The Princess Secret Mate

t everything felt hollow, a mere distraction from the turmoil gnawing at her insides. Each time she saw Prince Caspian, her polite smiles and courteous words felt like a

the subtle shifts in his behavior-the forced politeness, the terse replies when she had been distant, the way he lingered in her presence just a

gh the gardens, trying to clear her mind, but no matter how far she wandered, her thoughts always returned to Thorne. The rogue werewolf had offered her something she had never dared to dre

al gardens. The air was crisp, and the last remnants of twilight hung in the sky, casting long shadows over the flower beds. She needed spac

d the instant their eyes met, something inside Isabella shifted. The ache in her chest that had lingered

ne said, his voice low, almost a wh

desire, fear-that she didn't know where to begin. Instead, she simply nodded and motioned for him to walk

everything... I don't know if I can keep doing this. My duty is to my people, to my famil

e said quietly. "I understand the weight of your duty, Isabella. But you have to understand somethi

everything I've done, has been for my kingdom. My father's kingdom. I've spent my entire life preparing for this. I

rt that's just as real as anyone else's. And you don't have to lose that part of yourself to be a queen. I want you to know

something inside her-a flicker of hope, a glimmer of the life she had always longed for. But the path he offered her was filled with unce

lief. "I would have to leave my entire life behind. I would have to choose a life of unce

d her own. "I understand the consequences. But can you live with the consequences of staying in a

o her people, to her family, to her kingdom. She had always known that her personal desires would take a backseat to the

isper. "I don't know if I can give up everything. But I d

't have to decide now, Isabella. I'm not asking you to choose today. But

ime, she didn't feel so alone. For the first time, she felt as though she had

cared of what will happen if I leave everyt

chin in his hand. "I know you're scared. But sometimes, fear is the

g her. It felt as though everything she had ever known was slipping through her fingers, and yet, a part of her wanted to r

ready," she whispered

have to be ready. Just know tha

on her chest. She didn't know what the future held, but for the fir