Bella's POV My heart raced as the fear I had managed to push aside came rushing back. How had he known about my situation so quickly? I clutched my phone tightly, not sure how to respond. Rosa noticed the change in my demeanor and asked, "Is everything okay, Isabelle?" "Uhh yes," I stammered, not wanting to bother her with it. Maybe it was one of the girls trying to play a prank on me, but something told me otherwise. Just as I feared, my heart sank as I saw Mr. Dave's name flash across the screen of my phone. Despite the precautions we had taken, it seemed like he had found a way to reach me. With trembling hands, I answered the call, steeling myself for whatever he had to say. "Hello, Isabelle," his voice came through, smooth and unsettling. "I just wanted to call and congratulate you on your new life. Although your actions shocked me to the core. It seems you've managed to slip away from me, hmm baby girl." My heart raced but I didn't say a word. "Enjoy your life, Isabelle.
Bella's POV "Yes. And you are?" The man's gaze bore into me, his eyes hard and unyielding. "We're Peron's parents. We came here to warn you to stay away from our son." His voice was icy, each word measured and deliberate. My heart clenched at the revelation. Peron's parents. I had heard about them from Peron, but never in my wildest dreams had I imagined they would show up at the hospital, hurling accusations and warnings. "Why would I stay away from him?" I retorted, my voice rising. "We are mates. We belong together." His mother scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. "Mates? You? Do you think just because of some bond, you have the right to ruin our son's life? You're nothing but a common woman, a disgrace, parading around with a sick child already. A disgraceful excuse for a mate." The words struck me like blows, each one laced with venom and disdain. I felt my hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. How could they say such things? How could they judge me
Bella's POV "Who are you? Why shouldn't I go?" I sent my question back to the number and waited for a moment but there was no response. "I have a bad feeling about this," I mumbled to myself, still getting ready. I had to do this for a Peron. A few minutes later, he came into the room, looking breathtakingly handsome in his tuxedo. Then we went to the car and drove away from the hospital. We arrived at the venue, a few hours later and it was so dark, I could barely see where I was heading. Peron told me to wait outside while he went to fetch my mask. He didn't want anyone to recognize me and I was happy about that. While I sat down and patted Cayden, someone grabbed my hand from behind and I turned around to see a lady with a smirk on her face. "I can't believe you came here after my warning," she rolled her eyes, taking a sip from her drink. I looked at her from top to bottom, trying to figure out who she was. "Elizabeth?" She laughed, guiding me to a quieter part of the room
Bella's POV As the words hit me, I felt a surge of anger and disbelief. How could they be so ruthless, so heartless? But I refused to let them see me falter. Letting the bag fall to the ground, I clutched my purse tightly, I squared my shoulders and met her icy gaze with a steely determination of my own. "I won't leave without speaking to Peron," I said firmly, my voice laced with a resolve that surprised even me. "He deserves to know what you're doing behind his back." Her lips curled into a cold smirk. "You think you have a say in this matter? You are nothing but a distraction, a thorn in our side. A whore. It's time you realized your place." I turned on my heel, ignoring the venom in her words, and made my way through the sea of guests, my heart pounding with each step. As I approached the stage side the murmurs around me grew louder, the air thick with tension and anticipation of what would happen next. Peron stood rigid, his eyes locked onto his father, a mixture of shock and
Bella's POV "What's going on, Tyler?" I asked the disheveled man who looked like he ran a marathon. How did he even find us here? Before he could answer, Peron handed me a bag while he carried Cayden in his arms. "Let's go, Isa. He'll explain in the car." I could only nod, grab my phone, lock the door, and then head out into the night with the three of them. Tyler's car was already parked at the car, with Rosa, looking around every minute. Immediately she sighted us, she unlocked the doors and we got in then drove away. The intensity of the situation and the loud closing of the doors caused Cayden to wake up with a loud cry that made me squint my eyes and ears. Grabbing a shawl from the bag, I collected him from Peron covered my chest then breastfed him to sleep. Once he was asleep, I rocked him gently and then faced the men. "Okay, what's going on? Who's chasing us?" Tyler's eyes remained on the road. "The Alpha and Luna. Their men and basically everyone who supports their
Alpha Max's POV I didn't want to come to this pack at first, but hearing he had information about Bella and for the sake of having this boy come to me anytime I wanted, then do anything I ordered him, I agreed and went to his guest house the following morning after receiving his message the previous night. I was around anyway. "Tyler Martin, young boy of yesterday, now an Alpha," I mumbled, giving a small smile as I sat at the head of the table, feeling happy and proud for the kind of power I possessed. I knew he told me he had guests, but I didn't know it was someone I knew all too well. When they all came into the dining hall, my gaze fell on her first. Her long hair fell down her back, her fingers intertwined with someone, a man. Then my gaze followed her hands and my eyes landed on him. I shifted my gaze to Tyler who urged them in. "Everyone, meet my godfather. The one and only, Alpha Maxwell Wilson, Alpha of the Midnight Pack," Tyler introduced with a well known smirk as the
Bella's POV "I can't believe he's back," I muttered pacing back and forth in the empty room, fidgeting with my hands, while little Cayden looked at me, probably wondering why I was out of breath and looking like I saw a ghost. "What to do? What to do?" I asked myself and Dessa over and over again as I tried to find answers to all of the other questions in my head, starting with how on earth is Max, Tyler's godfather? I mean the guy was clearly in the Nightingale Oack with his father and sister looking for how to build their pack back or something, last I heard. What happened after I left? And Alpha of the Midnight Pack? Did he leave his former pack? Or maybe take on his fathers? "Argghhh," I groaned, wanting to rip my hair off like a mad woman. I never felt this disorganized in years. "What do you think he's going to do now?" I asked Dessa hoping maybe she knew a thing or two about his wolf and maybe we could just predict his actions. "I don't know, Bella. But I think you handl
Bella's POV My heart raced as Max's voice washed over me, his warm breath grazing my neck. I clenched my fists, trying to muster the courage to respond. "Good evening, Alpha," I greeted, taking a few steps away as I feigned ignorance, my voice quivering with uncertainty. I knew I had to act, to protect Cayden and everything we had here. Max stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, and he gently traced the birthmark on my ear with his finger. My heart skipped a beat at his touch, a familiar sensation that sent shivers down my spine. "Don't play games, Bella," he growled lowly, the intensity of his voice echoing in my ears. "I know it's you." I held my ground, refusing to look at him, refusing to acknowledge the past that had haunted me for years. "Bella? My name is Isabelle, Peron's girlfriend. I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, my voice slightly trembling with every word. Max let out a frustrated sigh and gripped my arm gently. His eyes bore into mine, and I cou
~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