Bella's POV "Where is he?" I choked. "Everyone is waiting in the palace." He answered. "They live in a palace huh?" I muttered to myself. "Fine. Let's get this over with 'boss'." "You can call me Michael," he introduced himself with a smile and I nodded. I cleaned my face and walked out of the room with him. Just like before, we walked in silence to the palace and when we stood at the door, my heart thumped louder than ever. "This is it Bella! Time to face your supposed parents…" I said to myself and with a nod, Michael opened the door then everyone in the room turned to look at us. Immediately, my gaze settled on a man sitting far away. Our eyes locked and the bond I felt to him was unexplainable. It was like a moth to light. I didn't know when I entered the room and despite the amount of gaze on me, I could only focus on him. "Father?" I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away from the man's intense gaze. My heart raced in my chest as a mixture of emotions swirled within me.
Bella's POV "Your mother?" I asked, staring at the three women in disbelief. Before I could react, the woman who accompanied the young lady rushed in to hug me too. "My Isabella!" She cried, hugging me. "I can't believe it's really you. You're back…" "Can someone tell me what's going on?" The young lady demanded with crossed hands. "Selena," the woman I hugged earlier called her. "That's Isabella, your cousin." "My cousin? This filth can't be my cousin. Why does she smell like…" she sniffed. "Like rogues and shit?" "Selena!" Alpha Callum roared. "Watch your tongue! Woman, caution your daughter!" He growled at his wife, the woman I hugged earlier. "Isabella, I'm sorry about Selena. She's just in a bad mood…" the crying lady in front of me apologized instead. Confusion swirled in my mind as I tried to process the sudden influx of information. "Who are you?" I managed to ask. "You don't recognize me, dear? I'm your mother,” she responded, hugging me again. "Mother?" I mumbled
Bella's POVI quickly gathered my wits and forced a nervous smile. "Oh, these? They're pain relief medication for my shoulder injury. The doctor prescribed them for me to help with the healing process."Selena arched an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Pain relief for a shoulder injury? That seems like quite a lot of medication. Are you sure you're not exaggerating your injury? Or are you taking drugs now?"I bit my lip, my heart racing. "No! I just want to make sure the pain doesn't slow down my recovery."The doctor chimed in, playing her part perfectly. "Yes, Lady Isabella has been quite brave in dealing with the discomfort. These medications should help her manage the pain while she heals."Selena's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, "I just wanted to warn you. Since you're staying next to me, don't you dare disturb me! It wouldn't be in your favor," she rolled her eyes and left.As soon as she was gone, I let out a shaky breath and sank onto the edge of the bed. "That was close
Bella's POVMichael blew the whistle, and Selena wasted no time in lunging at me. Her punches were fast and powerful, and I struggled to block them. I could tell she wasn't holding back, definitely wanting to hurt me as she was targeting my injured shoulder.I managed to land a few punches of my own, surprising both Selena and myself. But it wasn't long before she countered with a swift kick to my side, knocking the wind out of me. I stumbled back, gasping for air.Selena took advantage of my momentary weakness and charged at me again. I tried to defend myself, but her blows were relentless. I could feel myself growing tired, my movements becoming sluggish.Selena retaliated with a powerful kick to my chest, sending me sprawling to the ground.I lay there for a moment, trying to catch my breath and ignore the throbbing pain in my chest. Selena stood over me, a triumphant grin on her face. "Looks like I won," she said smugly. I sighed and helped myself up. "Good Job, Isabella. With mo
Bella's POVAs I lay on the ground, my breath caught in my throat from the sharp pain radiating through my body. Another hit landed on me and I clutched my injured shoulder in pain, my heart racing as the world around me seemed to blur. Selena and her gang had ambushed me, targeting my already injured shoulder and other body parts without a hint of mercy."Bella, you think you're so special, huh?" Selena sneered, her face twisted with malice. Her cronies stood behind her, some joining her while others snickered as they watched the scene unfold.Tears welled up in my eyes, tears of frustration, anger, and pain. I couldn't believe they were doing this to me, especially when I was already struggling with the aftermath of the accident that left my shoulder in this state and the painful beating. The agony from the blows they delivered intensified with each throb of my heart."You should have learned your place by now," one of Selena's followers sneered, a cruel grin etched across her fa
Bella's POVI stared at him, my heart beating faster. Michael, with his warm smile, looked genuinely concerned as his gaze met mine. "Hey Bella," he began, his voice soft and soothing. "I didn't see you at lunch, and when I asked around, no one seemed to know where you were until I heard you were sent home. I got worried, so I decided to come to check up on you."I blinked, not sure how to respond. Michael was someone I never thought would be truly concerned about me since we never really talked much. And here he was, standing in front of me, looking like the sweetest man I ever met. "Oh," was all I managed to say, my voice sounding much weaker than I had intended.He held out a bag to me, a sheepish grin on his face. "Since you missed lunch, I brought you some lunch. Thought you might be hungry." I looked down and saw a neatly packed sandwich and a small container of salad. It was a simple gesture, but it meant more to me than I could express."Thank you," I said softly, a genuine s
Alpha Max's POVI sat in my office with my hands massaging my temples, lost in thought. Where would Bella be? Why couldn't we find her? Did she hide herself from us or is she…Before I could complete that thought, the door opened and the pack warrior I put in charge of finding Bella walked in. "Good morning Alpha. I've been knocking and when I got no response, I had to come in."With a wave of my hand, I motioned for him to continue. He walked forward to my table and then dropped a file. "Someone sent this to you. And as for the lady, we found some clothes stashed in the forest and when we looked deeper, there were rogue activities in that area. We traced her scent and footsteps to the cliff. I think she must have been chased by the rogues and then jumped from the cliff to save herself."His words made me angry. "Leave!" I growled, unable to control my emotions.I watched as the pack warrior quickly exited my office, leaving me alone with my turbulent thoughts. "Bella…" I clenched m
Bella's POV"No Dad. I… I just realized I have something I need to do in my room. Can I be excused?" My voice quivered slightly, and I tried to hide the unease that threatened to bubble to the surface.He gave me a puzzled look but nodded. "Of course, Isabella. We can continue this later."I barely managed a smile before quickly retreating to my room. Once the door was safely locked behind me, I sank onto the edge of my bed, my thoughts racing. Alpha Max was someone I had been running from, trying to get away from him. And now it seemed nature wanted us to be together by all means. Hearing that he'll be here made me tremble unconsciously. What would he do if he saw me? How would he react? And the baby?As I stared out of my window, I remembered that day all too vividly. The way Jessica poisoned me, the way the rogues chased me, the way he trapped me with that contract… I can't bear to face him again. Before I knew it, tears started streaming down my face as I clutched my belly. "The
~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