and her mind seemed to wander further and further away from the tasks at hand. She was no longer the princess who duti

ls of the wedding. The evenings were filled with the company of Prince Caspian, where they attended dinners, shared polite conversations, and exchanged n

had shared, his unspoken promises of protection, his desire to stay by her side, had altered something deep inside her. She knew he was

e found herself wondering where he was, if he was still in the kingdom, and what his intentions truly were. She had never been one to c

The moonlight illuminated the stone pathways, casting long shadows over the gardens. The air was cool and cris

duty as a princess. But every time she tried, her thoughts drifted back to the rogue werewolf who h

d in the air, and for a moment, it felt as if the world around her had fallen away. It was just the night, the stars,

inc

ommanding. Isabella's eyes snapped open, and her hea

or

ttire-dark, practical, and fitting for someone who belonged to a world far removed from her own. His presence was a

bella said quickly, her voic

, his eyes never leaving h

self, she took a step closer to him. "Why? Why are you

sad smile. "I'm here because you need me.

ir bond was impossible, that it could never work between them. But the truth was, she didn't want to push him away. She didn't

ing slightly. "You risk your life by being near me. I can't be with you.

n," Thorne interrupted, his voice low but

nsidering was dangerous. Being with Thorne meant defying her family, her kingdom, and everything she had b

audible. "I'm supposed to marry Caspian. I have a duty to

ming. "And what about what you want, Isabella? What

had never been allowed to choose it. Happiness, for her, had always been defined by duty and responsibility

nce for freedom, a chance for a life that was her own.

out before she could stop them. "Scared of what this co

ou to choose me. Not yet. But I can't let you go without letting you know that you have a ch

ns that bound her, but the reality of her situation was too powerful to ignore. She was a princess, the future queen of Ser

ice full of resignation. "I don't have the luxury of cho

I'll wait, Isabella. If that's what you truly want. But

lked away, disappearing int

ve had. The choice was hers to make, but she didn't know if she was strong enough to choose something different. Th