Bella's POV"I just want to see someone, don't shoot please," I mumbled and he responded with a groan.With his gun still on my neck, he led me to the dark side of the house and then to an entry at the back.The door creaked open, revealing Essie's tear-streaked face. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of me holding Cayden."Bella!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop me in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're here! I can't believe you're alive!"."I know, I know,” I whispered back, unable to stop the tears from flowing. "How are you," I stammered, feeling a lump forming in my throat as I wiped her tears and her gaze fell on the baby on my chest. "Vayden."Essie pulled away, wiping away her tears with a smile. "Oh, sweetheart, he's adorable!" She cooed at Cayden, who seemed to enjoy the attention. "Come in, come in. We have so much to catch up on."As we stepped into Essie's home, the atmosphere shifted from tension to warmth. The cozy living room was adorned, unlike the
Bella's POV The night air felt cool against my skin as Max drove us back to the mansion, the anticipation of what was to come lingering in the air. I couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at me, and as the grand entrance of the mansion loomed before us, Max's eyes met mine. "I think you should go in and get changed, Isabelle. Something is about to happen," Max said, his tone filled with mystery. "What is it? Can't you at least give me a hint?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Max just shook his head. "Even though I don't know the full details, one thing is, we'll find out soon enough." I nodded, my mind buzzing with questions, and entered the mansion. The familiar grandeur of the place welcomed me, but tonight held an unusual energy. I made my way to my room, the anticipation growing with each step. After freshening up, I descended the staircase to find everyone tense and standing. The only people missing were Tyler and Peron. "What's going on?" I asked Rosa who w
Peron's POVHearing Isabelle answer my parents that her parents are dead made me growl silently and to make it worse, I received a text from her saying Isabelle lied and her parents were actually alive and they weren't even rogues.“She lied to us?” My wolf asked and I unknowingly zoned off, the only sound filling my ears being my breathing sounds.“Remember she said she had an accident and didn't know. Maybe it's true and this is my chance to keep her by my side!” I beamed.“If we can prove to you that Isabelle comes from a reputable family and pack, will you cancel the arranged marriage with Kira's family?” I asked my father and mother through mind-link and they both stopped eating and looked at me somehow. “I'll take your silence as a yes,” I said to them and wiped my mouth with the handkerchief then motioned to Isabelle who was clearly uncomfortable and I felt bad for bringing her here. “Let's go, love," I said, making sure the 'love' part was very audible for my parents to hear.
Peron's POV "You want what?" Isabelle yelled, looking at me with widened eyes. "I can't do that!" "Why? We are mates, aren't we? Why can't you grant me this one thing?" "How does being mates mean I have to give you a child right now? And in case you can't see, I have a newborn to focus and take care of so having another child is not in my plans for the next few years!" She growled, rocking Cayden back and forth in her arms."You want him too huh?" I placed my hands on her shoulder, staring into her eyes. "You want to focus on Max too huh?"She smacked my hands away from her body. "I don't know what has gotten into you all of a sudden, Peron. I want to focus on my son! On Cayden! Why are you being jealous all of a sudden? Did Tyler…”"What? What does Tyler know? Oh, that you've been flirting with Max for a long time now? Fuck!" I yelled, unknowingly hitting the glass on the table, causing it to break into tiny pieces."If y'all want to fight, at least don't do it in front of the boy
Bella's POV"I know you're angry at him…” Kira started."Angry?" I cut her off. "I'm way more than that. First, he accused me of flirting with someone else, then tried to have sex with me. It's so unlike him and if I don't get explanations, I can't even say what I will do next," I scoffed, breastfeeding Cayden now."Look,” Rosa knelt down now. "He knows he made a mistake and now he regrets it. Can you please just talk to him? Please." She begged and I met Kira's gaze too. "Fine. Tomorrow morning!" I humped, not wanting to say something I'd regret to him, especially now that my suffocating aura was back."Thanks for understanding. You should go for a walk. Babies can sense stress from the mother and it's not good for them," Kira advised with a smile and walked out.Rosa then locked the door and came to my side. "Girl, talk to me. What's going on between the three of you? Is there a love triangle I don't know about?"I shot Rosa a glare. "What fucking love triangle? There's nothing bet
Bella's POV"Don't follow me unless you want to have triple the same mark on your body too!" I growled in mind link, putting enough distance between all of us. Anger, fear, and frustration fueled my every step. I ran until my surroundings became unfamiliar, finding solace in nature.The cool morning air rushed past me, clearing my mind. I found a secluded spot, far away from the chaos, and shifted back to my human form. The pain of transformation mirrored the ache in my heart.I cradled Cayden in my arms, his tiny form sleeping peacefully as the injury healed without a scar. What if Max and I didn't have Alpha blood? Is that how Cayden would be crying from the pain?"I promised to protect you, my love," I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss on his forehead. A rustle in the bushes caught my attention, and Max emerged, his expression a mix of remorse and concern. "You want me to break your spine or what?" I mumbled, closing my eyes now."Bella, please. Let us explain. Peron didn't mean
Bella's POV"Peron is looking for my parents? Why? Was this why he's been mentioning my parents lately?" I screamed, trying to unlock his phone but it wasn't possible as I didn't know his phone password. With everything that happened, the last thing I needed was someone digging into that part of my past.Determined to protect my mental health and child, I swiftly typed out the number on my phone before Peron came out.A few seconds after I copied it successfully, the bathroom door creaked open, and Peron stepped out, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and relief. I quickly pocketed my phone, not wanting to act suspicious to the man standing in front of me. He didn't know anything about my past so I couldn't blame him for being curious."Hey," he said, his voice low and apologetic."Hey," I replied, my tone guarded. Cayden stirred in my arms, sensing the unease in the air."Isabelle, I... I'm sorry," Peron began, his voice a blend of regret and sincerity. "I never meant f
Bella's POVEssie's voice echoed through the speaker, and a knot formed in my stomach. "Come to my house. I'll explain everything."Max exchanged a glance with me, and I could see the concern etched on his face. "We can't come right now," he replied. "But we'll pick you up soon. That play with you?” "Yeah," Essie agreed. "But hurry. We don't have much time."As the call ended, Max turned to me, determination in his eyes. “I'll go now. I'll call you when we're back."I nodded. "I'll be waiting for you then."I went back inside the house to freshen up then sat at the table as I needed to finalize my thoughts on the company today. While I prepared my speech, the knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I went to answer it.Opening the door, I found Tyler standing there."Hey, Bella," he greeted. "Hi Tyler," I said with a smile. "Uhh, Peron isn't home.""Yeah, I know. I came to see you.""Me? Why?" I asked myself but stepped aside and let him in. Tyler entered, and I gestured for hi
~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