Alpha Nathan's POV.

But I quickly diverted the conversation in a different direction, raising my voice with authority, "Ethan! Did you hear what I just said to you? Show her to her room immediately."

I commanded my Beta sternly and firmly. He wasn't used to hearing me call him by his first name like that.

He knew perfectly well that I only did that when I was seriously irritated, extremely nervous, or losing control of my emotions.

"Yes, Alpha," Ethan replied with a slight bow, though I could see confusion in his eyes.

And at that particular moment, I felt bloody nervous and completely wrecked emotionally. My hands were actually shaking slightly, and I hoped nobody would notice my obvious distress.

Isabella slowly dragged her feet backward and thanked us politely and gracefully, "Thank you so much, your majesty. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, your highness." Her voice was soft and grateful, but I could hear the underlying sadness and uncertainty in her tone.

"You're welcome," I wanted to say, but I forced myself to remain silent and maintain my composure.

Suddenly, James, my beloved sister's energetic young son, completely surprised all of us when he ran at full speed towards Isabella and jumped up and down like an excited little rabbit, saying with pure joy and enthusiasm, "Play with me! I love you already! You seem really nice!"

"Well, hello there, little prince," Isabella said with a genuine smile, kneeling down to James's eye level.

I had to suppress a genuine chuckle because James had never, ever done anything like that before with any stranger. He was usually shy and reserved around new people, especially adults he didn't know well.

"That's quite unusual for him," I thought to myself, watching the sweet interaction with interest.

And that innocent, heartwarming display made Mila, my dear, precious sister, smile warmly back at Isabella and walk politely over to her with grace and kindness, holding up her hand in a welcoming gesture. "Welcome to our home, Isabella," she said with genuine warmth. "I'm Mila, Alpha Nathan's younger sister. It's such a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," Isabella replied, taking Mila's hand gently.

But then my rude, inconsiderate Luna harshly interrupted the pleasant moment and said something that almost broke my poor sister's tender heart with her absolutely fucking cruel and unnecessary words, "Mila is adopted, you know. She's not really his blood sister."

"Lily!" I snapped, unable to contain my anger at her cruelty.

Mila immediately lowered her gaze shamefully to the cold floor, feeling deeply embarrassed and hurt by the public reminder. She sighed heavily and said with resignation and sadness in her voice, "Yes, it's true. I'm Alpha Nathan's adopted sister, not his biological one. Thank you so much, Lily, for reminding me and everyone else of that painful fact."

"Mila, wait," I called out, but she was already moving away.

My heart broke watching my sister's pain, and Mila quickly ran out of the room with tears forming in her eyes. Little James immediately followed her, calling out, "Mama Mila, wait for me!" But Isabella, showing incredible kindness and intuition, gently pulled Mila's hand back and whispered something private and comforting into her ear that I couldn't quite hear from where I was standing. I was extremely curious and desperate to know what she was saying to comfort my sister.

"What are you telling her?" I wondered, straining to listen.

And just as I had hoped and suspected, I managed to catch some of Isabella's whispered words to Mila because of my enhanced werewolf hearing: 'Don't let that cruel woman break your spirit or your confidence. I'm absolutely sure that Alpha Nathan loves you and your precious son James much more than he could ever love his Luna. Be confident in yourself and your place here. You belong in this family.'

"Isabella," I thought to myself, feeling a surge of admiration for her kindness.

And yes, Isabella's wise and insightful words were completely true and factual. Every single word she spoke was absolutely right on target. I couldn't help but smile genuinely at Isabella, stealing several quick glances in her direction and trying to show her through my facial expressions that I had heard every word of her unusual and touching speech. I was so incredibly glad and grateful that Isabella had said those encouraging things to my sister.

"Thank you," I mouthed silently to Isabella, hoping she would see my gratitude.

But just because I appreciated Isabella's kindness didn't mean I would let this terrible situation with my Luna pass easily or without consequences. Lily's behavior was completely unacceptable and needed to be addressed immediately.

Mila, apparently energized and inspired by Isabella's encouraging words, linked her arm confidently through Isabella's arm and lifted little James up into her free arm with renewed strength and determination. "Let me show you around the entire castle, Isabella," she said with newfound confidence and enthusiasm. "Let me personally guide you to your new room, and I want you to know that you will only work as a nanny and caretaker for James. Nothing more demanding than that."

"That sounds wonderful," Isabella replied with a warm smile.

But Lily immediately growled angrily like a wild animal and shouted, "What the hell do you think you're doing! You can't just make decisions like that, Mila! I'm the Luna here!"

"Actually, I can," Mila replied calmly but firmly.

And just as if Isabella's supportive words to Mila had been like a powerful electric charge, they raised my sister's self-confidence and inner strength almost instantly and dramatically.

With intensity but not necessarily with malicious intent, Mila threw a confident, almost mocking smirk over her shoulder directly at my Luna and said with unprecedented boldness, "I can do absolutely anything I want to do in this castle. This beautiful place is my parents' castle and my brother's castle, and while he might be able to replace you with another Luna if he chooses to, he would never, ever replace me or my son! So why don't you just shut your disrespectful mouth, Lily, and mind your own business for once!"

