Chapter 8
~ Isabella's POV
As I woke up, I felt a strange mix of relief and disbelief. My surroundings were warm and comforting, far from the harshness of the life I'd been running from. The food before me was more than just nourishment; it was a sign of kindness and care that I hadn't experienced in so long. I couldn't help but stuff my mouth, savoring every bite as if it were a treasure.
The man who had saved me was still there, watching me with a soft, concerned expression. I glanced up from my plate, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his presence. I wasn't ready to leave this place, not when it felt like I had finally found somewhere I was truly accepted.
"What's your name?" I finally asked, my curiosity getting the better of me
He smiled, a hint of apology in his eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner. I'm Lucian Grey, the Alpha of the Snowwood Pack."
The realization hit me like a cold wave. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel the fear creeping back into my chest. I had heard so many rumors about Alpha Lucian being ruthless and cold-hearted. The thought of being in the presence of such a powerful figure was intimidating.
But Lucian must have noticed the shift in my expression because he quickly reassured me. "Please, don't be scared. I'm not here to harm you. You're safe with me."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that were suddenly on edge. Lucian's friendliness seemed to contradict everything I had heard about him. Maybe those rumors were just that, rumors.
"Did you know you have a nickname?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? What is it?"
I hesitated, then said, "The Ruthless Ugly Lucian."
The moment the words left my mouth, Lucian burst into laughter, the sound echoing warmly through the room. It was unexpected, and I found myself smiling at his reaction.
"Am I that bad?" he asked, still chuckling.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "From what I've seen, you're nothing like the rumors."
His laughter softened, and he looked at me with a mix of amusement and sincerity. "Well, I guess I'm glad to prove the rumors wrong. I hope you're starting to see that not everything you've heard is true."
I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Definitely. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, Alpha Lucian."
Lucian's voice was gentle as he spoke, "You should rest now. There are clothes on the hanger over there; choose whichever ones you find most comfortable. And if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask the maids."
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude.
With a reassuring smile, Lucian turned to leave the room. As the door closed behind him, a rush of joy surged through me. I couldn't help but twirl around the room, feeling lighter than I had in ages. The clothes he had mentioned were beautiful, soft fabrics in rich colors, a clear difference from the tattered rags I had been wearing. I picked out a cozy, elegant dress and slipped it on, admiring how it made me feel like a different person.
As I danced around, the happiness bubbled up inside me. I couldn't believe how kind and handsome Lucian was. The way he had cared for me, despite all the rumors, made me feel like I was in a dream. I held back from praising him too much, though. It felt too soon, and I didn't want to come across as too eager.
This room, the clothes, the warmth, it was all so new and wonderful. I decided then and there that I was going to live my life to the fullest, embracing every bit of happiness and safety that had come my way. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a chance to start over, to make something positive out of the mess that had been in my life.
As I flopped onto the bed, the softness beneath me felt like a dream. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, but my thoughts began to drift back to the life I had left behind.
Jack's face flashed before my eyes—the warmth, the way he had tried to protect me. My heart ached as I remembered his gentle touch and the pain of his rejection. I wondered if he ever thought about me now, or if he was simply moving on with his life blissfully. The thought brought a pang of sadness, but I pushed it away. There was no point in dwelling on what that had been.
My mind shifted to my adoptive parents, the ones who had made my life so miserable. Did they even realize I was gone? Would they be searching for me, or were they too consumed by their anger and cruelty to care? I doubted they'd notice my absence at all. To them, I was just a burden, easily forgotten. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It didn't matter anymore. I had escaped that painful life and found something different, something that felt like a fresh start.
With a contented sigh, I resumed exploring the clothes that Lucian had provided. Each piece was more beautiful than the last, and I took my time running my fingers over the luxurious fabrics, enjoying the way they felt against my skin. I tried on a few outfits, admiring how each one made me feel special and cared for.
Time seemed to slip by as I ate and tried on different clothes, the day's exhaustion catching up with me. The sense of safety and the comfort of Lucian's home made me feel at ease, and my heavy eyelids were starting to droop.
Eventually, the combination of the delicious meal and the soothing ambiance of the room made it hard to stay awake. I lay down on the soft bed, the fabric cool and inviting against my skin. I snuggled into the pillows, feeling a profound sense of peace I hadn't experienced in a long time.
As sleep began to pull me under, I let myself sink deeper into the bed, feeling the gentle embrace of the softness beneath me. My mind was a whirl of comforting thoughts, and I let the quiet of the room envelop me like a warm, cozy blanket.
In those final moments before sleep completely took over, I held onto the fragile hope that this new life might be everything I had been yearning for. The hope felt like a gentle spark inside me, one that I desperately wanted to keep alive. I imagined a future where I could finally be happy, free from the pain and loneliness that had defined my past.
As my eyes grew heavy and my thoughts started to drift, I whispered a silent wish into the darkness, that maybe, this time, the world would be kind to me.