BELLA
I stood in the car park, my eyes fixed on Cora as I hugged her tightly. "I'm going to miss you so much," I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion.
Cora’s arms wrapped around me, holding me close. "I'll miss you too, Bella. But you need to take care of yourself, okay? And don’t forget what I told you."
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. Cora was returning back to Moonlight pack, and it hurt me to see her leave after everything she’s had to endure from Grey. But she needed to go to finalize the rejection.
“Take care of yourself too,” I replied as we pulled away from each other, tears blurring my vision. I looked up at Xavier and Lennon. They were taking Cora back to make sure she got there safely. I couldn’t be more grateful. I smiled, muttering a small thank you. Xavier smiled back, and Lennon nodded.
Xavier took a few steps towards me, and I saw a flicker of concern in his eyes. "What's wrong?" I
BELLAI stood frozen in the doorway, watching the scene unfold before me with a mix of shock and fascination, my attention fixed on the tense exchange between Luna and Alexander.Luna's face was a mask of outrage, her eyes blazing with anger as she confronted Alexander. Her slender figure seemed to vibrate with indignation, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "How could you do this to her, Alexander?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing, each word dripping with venom. "You claim to love her, but you have no qualms about putting your hands on her? And what about your unborn child? Do you even care about its well-being?"Alexander took a step forward, his face reddening as he tried to defend himself. His eyes darted nervously around the room, as if searching for an escape or a witness to corroborate his side of the story. But before he could even utter a word, Luna's hand shot out, slapping him across the face with a resounding crack.The sound
BELLAI stood frozen in the doorway, watching the scene unfold before me with a mix of shock and fascination, my attention fixed on the tense exchange between Luna and Alexander.Luna's face was a mask of outrage, her eyes blazing with anger as she confronted Alexander. Her slender figure seemed to vibrate with indignation, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "How could you do this to her, Alexander?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing, each word dripping with venom. "You claim to love her, but you have no qualms about putting your hands on her? And what about your unborn child? Do you even care about its well-being?"Alexander took a step forward, his face reddening as he tried to defend himself. His eyes darted nervously around the room, as if searching for an escape or a witness to corroborate his side of the story. But before he could even utter a word, Luna's hand shot out, slapping him across the face with a resounding crack.The sound echoed through the room, maki
BELLAThe room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Kai and me. I felt my heart racing, my mind reeling with shock and surprise. Propose? Was Kai being serious right now?I turned to look at my mother. Her forehead was slightly creased, a mix of confusion and surprise etched across her features.The silence was the kind that wasn’t just empty but thick, like something invisible had coiled itself around the air and squeezed. My mother stared at Kai with eyes sharp enough to cut glass. The proposal he had laid bare moments earlier seemed to echo against the ornate walls, rebounding louder each time it hit my ears.My breath thickened as no one spoke. I didn't even know what to say. The mansion that was supposedly big became smaller than the walls of a microscopic organism.If Alexander demanded attention, Kai was the attention. The way he spoke, so confident, so suave that even Luna who was known to be a force to be reckoned with could only stare at her, future son-in-law?I stood frozen
BELLAI let Kai's arms envelop me, his warmth and strength a comforting shield against the turmoil that had erupted in the mansion. I sobbed uncontrollably, my body shaking with each ragged breath. As I cried, I watched through tear-blurred eyes as my mother was escorted out of the room by my brothers, Xavier, Hunter, Ralph, and Lennon. Layla, who had been clutching her stomach in agony just moments before, now walked alongside them, her face pale but her eyes gleaming with a triumphant light that made my blood boil.I felt a surge of anger and resentment towards Layla, who seemed to be manipulating everyone around her, including my mother. But as I looked up at Kai, I saw the concern etched on his face, and my anger gave way to a deep sadness. I felt lost and alone, unsure of what the future held or how to navigate the treacherous waters of my family's dynamics.Kai's arms tightened around me, holding me close as I continued to sob. I felt a sense of safety and security in his embrac
KAII gently guided Bella through the hospital doors, my arm wrapped around her waist to support her. She insisted she was fine, but I knew better. The way she winced with every step, the way her eyes seemed to cloud over with pain - she was far from fine."Come on, Bella, just a little farther," I coaxed, trying to keep her moving."I'm fine, Kai," she said, her voice tight with annoyance. "You don't have to hold me.""I'm not letting you go," I replied, my arm tightening around her waist. "You're not fine, Bella. You're hurt."She shot me a look, but I just raised an eyebrow. "Don't even try to deny it," I said. "I can see it in your eyes."Bella sighed, but she didn't argue anymore. Instead, she just leaned into me, letting me support her weight.As we waited for the nurses to come and take her for her tests, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if I hadn't gone after her? What if I hadn't found her in time?The thought sent a chill down my spine, and I found myself tap
