Isla’s POV
When I wake up, I first notice how silent it is everywhere.
I have no idea about how much time has passed or what has happened.
As though it was timed, the cellar door was pushed open, and I squinted my eyes, adjusting to the light slowly.
I sat up the moment I saw him.
He is here.
He came!
“Dario!” I called out, lunging at my godfather's broad and familiar figure.
“Tesoro,” Dario groaned as he lifted me up and cradled my body against his. Aside from the relief, I couldn’t help the electricity that I felt from being this close to him.
“Are you okay?” he finally asked after a minute.
“Hmm, Pete locked me here and told me only one person had the key.”
Dario said nothing and silently brought me out of the cellar and into my room.
Even though the curtains weren’t drawn, there was still more than enough light, and I smiled as I stared at Dario’s perfect features.
While he was my godfather, I could not deny how drawn I had always been to him. Even worse was when my wolf had picked him as my mate.
After three months of not seeing him, I couldn’t help but let my eyes soak in the perfection that he was.
“I knew you were going to come.”
“I told Papa several times,” I added, and while my voice was barely audible, I knew that Dario could hear me.
His face fell, and I felt the energy in the room drop at a very fast rate.
“I came late.”
A bad, foreboding feeling filled my heart.
“Came late? I don’t hear the sounds of battle anymore. You came just in time!” Papa had already promised me that he would hold out till backup came.
However, my godfather's solemn and forlorn look made me step back.
“Where is Papa?”
I don’t wait for his reply and rush forward, opening my room door and running down the corridor.
I can hear Dario's footsteps hurrying to catch up with me as I rush out of my childhood mansion towards the pack centre.
Every mile I cover breaks my heart even further as everywhere is filled with dead bodies, and the stench of blood pollutes the air.
This was not the pack that I knew.
“Papa!” I called out at the top of my lungs, hoping that he could hear me from where he was.
Or was he heavily injured?
“Mio cara, stop!” Dario called from the back, and I halted for a second and then continued, this time a little slower.
“He’s dead.”
My body froze, and I almost fell from how abruptly I had stopped.
“What are you saying, Dario?” I asked as I turned to meet his now-close figure.
“I came late…” his voice had a tremble to it, and I felt my heart aching like it would break apart.
“Where’s my Papa?” Papa couldn’t be dead.
He was all I had left.
I was his princess.
I shook my head repeatedly, and I felt warm tears run down my face.
Dario moved forward, closing the gap between us as he tried to pull me into his embrace.
“Tesoro, I’m sorry.”
I pushed back, my body trembling.
“How convenient for you to say that you are sorry.”
“Sorry?” I scoffed and took two steps back.
He was the fucking Lycan king!
And my father’s best friend.
“Were you sorry when you made a vow never to step foot here three months ago?”
“Or were you sorry when you decided that you didn’t need your best friend anymore and cut off ties with Papa?”
I paused, taking deep breaths while glaring at Dario, who now looked completely broken.
“Even when his world collapsed, he insisted on not calling you.”
“I know you are angry right now and unable to process anything. But you also need to calm down, Isla.”
Calm down?
I had just lost the one person that I had in this world. He was the one man who held up my entire world, and he wanted me to be calm.
“I can’t believe that I misjudged you,” I spat out, and Dario’s face darkened.
“You were the one reason why our pack was attacked and the reason why Papa is dead right now. And you dare say that I should be calm?”
“What’s your heart made of?”
I was crossing lines. I knew very much that I was, and there was that quiet and rational part inside of me that was scolding me.
But the pain in my heart, the stifling feeling that I was feeling, was too much for me to bottle in.
Also, there was some guilt.
Because, at the end of the day, if my wolf hadn’t picked Dario, he would not have fled that day. Or made that vow to my papa.
Papa would have been able to call him. With Dario’s power, Papa would still be here now.
Alive.
“What are you talking about, Isla? I’m the reason why?” Dario asked and stepped towards me, pausing as he realised I didn’t want him close to me.
“Why do you care? You didn’t care three days ago; there’s no need to act like you care now, King Dario,” I snarled, and I saw his jaw clenched visibly.
“I guess you are exactly what the rumours say, right? Cruel and heartless.”
I was out of breath from ranting all at once and took a deep breath.
“Thank you for opening the cellar door for me, King Dario, but if you don’t mind, I'd like to join my papa…”
Before I could finish my words, Dario closed the space between us at lightning speed and grabbed my arms tightly.
“I know you are grieving, Isla…”
“But do not forget who you are talking to!” He snarled and then walked off without any care.
Bastard.
