Bella's POV The next day, I woke up with a new resolve. I was hoping to find that man and unmask him. I have a gut feeling about him. I could use my ring from afar and take his mask off, but I don't want to risk it. It would be way too obvious. Another problem would be to sneak away from Chad. I felt a pang in my heart. Chad is naturally possessive, and I don't like keeping secrets from him, but if I tell him what I suspect and it turns out that I was mistaken, he will just assume I'm becoming paranoid. After all, if the guard was who I think he is, he wouldn't have ignored me. No way, when my brothers are as possessive and protective as Chad. But his scent felt so familiar, although it was mixed with something else. The only explanation for a scent to change is when a person gets marked and mated, but my brothers haven't found their mates yet. A knock on my door brings me back from my thoughts. Rose walks in before I answer. "Good morning, Luna." Rose said, with a chirping
Chad's POV The reports Dane has been getting from our spies are worrisome. There has been an ongoing investigation into my ambush and the attack on Bella's family. Our suspicions have been correct, and they are connected. I have three suspects right now, but I need proof. There was definitely rogue involvement, but who is their boss? Dane and I sit in the underground bar. This is one of my secret meeting places. The entrance to this place is through a human church. Fort, a man I fully trust and one of my best spies, is sitting across from Dane and me. He is pissed about the information he's relaying to me. "This was an inside job, my King. I spent all of these weeks in North Natbia and couldn't find anything about the Lockwoods' attack or yours. This means the ambush was planned on our side." Fort gulps his tequila shot and slams the small glass on the table. "Is that so?...." I suspected something of the sort. "Hudson being here can complicate things. My enemies will want to
Bella's POV Today is finally the day of the first competition. I chose to wear an exclusive dress from House LW—a taupe gown that accentuated my eye color. It featured a high slit that exposed my right leg and showed some cleavage. I spent all morning getting ready with Elise, Lira, and Tessa. We went to the spa, and by the time we did our nails and hair, I decided to leave my hair loose in soft waves. Chad's low growl when he saw me confirmed that I looked good. I needed to make an impression if I was going to compete against Princess Arona. Chad gave me a new tiara and a matching necklace, saying his mother had left him her jewelry for his future wife. "You will be my mate, my wife, and my Luna. I plan to claim you in every possible way, Bella," Chad said as he fastened the necklace around my neck. My heart raced, and I nearly ruined my makeup as my eyes filled with unshed tears. We waited to be announced as Ferragamo introduced the foreign royals first. His voice echoed throughou
Bella's POV Arona waited until the round of applause died. She looked confident. Her aura was at maximum potency, enveloping every single member of the audience. She wanted them to feel her power. On her exquisite red strapless gown, she had put her 4 military medals on the left side of her chest. The medals glinted with every one of her movements, and I could tell she was proud of her achievements. I got distracted for a second when I spotted the masked guard in the audience. He was watching Arona, enthralled by her every movement. His presence brought me an estranged sense of comfort. I turned to look at Chad, and his smoldering gaze made me gasp softly. He knew I was looking at the masked man. He gave me a warning look. A look that promised consequences for my transgression. I remembered when he threatened to spank me, and my cheeks reddened. "Like I said, if you choose me as your Queen and Luna, I will bring a substantial dowry with me. A huge one." People cheered and clapp
Chad's POV Bella takes the mic from Ferragamo with confidence. All of these vultures here are waiting for her to fall and shred her to pieces. Not on my watch. What's mine is Bella's as well. Hell, she owns everything now, including my heart and my life. I look around, and I see the Alpha King still staring at Bella with the pretext of being interested in the competition. Bella looks stunning in that dress. I have imagined taking it off of her with my teeth more times than I dare to admit in this short period. 'Kill him.' Growls Cobalt. Hudson is not the only one here looming over my woman. Jasper Holloway is here as well. Always watching her under his eyelids, watching over his prey. He dared to growl when I kissed her on her wrist. I lifted her arm high as she was so much smaller than I was, and I planted a sensual kiss on the tender flesh of her arm. I can't wait till this is over and kiss her the way I crave right now. "Greetings, citizens of Keladia." My gorgeous Luna bega
