Alpha Max's POV"I'm waiting, Bella...” I said to the lady who was staring at the gun with wide eyes as she had never seen one up close. "Shall I kill her?" "No," her voice finally came through after minutes of waiting. "Spare her, please."I observed Bella carefully as she hesitated, her internal struggle evident. "You heard the lady," I spoke, my voice steady, though my patience was wearing thin. "She spared Elizabeth's life. Peron, would you give her adequate punishment?" I asked, my tone calmer now and he responded with a yes.I retrieved the gun from Bella's hands and motioned for them to take Elizabeth away and she even dared to glare at Bella before storming out. She's lucky I didn't handle her punishment."Walk with me," I ordered, and headed out and after a few seconds, I heard footsteps behind me. She knew I was referring to her so I didn't need to call out her name."You have a knack for getting involved in dangerous situations, Isabella," I remarked, a hint of frustration
Bella's POV"Don't you think that was too much?" Dessa mumbled and I stopped, calming myself before replying. "No, it wasn't. It better he knows what the fuck he did and fuck off.""But….""No buts, Dessa. We don't need him. I'm going to meet Peron so can you stop talking about Max and instead find answers as to why he was able to speak with me using mind link even when I already rejected him."With that, I hurried to catch up with Peron, who was in the car."Peron, I want to follow you," I said, looking at Elizabeth who gave me an eye roll and a hiss."No, Isabelle. Stay at home, with Cayden."I shook my head. "I want to come with you, please.""Let her come with," Elizabeth nonchalantly said, crossing her legs. "She wants to see me get punished, right?""Fine! Isabelle, Tyler will accompany you. I don't trust Elizabeth one bit.""Where's he?" "Right behind you," Tyler's voice came again, accompanied by Max's scent, making me wonder if he just left Max's presence and what they might
Alpha Max's POVBella's eyes met mine, a mixture of skepticism and lingering hurt. "Max, you can't just erase everything with a simple apology. It's not that easy."I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of my past mistakes. "I understand, Bella. But I genuinely want to be there for you and Cayden. I know I messed up, but people can change, right?"She sighed. "Change takes time, Max. I can't promise anything right now."I respected her honesty, though it stung more than I anticipated. "I'll take whatever chance you're willing to give me. Just let me be a part of Cayden's life. I want to make amends."Bella hesitated, glancing down at our son, who was now curiously examining his surroundings. "You have to prove it, Max. Actions speak louder than words.""For you both, I'll do whatever it takes," I vowed. "I want to be a father to him, to be there for both of you."She studied me for a moment, then sighed again. "Fine. You've helped us today, so I guess you can spend time with Cayden, but
Bella's POV "Isabelle," Peron called out, his voice carrying a mix of relief and tenderness. “I'm back. You must have been worried,” he said softly as I wrapped my hands around him.“How did it go?” I asked, not minding the fact that he had new clothes on."Elizabeth won't be a concern anymore. I took care of it."The word took care of it sounded more like Max's words and I couldn't help but ask "Took care of it? What do you mean, Peron?"He approached with a hint of remorse in his eyes. "I mean she won't bother you or ²Cayden again. It's over.""But how?" I stammered, the weight of the unknown pressing against my chest.He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “We sent her far far away. She wouldn't cause any more problems.”“Oh,” I mumbled and he pecked me, telling me to calm down as he was fine. We spent the whole time in the room and only went down for dinner and I couldn't help but notice the change of atmosphere.“We thought you weren't going to come down,” Tyler teased causing me to
Peron's POV"How on earth did they find out?" I almost yelled, slamming the door behind me as I began to drive away from the mansion gate and out of the estate."Okay. This is what you're going to do," I started giving them orders and how to take legal action against those two who thought that because they were some Alpha and Luna, they could barge into any company looking for their son!"And as for the manager who tampered with the twenty-five million, I'm getting very impatient!" I hissed and they assured me he'll be caught soon.Hanging up, I dialed the number on the letter that accompanied the fucking tracker they sent. Luckily, Isabelle didn't ask about it so I didn't have to come up with a lie."Hey son," the Luna's said over the phone. "Took you long enough. Are you ready to talk now?" "Where are you?" I said through gritted teeth, my eyes not leaving the road. "Home." Her response and I hung up, knowing her voice made me sick. How could my once-sweet mother be so cruel?The
Max's POV"Cayden," I said his name over and over again. "Bella gave you a really nice name," I whispered, rocking myself back and forth as I gently patted his back, while he was lying peacefully on my bare chest. I found something online that told me this helped to facilitate bonding and to be honest, it was working. I could feel his warmth and he could also feel mine.Just as I began to hum a lullaby, my pocket buzzed with the vibration of my phone. I carefully reached for it, ensuring not to disturb Cayden's peaceful state. "Alpha Max," Dee's voice crackled through the line. "I've got important intel. Elizabeth has been transferred to another location, and Peron visited her. She told him about Louis too."My jaw tightened. "Keep an eye on them, Dee. Report any unusual activity immediately. I need to know what's going on especially what he is going to do now.""Understood, Alpha Max. I'll be in touch.""Who were you speaking to?" Bella's question came immediately after I hung up, h