Dario’s POVThis was it.The worst fuvking mistake of my life.Nothing could have prepared me for this; now that it already happened, it was done.Alfred was gone.“Take me to him,” I ordered as I stormed to where some of my men were, moving things around.“Your Majesty,” they made their customary bow before leading the way inside one of the few buildings that was still standing.I could tell that the battle here had been hard. It was hard enough that Alfred knew he wasn’t going to make it.And he had used the last method of survival that could have housed about ten of them till I got here for his only daughter.His princess.She was one hell of a mouthy princess and definitely the bane of my existence.I had gone from buying her toys to buying her dresses.But, from the day she turned sixteen, I had noticed the difference that my Principessa was growing into one of the most beautiful and alluring females ever.Two months before her 18th birthday, she decided to let me know she wasn’t
Isla’s POVMy body swayed before falling to the ground beside my Papa.My entire world.They had taken my world from me.For a brief moment, I looked around, searching for a sharp object that could send me on my way to join Papa in the fastest time.But I knew it would kill him even more to see me there than if I stayed here.Maybe I could find those bastards. Find every single soul that has done this to my Papa.His entire body was covered in dried blood and cuts from fighting so hard for this pack.He had died fighting.Eventually, I lay there beside him, crying my eyes out.I don’t know how I slept off, but I woke up in Dario’s familiar embrace.I’m no longer in the room where Papa was but now outside our pack. As I looked around, I saw the chopper that Dario must have brought here and a fleet of cars.“Where’s Papa?” I asked, wiggling and kicking at his chest so that he could get that I didn’t want to be with him.“He’s in one of those cars. We have to leave now.”“Put me down.”H
Isla’s POVHe ignored me.The car ride was completely silent, and I peered at the scenery outside.Papa promised to take me to visit the whole world after I was 18, and our first destination was supposed to be Dario’s home. Now I am really on the way there, only my father wouldn’t be with me anymore.As we walked to the entourage of parked cars waiting for us, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander.Dario had refused to answer my question. Even after six months, nothing had changed.After nursing a crush on him for the last five years, I had spent every birthday and full moon asking the moon goddess for one thing— a mate bond with Dario.Reality had given me a slap in the face. A slap that cost me the most important person to me. Another wave of pain slammed through my mind, and I bit my lips to stop myself from crying out. I know that Papa wouldn’t want to see me crying.The car rolled to a stop, and I peered through the tinted windows at the huge mansion before me.Dario was at my s
Dario’s POV I could feel the tension rising as my gaze moved from Isla to Brenda. Then I heard Isla speak up. “Can I know where I’ll be staying?” She looked annoyed like she couldn’t wait to leave. Probably, she was weary from the car ride, I guessed.“Rio! Take her to the room upstairs.” I instructed one of my guards. He nodded his head and then led Isla upstairs. I watched as she walked behind him. The tension which was slowly building up amongst us had simmered.“Dario,” Brenda called softly, reminding me she was still here.I turned towards her immediately, pulling my hands away. My expression was stern as I looked her in the eye. “Why didn’t you inform me of your visit?” I asked. “Can’t I pop in to check up on you?” Brenda questioned, shooting flirtatious looks. “Brenda, answer my question ?” I growled. I was growing impatient and didn’t have time for this little game Brenda was playing. I guessed she must have sensed it because she stopped batting her eyelashes and looked
DarioMy eyes were still fixed on the picture when I heard a knock. I hoped it wasn’t Brenda! I couldn’t deal with her right now. I wasn’t even in the mood to answer, so I ignored the knock.“Who is there?” I questioned after hearing the second knock.“Your majesty, there’s an issue!” The voice of one of the housekeepers caught my ear.“Issue?”“It’s about the young girl, your majesty.”I groaned, ordering her to step in afterwards. “What happened?” I asked the minute she entered.“She wouldn’t have her dinner!” “Reasons so?”“She didn’t say. She just sent us away.” I sighed. I could only imagine the pain my little princess was going through. Her father was a huge part of her life, and losing him must have hurt her greatly. “I will handle it. Just bring her meal to me.” The housekeeper nodded, obeying my instructions. Immediately after she left, I walked out of the study.It was my duty to take care of the princess. It was my duty to Alfred, and he wouldn’t forgive me if anything
Isla’s pov I woke up feeling slightly better. Maybe it was because of Dario and me having a conversation yesterday. After a quick stretch, I pulled off the duvet and headed to where I had stuffed my notepad in my bag.I wrote down everything I remembered from the attack. I guessed it would be useful to Dario. Besides, I didn’t want to forget.I was still writing when I heard a knock on my door.“Who’s there?” I asked.“Isla, breakfast is ready!” It was Dario. His voice was like music to my ears.“I’m coming!” I responded, scribbling down some more words. Once I was done, I went to the bathroom. I didn’t waste time pampering myself in the bathroom. However, the thought of soaking myself in the bathroom using one of the lavender wash I had seen on the bathroom shelf crossed my mind.I made a mental note to do that later, probably in the evening. Immediately, I was done bathing. I dressed up quickly.I wore a simple dress and tied my hair in a messy ponytail. My mind drifted off as I
Isla’s POV My eyes landed on Dario. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes were a bit red with rage. He looked angry, very angry. But the more I stared, the more I noticed his expression change drastically. He had a stern look playing across his face now. “Brenda!” He called, turning to face her. “Please excuse us!” Brenda glared at me. She picked up her clothes from the floor, throwing them over her body before she left. She shot me another glare, then walked out of the room, and I was glad that my aim was achieved. I was able to ruin their fun. I tried my best to hide my happy feelings. The second Brenda had left, Dario’s eyes were on me, and I didn’t hesitate to step forward, wearing the same stern expression he had on. “How dare you do this, Dario?” I began. “You’re betraying our mate bond!” “Isla-“ he said, but I didn’t allow him to continue. I kept on speaking. “You know this is all so wrong, Dario. You are not meant to be with her! She isn’t your mate.” “I can decide o
Isla’s POV I don’t know how I managed to get to my room and when I fell asleep. All I knew was that I was on the floor when I woke up. Actually, the sound of someone knocking on the door, followed by the housekeeper’s voice, had woken me up. As I sat up, listening to the voice of the housekeeper instructing me to come downstairs. My bone ached, and the throbbing pain in my heart hadn’t vanished. I felt weak and tired to make things worse. Dario’s words echoed in my mind. I sighed. The pain in my chest was increasing with each passing second. I felt like I could explode any minute from now. So this is how rejection felt. It was worse than I ever imagined. I wished Padre was here with me. His hands wrapped around my body would wash away the feeling of pain that I was experiencing right now. At that moment, my eyes landed on the teddy perched at the corner of my bed. My father had given me that teddy on my eighteenth birthday. I got on my feet, heading to the corner of the bed. Tha