Chapter 0329

Lucas

Isabella’s soul is so profoundly dark it could rival any Rogue I’ve ever encountered. The moment I stepped inside, the oppressive energy hit me. Her bedroom was the epicenter, radiating pure shadow.

Earlier, talking to Zachary outside, I’d clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe my little girl had just woken from a nightmare. But no. She’s far more attuned to souls than I ever realized. Perhaps spending time with Athena awakened something in her.

In all my years as a Hunter, I’ve never seen a Wolf like this.

I’ve witnessed Wolves drowning in sorrow. I’ve seen them hollow out, becoming ghosts of who they were. But this? To be so consumed by a twisted sense of justice that it warps you into something else entirely? That’s new.

“Did you ever truly love our brother?” Isabella demands, her glare fixed on Alexander.

Her soul pulses violently. Whatever answer he gives won’t matter. She’s asking simply to hear herself speak. “Of course I loved him. I made a vow to our parents to protect both of you,” Alexander tells her, his voice strained.

“You stopped protecting him. You abandoned him.”

“He was a grown fucking man, Isabella. An adult who made his own choices. Choices that revolved solely around himself, with no regard for anyone else.” He shakes his head, disbelief etched on his face. “Have you forgotten what he did to Sebastian? Or that he tried to take Athena from me? Not to mention the countless others in this pack he managed to piss off. You weren’t exactly at the top of his list either!”

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I? Where was he when you were shattered because Gabriel rejected you? Oh, that’s right—too busy dealing with his own issues. By fucking more women.”

“Gabriel has nothing to do with this.”

“Doesn’t he? If I recall correctly, he’s the one who killed Sophia. That act is what sent Julian spiraling. When Gabriel cast you aside, I was the one who picked up the pieces.”

She glares, pure hatred radiating from her. Zachary moves toward her, cupping her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. He must feel her rage through their bond.

Isabella’s eyes narrow to slits. She spits at him, snarling through clenched teeth. “Let go of me.”

“Isabella, this isn’t you,” Zachary murmurs, wiping the spit from his face. “Snap out of this before you cross a line you can’t come back from.”

She smirks coldly. “Why? Am I not your precious little mate anymore? Do I fail to obey your every command?”

He steps back, brow furrowed. “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

“I don’t need your recognition,” she seethes.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Zachary demands.

Her dark eyes shift to me. “He’s going to kill me anyway. And you can’t stop him.”

I lift my hands, showing both men my gun is still tucked securely in my belt. I could draw it in a heartbeat if I chose to. But would I shoot the Alpha’s sister? If she were a Lycan, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Isabella is the one Wolf here I’ve had the least interaction with. She was either at the hospital with Julian or locked away asleep here. I never saw her walking the grounds. Never heard her speaking to anyone.

But I did wonder what losing her twin would do to her. How far would the grief drag her down?

Turns out, the answer is damn far.

“He won’t kill you,” Zachary mutters, though it sounds more like a question. “Will you?” His eyes search mine, but I remain silent. I can’t give him an honest answer. “He will if I ask him to,” Isabella replies with a careless shrug. “Killing Rogues is what he does best.” Her gaze locks on me. “Right?”