Isabella's POV

In the grand main hall, the maids and guards stood in a tense line, their eyes cast down at the ground. No one dared to speak, each holding their breath for as long as they could.

At the center, Beta Ryder’s intense gaze lingered on each face.

He stepped forward. His expression hardened the moment his eyes locked onto me, standing in the far corner.

“You,” he said coldly, lifting a finger to point at me.

I pressed a trembling hand against my chest, trying to calm the frantic rhythm of my heart.

“You were the last person to join the household,” Beta Ryder added suspiciously. “The only one whose background is still unknown. So, tell me, where were you when the Alpha was poisoned?”

I lifted my chin and cleared my throat. I tried to steady myself, reminding myself I had done nothing to harm Alpha Alaric. “I-I was in the kitchen earlier, helping prepare the evening meal with the other maids,” I said. “Then Clara told me to check the guest rooms, so I went.”

I paused, gathering my thoughts. “As I walked down the hallway, I heard a loud noise… like something breaking. I followed it and found a door slightly open. Inside, the bathroom floor was covered in blood. Then… he just appeared out of nowhere. And after that…” My voice faltered as I bit my lip.

“So,” Ryder pressed, smirking slightly, “you’re the only one without an alibi. What’s stopping us from believing you took the chance to poison Alpha Alaric?”

My eyes widened. “I-I didn’t even know he was here,” I stammered, lowering my gaze. “I don’t even know who he is.”

From the back, Miss Kenton stepped forward. “Isabella has done nothing but work hard since the moment she arrived,” she said firmly. “I saw her in the kitchen with the others. There’s no proof she did anything wrong. Just because she was at the scene doesn’t mean she’s guilty.”

“So, you're saying someone else did it? What motive would any of the others have?” Ryder snapped, narrowing his eyes. “Besides, she’s new. An outsider. The rest of the staff have served the Alpha and the Wolfhart family for years. She’s the only one with unknown intentions. The one who had every reason to do this, whatever that reason may be.”

A heavy silence settled in the hall. The maids and guards exchanged uneasy glances. My eyes gleamed as I looked to Miss Kenton for support. But Miss Kenton stood her ground.

“According to Lilia, poison takes time to work,” she said firmly. “Which means it was administered before Alpha Alaric collapsed. If you insist Isabella could have harmed him, then you don’t know him well enough. Our Master could kill her in the blink of an eye.”

But Beta Ryder wasn’t done. “Then who?” he snapped, scanning the row of staff. “Who else could have slipped poison into Alpha Alaric’s drink?”

A beat of silence passed before one of the guards cautiously stepped forward. He cleared his throat. “Beta Ryder, I think I remember something.” His gaze shifted toward the end of the line. “Miss Kenton, correct me if I’m wrong. But wasn’t it Clara who was supposed to serve the drinks? I saw her take the goblet from the tray.”

All heads turned sharply toward Clara, who had remained silent until now. Her face went pale, and she stumbled over her words. “I-I didn’t do anything! I swear!” she cried out, nearly falling to her knees. “I was only doing what I was told!”

Beta Ryder’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Clara, is it? How do we know you didn’t slip something into his drink?”

Clara’s hands trembled as she shook her head. “No! I swear, I didn’t! I would never hurt Alpha Alaric!”

Miss Kenton’s voice cut through the murmurs. “This isn’t a witch hunt, Beta Ryder. Accusations without proof won’t get us answers. We need facts and evidence—”

But Ryder ignored her, stepping closer to Clara. “If you’re really innocent, then why are you shaking like that? You seem like the most nervous one here.” His voice dropped to a growl. “What are you hiding, huh, Clara?”

Clara stared down at her feet. “I-I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Her voice trembled, barely audible. “It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this…”

All eyes were locked on Clara as Beta Ryder stepped even closer. “What do you mean, Clara? What exactly did you do?”

Tears spilled down Clara’s cheeks as her composure shattered. “I didn’t know what it was!” she cried. “I was just told to add a few drops to his goblet. They said it was medicine. To help him sleep. To calm his nerves. I swear, I didn’t know it was poison! Why would I fucking kill Alpha Alaric?”

