wind bit at her skin, but it was nothing compared to the frost forming in her heart. For years, she had endured humiliation and heartbreak. But no more.

Shadows danced on the walls of Isabelle’s room as she sat by the frosted window, clutching the faintly glowing crescent pendant her mother had given her before she left the palace. It pulsed softly against her palm, a comforting reminder of the Moon Goddess’s presence and the divine lineage she carried in her veins.

She had fought to stay in the Ironclaw Pack, her heart foolishly believing in love and promises. "I love him," she had pleaded with her family. "Please, let me stay. I’ll be safe. I swear!"

Logan, her second elder brother, had been the fiercest in his opposition, his eyes blazing with fury. “They’ll never protect you like we can, Isabelle! You’re the ice princess, for the Moon’s sake. Do you think they even understand what you are? What’s at stake?”

But she had ignored his warnings, choosing instead to believe that Gabriel would keep her safe. After all, he had saved her once—three years ago, during the kidnapping attempt orchestrated by a rebel organization. That day, when he pulled her from the brink of death, she had believed he was her destiny.

Her knight in shining armor.

Now, she could barely recognize the man she once adored. The truth was undeniable: Gabriel wasn’t her protector. He was her downfall.

The morning came with a fever that refused to break, her body betraying her once more. Isabelle dragged herself to the pack hospital, each step heavier than the last.

The healer, a kind woman with silver streaks in her hair, examined her with gentle hands. “Your body is still reacting to the loss,” she said softly, her gaze pitying. “You need to rest, child. You’re still recovering.”

Isabelle nodded numbly, but rest wouldn’t heal the ache in her chest. The loss of her child—the one connection she had to a future—felt like a wound that would never close.

When she returned to the pack house, Gabriel was absent, as always. Yna, her only confidante, greeted her with a troubled expression.

“He’s with her again,” Yna murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Isabelle stiffened. She didn’t need to ask who “her” was.

“Did he say when he’d be back?” she asked, her voice deceptively calm.

Yna hesitated, her gaze darting away. “They’re planning their wedding. The pack… they’ve been told to keep it from you.”

For a moment, Isabelle felt the world tilt beneath her feet. But then she laughed—a sharp, bitter sound that echoed in the empty hall. “Of course. Why wouldn’t he? He wanted me to stay blind and obedient.”

Her voice dropped, laced with quiet resolve. “But I’m done, Yna. I’m leaving.”

Later that night, unable to sleep, Isabelle wandered downstairs to get some water. The pack house was eerily quiet, the air thick with the kind of stillness that made her skin crawl.

As she reached the kitchen, hushed voices floated toward her from the shadows.

“I still can’t believe someone murdered him,” Charlotte’s sweet, venomous voice carried through the dark. “The prince’s death… Do you think—”

“Shut it,” Gabriel hissed, his tone sharp and urgent. “We shouldn’t speak of his death here.”

Isabelle’s blood ran cold. They were talking about William, her brother.

Charlotte scoffed, her voice turning impatient. “You’re too cautious, Gabriel. Then what about the princess?”

Gabriel’s voice dropped, his words muffled but tense. “… hard… find...”

Her pulse quickened, unease clawing at her chest. Why were they talking about her family?

The floor creaked beneath her, and the voices fell silent.

“Who’s there?” Gabriel’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

The hallway was dark, the faint moonlight filtering through the large windows casting ghostly shadows along the walls. Isabelle stood frozen, her heart hammering in her chest. Gabriel’s sharp voice echoed through the silence again, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Who’s there?”

Gathering every ounce of courage she had left, Isabelle stepped forward, letting the dim light illuminate her face. Gabriel’s piercing gaze met hers, and she could see the flicker of surprise before he quickly masked it with his usual cold demeanor.

“Isabelle,” he said, his voice softening slightly, though suspicion lingered in his tone. “What are you doing down here at this hour?”

She swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “I couldn’t sleep. I came down to get some water.” Her eyes flicked toward Charlotte, who stood just behind him. The she-wolf’s eyes gleamed with malice, her lips curling into a faint, triumphant smirk.

Gabriel’s brow furrowed. “Did you hear anything?”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to shake her head. “No. I just got here.”

Charlotte exhaled dramatically, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “We didn’t mean to disturb you, Isabelle. Gabriel and I were just finishing up.”

“Finishing up what?” Isabelle asked, her gaze narrowing.

The smirk on Charlotte’s face faltered for a split second before Gabriel stepped in, his tone deceptively casual. “We had a late meeting with Charlotte’s pack. It ran longer than expected, and she wanted to stop by for tea before heading home.”

Isabelle’s eyes flicked to the table near them. It was empty—no cups, no teapot, not even a hint of warmth lingering in the air. Her stomach churned at the blatant lie, but she forced her expression to remain neutral.

“Tea at three in the morning?” she asked softly, her voice carrying an edge she couldn’t quite suppress.

Charlotte bristled, but Gabriel placed a hand on her arm, silencing her before she could respond. “You’ve been looking exhausted lately, Isabelle,” he said, his tone shifting to something almost kind. “You should take a break. Why don’t you spend the day outside tomorrow? Get some fresh air, clear your mind.”

She stared at him, her instincts screaming that something was wrong. Still, she forced herself to nod. “Maybe I will.”

Upon hearing her answer, Gabriel’s shoulders relaxed as if he had achieved some victory. He offered a faint smile. “Good. You’ll feel better.”

Charlotte gave her one last glance, smug and satisfied, before brushing past her. Gabriel followed closely behind, pausing only to say, “You should go back to bed.”

As they disappeared into the shadows of the hallway, Isabelle let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling at her sides. She glanced back at the empty table, her suspicion solidifying into certainty. Whatever Gabriel and Charlotte were doing, it wasn’t just a late-night meeting.

The first rays of sunlight streamed through her curtains as Isabelle sat by her window, unable to sleep after the confrontation. The warmth of the crescent pendant around her neck provided little comfort as her mind raced with unanswered questions.

By the time the house began to stir, she was dressed and waiting for Yna in the kitchen. Her Omega friend arrived with a tray of bread and fruit, her face lighting up when she saw Isabelle.

“You’re up early,” Yna said, setting the tray down.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Isabelle admitted, taking a seat. “Yna, do you know if anything’s happening tomorrow?”

Yna froze, her hands hovering over the tray. Her expression turned guarded, and she avoided Isabelle’s gaze.

“Why do you ask?” Yna said carefully.

The unease in Isabelle’s stomach twisted tighter. “Gabriel suggested I go out tomorrow, said I needed fresh air. It felt… odd.”

Yna hesitated before finally sighing. “You’re not going to like this, Belle.”

“Tell me,” Isabelle demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

Yna glanced around, ensuring no one else was nearby before leaning closer. “It’s an engagement party. For Gabriel and Charlotte.”