Alpha Max's POV "You're too late. She is far from your reach now." My phone buzzed, after hours of combing the train station. The phone slipped from my hand, and I cursed under my breath. “This can't be happening,” I muttered, clenching my fists. The realization hit me like a blow to the face. We have been played again! “What's the plan now, Alpha?” Dee asked, her eyes searching mine for answers. I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation. “Let's hear from Peron. He might have useful information from the Luna,” she handed me the phone after dialing his number. “Hello, any news on Bella yet?” I heard Peron ask, causing me to sigh. He didn't have any information on it either. “Nothing,” I responded. “Let me know if you hear anything,” I said and hung up. “What do we do now?” “We won't give up. We'll regroup, reassess,” I started but was cut off by an incoming call from Tyler. I didn't want to pick up at first, but crucial information could come from any an
Bella's POV Still struggling to get out of here, I eventually became weak as I used up almost all my strength changing from my human to wolf form and back to my human form but the ropes were just too thick for me to get out of. “Bella,” the door immediately flew open, and I saw Max at the door with three other men. “Stay where you are!” I immediately shouted. “There's a camera,” I told them and Max, immediately ordered his men to go in and dismantle the camera not wanting to risk revealing his identity. He rushed in, grabbing a blade from one of the others and cutting the ropes that bound me down. I guess he wanted to hug me but I swerved, my son, being the only thing on my mind. “That's not Cayden,” I heard him say and I looked at him with a confused and wet face. Slowly I looked at the face of the baby I cradled and when I realized it wasn't even Cayden, my heart raced again. “Where is he? Where is my son?” I asked and he just took a few steps to me, then wrapped his arms a
Bella's POV“Come on, do it!” The guy groaned, clutching his bleeding arm.“No,” I replied, putting the gun away. “I need you to deliver a message to the Alpha. Tell the Alpha this. For every tear you all made me shed today, I'll make sure you feel five times the same pain. And if anything should happen to get one I love,” I said and paused, crouching to his level. “They'd actually wish I remained lost! If I were you, I'd leave before they get here. You might not make it out alive,” I warned and he cursed before limping away and once I was assured he was gone I ran to the road.“Here! We're here!” I yelled, jumping and waving my hands in the air and luckily they saw me. Seeing that they were coming, I immediately went to Max, begging him to hang on as help was on its way. A few seconds later, they arrived and Max was carried onto a stretcher and then rushed into the ambulance. “How did he get shot?” One of the ladies who carried the stretcher asked as we loaded him into the ambulanc
Bella's POV“Your husband is fine, ma'am. The surgery went well, and he's just sleeping,” the doctor quickly said, causing me to stand up and look clearly and it was true. He was still breathing. “He'll need some time to recover, but he's in good hands."Hearing this made me a bit relieved. “Why didn't you say so before? You almost gave me a heart attack! Thank you," I managed to choke out, grateful.The doctor nodded. "You're welcome. Now, let's get you to his room so you can be with him."With the help of the nurse, we wheeled Max to his room. I couldn't take my eyes off him, my fingers intertwined with his wishing I could give all the strength to him so he'd open his eyes.After setting him up in the grand room, I noticed another bed was wheeled in. "You should take care of yourself too. Rest a bit, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." The nurse said, signaling that the bed was for me and I mouthed thank you to her before she left the room. Alone with Max, I let out a
Alpha Max's POV "Who is she talking about?" I turned to Bella, whose jaw was already tightened. "It's your father," she responded. "He came to demand something he can't have, then tried to do something unbelievable so I just returned it before he could." She answered with a smile and I figured because of the people here she was talking a bit off. So a signal to the doctor and together with the nurse, they excused us. "Explain what happened to me, love. You seem angry." "Yes I am… he came yesterday asking me to give Cayden to him. He claims you gave Cayden to him in exchange for a bomb guy. I told him no, then he ordered his guy to shoot me. So I shot the guy instead," she said then let out a deep breath, unable to meet my gaze. After hearing her explanation, I was shocked to the core. Not at my father's actions but at Bella's. She grabbed a gun and shot a man! "Are you angry at me?" I heard her sigh, now sitting beside me and I just shook my head. "How can I be? I'm happy to s
Alpha Max's POV"What?" My father snapped over the phone. "What are you planning?" I calmly asked, thinking of several ways this conversation could go in my head."I'm not planning anything. I'm just letting the world know that my son is alive and he even has a son,” he replied and I could swear he had a smirk on his face."Are you planning to get us killed?" I growled."As long as nothing happens to the boy, I don't care. He has the mark, doesn't he?""No, he doesn't!" I lied, hoping it would make him back off but I knew better than that."Lies!” He fired back. “You have my blood coursing through your veins and so does he. If you don't take on the legacy of your fathers, the child will! Since she's your wife, you can just make another baby. It's not hard.”“Not hard?” I scoffed, my anger building but I had to calm down to talk to this man. "Father, look. Bella and I have a lot on our hands, and you're going to ruin our plans. Please, just stop.”“I'm not doing anything, Max. I'm not
Bella's POVImmediately those words “let's get married,” left my mouth, Max became speechless. “Did you hit your head somewhere, love?” He asked and I pouted again. “Obviously, not. “Then why would you suggest that? Or do you love me already?” He questioned playfully.“It's just my idea. I mean if we act as a couple, we don't have to do anything even if your father tries to use it as blackmail.“What about your family? And your pack? Are you ready for the attention that comes with it? And the fact that our enemies might even triple?”I took a deep breath before answering. “We can't continue to hide forever, Max. And I plan on using the popularity to our advantage rather than to our disadvantage. If we remain separated, it'll be easy for them to overpower us. But if we were together, it wouldn't be hard for us.”Max studied me for a moment, his deep eyes searching for any signs of hesitation or doubt. I met his gaze, letting him know if he had a better idea.“You're serious about thi
Bella's POV “Aunty?” I asked Max in through mind link but didn't receive a response, he just stared at her like she was a monster or something. “Our apologies,” I began softly, going to meet her. “Welcome aunty,” I greeted with a smile, asking her to seat then asking if she's had anything to drink yet. Max even asked me why I was being weirdly nice to her and I just told him, in this life, there are people you have to mellow down for just so you can have your way in life and with the few seconds of introduction she gave, she fitted into that category well. Understanding my explanation, Max's demeanor softened a bit but it wasn't still as welcoming and I just told him not to bother as I was here to compliment him in the places he was lacking. After making sure she was comfortable, that was when I finally looked around and found the room, well my room. I guess they didn't believe the marriage could be real huh… “Well, is it? Even me, your wolf can't understand what exactly you're t
~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