Isolde could only escape the harsh reality with training. She used to get ready long before the rays of the sun showed up and then jog through the forest with a change of clothes in her hand; her feet would sink into the icy ground and she kept hurting her muscles because she was pushing herself so hard. The way she was exercising over and over and the sound of her heartbeat were the things that helped her to get serenity of mind and no other thing was able to do that. There were no leaders, no secret speakings of trouble with the government, no vampire king which was her blood and her responsibility, there were only the woods and her wolf, free to do whatever they wanted.
Smartly, peacefully, and with faith in her Duke Jordan observed her execution, mending the position of her body, aiding in the way her foot was placed, and wolfishly wrestling her both as a person and a wolf. But they could not even hide from the quiet talks of trouble that were infiltrating their group the whole time. Rumors were quickly spreading that she was careless, mentally unstable, that it had been a mistake to have a woman as a leader, and that she had to be replaced by a stronger man. Isolde did not react to the talk and invested in the words of the hits and jumps only but the pressure kept accumulating in her chest and it became difficult for her to breathe and, moreover, she would doubt herself.
When they got here the news from the western region about the disappearance of scouts, the finding of odd footprints in the snow, and the tales of wild shapeshifters to be the border patrol made her understand that she was not in a position to face the hazard alone. The pact with Leslie's kingdom was fragile. One wrong move could result in a war that both sides would never want. Thinking it would take quite some time, maybe a whole day or hours, she asked him to come officially. But in just a few minutes he was here.
The conference hall was quiet and empty when the air turned cold, a slight change that made the hair on her arms stand up. The great doors opened, and the vampire king entered without making any noise, flowing with absolute control, and he was not able to be overlooked. The leaders became stiffened with fear, however, it was for another reason that Isolde could not breathe: the extreme speed, the brevity of the time, and, above all, the unspoken message that was coming.
It seemed to say, "You asked, and I'm here."
"Your Majesty," she said, keeping her voice steady even though her wolf was getting restless inside her.
"What is so urgent?" His voice was calm and in control.
She gave him the reports, and he looked through them quickly, noticing small things that others might miss. "Shapeshifters again," he said.
"Yes. They are testing us. Testing the agreement," she answered.
"And you need help," he said, his words sounding more like a statement than a question, as if he could read her mind.
She clenched her jaw. "I need teamwork and honesty," she said.
He raised his eyebrow just a little, the closest thing to a smile she had ever seen on him.
"You don't trust me," he said quietly.
"I don't trust anyone," she answered without stopping.
"A leader's worth is based on what they achieve," he stated in his calm, steady voice. "Isolde's achievements are better than all of your group together."
The room went quiet. She felt proud as she felt appreciated, but she hid it. Leslie didn't look at her. He didn't need to. He was saying what he thought was true, but his support bothered her. Why did he always stand by her, as if making sure she was safe?
After the meeting, they walked together through stone hallways toward the courtyard. The cold wind of winter came through the open spaces, bringing smells of pine trees, frost, and smoke from the kitchens far away.
"You didn't have to step in back there," she finally said.
"I know," he answered.
She felt annoyed. "Then why did you do it?"
He stopped walking. She also stopped, facing him in the hall. They paused for a long time.
"You are my friend," he said carefully. He seemed to choose each word. "A friendship doesn't work well when there are problems inside. If someone makes you weak, they weaken the agreement."
She looked at him closely. "So that's all it means to you? Just politics?"
His face didn't show any emotion, not defensive, not arguing. "Is that how you want it to be?"
She didn't answer, but her heart beat faster, quietly and strongly, and she tried to hide it. Leslie noticed. Of course he noticed. She saw the small change in how he stood, the careful step back he took, making space, trying not to overwhelm her with his presence. It was so planned, so strange, so different from any vampire behavior she had ever seen. No king controlled his instincts so well unless he had a reason she didn't understand yet.
She pushed the thought away.
"We will keep watching the borders together," she said, sounding professional again. "Tell me right away if you see anything move."
"I will," he said. Then he added, more softly than she expected, "If you feel danger, call me."
She frowned a little. "I can protect myself."
"I know," he said, "but call anyway."
Her wolf inside her felt happy, betraying her feelings.
In the coming days, their bond grew stronger. They worked together on tasks, made plans to stay safe, and talked more than they expected. Their talks were all business, direct, but filled with stress and hidden feelings. She saw that he made sure he was always between her and any danger, that he looked at her longer than he should before quickly looking away, that when she got too stressed in meetings, he left, as if trying not to upset her. A vampire leader changing how he acted for a wolf leader. It didn't make sense but, at the same time, it made everything frighteningly obvious.
The conflict bothered her a lot. As danger got closer, boundaries were tested, and political stress got tighter, Isolde understood something she didn't expect. She was starting to depend on him being there, not because of feelings, love, or comfort, but without thinking, as if wolf and hunter, leader and
ruler, shared some hidden link that they didn't fully get yet.