Alpha Nathan's POV.

The shock hit me like a lightning bolt, freezing me completely in place like some kind of ancient statue. My feet felt like they were glued to the marble floor beneath me. I couldn't even twitch a muscle, let alone take a single step forward or backward.

My mind was spinning in complete chaos, and I honestly couldn't figure out if I was absolutely thrilled and excited to see Isabella's beautiful face again, or if I was completely outraged and furious that she had the nerve to show up at my royal castle wearing that plain, humble maid uniform! The very thought of her - my Isabella - being reduced to working as a common servant in these halls made my blood boil with anger and frustration.

"Isabella," I whispered under my breath, so quietly that nobody else could hear me. "What in the world are you doing here?"

There were definitely pros and cons to having her around and living under the same roof as me every single day.

On the positive side, I would be able to see her gorgeous face daily, watch her move gracefully through the corridors, and maybe even catch glimpses of her sweet smile - which was absolutely wonderful and made my heart race with excitement.

But on the negative side, I wouldn't be able to touch her soft skin, hold her close to me, or even talk to her freely and openly like I desperately wanted to do. That restriction was going to be pure torture for me.

"This is going to drive me absolutely crazy," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists tightly.

But I had no choice in the matter whatsoever; she had already made it up to the castle somehow, and there was no turning back now. I had to act as if I had never met her before in my entire life, as if she was just another random stranger seeking employment. I had to pretend that my heart wasn't pounding like a drum in my chest every time I looked at her.

But I was seriously worried about the potential consequences of this situation. My Luna's attitude was way too aggressive, violent, and unpredictable for my liking.

Without any warning whatsoever, my Luna 'Lily' suddenly blurted out from the tip of her sharp nose, her voice dripping with venom and hatred, "I don't like her already! There's something about that girl that rubs me the wrong way!"

"What did you just say?" I asked, turning my head sharply toward Lily with confusion written all over my face.

That unexpected outburst made me quickly turn my eyes and my head to face my Luna directly, and I widened my eyes in complete shock and disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about, Lily?" I couldn't even begin to realize that I had been staring for way too long into Isabella's mesmerizing eyes, as if there was absolutely no one else around us in the entire room. I guess my obvious fascination and intense staring had made my Luna either jealous or extremely suspicious about my true feelings.

Lily, my so-called Luna, raised her perfectly sculpted eyebrows high up on her forehead and crossed her arms tightly over her chest in a defensive, hostile manner. She rudely said to me with a sharp, cutting tone, "That new maid over there. I don't like her one bit. I don't trust her, and I don't want her anywhere near this castle!"

"You don't even know her," I replied through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice steady and controlled.

But Isabella, showing incredible grace and wisdom, speedily knelt down on the cold floor in a polite, respectful royal bow and said with genuine sincerity in her voice, "Your highness, I am completely and utterly obedient to your wishes. I'm an orphan with no family or home to speak of, and I desperately and badly need a stable job and protection from the dangerous world outside these walls. Could you please, with all the kindness in your heart, allow me to work here in your magnificent castle?"

"Please," she added softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have nowhere else to go."

Isabella's heartfelt and desperate words reminded me instantly that I should protect her from everyone and everything, even from myself and my own dangerous desires. I had made a sacred vow and promised her that I would always keep her safe, no matter what happened.

I wanted her more than anything else in this world, but I could see it clearly in her expression. The worried look spread across Isabella's beautiful face was saying so much about her feeling insecure, vulnerable, and completely alone in this harsh, unforgiving world.

"She looks so scared and lost," I thought to myself, my heart aching for her.

Perhaps all her immediate needs and concerns were only revolving around being safe and secure, not about becoming my secret mistress or anything like that. She just needed a sanctuary, a place where she could feel protected and cared for.

Lily frowned deeply, creating ugly wrinkles on her forehead, and gestured impatiently to Isabella to stand up from her submissive position. "Okay, fine, just for now and nothing more," she said with obvious reluctance and annoyance. "Go straight to the kitchen immediately to help the other servants with cleaning duties and cooking preparations, and then maybe we can talk about your future here."

"Wait just a minute," I interrupted suddenly, my voice cutting through the tension in the room.

I couldn't help myself and blurted out quickly, "Ethan, why don't you show the new -- maid, her assigned room first before anything else?" I had been about to say Isabella's real name, but I caught myself just in time and couldn't let it slip out.

At the same time, calling her a maid or a lowly servant felt completely wrong and insulting to me. Isabella gave me a quick side-eye glance, and I could tell she felt somewhat insulted and hurt by the degrading word that had come out of my mouth.

"I'm sorry," I mouthed silently to her, hoping she would understand.