Bella's POV"You didn't tell me you were giving Cayden out for others to carry now," Peron teased, now playing with Cayden. "He was crying and the Alpha offered to help. Besides, you left me to attend to who knows what…" I changed the topic as I got the chance. "Yeah about that… I had to settle some business issues. But rest assured everything is fine now and we can leave whenever you want.""Leaving? That would mean your training with Max wouldn't even hold and you'd be hiding like a weakling once again. Is that what you want, Bella?" Dessa asked, obviously wanting to spend more time with Max as she liked him more. "About that… let's stay.""Stay? Why did you change your mind?""Look, Peron, you're the Alpha's son and me, I'm just… me. I can't make you run away from your family.""I'm not running away. I'm moving away from them until they come back to their senses. They want to hurt you, Isabelle. I can't let them.""And you won't. But running away isn't the right way to approach
Bella's POVWithout saying a word, Max hung up and faced us. "You wanted to see me?" "Yes," I stammered then faced Peron. "We wanted to talk to you. If you're not too tired…?" Max nodded, a serious expression on his face, and gestured for us to enter his office."Alpha Max," Peron began as we took our seats, "it's no news to you that Bella is the target of my family. You've saved her once and we're very grateful. The thing is, we've got a plan to deal with my family, but we need your help."Max leaned back in his chair, his keen eyes focused on us. "Go on."Turn by turn, Peron and I took a deep breath and explained the rebranding strategy, emphasizing the potential benefits for everyone involved. Peron chimed in, adding details about his family's expectations and the pressure they were putting on him."Isabelle has a point," Peron said. "Your influence in the supernatural underground could be the key to making this plan work."Max listened attentively, his fingers steepled under his
~Isabella~ A few months later… “Max stop. We're going to be late for our own ceremony!” I begged, feeling a fire being ignited inside of me. “They should understand that their Alpha and Luna need some intimate time,” he responded, still planting kisses on every part of me that was bare. “Isn't that what the honeymoon is for? And again, we have a lot of time to have sex, why are you rushing?” I chuckled, closing my eyes as I felt him suck at a particular spot, a hickey already in the making. “Yes, according to her, we do have a lot of time to spend together now that we are forever bonded. But trust me, what you'd witness at our honeymoon or in the future is little compared to this,” he chuckled, and stopped, now standing behind me, making me feel how hard he is for me. “It's been so hard to control myself from having you, Isa. So get ready, tonight, you're mine to devour, your legs are to tremble and ache for me. Your lips are to pleasure me and your vocal cords, to sing my name o
Alpha Max’s POVI didn't know how long I was out but I found myself pushed to the bare ground by the water current. I opened my eyes, scanning my surroundings to know if I was in the afterlife or the mortal realm, and to my surprise, I was in the mortal realm.Did she not take my life to save Bella's?“Moon goddess?” I called out over and over again but no response was heard and it broke my heart to see that she deceived me. “At least she gave me a few moments to spend with my mate,” I sighed, grabbing myself up, changing into my wolf then dashing to the woods till I arrived at the hospital in my soaked attire.Arriving at Bella's room, I sat beside her, grabbing her hands and caressing them slowly. “I'd give my life for you, Bella. I just don't know why she wouldn't take it,” I sobbed, crying on my mate's hand. “Please don't leave me. I really can't do this without you,” I begged, silently praying to the Moon Goddess to also perform a miracle but I waited for five minutes, ten minu
Alpha Max's POV“You lied, didn't you?!” I growled, squeezing his jaw with so much intensity I could feel him straining to break free to avoid having a broken jaw. “She's getting worse!” I spat, tossing his head back, not caring if it hit the tree or not.“Alpha I swear! I didn't think she'd be injected with the real poison! I wouldn't dare hurt the Luna, please, believe me!” Jake begged but all for what? All his begs would not bring my Bella back, would it?“Don't bother begging me. Consider your title withdrawn and from now on, you and your whole generation are…” I was cut off by my wolf's painful tone which almost made me bend over and clench my heart in agony.“She's slipping away, Max,” he whispered. “We can't lose her. Not again,” he begged and despite my calm demeanor, sweats were forming on my forehead. I immediately knew science was useless at this point, and I had to find another way to save my mate.“I'll deal with you later,” I hissed at Jake and ordered some of my men to
