~ Bella ~After making that scary as hell declaration, Nikolai stormed off, leaving me in the parking lot.I knew he wanted me to believe that he would kill Dylan or anyone who showed the remotest interest in me, but I couldn't bring myself to do it."What was that about?" I heard behind me suddenly.I spun around. "Oh, Dylan! Sorry, I didn't hear you come up.""What was that about?" he repeated, frowning. "He's not threatening you or anything, is he?" he demanded.Before I could even answer, Dylan was suddenly off his feet.Literally! He was dangling with his feet off the ground while Boulin held him up by the scruff of his neck."Oh my gosh, Boilin!" I screamed. "Put him down right this minute!" He gave me a side eyed look."I know him! He's the client I came here to see!" Hearing that, he finally let Dylan down and stamped away to stand a few steps away from us.Dylan watched with walk away with a shocked look on his face."What the hell is that," he muttered. "It's not a thing.
~ Bella ~"You look like shit. What's wrong?" Nikolai asked the moment I trudged in.He didn't need to tell me. I knew I looked horrid. I saw myself in the mirror this morning.My eyes were red, puffy and swollen from crying a bit and tossing and turning the entire night.I looked like a zombie in a poster for an apocalyptic movie.Maggie followed me with her eye, a concerned look on her face.Boulin, as usual, was staring straight ahead expressionlessly.I wasn't in the mood to answer any questions. I breezed past Nikolai, Maggie and Boulin.Nikolai followed me... of course. No such thing as some time to yourself when he was around."Why are you here so early anyway?" I grumbled."Because I simply couldn't wait to get Dylan's case started," he said drily."Nice sarcasm," I muttered and flopped down into my chair."What's up with you really?" he asked again, sitting across from me. "You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night.""I didn't," I conceded."Why? Was it because of the
~ Bella ~She looked at me with eyes shiny with tears. "I just know!" She said emphatically.She turned to look at the baby in her husband's arms. "That's not my baby," she said.That kind of certainty was surreal. It also raised the fear that if it turned out that the baby was in fact theirs, they would either be riddled with guilt for the rest of their lives or the wouldn't be able to love her anymore.The more reason to get a move on with the DNA Test so the truth could be revealed on time. Before any permanent damages we're done.What I didn't tell them is that it was next to impossible for the hospital to have made such a 'mistake'.I'd spent a bit of time reading up on it this morning and hospitals have a very specific system.Once the child is born, they slap a tag with the parents name on its wrist immediately before leaving the room.That way the chances of there being any mistake was slim to none.Either someone completely forgot to do that and the hospital was trying to co
~ Bella ~Nikolai carried me into the room despite all my arguments to the contrary. He carried me all the way to the bed and carefully laid me on it.The moment he set me down, I sprung into a sitting position and cross my arms. "Where am I?" I asked stubbornly.He pushed me back down. I sprung up again. "I asked you a question!" I demanded.He threw his hands up. "Alright! I'll tell you! Just lay down, will you?"This time when he pushed me into a lying position, I stayed down but kept my hands crossed over my chest and kept frowning."This," he waved his arm around the room, "is a hotel. You looked so exhausted. You could have very well fallen dead at any moment. I figured you can use some rest.""So you just upped and brought me to a hotel!?" I exclaimed. "In the middle of the day!? I should be at work right now.""No, you should be resting right now. It's the only way you can work efficiently anyway. You can't be productive feeling like that," he argued."But still! B-bringing
~ Bella ~With a giant yelp, I tumbled backwards and landed heavily in Nikolai's lap.I smacked him upside of the head. His only response was a light laugh."Like what you see?" He asked.I blushed furiously. I struggled to get out of his lap but he locked his arms around me. Try as I might, I couldn't break his grip."Let me up, Nikolai!" I exclaimed, struggling against him."I see that you've regained your strength. That's good," he teased.I gave up. I couldn't even budge him. I folded my arms and huffed in annoyance. "I can't believe you fell asleep too," I said sourly. "What a guard you are. If someone was trying to attack me, you'd be--""Awake and holding their heads in my hand before they could get past the door," he said. His voice was cold with assurance and a touch of male pride.I smirked. "Really? I got pretty close to you without you realizing," I pointed out.He smirked right back. "And I knew the very moment you woke up. I know how you crawled your way one inch at a t
~ Bella ~Nikolai was out the door and dashing across the parking lot before I knew what was happening. I turned to my door and pushed it open. I jumped out and ran forward.Nikolai was no where in sight. How did he disappear so fast? I picked up my speed, running in the direction I saw him take off in."Nikolai? Nikolai?" I shouted over and over again as I searched for him.But there was no sign of him. I got to the end of the parking lot when suddenly someone jumped in front of me.I screamed and jumped back. They reached out and grabbed me by the shoulders."What the fuck do you think you're doing?" A familiar voice spat.I sagged in relief and opened my eyes to see Nikolai standing in front of me. "Oh, it's you," I muttered."Why did you do that?" He asked, his voice bristling with annoyance."What?" I asked defensively, bristling at his tone."Why did you come after me?" He clarified hotly.I shrugged. "I don't know," I muttered. "You just took off like that. I didn't know why o