"Mila!" I said, shocked by her sudden boldness, though secretly proud of her for standing up for herself.

Ethan suddenly coughed loudly and awkwardly, as if he desperately wanted to protect my Luna from further embarrassment, which struck me as weird and completely out of character for him. He had never shown particular loyalty to Lily before. Ethan suddenly and unexpectedly said with nervous energy, "I think -- perhaps our Luna needs to go check on her horse in the stables right now. Maybe some fresh air would do everyone good."

"That's... an odd suggestion," I thought, studying Ethan's face carefully.

I was standing there silently, observing absolutely everything that was happening around me, but I deliberately never said anything or took any sides in the argument. I wanted to see how this would play out naturally.

Finally, I decided to speak up and said with authority, "Okay, everyone, that's enough drama for now. Just go wherever you want to go and do whatever you need to do. I need to check on important Pack business and territory matters right now. And absolutely no more fighting while I'm gone, do you all understand me?"

"Yes, Alpha," came the chorus of responses from everyone present.

Lily walked out of the room stiffly with Ethan following closely behind her after they both politely excused themselves from my presence. I let them go without question because I secretly and desperately wanted to steal just a few precious seconds or minutes to talk privately with Isabella. But I honestly had no clear idea how I would manage to do that without arousing suspicion from others.

"I need to be careful," I told myself, watching them leave.

So, I waited patiently for what felt like several long minutes until I was absolutely certain and sure that Isabella was completely alone in her assigned room. I carefully spotted Mila getting out of the room with her energetic son James, chatting happily about showing him the gardens.

"Perfect," I thought, seeing my opportunity.

So, I took a deep breath and stepped quickly inside Isabella's room, immediately shutting the heavy wooden door behind me and turning the lock for privacy. She gasped in complete shock and surprise at my sudden, unexpected appearance. I couldn't help but grin widely and pulled her warm, soft body close against my chest, gently pulling a loose strand of her silky hair back behind her ear with tender care. "What are you really doing here, Isabella?" I said in a whispering, longing, and yearning tone that betrayed all my hidden emotions and desires.

"Nathan," she breathed softly, her voice filled with emotion.

She looked up at me shyly with her beautiful eyes sparkling and said with quiet determination, "I'm here to take what's rightfully mine. I'm here to claim what belongs to me."

I narrowed my eyes with confusion and growing curiosity, trying to understand exactly what she meant by those mysterious words. But she suddenly and completely out of the blue broke through my confusion with a tender, sweet kiss that absolutely took my heart and completely blew up my mind with overwhelming emotions and sensations.

"Isabella," I whispered against her lips, feeling my resolve weakening.

Dammit! I was so incredibly, hopelessly, and completely in love with her, and there was no denying it anymore. Whether this intense feeling was because of a supernatural mating bond or just pure, genuine human emotion, I was absolutely certain and sure that I was deeply in love with Isabella.

I reluctantly broke the passionate kiss, but only long enough to ask her urgently, "I'll secretly come to visit you every single night here in your room when everyone else is asleep. Please don't lock your door, and always leave it open for me."

"I'll be waiting," she replied softly, her cheeks flushed with emotion.

She smiled weakly but genuinely and nodded her head in agreement, saying, "Okay, I understand completely. I'll always be waiting patiently for you, but--"

Her sudden "but" made me freeze completely by the door like a statue; I quickly turned my head around, staring directly at her with growing concern and worry. "But what?" I asked, dreading what she might say next.

She continued with obvious hesitation and concern in her voice, "But I really don't trust Ethan at all. I think there's something--"

"Stop right there!" I cut off her words angrily and harshly, my protective instincts for my best friend kicking in immediately. "He is my absolute best friend and most trusted advisor. Don't you ever, ever say any bad or negative words about him, or I swear I will end everything between us right here and now!"

"Nathan, please listen to me," she pleaded, reaching out toward me.

She gulped nervously at my sudden outburst and aggressive tone, and I felt terrible about yelling at her, but I couldn't help myself.

I just stormed out of her room angrily, slamming the door behind me and thinking seriously about her troubling words. Why would she say something so suspicious and concerning like that about Ethan?!

As much as I had yelled at her and sternly warned her about speaking against my Beta, I somehow trusted her instincts and intuition at least partially. Her worried words had definitely made me suspicious and planted seeds of doubt in my mind.

"Could there be something I'm missing?" I wondered as I walked through the corridors.

So, with growing concern and curiosity, I walked quickly out to the horse stables to check on my Luna, only to discover something that completely shocked me to my core. I found Ethan standing there, staring intensely at Lily as if he was completely and hopelessly in love with her! His eyes were filled with longing and desire that I had never seen before.

"What the hell?" I thought, unable to believe what I was seeing.

I interrupted their intimate moment by shouting loudly and angrily, making both of them jump and tremble with fear and surprise. "What the fuck is going on here between you two?! Did I miss something important! Someone better start explaining right now!"