Bella's POV"Alpha Max? Why do you want me to speak to him?" I couldn't help but ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.Selena leaned back, her fingers tracing patterns on her bedspread as she explained, "You see, Bella, I've had my eye on Alpha Max for a while now. I find him intriguing, and I believe he has potential, not just as a leader but in other aspects as well."I frowned, trying to make sense of what Selena was saying. "What do you mean by 'other aspects'?"Selena's smile turned sly. "Let's just say that my interest in Alpha Max goes beyond the realm of acquaintances. I want to get closer to him, and I believe you can help me with that since you've worked with him before.""You want him as your suitor?" I asked and she nodded. My mind whirled with the implications of Selena's request. She wanted me to act as an intermediary between her and Alpha Max, to facilitate a connection. But why me? What would Alpha Max even think of this? His mate coming to talk to him about ano
Bella's POV"Just a little kick and you're squirming on the floor?" One of the girls teased, while the others laughed at me.My desperate whisper barely reached Michael's ears, but I hoped it was enough to snap him out of his trance. Once again, I shut my eyes as another wave of pain shot through my entire body system."What happened?" I heard Michael ask urgently, his voice filled with worry and I opened my eyes to see him a few inches from me. He knelt beside me, his strong hands gently supporting me as I struggled to sit up."We were just sparring when I mistakenly hit her on her stomach. We thought she was pretending," the girl who kicked me lied."The baby," I whispered into his ears.Michael's eyes widened in shock and horror as he realized what just happened. Without another word, he carefully lifted me into his arms, cradling me gently.I managed a weak smile despite the pain coursing through me. "I'm sorry... for everything," I whispered, tears brimming in my eyes.Michael's
Alpha Max's POV "I'll inform the Alpha and let you…" I couldn't complete my statement to the person over the phone as the door opened, revealing Jessica, who waltzed in with a smirk plastered on her face. Her presence was like a storm cloud casting a shadow over my day. What does she want now? "I'll call you later," I said to the other person, trying to hide my annoyance, and hung up. My gaze narrowed as I stared at Jessica, anger rising inside me as I tried to wonder what could have happened to make her so happy. "I can't believe I couldn't see past her," I muttered to myself, my frustration building as she moved closer. "With that smirk on her face, I wonder what your fiancé is up to," my wolf mused in the back of my mind. I couldn't blame him for being suspicious. Anytime Jessica wore that self-satisfied expression, it meant she had something mischievous in store. "She better not do anything to my mate," my wolf growled, his protective instincts flaring as he observed Jessica's
Bella's POV "So it's true…" I heard him ask in a low tone. "H-how did you find out?" I managed to ask, with a deep breath. "It doesn't matter how I found out, Bella. How could you hide this from me?" Alpha Max asked, hurt laced in his voice. My gaze faltered, and I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, struggling to find the right words. "Wow, Bella. Just wow. You hid something this huge from me so that's why you have been avoiding me isn't it?" He asked but I was mute. "Just say something!" He growled, his tone becoming harsher and I felt something snap within me, causing tears to build. I wiped my eyes, blinking multiply to avoid the tears from falling. "Yes, Alpha Max. It's true. I'm pregnant, and I hid it from you for obvious reasons." I saw his hands clenched into a fist, the atmosphere becoming thicker. "Why didn't you tell me, Bella?" My shoulders slumped, and I wiped away the tears that escaped. "I didn't want to burden you. You h
Alpha Max's POVMy eyes locked with Michael's and all I wanted to do was beat him into a pulp. How on earth could he get my mate pregnant and still have the guts to face me?To avoid doing something I'll regret, I stormed out of the room, my anger and frustration boiling over. Bella dropped a bombshell on me, and I had no idea how to handle it. My steps echoed through the corridor as I left the palace, the Beta, Bella, and her boyfriend behind.The evening air was crisp, and the moon was starting to rise into the sky. My head was filled with anger, and one annoying thing from Jessica could lead to something ugly.Guilt gnawed at me, but so did anger at her for keeping such a crucial secret. I needed to clear my head, to make sense of everything that just happened, but couldn't shake her words from my mind. She accused me of abandoning her, of failing as her mate. And she was right. I was blind to what was happening, too caught up in my own responsibilities, and now even my wolf, wasn'
Bella's POVMy heart pounded in my chest as I stood there, the shock of seeing Jessica in Selena's room overwhelming my senses. She looked up at me with those ice-cold eyes, her smirk growing wider as if she was expecting me."Well, well, well, if it isn't Bella, my ex-maid," Jessica purred, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You seem surprised to see me here. Why is that?"I tried to regain my composure, my mind racing to make sense of the situation. "Where's Selena?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly as I ignored her question."I'm not sure if your pregnancy has affected your sight, but as you can see, she's not here!" She snapped, walking towards me like a predator.Her presence in the room made it uncomfortable for me so I nodded and decided to leave first. She was Selena's friend after all so she could stay as long as she wanted. Just as I reached the doorknob and was about to step out the door, I heard her voice behind me. "By the way, Congratulations Bella!" She said and
Bella's POVShameless woman? Me?My heart pounded as Alpha Liam's words echoed through the room. The shock that coursed through the people gathered was intense, and the air grew thick with tension. I couldn't believe my ears. Could he possibly be talking about…Alpha Callum's expression turned stern as he regarded Alpha Liam. "Explain yourself, Alpha Liam. You cannot just back out of this arrangement without a valid reason. Why the accusation?""Accusation?" Alpha Liam scoffed and then took a deep breath, his gaze locking with mine briefly before he spoke. "I refuse to marry Isabella because she is already pregnant with a rogue's child."Gasps filled the room, and the shock on everyone's faces mirrored my own. My hand instinctively went to my belly, as if to protect the secret that was now revealed to everyone present. How did Alpha Liam know? Who could have told him? "Selena?” I thought and looked over at her but she was as shocked as everyone else, probably wondering how he found o
Bella's POV As Alpha Max and Michael made their shocking declarations, the room erupted into gasps, whispers, and murmurs. I stood there, frozen, my heart racing even faster than before. This situation just spiraled out of control beyond anything I could have imagined. I never anticipated that Alpha Max and Michael would step forward, both claiming to be the father of my unborn child.Alpha Callum, his brows furrowed in confusion, turned his gaze between the two men. "What is the meaning of this? How can both of you claim to be the father?"Alpha Max, tall and imposing, stepped forward, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "I can prove it," he said, his voice steady. "Bella and I have been together before you even found out she's your daughter and I know the child is mine."Michael, standing near the door, chimed in. "I can prove it too. Bella and I are dating."My head was spinning as their words echoed in my ears. I couldn't bear to look at
~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