~ Bella ~The door opened and Nikolai walked into the office. "So knocking is just not a thing anymore...?" I asked saucily.He paused for a second, looking at me then continued forward. He sat in front of me. "You look like shit," he said.I rolled my eyes. "Geez, thanks," I said. "Just what I've been wanting to hear.""This is the second time in a few days you've come into work looking like you're about to roll over dead any moment. What's up?"I shrugged. "Nothing is up. What could be up?"He gave me a disbelieving look. "If you tell me what the problem is, I'll make sure it's never a problem for you ever again," he said.I chuckled lightly. "While I appreciate that, I don't think this is an issue you can solve.""Try me," he said.I laughed and shook my head. I reached into my drawer and pulled out an envelope. "I got the results back," I said."When are they expected to come in?" He asked."Any moment now," I said. "Maggie left them a message earlier.""Good, I wanted to be here
~ Bella ~It was a sober mood in the car on the drive over to the Hamilton's house.I looked in the review mirror at Dylan and his wife. They had their hands clutched together while s ashe carried the baby.Already I could see the lack of tension in her that had been so glaring the last time I saw her holding the baby.Now that like all her animosity and fear had faded away.She was finally going to get her baby back and I couldn't be happier to be able to make that possible.Dylan caught my eye in the mirror and gave me a smile, gratitude shining in his eyes. I smiled back. "Stop flirting with a married man," Nikolai exclaimed with mock shock."You flirt with me every time," I pointed out. "And no, I'm not flirting with him."He smirked. "That is different. You're my mate. That transcends marriage. You're mine."I rolled my eyes. "Statements like that is why P--" I realized what I'd been about to say and stopped talking immediately. I'd almost spoken about my issues with Parker
~ Bella ~"In the case of the Shelbys and Hamilton against the Deca General Hospital, this is the order of this court: that the defendants be liable to pay the sum of $1 million dollars to the plaintiffs for the emotional distress, mental torture and general irresponsibility they displayed in handling this matter! "Thank you, your Honor!" I said, beaming. I turned to my Dylan and gave him a hug. I hugged his wife next."Thank you! Thank you!" she whispered in my ears repeatedly.It'd been a long battle that had spanned over the last three months.The hospital put up a good fight but in the end, we managed to prove that not only were they negligent, but that they also tried to cover it up.The result? Dylan and his wife and the Hamilton's were richer had their rightful babies and were each now half a million dollars richer."Make sure you use that money to take good care of your girl," I said."You can bet we will!" Dylan cried.I waved goodbye to them and packed up my belongings.I m
~ Bella ~At Nikolai's words, Nicholas whirled around, dragging me with him.My eyes widened in shock to see a fox, an actual full grown red fox, flying through the air towards us.This wasn't a normal kind of fox. It was huge! Just as big as me.It's teeth were barred and claws outstretched towards us.I screamed in fear at the frightening sight. I tried to duck down but I couldn't because of Nicholas' ironclad hold on my neck.My life flashed before my eyes for the umpteenth time.But the fox jumped clear over my head, grabbed the back of Nichola's shirt in it's teeth and dragged me away from me.In the next breath, there was a ripping sound and Nicholas transformed into a wolf too. His wolf was even bigger than the one that first attacked.Alone for the first time in hours, I was suddenly a loss as to what to do with myself.For a second, I stupidly stood blinking at the wolves.But teeth were snapping just a few feet in front of me. One snap came too close to taking my arm off.I
~ Bella ~The door crashed open.I whirled towards it. Nikolai! His familiar face filled the doorway.My heart soared with happiness. I jumped up and started to take a step towards him.I stopped immediately and took a step back. No! That wasn't Nikolai.These were the cold, dark eyes from earlier. It was Nicholas.He stormed towards me and grabbed me by the forearm."Shut the fuck up!" he snapped.I winced as the part of my arm where he was holding flushed with pain.That meant he'd heard me singing. Maybe Nikolai would have heard too?"You're coming with me," he snarled and dragged me out.We circled to the back of the barn room he'd put me in. He began to drag me towards the woods.Fear gripped me as we got closer and closer to the dark woods.Oh, gods. I'd just been raising my hopes that Nikolai would find me thanks to the singing.Would he be able to find me in the woods? What did Nicholas plan to do to me in the woods?"You don't have to do this," I said, my voice shaking slight
~ Nikolai ~War!During my father's lifetime, war was a common thing.Clashes between different packs and factions tore at our pack time and time again.Our kind were hot-headed and extremely prideful. Those weren't great combinations when it came to co-existing peacefully.But ever since I took over the pack, the number of wars we fought have drastically reduced.In fact, we hardly interacted with other packs and factions at all.The pack was as self-sufficient as they come and I loved it like that.But even then I'd always known this day would come.This problem had been brewing long before my father even died. When one day, a young man suddenly showed up on our doorstep, claiming to be a Reese, I knew immediately that one day I would have to fight to protect my birthright and my people.Well, that day was today and he had the perfect ace in his hands, my mate.I couldn't afford to get distracted or I would mess things up and she'd end up dead.We had to move with precision. Thank
~ Bella ~"It was you! You're the one who killed Parker," I spat."Right again!" he shot back with a grin.It was like a dam within me broke. I just found my husband brutally murdered barely two hours ago.I'd not even had time to process the horrific situation or mourn his death like he deserved.So his snide retort and self-pleased smile didn't sit well with me at all.I heard a loud sound and was shocked to discover that it'd come from me.The next thing I knew was that I was flying towards him in blind rage, hands raised and poised to hit him.But I didn't even get close enough to hurt him.With a backhanded slap, he sent me flying backwards into the wall.My head snapped against the wall and I crashed to the ground again for the second time.I yelped like a dog in pain. He stood looking down at me and tsked."Stupid girl," he said. "You really thought you could hit me? Don't you know who you're dealing with?I didn't bother answering and he didn't bother waiting for a response."
