Chapter 2

Bella's POV

I left Jasper’s place in a hurry. I took my small bag and walked through the roads towards the parking lot, trying to act normally. I needed to leave fast before Jasper felt my absence. If not him, but Theron his wolf. He wouldn’t like it.

I froze when I saw Beta Luca standing there in the parking lot. Luca, Dr. Janna's mate and my friend. Another jab at my heart. He must have known everything since the start. He is Jasper’s Beta. The closest person to Alpha.

He knew about Jasper and Sadie, but he chose to stay quiet. I stood there, not knowing what he was going to do. He saw me and gave me a knowing nod.

“Get in the car, Luna. I’ll take you wherever you wish to go.” He opened the door and helped me get in. It was never lost to me how, as Beta, he had always been protective of his Luna. Whatever were his reasons to stay quiet I’m sure one day he’ll let me know.

Inside the car, I breathed a sigh of relief. Luca didn’t ask me anything. He was probably still embarrassed for betraying our friendship. I asked him to drop me somewhere near my pack. He did as he was told, and then he drove off.

It was late afternoon when I arrived at White Claw Pack. Everything was quiet. It felt gloomy. They were mourning the death of their three Alpha’s.

I came here to await the bodies of my father and brothers. If they fell on the battlefield, the Royal Guard would bring them back home for a proper burial. How I wish my child could have had the chance to meet them.

Uncle Conner and my father were the best of friends. This pack saw glorious years under their command. Uncle Conner taught my brothers and then Sadie and me how to fight.

The rigorous training for me came years later, but just with my brothers and my father. Did Uncle Conner betray me, too? I disguised my scent as I entered his house quietly. I needed to be cautious and respect the warning my father gave me once.

‘Never reveal everything of what you’re capable of Bella. Not even to your mate. Power corrupts people. You will never know a person’s true colors until you’re no longer of use to them. You were blessed like your mother. Be cautious with that.'

The phone rang, and Uncle Conner picked up.

“Alpha Jasper.” He said with disdain. “What are you calling for?”

Shit, I shouldn’t have come here. Of course, this is the first place he would look for me. My heart started pounding wildly.

Uncle Conner sneered at something Jasper said. “She’s not here, I didn’t see her.” Fuck, they’re talking about me. “I don’t have time for this Jasper. We’re preparing funerals for our Alphas.” I started to leave quietly but the next thing Uncle Conner said made me stop.

“Fuck you, Jasper. What makes you think you can order me around? Just because you are having an affair with my daughter? I am ashamed because of that! If I didn’t say anything was because Bella’s brothers would not only have killed you but Sadie as well.”

He threw the phone to the wall visibly enraged. He knew, but he had his reasons to stay quiet. I was glad that at least he was still someone I could trust.

I stepped out of the shadows startling him, but he quickly moved to give me a hug when he froze.

“You heard that, didn’t you?” He said, ashamed. I nodded.

“But I also heard you refusing to help him. You didn’t betray us, Uncle, and for that, I will be forever grateful.” This time he really gave me the fatherly hug I didn’t know I needed.

Tears started prickling my eyes again. “Uncle, I want to see the bodies of my family.” Those were the hardest words I ever uttered.

“You didn't know?" Uncle Conner looked at me with pity in his eyes. "Bella, there are no bodies. They couldn’t be found. They were swiped away by an avalanche. The snow up North was out of the ordinary.” A glimmer of hope surged through me, between the dark clouds that surrounded my existence. I knew that not everything was lost. If they couldn't be found, how sure were they of their death?

“But if there are no bodies, there’s still hope, Uncle. They need to keep searching. They need to hurry… They need to....” He shook his head, sadness marring his features. The tears I was so bravely trying to contain ran down of their own free will as my last hope was torn to shreds.

“No, child. We all felt our Alpha’s aura and control snap. We can’t feel him anymore. You know what that means. Searching for their bodies is another impossible task. More people’s lives would be lost if they ventured into the inclement conditions in the North. Alpha Jasper said that the only reason the war stopped was because the conditions were hazardous. If they didn't die fighting, they would've died of hypothermia. None of those options were good." My heart sank.

I couldn't picture my father and brother's bodies buried under piles of snow. They couldn't even rest in peace after death.

My lips trembled and I had to dig my nails deep into my flesh to keep myself from losing my mind

I stayed in Uncle Conner’s guest room that night, pondering about the death of my family. It all sounded like Jasper’s made-up story.

I tried to sleep but sleep never came.

It had been such a long and tiring day. I curled up on the sheets; a huge hole was dug in my heart. Today, I have lost the most important person in my life.

What should I do now?

I gently touched my belly, my child was there. I needed to be strong for my baby.

I gradually felt sleepy. The roar of a car made me jump.

‘Mate!’ My wolf, Anaisha said. Fuck, Jasper is here! I scrambled to my feet looking for my stuff. He was already inside the house, he could sense me. There was no way to run now. A loud knock on the door, made me jump. My heart was thumping.

“Open the door, Bella.” Jasper’s unmistakable voice came. “I will explain everything to you. You need to listen to me.”

Anaisha growled in my mind. I just stood there clenching my fists, unable to believe his lies anymore.

"Bella, my mate. I never loved Sadie. How could you ever think that? We’re fated mates. I’ve only ever loved you.” He is a liar. “Come back with me, Bella. Is been almost four months. I desired you. Come home. Let’s make a pup, I know you’d love that.” Bile rose in my throat. Too bad I won’t ever believe him.

“We’re done, Jasper. Forever. There is no fixing this.”

Jasper started slamming his body against the door like crazy.

“Bella!” He growled.

Jasper thinks I can’t escape him, but he is wrong. I will never come back to him. My child doesn’t need this scum of a father.

I grabbed my bag before he managed to open the door. I bit my right hand’s finger, drawing blood. I carefully Smeared it on my mother’s ring that I’ve always worn. I thought of my father when a halo enveloped me. I disappear instantly from inside the room.

I appeared in a deserted forest. It was almost dawn. I stumbled over a body falling on top of him. This man was huge, and he was wounded. I got up on my feet rather quickly. Who can it be?