Immediately Kai left the room, my phone chimed. I glanced at the screen to see that it was a message from Elaine.“Why in the world wouldn’t she let me just be?” I groaned out loud, clicking on the notification so I could read her mail.It read:Dear Bella,I hope this email finds you well. Or, at the very least, finds you in a state of mind awareness. I'm not sure how much of what's going on you're actually picking up on, but I'll spell it out for you just in case.Kai is not who you think he is. He's not the brooding, tortured soul you've fallen for. He's a master manipulator, and he's been playing you from the start.You think you know what it's like to be with Kai? You have no idea. Mabel, his precious mate, went to great lengths to get away from him. She gave up her wolf, her family, her entire life just to escape him. And that's not even the worst of it. She had to erase her entire identity and start from scratch just to be free of him.That's how much of an evil person Kai is,
BELLAThe sun hung low on the horizon as Ralph told me what had happened. After the phone call, I rushed over to where Ralph was and my brother wasted no time to tell me what happened.“Our father is back like I told you over the phone,” he said without preamble, his voice sharp and edged with urgency. “And he’s already taking action.”My whole countenance stilled. “What do you mean?”Ralph ran a hand through his hair, looking both annoyed and impressed. “He didn’t even wait a full hour after returning to Ashwood Pack. He walked straight into the pack house—contract in hand—and confronted Layla in front of everyone.”My stomach dropped, my pulse quickening. “What contract?”“The one her father signed years ago—the deal that kept her here all this time. He called for her expulsion, Bella. There wasn’t even a discussion.”I froze,
BELLAWhen Ralph finished recounting the story, I sat frozen, my mind struggling to process it. Luther had marched into the pack house like a storm and thrown Layla out without hesitation. For years, I’d dreamed of someone standing up for me like that, of someone seeing the truth and doing something about it.Now that it had happened, I didn’t know what to do with the mix of relief, anger, and confusion swirling inside me.“Where is Layla now?” I asked quietly.“Gone,” Ralph said. “She didn’t have a choice. Father made sure of that.”The air felt heavy between us. I set my notebook aside and stood, brushing my hands against my jeans to keep them steady. “I need to see him.”Ralph nodded as though he’d expected this. “He’s waiting for you at the pack house.”I drove to the pack house, my hands gripping the wheel as I tried to steady my nerves. Lut
BELLAThe night before my wedding, my brothers kidnapped me.Not literally—though with them, anything was possible—but they barged into my room, dragged me out of my wedding preparations, and declared that it was a “sibling bonding emergency.”I barely had time to argue before Xavier threw me over his shoulder like a sack of flour, Ryan tossed a blanket over my head for “extra security,” and Hunter and Lennon led the charge down the hall, laughing like a bunch of lunatics.By the time they finally set me down, I was dizzy, breathless, and slightly concerned for my safety.“What the hell was that?” I gasped, pushing my hair out of my face as I looked around.They had brought me to one of the old gathering halls, now transformed into something unrecognizably cozy. The fire crackled in the grand hearth, a feast of steak, bread, and wine set out on a long wooden table.Lennon grinned, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “Welcome to the Official Quadruplet and Bella Pre-Wedding Party.”Rya
BELLAThe ruins still smelled of blood and magic. The battle was over, but its echoes remained in the shattered stones, in the bruises on our skin, in the exhaustion that pressed into our bones.I stood at the heart of it all, surrounded by warriors who had once been divided—now united. Alive.And yet, my gaze was fixed on only one thing.Ollie.Kai knelt beside him, his face tight with worry as he brushed the damp curls from the boy’s forehead. Ollie’s chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, his small fingers twitching slightly against the cold stone beneath him.“Come back to us, baby,” I whispered, sinking to my knees. My hands hovered over him, unsure if I was strong enough to touch him without breaking.Kai’s jaw clenched. “He’s breathing.” His voice was steady, but I could hear the fear beneath it. The same fear that had been clawing at my ribs since we found Ollie in that cursed chamber beneath the ruins.I reached out, my fingers grazing Ollie’s hand. His skin was too cold.Too
BELLAA war horn echoed through the ruins.And then, chaos.The archways burst open as warriors flooded in—my brothers leading the charge.Lennon’s blade was the first to strike, cutting down the nearest puppet. Kieran and Tobias followed, their warriors sweeping through the chamber, carving a path through Evelyn’s forces.Kai wasted no time. He lunged at Harper, their blades clashing in a furious blur of steel. Hunter tore into the puppets, his awakened power surging through him, cutting them down with terrifying efficiency.I turned to the nearest enemy, blade in hand, rage burning through me.The battle erupted in full force. The chamber rang with the clash of steel, the roar of warriors, and the shrieks of Evelyn’s puppets as they lunged with eerie precision.Lennon’s sword gleamed in the torchlight as he cut through the nearest puppet, its body jerking unnaturally before collapsing. Lennon moved with brutal efficiency, his twin daggers slicing through enemies like a shadow weavin