~ Bella ~I blinked in confusion, momentarily too stunned to even feel scared.'Nikolai? Why was he here? Was this some kind of sick joke?'Was it Nikolai who'd abducted me? Why though? And that fight put up by Boulin? Was it just acting?"Hello, Bella," he said, grinning at me as if everything was perfect in the world. As if I wasn't just shoved into a dark room after being yanked around and dragged along by kidnappers.When he spoke again, I realized why his voice had set off alarms in my head.It was because I knew the voice well. "What the hell, Nikolai!" I snapped. "What the hell is going on?"He was walking towards me slowly but he paused now. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Nikolai..." he mused. "Oh, I just realized that I have forgotten to introduce myself."My frown deepened. What the hell was he saying now? He sounded like a lunatic?"Sweet Bella, I am not your darling Nikolai. I am Nicholas Reese," he stated."What?" I spat, still confused."I don't know if I
~ Bella ~My abductors bundled me into a plain white bus exactly like your expect from the movies.I screamed and kicked the entire way, trying to get back to Boulin.I couldn't stand the fact that I didn't know if he was dead or alive.Oh my gosh, if he was dead... if he'd died because of me... I didn't know what I would do.No! He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be! He was as strong as ten men! He was the strongest man I knew! Well, maybe except Nikolai.So he couldn't just die like that, right? I had to believe that he couldn't be dead.Nikolai would come looking for us. I had no doubt.He would save Boulin and then come to save me."You should let me go if you know what's good for you," I piped up.My voice shook embarrassingly. I swallowed the knot in my throat.None of the men even spared me a glance."If you knew who was coming for me, you would let me out right now!"Again, no visible response. "Nikolai Reese!" I exclaimed. "Nikolai Reese will come for me. He won't spare any o
~ Nikolai ~After saying my goodbyes to Nick, I headed out.I headed for my car, which I remembered now that I'd left haphazardly on the road.I got into the car. It was then and only then that I allowed myself to pull the yellow scrap of paper I'd recovered from Parker's body.I unwrapped it and spread it out against the steering wall.Just as I thought, there was a note written on it. Also, the note was for me.Even with no name there, I know it was addressed to me.I know the murder of Parker Smith had everything to do with me.I'd left Parker alive and well and then someone had gone in and killed him, making it look like I did.I knew it was only a matter of time before the police found out about my visit here last night.They would come to me with questions. I fully intended to have answers before then.But apparently I didn't have to look too far, the note was an invitation to me by the perpetrator.It read: Knock KnockWho's there?ShoulderShoulder who?Shoulder kept an eye o
~ Bella ~We were surrounded on every side by menacing, growling werewolves. Boulin was constantly turning, trying to keep everyone in his line of sight at the same time.I turned with him inch by inch, keeping to his back.Without turning around, he reached back and grabbed my hand in his giant palm. He raised my hand and placed it on his shoulder.His message was clear, "Stay close!" 'Sir, yes sir! What was I, stupid?' I didn't plan on going anywhere.I saw the attack before it came. It was like an invisible signal that rung through the group and suddenly one of them jumped at us with a roar.Boulin stepped forward to meet him halfway. He swiped a claw at him, catching him midriff.With one swipe, he took out his entire belly. Blood gushed everywhere.The next second, he whirled around and pushed me behind me. I hadn't realized it but the one behind me had come up behind me.Boulin grabbed him by the neck, shook him and tossed him away like a rag doll.I kept my hand on his shoul