Bella's POV"Look Bella, I don't mind telling you the full truth but we can't talk here. Let's go to my place instead. It's just beside yours. Are you in?"Not like I trusted her fully but I would rather spend time with her than Louis.I nodded, my curiosity piqued by Essie's cryptic words. If there was more to the Moonshadow Pack and its hidden secrets, I needed to know. From what she did today, Essie already proved herself to be a trustworthy friend, and I felt that I could confide in her, not fully though.As we finished our meal, Essie signaled the waiter to pack our remaining food as takeout. With the bag of food in hand, we exited the restaurant and got back into Essie's car. The drive to her home was filled with anticipation and a growing sense of unease. What was it about this pack that Essie wanted to share with me?When we arrived at Essie's house, it was a cozy suburban home with a well-kept garden. Seeing as Louis wasn't outside, Essie led me inside, and we settled in her
Bella's POVWith curiosity piqued and a sense of uncertainty, I followed Essie out of the hospital once again. The information she had gathered about Luna Irene and Alpha Max was like a beacon of hope in the midst of uncertainty.As we drove to Essie's house, my mind raced with questions and possibilities. What had Essie discovered? Could this information shed light on the mysteries surrounding Nitgen's Prison and the true intentions of my mother lying to me that this is the Moonshadow Pack?When we arrived at Essie's cozy suburban home, she led me inside to her living room, where we settled in comfortable chairs. The atmosphere was charged with intrigue as Essie took a deep breath, her expression serious."Bella," Essie began, "I've looked into Luna Irene and Alpha Max, and what I found is concerning."My heart raced as I waited for her to reveal her findings. "Tell me, Essie. What did you discover?"She leaned forward, her voice lowered as if someone might be listening. "First, let'
Bella's POVWith a whisper saying goodbye, I left Essie and wheeled myself out to see Louis. "It's time to leave!" After returning home from the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as I entered Luna Irene's house. The short-lived freedom I had experienced was replaced by the oppressive atmosphere of confinement once more."Your food is in the kitchen!" Louis spat.I managed to make my way to the kitchen, feeling a gnawing hunger in my stomach. I heated up some leftover lunch that Luna Irene had prepared earlier before she left us. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.As I sat at the kitchen table, slowly eating my meal, a sudden wave of nausea washed over me. My stomach churned, and I clutched my abdomen in pain. It felt as if my insides were twisted into knots.Desperation set in as I realized Luna Irene wasn't around. In my condition, I needed help, and I had no one to turn to except Louis. With trembling hands, I wheeled myself to his room, praying he w
Bella's POV The cab ride was a blur of city lights and distant sounds. I sat in the back seat, my heart still pounding, clutching Essie's letter as if it were my lifeline. The driver, a middle-aged man with a kind smile, glanced at me through the rearview mirror."Rough night, huh?" he asked, his voice filled with sympathy.I nodded, unable to find my voice. I was a stranger in this city, with no destination in mind, no plan, and nowhere to go. But I couldn't go back; that much was certain.After what felt like an eternity, the cab pulled up in front of a quaint hotel. The driver turned to me and said, "We're here, miss. This is a safe place to stay for the night. Do you want me to help you inside?"I mustered a weak smile and nodded. He got out of the car and came around to the passenger side to assist me. With his support, I managed to exit the cab, my legs still shaky from the escape.The hotel's entrance was bathed in warm, inviting light. The driver helped me through the glass d
Bella's POV I stared at the figure in the center of the gathering, my heart pounding in my chest. It was Alpha Max, my mate, the man I had thought was lost to me forever. I held my stomach and I looked at him. But as I watched him, a sense of disbelief washed over me. How could this be possible? "Bella? What's wrong? Got fascinated by my brother?" "Your bother? No, that's Max. My mate!" "Are you joking right now? You told me he's dead…" "That's what Luna Irene told me." I answered back "Essie, how is this possible?" Essie sighed, her gaze sympathetic. "I know it's confusing, Bella, but there must be an explanation for this. We can't jump to conclusions. We need to find out what's really going on here." I nodded, realizing that she was right. There had to be a reason behind Max's sudden appearance and it was crucial to uncover the truth. Essie continued, "Let's stay for the event, observe, and gather information discreetly. We might find answers that way. And in the meantime
Bella's POV "I'm afraid Max has left the gathering," Alpha Henry said to us with a smile and my insides turned. It was a whirlwind of emotions, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Essie and I exchanged determined glances, knowing that this was the moment we had been waiting for. "Lead the way, Dad. We need to see him," Essie said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. We followed Alpha Henry through the darkened woods, guided only by the dim moonlight filtering through the trees. Every step brought us closer to the truth, but it also deepened the mystery surrounding Max's reappearance. As we approached the bustling area of the pack, the scent of the familiar woods and the distant sounds of the pack members going about their nightly routines enveloped us. It was a stark contrast to the unfamiliar world I was living in for weeks. Alpha Henry led us to a modest, well-concealed house nestled deep within the forest. My heart clenched as I s
Bella's POVI shot back, my voice trembling with anger and fear. "I'm not going anywhere with you, Louis."He took a step closer, his body language oozing arrogance. "Oh, I think you are, Bella. You see, we've got some unfinished business, you and I.""What unfinished business? You saw me in pain and left me to die! Why should I follow you back? So you can finally kill me like you planned?" I retorted."If you know what's best for you and that bastard inside of you, come with me before Mother Irene finds out you're gone!" He warned."Why? So you both can kill me?" I shouted. "I'm not coming with you!""Kill you?" Louis laughed out. "If we wanted to kill you, we'd have done that a very long time ago, bitch! Now shut up and let's go before she finds out you're gone!" "Fuck off, Luois!" Essie growled, protecting me from Louis and the men who were coming closer."Fuck off? Me? Who the fuck are you to tell me to leave? Step aside. Bella is coming with me!" Louis snapped back but Essie did
Bella's POVI felt like the ground crumbled beneath me, leaving me suspended in a world of uncertainty. "Not my mother? Someone else?" I choked on the words, unable to comprehend the enormity of what Essie was revealing.She nodded, her teary eyes never leaving mine. "No, Bella. It wasn't."I felt a surge of anger and betrayal that I couldn't contain any longer. My voice trembled as I demanded, "Then who was it, Essie? Who was speaking to Louis in that room?" My grip on the armrests of my wheelchair tightened, my knuckles turning white.Essie hesitated, tears staining her cheeks as she tried to find the words to explain herself. "It was a random woman… As I looked into her, I noticed she was sent by the Silver Brothers. It had nothing to do with Luna Irene."My mind raced, trying to process this revelation. "Silver Brothers?" I mumbled, trying to figure out where I saw or heard that name before. A million questions surged through my thoughts, but one overpowering emotion took hold, b
~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