Chapter 14: Unspoken Distance (Isabella's POV)

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Isabella stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of her blouse for what felt like the hundredth time. The deep blue of the silk contrasted beautifully with her pale skin, and the fitted pencil skirt hugged her hips snugly, but not in a way that felt too revealing. It was professional—appropriate for her new role as Luna. Yet, as she stared at her reflection, she felt like a stranger in her own skin.

Today was her first day stepping into her formal duties, and despite the calm she'd tried to cultivate, a nervousness gnawed at her. She had been thrown into this life—into this pack, this position—so suddenly, and while she had tried to adapt, the weight of the title "Luna" still felt like a coat too heavy to wear.

With a deep breath, she left her room and made her way down the hall toward the main part of the pack house. Alaric was waiting for her. She knew he would be; he was always so precise, so unwavering in his duties. The image of him standing there, tall and composed, gave her both comfort and unease.

When she entered the main hall, her eyes found him immediately. Alaric stood near the large oak table, scanning over some documents, his posture rigid as always. His silver hair caught the light filtering through the windows, and for a moment, Isabella felt her nerves ease just slightly. There was something about him that commanded attention, a presence that was both reassuring and intimidating.

"Good morning, Isabella," he said, his voice calm but with that ever-present undercurrent of authority.

"Good morning, Alaric," she replied, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.

The weight of his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual, and she resisted the urge to fidget. She had dressed carefully today, wanting to look the part, to feel like the Luna she was supposed to be. But the way Alaric's eyes seemed to sweep over her—it made her both self-conscious and strangely aware of him in a way she hadn't been before.

"Are you ready for today?" he asked, stepping toward her. His height and broad shoulders made her feel even smaller in his presence, though there was no malice in the way he approached. He was always careful with her—distant, but careful.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she answered, trying to muster a smile.

He offered her a brief nod, his expression unreadable as always. "The tribe respects you, Isabella. Take your time to grow into this role. They'll support you."

She appreciated his words, but they didn't ease the anxiety gnawing at her. She knew the pack would support her—it wasn't them she was worried about. It was Alaric. He was an enigma, a man tied to her by fate but still a stranger in so many ways. She didn't know how to act around him. There was a tension between them, an unspoken distance that she didn't know how to close.

As they walked together through the pack house, Alaric explained her duties for the day. Isabella nodded along, taking in everything he said, but her mind kept drifting. She watched the way he moved—so controlled, so calculated. He rarely let any emotion slip through the cracks, and she found it exhausting, trying to read him.

He had always been respectful, always careful to give her space. But she could feel his eyes on her now and again, lingering just a second too long before he would turn away. And each time she caught him, her heart would skip, though she wasn't sure why.

She didn't want to be affected by him. She wasn't ready for that. They were bound by fate, but her heart was still tethered to the life she had left behind. She had loved once before, loved deeply, and that love still held her even in this new world. Alaric was... complicated. And while there was an undeniable connection between them, she wasn't ready to explore it.

The day unfolded in a blur of meetings and responsibilities. Alaric took her to the infirmary, introduced her to the healers, and they made their rounds through the pack grounds. Isabella did her best to step into the role of Luna, to listen attentively, to ask the right questions. She knew she had much to learn, but there was a part of her that felt like she was merely acting the part, not living it.

Throughout the day, she noticed the way Alaric would glance at her, his gaze thoughtful, almost contemplative. It unsettled her. It made her wonder what he was thinking—whether he was as unsure of their bond as she was, or if he had already resigned himself to the fate that tied them together.

By the time the sun began to set, Isabella felt drained—mentally and emotionally. They returned to the pack house, the warmth of the evening casting long shadows in the room as they sat together in silence. The quiet between them was thick, and Isabella wasn't sure how to break it.

"Today was... a lot," she said softly, her voice barely breaking the silence. She looked at Alaric, trying to gauge his reaction, but as always, his face remained composed.

"You did well," he replied, his voice even. "The tribe needs a Luna like you."

Isabella smiled faintly, but the compliment felt distant, like it wasn't fully real. "Thank you," she said, though the words felt hollow. "It's just... it's still all so new. I'm still trying to find my place here."

"You will," Alaric said, his tone firm but not unkind. "No one expects you to have all the answers right away."

She nodded, but something in her heart still felt heavy. There was an unspoken chasm between them, and no matter how much Alaric reassured her, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was keeping her at a distance. And maybe she was doing the same to him.

For a moment, the silence stretched between them again. She could feel his eyes on her, the weight of his gaze, but when she looked up, he quickly looked away, clearing his throat. There was something almost awkward in the way he shifted, and it made her wonder if he felt the same tension she did.

Isabella stood, smoothing down her skirt as she did. "I think I'll head to my room," she said quietly. "It's been a long day."

Alaric nodded, standing as well. "Of course. Rest well."

She offered him a small smile, polite but distant, before turning and making her way toward the stairs. As she walked away, she could feel the weight of the day settle into her bones, a tiredness that went beyond just physical exhaustion.

Once she was alone in her room, Isabella closed the door softly behind her and leaned against it, letting out a long breath. Her mind raced, trying to process everything that had happened, everything that was yet to come.

The pack needed her. Alaric needed her. But more than that, she needed to figure out who she was in this new world, in this new role. And that, she realized, would take more time than she had originally thought.

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