Matthew’s POV
A cold laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “The best thing? You’ve got a funny way
of showing appreciation, Isabelle.
Those words might have worked on me once. I might have melted at the sight of her tears. But not anymore. Not after everything I’d lost.
I want you to leave,” I said, the words coming out with surprising calm. “Tomorrow morning. Pack your things and go.”
Her eyes widened in panic. “Matthew, no-
Did you help your father plan this? Did you help him set up the attack that brought Levenston’s men to our door? Did you feed him information that destroyed Forestvale from the inside out? Made people question my leadership? Were you helping him regain control of Forestvale all along?”
Isabelle’s eyes grew impossibly wide, fresh tears spilling over as she shook her head frantically. “No! I would never! I would never help him with anything. I’ve been looking for reasons to get away from him my entire life!”
I didn’t believe her. Not for a second. “You lied about me and Juno before. Why should I trust you now?”
“Because my father killed my mother right in front of me!” she cried out, her voice breaking. “He used silver on her. She was going to report him to Nathanael Levenston. She found out what he was planning and didn’t agree. She threatened to tell, so he killed her.”
I froze, caught off guard by the raw anguish in her voice.
“She called him a usurper,” Isabelle continued, her body trembling. “Right before he stabbed her. I watched her die, and that memory never leaves me. He told me if I didn’t promise to keep his secrets, I’d be next. Being your mistress was better than being Charles Richards‘ daughter.”
My mind was racing, trying to process this new information. “What was she going to report? What did it have to do with Forestvale?”
“I don’t know exactly,” Isabelle replied, wiping futilely at her tears. “Something about a massive attack. That’s all I know.”
I narrowed my eyes, studying her. There was genuine fear there, but I’d been fooled before. “If you hate your father so much, why did you report back to him? Why did you give him information about me? Why did you help him spy on me?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” she whispered, shame coloring her words.
My heart shattered anew. It was true, then. She’d been his spy all along.
She’s been using us, Zephyx growled inside me, his anger matching my own.
I felt sick. Played for a fool, again. “You used me.”
Isabelle slid off the bed and onto her knees before me, her head bowed, neck exposed in the traditional posture of submission. The gesture, meant to appease an angry Alpha, only fueled my disgust.
“It was the only way to protect you,” she pleaded, not looking up. “I didn’t realize what his true intentions were until after Juno left. He ordered me to make sure I married you and to tell him everything you did.“/
“And when you refused?” I asked.
‘He told me he had people in your pack, in your teams. Men on your payroll who were actually hired by someone else. I don’t know which one.” Her voice shook. “He said if I didn’t do what he wanted, he would have you killed. And he wouldn’t need to do it himself.”
She finally looked up, her face streaked with tears. “I had to think about our children. About you. You might hate me, but I love you.”
The confession hung in the air between us, and meaningless.
“What information did you give him?‘ Idemanded.
1/3
Chapter 251
Your private talks with Maddox and Quinn, she admitted, “When you three would meet alone, I didn’t think it mattereit much,
The realization hit me. That’s why she’d always been nearby during those conversations. Why she’d been awake, or lingering just outside the door.
I swear I didn’t know he wanted to take over Forestvale,” she continued desperately. “I thought he was just controlling. Curious. I gave him false information too.”
She gripped her knees tightly, knuckles white. “That’s why I didn’t come with you. He found out I’d lied and was furious.”
Fear flickered across her face, genuine terror that made her whole body tremble. Fresh tears spilled down her theeks.
“Please, Matthew,” she begged. ‘Help me get away from him. I’ll leave with the babies and never bother you again, I promise.”
I stared down at her, trying to reconcile the sobbing woman before me with the manipulator who’d helped destroy my life. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?
“I was afraid, she whispered. “I’m still afraid.”
I wanted to believe her. Part of me did. But I’d been burned too many times to trust easily again.
“I got his email password before we came to Clifflands,” she said suddenly. “I thought I could use it to bargain for my freedom. There’s something else, Alpha Alvin and all the old Alphas except Alpha Jonathan had secret meetings with my father-
That caught my attention. “What kind of meetings?”
“They weren’t planning against you specifically,” she said quickly. “They seemed to be planning to install a new King. That’s why I never brought it up.”
Her eyes met mine, pleading. “I swear on our unborn children’s lives, I’m telling the truth. Please help me.”
I stood and walked to the safe in the corner of the room. Opening it, I took out a silver bracelet, the kind used to subdue wolves in transport.
‘I’ll help you,” I said, turning back to her. “Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to the manor and repeat everything you just told me to Levenston.”
She nodded eagerly, hope lighting her features.
“After that, I’ll decide whether I want to stay with a fated mate who accidentally destroyed my life, or move on.”
The hope dimmed in her eyes, but she nodded again. “I understand.“,
I approached her and snapped the silver bracelet around her wrist. She gasped at the cold burn, but didn’t resist as her wolf side went dormant.
‘Get in bed and rest,” I ordered.
Isabelle obeyed, climbing under the covers without another word. I texted Kieran that we’d be heading to Levenston Manor in the morning, then settled into the armchair across the room, watching her.
I had no intention of sleeping. I couldn’t risk her running away in the night. Tomorrow, I’d ask Augustin to keep her confined until we could verify her story. I wouldn’t be fooled again.
The thought of my children carrying Richards blood made my stomach turn.
I leaned back in the chair, preparing for a long night of watching and waiting, my mind filled with bitter thoughts and unanswered questions.
