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
Alpha Max's POV After receiving the phone call, my heart pounded in my chest as I rushed down the dimly lit stairs and into Bella's room. The gunshot rang through the air, and instinct kicked in. I lunged towards Bella, shielding her with my body as we both crashed to the floor. The room echoed with the chaos of the moment, my mind racing to assess the situation. "Bella, are you okay?" I asked urgently, my eyes scanning her for any signs of injury. She nodded, wide-eyed and shaken, her hand instinctively reaching for our son. "We need to get out of here," I declared, and carried her bridal style out of the room, not caring if she was dating another guy or not. I took her to the living room and yelled out. "Tyler! Peron! Get your fucking asses down here!" I yelled and by the time I came back from the kitchen, two of them were down, trying to ask what happened. I pushed them aside and gave Bella the bottle of water. She didn't want to accept it but with a glare, she quietly drank
Bella's POV "What were you doing? How come you didn't hear the gunshot until he yelled?" I growled at Peron expecting a very good response. Peron's eyes met mine, a mix of guilt and urgency evident in his gaze. "Bella, I'm sorry. I was busy with Tyler trying to know our next form of action. I didn't anticipate an attack like this. I'm sorry." I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves and maybe forget the shit Tyler was telling him. "Peron, I was looking for you earlier. Your best friend, Elizabeth, called me earlier. She warned me to stay away from you. Your pack needs you and you need your parents." His expression darkened, and he ran a hand through his hair. "Bella, it's complicated but don't worry. All will be well." I narrowed my eyes, frustration bubbling within me. "All will be well? Peron, Elizabeth made it sound like being with you puts me in more danger. And with what just happened, I'm starting to take her threats very seriously." He sighed, his shoulders slumpin
Bella's POV His eye color changed and he headed back to his seat, playing with the file I was about to open. "What were you looking for, mate? You know I have nothing to hide…" he said and handed me the files before whispering into my ears. "You're mine. There's nothing you or young Alpha can do about it. The earlier you break his heart, the better. And don't fucking play the memory loss game with me!" He growled, using his canines to graze my skin, making me shudder. "I think it's best you leave, Tyler has loads of questions to ask." I pulled away from Max's grip, my heart racing with a mix of fear and defiance. "I don't belong to anyone, Max. And you have no right to dictate who I should be with." Max's eyes glinted with a dangerous intensity, but I held my ground. "You're in over your head, Isabella. You are mine. Don't you understand that?" "I understand enough to know that I won't let anyone control me," I retorted, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. He leaned bac
Alpha Max's POV"I'm waiting, Bella...” I said to the lady who was staring at the gun with wide eyes as she had never seen one up close. "Shall I kill her?" "No," her voice finally came through after minutes of waiting. "Spare her, please."I observed Bella carefully as she hesitated, her internal struggle evident. "You heard the lady," I spoke, my voice steady, though my patience was wearing thin. "She spared Elizabeth's life. Peron, would you give her adequate punishment?" I asked, my tone calmer now and he responded with a yes.I retrieved the gun from Bella's hands and motioned for them to take Elizabeth away and she even dared to glare at Bella before storming out. She's lucky I didn't handle her punishment."Walk with me," I ordered, and headed out and after a few seconds, I heard footsteps behind me. She knew I was referring to her so I didn't need to call out her name."You have a knack for getting involved in dangerous situations, Isabella," I remarked, a hint of frustration
Bella's POV"Don't you think that was too much?" Dessa mumbled and I stopped, calming myself before replying. "No, it wasn't. It better he knows what the fuck he did and fuck off.""But….""No buts, Dessa. We don't need him. I'm going to meet Peron so can you stop talking about Max and instead find answers as to why he was able to speak with me using mind link even when I already rejected him."With that, I hurried to catch up with Peron, who was in the car."Peron, I want to follow you," I said, looking at Elizabeth who gave me an eye roll and a hiss."No, Isabelle. Stay at home, with Cayden."I shook my head. "I want to come with you, please.""Let her come with," Elizabeth nonchalantly said, crossing her legs. "She wants to see me get punished, right?""Fine! Isabelle, Tyler will accompany you. I don't trust Elizabeth one bit.""Where's he?" "Right behind you," Tyler's voice came again, accompanied by Max's scent, making me wonder if he just left Max's presence and what they might
Alpha Max's POVBella's eyes met mine, a mixture of skepticism and lingering hurt. "Max, you can't just erase everything with a simple apology. It's not that easy."I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of my past mistakes. "I understand, Bella. But I genuinely want to be there for you and Cayden. I know I messed up, but people can change, right?"She sighed. "Change takes time, Max. I can't promise anything right now."I respected her honesty, though it stung more than I anticipated. "I'll take whatever chance you're willing to give me. Just let me be a part of Cayden's life. I want to make amends."Bella hesitated, glancing down at our son, who was now curiously examining his surroundings. "You have to prove it, Max. Actions speak louder than words.""For you both, I'll do whatever it takes," I vowed. "I want to be a father to him, to be there for both of you."She studied me for a moment, then sighed again. "Fine. You've helped us today, so I guess you can spend time with Cayden, but
Bella's POV "Isabelle," Peron called out, his voice carrying a mix of relief and tenderness. “I'm back. You must have been worried,” he said softly as I wrapped my hands around him.“How did it go?” I asked, not minding the fact that he had new clothes on."Elizabeth won't be a concern anymore. I took care of it."The word took care of it sounded more like Max's words and I couldn't help but ask "Took care of it? What do you mean, Peron?"He approached with a hint of remorse in his eyes. "I mean she won't bother you or ²Cayden again. It's over.""But how?" I stammered, the weight of the unknown pressing against my chest.He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “We sent her far far away. She wouldn't cause any more problems.”“Oh,” I mumbled and he pecked me, telling me to calm down as he was fine. We spent the whole time in the room and only went down for dinner and I couldn't help but notice the change of atmosphere.“We thought you weren't going to come down,” Tyler teased causing me to
~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