BELLAThe Ruins Forest was alive with whispers. Not voices, not creatures—just the wind curling through the gnarled trees, carrying an eerie hum that never faded. The deeper we ventured, the thicker the air became, pressing against my skin like unseen hands. Every step forward felt like wading through something old and rotten, as if the forest itself resisted our presence.Kai moved beside me, silent and sharp-eyed, scanning the shadows ahead. Hunter led the way, his posture rigid, his fingers twitching as though his body anticipated a fight before one had even begun.The darkness here was unnatural. It clung to the trees, seeped into the soil. The deeper we went, the heavier the feeling became, an oppressive weight that coiled around my ribs.“We’re close,” I murmured, voice low. I didn’t know how I knew. I just did.Kaibglanced at me. “You feel it too.”I nodded. It was a sickening pull, something deep beneath the ruins calling to me. Not a voice. Just a presence.Hunter inhaled dee
BELLAThe Ruins Forest was eerily silent, the dense canopy above swallowing the moonlight, casting shifting shadows across the decaying remnants of a civilization long lost. The air was thick with damp earth, the scent of moss and rotting wood mingling with something sharper—something unnatural.My breath came in slow, controlled inhales, but my pulse pounded in my ears. The ruins around us felt ancient, almost sentient, as if they had witnessed countless tragedies before this moment.And now, they would witness Layla’s end.She stood a few paces ahead, her figure outlined against the pale moonlight breaking through the trees. Dark energy crackled around her fingers, pulsing with anger, desperation. Blood streaked her face, her once-pristine clothing torn and muddied, but her eyes—her silver, stormy eyes—were still alight with the same bitterness that had festered in her heart for years.“You always take what isn’t yours,” she hissed, her voice raw with fury. “First my place, then my
BELLA.“You think you can save them?” he snarled, stepping forward. His sword gleamed in the dim light. “You couldn’t even save your own father.”A knife twisted in my chest.I refused to believe it.This wasn’t real.Kai was not my enemy.The fog was lying.I stood my ground, forcing my breath steady. “You’re not real.”A flicker of hesitation crossed his face.Good.“You’re just another trick,” I continued, voice firm. “Another lie.”The mist shuddered.The illusion of Kai faltered—his form wavered, then shattered like glass.Gone.But the fog remained.A new voice slithered through the mist.“You’ll never be enough for her.”Kai.His real voice.But laced with something wrong.I turned sharply, scanning the haze. “Kai!”A figure moved through the mist. Nathaniel, rigid, fists clenched.He didn’t turn.Didn’t answer.“She’ll leave you, just like the rest.” The voice came from the fog, its edges curling like smoke.Kai’s shoulders stiffened.I saw the tension in his jaw, the way his
BELLAThe Ruins Forest loomed before us, its canopy thick with ancient trees that swallowed the light whole. A hush settled over the land, the kind that preceded a storm. The air was damp with the scent of moss and decay, and every step felt like an intrusion into something forgotten. Kai walked beside me, silent but alert, his hand never straying far from his blade.We had barely passed the threshold when a rustling in the underbrush made me spin, dagger in hand. A shadow emerged from behind a gnarled oak, and I was ready to strike—until I saw him.Hunter.Dressed in a loose tunic, a satchel slung across his shoulder, he grinned at me like this was any other day. “Fancy seeing you two here.”I exhaled sharply, lowering my weapon. “Hunter, what the hell are you doing here?”He held up a weathered sketchbook. “Would you believe me if I said I came to draw the ruins? The landscapes here are—”“—dangerous,” I finished, stepping toward him. “This place isn’t some scenic retreat. Harper an
BELLAThe war room was dimly lit, the scent of parchment and ink thick in the air. Maps lay scattered across the table, marked with hastily drawn lines and notations—plans that had now shifted.The battle was over. The border was safe.But the war wasn’t.I ran my fingers along the edges of the old, worn notebook in front of me, my mind spinning through the words scribbled inside. Oli had left behind a trail—one that led straight to the heart of our enemy.Kai stood beside me, arms crossed, golden eyes scanning the notes as if he could pull more meaning from them just by glaring hard enough. Lennon, on the other hand, sat slouched in his chair, legs stretched out, fingers drumming absently against the table.The tension in the room was thick, pressing in on me from all sides.I exhaled. Time to begin.“We have confirmation,” I said, voice steady. “Harper’s plan failed. The border remain
BELLAThe sky churned with storm clouds, thick and low, casting the battlefield in an eerie half-light. The air was thick with the scent of burnt flesh, wet fur, and the metallic sting of blood. Screams and snarls tangled together in a chaotic symphony, the ground trembling beneath the weight of bodies clashing, breaking, and falling.I had seen war before. I had felt its weight in every wound I stitched, in every heartbeat I fought to save. But this—this was something else.The magical beasts came in waves, their forms flickering with unnatural energy, their movements sharper, faster—unnatural. I had no doubt now. Someone was controlling them. Someone was feeding them power.And I was going to find out who.But first, we had to survive.“Push forward!” Kai’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade, his massive form cutting through the oncoming beasts with raw, relentless force. Claw, metal, and flesh met in a