Bella's POV The votes on the screens were moving rapidly. Chad held me firmly at his side as we both stared at one of the huge TV screens above. I suddenly felt a chill run through my body, and I buried my face on Chad's chest. It wasn't the first time I felt someone looking at me and provoking this unwelcome reaction in my body. Chad kissed the top of my head, probably thinking I was nervous about the results. When I turned to look at the screen, I was surprised I had won the first tournament. The votes favored me by a lot. Chad squeezed my arm lightly and kissed my temple. Ferragamo jumped to the middle of the stage with the results in his hand. "Citizens of Kaladia, you have chosen the winner of this first competition... Luna Bella Lockwood!!" Showers of confetti and metallic-colored papers fell from the ceiling. Celebratory music blasted from the speakers as the majority of people celebrated, and a few others complained. Arona's berating screams were drowned by the publi
Chad's POV I tried thinking if I ever met Apha Maxwell's Luna, but nothing came to my mind. Although, I probably did meet her if Alpha Maxwell ever brought her to the palace. I took off my jacket and put it around Bella's shoulders. Her beautiful, perky, round tits kept tempting me, but I wanted to take her inside the palace. "If your father ever brought her to the Palace, I probably met her," I said with a shrug. "Let's go inside, I'm not done with you yet. I owe you a spanking." She squeaked, making me chuckle. I lifted her up in my arms, and I walked towards my room. She wrapped her arms around my neck and looked at me with the cutest scowl. "Now, why would I deserve a spanking?" She exclaimed. "Well, for instance, for having wandering eyes. During the event, I caught you looking at Arona's guard." She pouted. "Also, for hiding your secret identity from me, and so on." She gasped. "Do you know how many times I requested to meet with Leanne Wayne just to be rejected every t
Bella's POV When I opened my eyes and saw Chad's perfectly sculpted face, I smiled. It was real. It hadn't been a dream. Chad had spent the whole night with me, worshipping my body through the night. But now he is talking about secrets. Is it possible he knows I'm still hiding things from him? I need to tell Chad everything about me, about my ring and how it channels my powers. If he finds out on his own, he might think I don't trust him, and then he's not going to trust me either. No, I wouldn't be able to withstand it. I need to tell him everything. "Chad, I need to tell you something." His intense golden eyes bored into mine. They possess a magnetic pull that never fails to entrap me. 'Wait, Bella, remember what Father said. Don't tell anyone about your powers.' Anaisha spoke with urgency. I felt torn. I trust Chad, but until I really understand my powers and where they come from, I will tell him just some part of the truth. "Is something bothering you, my queen?" He tilted
Bella's POV Balzaree Everything is dark. I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious. My body isn’t responding, but I can hear everything around me. What did Camilla do to me? And what did I do to Chad? My stomach plummeted as I remembered what I had done. Oh Goddess, Chad! Gut-wrenching pain co
An uneasiness creeps into my gut as I tug at my shirt's collar for the umpteenth time. Dane looks at me, and knowing me too well, he senses something is wrong with me. "Don't tell me you're nervous. This is just the legal union. She's been yours since the moment you saw her at that cavern." He pad
"I'm just glad you liked them," I said with a smile. We continued getting ready, and the room filled with laughter and warmth. They were ready before me when Elise suddenly said she was getting contractions. "Oh no, no, no! Baby, not today. Today is your aunty Bella's big day!" Elise whimpered.
Bella's POV I wake up from a long sleep, sitting up abruptly. “Chad!” I exclaim. He stirs beside me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Today is the wedding! I have so many things to do!” He simply tightens his hold. “Come back to bed, ma chérie,” he says in that husky voice that always makes m
Hudson's POV Arona flinches as I throw another crystal vase against the wall. Since my return, she has not been any help. I can see her struggling to hold back the urge to say, "I told you so," but she knows better than to provoke me when I'm in this fucking mood. Camilla glances at me and sighs.
Hendrick's POV I entered the room as soon as Chad left. The air still reeked of sex, and I felt a sharp sting of jealousy. Lycans have a much stronger sense of smell than wolves. I felt Bella's scent as I approached the bed—she smells exquisite. That natural aroma of hers calms both me and Chaos.
**Bella's POV** After Dane shared the great news, I got up from Chad's lap and placed the plate of food on the table. I had been so hungry earlier. Although I usually don’t eat much meat, I felt like I could eat everything on the table. Chad had been feeding me tiny bites when Dane walked in, and
Chad's POV I witnessed everything in those fleeting seconds from a distance. The chaos that unfolded was overwhelming. Her power was immeasurable; she tore through the magic barriers fiercely. My warriors stood helplessly. There was nothing else to do. She eliminated the threat singlehandedly. N
Bella's POV As we approach the crumbling, abandoned building, my heart races like a wild drum in my chest. The eerie silhouette of the structure looms before us, its broken windows resembling dark, unblinking eyes. Despite the unsettling ambiance, my real fear lies not in what might be lurking wit