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Meeting Isabella

Lilian's POV

How could one man make me so scared in the way he was doing? His cold words from our previous meeting echoed in my mind, and I honestly didn't want to have to meet him. At least for now. Who knew Henrik's plans would be this difficult to achieve?

I forcefully opened the door and walked in, immediately, my eyes met his piercing eyes.

"I-I-I brought tea for you" I said, trying to keep my voice as polite as I can.

Kaiden barely glanced at me as I placed the tray on his desk.

"Leave it there and go," he said curtly, turning his attention back to his papers.

I swallowed hard, feeling a pang of hurt threatening to choke me at his dismissive tone.

"I thought we could talk," I ventured, hoping for a chance to bridge the gap between us.

Kaiden looked up, his expression hardening.

"We have nothing to talk about Lillian.This marriage is a sham, and you're just someone being used by Henrik." He said so rudely and turned back to what he was doing on his study table.

His words stung like the sting of scorpions, and I almost could feel tears welling up in my eyes.

"I didn't choose this either," I whispered, my voice trembling. "But we're both in this now. Can't we at least try to make it work?" I asked him.

Kaiden's eyes narrowed, and he stood up all of a sudden, as his chair scraped the floor.

"Make it work? You think this is a fairytale where everything magically falls into place? Wake up, Lillian.

This is reality, this can't work, people like you are not to be trusted." He said to me harshly and I flinched at his harsh words, my heart broke hearing the cruelty in his tone. Before I could respond, the door to the study opened suddenly, and Luna Caroline walked in.

"Kaiden, that's enough," she said firmly, her eyes twinkled with disapproval. "You have no right to speak to her in that manner, she is your mate." She said to her son while I stood there ashamed of myself to say the least.

Kaiden tightened his jaw, but he couldn't argue with his mother.

"She's trying so hard for nothing, " he muttered, turning away.

Luna Caroline sighed, shaking her head.

"You're an adult now, Kaiden. I can't force you to change your attitude, but I expect you to treat others with respect, especially your mate." She told him.

Kaiden didn't respond, and Luna Caroline turned to me, her expression softening.

"Lillian, I'm sorry you had to endure that," she said gently. "Kaiden is... difficult, but he will learn." She assured me and I nodded my head, even though I still felt ashamed, there was this tiny spark of gratitude that was already building in my chest.

"Thank you, my Luna," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She reached out to me and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"You're a strong young woman, Lillian. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise." She told me and I nodded my head as I let out a small smile at her. She returned my smile and turned to her son.

"Your father has asked that we all have dinner with him. The Alpha's specific words were that you bring along with you, your new mate." She told him even though he was pretending to not hear her. She glanced again at me and let out a smile before she turned on her heels and left Kaiden's study, leaving me alone with him once again.

As Luna Caroline left the study, I stood there, feeling the sting of his cruelty and the shame of being treated that way in front of the pack maids who had witnessed the exchange.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

For now, all I could do was take it one step at a time and hope that, in time, Kaiden would come around, somehow. I couldn't let Kaiden's words break me. I have to be strong, not just for myself, but to act well, so as not to confirm his suspension, but I genuinely love this man.

As I turned to go out of the study, there was a knock at the door and before I could react, the door was opened, revealing a striking woman with sharp features and an air of confidence. She walked in with a familiarity that indicated she was no stranger to the castle.

"Kaiden!" she exclaimed, her voice full of warmth as she approached him.

What?

Kaiden looked up and I saw for the first time since I met him, a rare smile spread across his face.

"Isabella, It's been too long," he said, standing to embrace her.

I watched the scene unfold, feeling like an intruder. The lady glanced at me and I saw her smile fade slightly and become replaced by something that resembled disdain as she assessed me.

"And who is this?" she asked, her tone suddenly cooler.

"This is Lillian," Kaiden replied, his tone indifferent. "She's... my mate." He said.

Her eyes rolled as she looked me up to down.

"Oh, I see," she said, her voice dripping with dispice", I wasn't aware that the prince needed to settle for less." She said and I was taken aback by the way she had spoken.

Her words were a slap in the face, but I kept my expression neutral. I refused to let her see that she had gotten to me.

"It's nice to meet you, Lisa, is it?" I asked in a polite voice, though I didn't mean it. She sneered at me.

"It's Isabel." She corrected me as if I didn't know that.

"Right." I said, nodding my head.

Isabel raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Is it nice to meet me though?" she asked in a mocking tone . "I find that hard to believe." She said, She was still looking at me.

Kaiden, oblivious to the tension, turned back to her. From the looks of things they seemed to be close. An ex? I wondered.

No.

A pal?

A friend?

A best friend?

I squinted my eyes as I watched them both.

"What brings you here?" he asked, clearly happy to see her.

"I'm visiting my family and thought I'd drop by," Isabel replied, her gaze still fixed on me. "I didn't expect to find such... changes." She said as she eyed me.

"Well, things have been... complicated," Kaiden admitted, glancing at me briefly before looking back at her

She smirked.

"Complicated indeed," she said, her eyes flashing with a hint of malice.

The feeling of mutual dislike between Isabel and me was too much to ignore. I knew I hated her instantly already. I could tell she was used to doing things her way and saw me as an obstacle. But I wasn't about to let her intimidate me.

"I should go," I said, turning to Kaiden. "I'll leave you two to catch up.”

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