Ryder’s voice was cold as ice. “Who gave you the order, Clara?”

Clara’s eyes flicked anxiously from face to face. “I-I can’t,” she whispered. “If I say it out loud, they’ll kill me…”

But Ryder wasn’t moved. His jaw tightened as he loomed over her. “The only way for you to live is by telling nothing but the truth. Who commanded you to poison the Alpha?!” His fists clenched at his sides. “Speak now, or I’ll have you torn apart, piece by piece, and fed to the dogs. Is that what you fucking want, Clara?”

Clara violently bit her lip. For a moment, silence lingered, until she choked out a single syllable. “Me—”

Miss Kenton stepped forward sharply. “That’s enough for now, Beta Ryder,” she said. “Our greatest priority is Alpha Alaric’s welfare and nothing else. Clara will be held under guard until we have more answers and get to the bottom of this. Now, let’s go back to our work, shall we?”

***

Alpha Alaric’s grand chamber was lit by the soft flicker of flames dancing in the nearby fireplace. On the large bed, he lay still. His frame remained motionless, save for the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

I sat silently at his side, my hands folded tightly in my lap. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His brow was furrowed, as if he were fighting against something in his unconscious state. It was terrifying to think how close Alpha Alaric had come to death.

I couldn’t help but sigh, uncertain of what I should do.

‘Should I stay?’ I asked myself. ‘Or should I run away?’

Muffled voices suddenly drifted through the closed door, reaching my ears. “It seems Alpha Alaric’s memory is gone,” Miss Kenton said firmly. “He even mistook Isabella for his wife. If he truly can’t remember what happened that night, then we’ve lost the only witness to Mr. Hawthorne’s murder.”

Beta Ryder’s response was low. “This isn’t random. Someone inside Crescent Manor knows exactly what they’re doing. They want him dead, and they’re using everyone around him to achieve it.” A moment passed. “That Isabella, Miss Kenton. Why is she really here?”

Then silence fell. No more words followed.

Suddenly, I gasped, my hand flying to cover my parted lips.

Mr. Hawthorne.

The Wolfhart Family.

Crescent Manor.

Everything crashed over me like a wave, all at once. Only now did I truly grasp where I had ended up.

“Hell…” I whispered.

A soft moan pulled my focus back to the bed. Alpha Alaric stirred, his face twisting. One of his elegant hands twitched, fingers curling as if reaching for someone in his dream.

“Mother…” he murmured. “Mother, no…”

My heart clenched at the sound of his broken plea.

‘Where is she?’ I wondered. ‘What happened to his mother? Why isn’t she here with him? What kind of past is he reliving now? What…’

I quickly shook away my thoughts and questions. I shouldn’t care. Not about him. Not about any of this.

The door creaked open, and Miss Kenton peeked inside. “How is he?” she asked in a hushed voice, stepping carefully into the room.

“He’s still unconscious,” I replied. “But… he’s dreaming. I think it’s about his mother.”

Miss Kenton’s expression tightened. “Her death scarred him deeply,” she murmured. “It’s been ten years, but the wound never truly healed.”

I gave a small nod, choosing not to press for more.

“There’s been a change of plans, Isabella. Please stay with him.” Miss Kenton gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “When he wakes — and I’m sure he will — he’ll need someone he trusts and feels safe with.”

My lips quivered as I asked, “And do you really think that’s me?”

Miss Kenton sighed, then added firmly, “None of us could have predicted this. And I wish we were wrong. But if our Master truly has lost parts of his memory, then we must protect the only truth he still believes. Whether you want to or not, you’ll have to play the part and pretend to be his wife.”

Silence hung heavy in the room. My breath caught. I couldn’t form a reply.

But the stillness was suddenly shattered by the groan of the door as it swung open. Immediately, a guard stepped inside.

“Miss Kenton!” he said breathlessly. “Clara… Clara’s been found dead. Someone murdered her.”