Alpha Max's POV “Bella don't,” I quickly warned, my gaze fixed on Jake and Cayden. No matter how I tried to reach him through the mind link, I couldn't. It was like there was a barrier or something. Instead, I requested backup from my men and they reassured me that they would come here soon. “I'll inject myself instead,” I proposed but Luna Irene just shook her head and then chuckled lightly. “It's Bella I want… not you,” she said and motioned to the syringe on the floor. “The pain you’d feel from losing your beloved mate is enough for me,” she added then faced Bella. “Pick it up, Bella,” she said and Bella nodded, bending down and then picking it up. “Luna Irene please,” I started begging. “Don't do this.” I pleaded but it all fell on deaf ears. “If you're trying to stall, know that the timer is ticking,” she chuckled, and it only intensified the pain Bella and I felt since we were already connected. Even Alpha Callum, in his weakened, stroke-like state, could only beg and sh
Bella's POV As he left the room, I exchanged a worried glance with Max, who seemed to share my concerns about what lay ahead. "I'll handle Louis," Max assured, and I helped him to the bed. Together, we made calls to Peron and his men. We told Peron to be watchful as Louis might vent his anger on anyone or anything and he wasn't exempted. After that, we told the men to watch Louis and hold him if he tried anything stupid. Once we were done, I heard Max wince and although it was faint, my heart still broke knowing he was in pain because of me. Like that wasn't enough, I noticed his shirt was stained with blood and that only meant one thing, his wounds reopened once again because of me. “Max,” I began to sob, seeing him trying to fight the pain. “Let me call the doctor,” I sobbed, about to leave but Dessa stopped me. “There's little the doctor can do, Bella. They need us. His wolf needs us,” she pleaded and I just remained there like a statue. Although I knew it might happen soon,
Bella's POV Seeing as he was still alive, I called some men. "Take Alpha Callum to the hospital. He needs medical attention." “Yes Luna,” they chanted, taking both my parents away. "You did what you had to do, Bella,” Max coaxed, patting my back and I just wrapped my hands around him.. “I'm sorry,” I cried, apologizing because he almost died, and lost his father because of me. “I'm sorry.” Max, his strength unwavering despite the pain, gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You don't have to apologize, Bella. You saved us. I'm grateful that it's finally over and we know the real truth." The mixture of gratitude and concern in Max's eyes offered a reassuring anchor amid the storm of emotions I was facing in me. "Get yourself together. Think about our son, Cayden. He needs his mom," Max urged. Nodding through tears, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. Cayden's innocent face flashed in my mind, a reminder that the fight was not just for me
Bella's POV Max, blood staining his side from the earlier gunshot, stood defiant. "I won't let you harm her, Irene." "Shut up!" She fired at him when we weren't looking. "I'll kill her and there's nothing you,.or anyone would do about it. This foolish girl ruined my life." "Irene stop," I heard Alpha Callum grunt but she wasn't having it. Finally, she spoke, her voice a haunting whisper. "You want to know why, don't you?" Luna Irene's gaze shifted to all those present, her words a chilling revelation. "The truth behind the years of deception and hatred." Max, though injured, stood firm, urging her to reveal the hidden layers of her torment. Luna Irene took a deep breath, as if preparing to expose the deepest recesses of her soul. "It started long before Isabella was born," she began, her eyes reflecting the pain of a buried past. "I was to be mated to another Alpha, the man I loved, the man who stole my heart. But then, circumstances changed." Luna Irene's narrative unfolded lik
Bella's POV “Bella run,” he choked, with blood all over but I was too shocked to move an inch. Did my mom just try to kill me? All of a sudden, Max and his men rushed in, some went to my dad, and some went to my mom, who was still trying to reach her gun. “What's going on?” My voice broke as I tried to comprehend what was happening. “That was a mistake right? She tried to shoot him instead, right?” I asked, wanting to rush to my mother but Max stopped me, holding me tight, and I immediately burst into tears. “It's a lie! She wouldn't have! She loves me! My mother wouldn't do that!” I yelled crying and hitting Max's chest to let me go and help my mother. “You can't die now, Irene,” I heard my father's voice and I turned around to see him, removing the bullet in her. “She has to know the truth! Bella has to.” He coughed. The world blurred as Max held me firmly, restraining my desperate attempt to reach my mother. Tears streamed down my face, blurring the image of Luna Irene lying
Bella's POV The hospital room was a sterile cocoon, isolating us from the outside world. Luna Irene, weakened but resilient, squeezed my hands in acknowledgment of the pact we had just made. As the doctor approached, gently urging us to give her some time to rest, Max and I exchanged a knowing glance. "We'll be outside," Max said, standing up and gesturing for me to follow him. Once in the hallway, away from prying ears, Max spoke first. "Bella, I think your mother is right. Callum won't stop until he gets what he wants. We need to plan carefully." My mind raced with conflicting thoughts, torn between the values I held and the harsh reality that demanded action. "I can't believe it has come to this," I murmured, more to myself than to Max. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes, circumstances force us to make choices we never thought we'd face. It doesn't define who we are; it's about survival." I nodded, absorbing his words. "We need to act fast, Max. Every momen