Max.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall as the memories flooded my mind. Bella. My Bella. The one who got away.
Why didn't I take her as my mate when I had the chance? Why did I let Layla deceive me?
I thought back to the day I met Bella. Her sparkling eyes, her bright smile, her infectious laugh. I was drawn to her like a magnet. But I was young, foolish, and blinded by my own ego.
Layla, with her cunning words and seductive charm, had manipulated me into believing Bella wasn't the rightful heir to our family's legacy. She convinced me that Bella was inferior, that she didn't deserve to be part of my family.
But the truth was far from it. Bella was the one the quadruplets loved and cherished more. They saw something in her that I didn't - her kindness, her compassion, her strength.
I remembered the way the quadruplets would gather around Bella, listening to her stories, playing with her hair. They adored her, and she l
BELLAAs I settled into the familiar comfort of our home, surrounded by my brothers, I finally felt a sense of ease wash over me. The tension of the past few days began to unravel, and my mind wandered back to the confrontation with Max.His question still lingered in my mind: "Why did you reject me?" I closed my eyes, and suddenly I was back in that moment.I remembered the way Max's eyes had locked onto mine, the way his voice had dripped with entitlement. And then, in an instant, Kai’s fist had connected with Max's face.The sound of the punch still echoed in my mind – a sharp crack that had made me flinch. I recalled the way Kai’s eyes had blazed with anger, the way he'd stood tall, his chest heaving with rage."It's none of your business," Kai had snarled, his voice low and menacing. "You've done enough for her already."The memory of Kai's words, his actions brought a surge of gratitude to my chest. He'd always been m
BELLARuby, the owner of the boutique, held me at arm's length, examining me with a critical eye. "I'm so glad you're here, Bella," she said. "I've been dying to get started on your wedding dress. You're going to be the perfect muse for my new collection."I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. Ruby and I had met online through social media, and we had quickly become close friends. She was a talented designer, and I had fallen in love with her designs. I had already decided to wear one of her special creations for my wedding."I'm so glad to be here, Ruby," I said. "But actually, I just came to get Kai's measurements for his suit. I've already decided on my dress."Ruby's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, wonderful! I'll get my best tailor to take Kai's measurements. And of course, we'll make sure his suit is perfect for the big day."As Ruby called over her tailor, I couldn't help but notice the blonde woman who had been rude to me earlier. She was watching us with a mixture of sho
BELLAThe soft glow of moonlight spilled through the gossamer curtains as Kai and I stumbled into his bedroom, our laughter filling the quiet night. Kai’s strong arms encircled me, pulling me close as our lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and fervent. The taste of him was familiar yet intoxicating like the finest wine savored anew. My fingers found the line of his jaw, tracing it before sliding into his dark, unruly hair, pulling him even closer.Our kisses deepened, growing more urgent as they crossed the threshold into the bedroom. My back met the cool softness of the bed, and I felt Kai’s weight as he lowered himself beside me, his hands gliding along the curve of my waist. Each touch felt like a vow, a promise of his devotion, and in his arms, I felt the kind of love poets wrote about but rarely captured in words.The room was filled with the murmurs of our love, our intimacy a quiet storm that swirled around us, wrapping us in warmth. Later, when the passion ebbed, we lay e
BELLAThe sound of Mabel’s voice sliced through the air like a dagger, halting the ceremony in its tracks. All the warmth, the joy, the elation of the moment evaporated, leaving an icy tension behind.“I object!” she had said, her voice ringing with authority and venom.At first, I couldn’t even process it. My head turned instinctively, searching for her face in the crowd. And there she was, standing in the grand doorway of the hall, her figure backlit by the fading afternoon sun. The train of her crimson gown swept the floor like a river of blood, but it wasn’t her dramatic entrance that held me captive. It was the boy standing at her side.He was small, maybe five or six years old, his dark curls wild and unkempt. But it was his eyes that made my breath catch in my throat—storm-gray eyes, the exact shade as Kai.I didn't get what was happening. What was she doing her? My throat constricted.Whispers rippled through the crowd like a wave. My chest constricted, a crushing weight press
KAIThe room felt smaller, the air heavier, as I stared at Mabel. Her name alone was a wound I thought had long scarred over, but seeing her now, alive and standing before me, reopened it. The chaos of the interrupted wedding still churned outside the room, but here, within these walls, it was as if time had frozen.I couldn't believe she was here. Here and staring at me with those fucking eyes. Eyes that destroyed me. Broke me to the point where I almost lost another chance at happiness, and love. She was a jinx, a curse.She stood straight-backed, her hands trembling despite her composed expression. Her presence alone was enough to make my blood roar, but it was the boy standing shyly beside her—dark-haired, wide-eyed, and painfully familiar—that shook me to my core.“I’m sorry,” Mabel began, her voice trembling but resolute. “I know this is not how you wanted your day to go, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to
BELLAThe bedroom was cloaked in shadows, the faint glow of moonlight streaming through the curtains doing little to warm the chill that settled in my chest. I sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall, the events of the day replaying in my mind like a cruel, never-ending loop.The wedding. My wedding. It had been perfect, a scene pulled straight from my dreams. The warmth of Kai’s hand was in mine as I walked toward him at the altar. The way his storm-gray eyes softened as they met mine as if I were the only person who had ever mattered. The vows we had written, brimming with promises of love and loyalty, were ready to be spoken into existence.“I do.” He had said. The words perfectly fell from his lips. It was like a weight was lifted off his chest as he said them. I loved it. I wanted to wake up every morning hearing it. The fact that he chose me. Loved Me. Wanted me. Everything was perfect. Everything. He was goin
BELLAWhen Kai returned, the tension in his shoulders was palpable, his storm-gray eyes heavy with emotions I couldn’t quite place. He stepped into the room, his presence filling the space, and I met his gaze with a calm I didn’t entirely feel.How was he so calm? Had he made a decision? One to leave me? I swallowed, fidgeting with my fingers.“How’s Ollie?” I asked, my voice soft but steady.Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The doctors are still running tests. It’s more than just muteness, Bells. His health… it’s delicate. They’re concerned about a few things, but we won’t have answers until morning.”I nodded, sensing there was more. “And Mabel?”His jaw tightened at the mention of her name. “She’s staying nearby for now. She insisted on being close to Ollie. I wanted to talk to you before making any decisions about… her.&rd
KAIThe packhouse was unusually quiet when I returned. Normally, the evenings buzzed with life—a mix of camaraderie and subtle territorial squabbles—but now, an uneasy silence hung in the air. They had felt the shift as keenly as I had. The change was an uninvited guest, and today, I had brought it to their doorstep.Mabel trailed behind me, her sharp heels clicking against the polished wooden floors of the main hall. She moved with an air of self-assuredness, her crimson lips curled into a pleased smile.“Kai,” she purred, her voice thick with satisfaction. “I must say, you’ve done well for yourself. This pack, this power—it suits you.”I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I turned sharply down the corridor toward the guest quarters, forcing her to keep pace. My stomach churned at her words, a visceral reaction I barely managed to suppress.She kept me on my toes. Something about her, her pre
BELLA.The papers trembled slightly in my hands as I sat alone in the study. The moonlight seeped through the heavy curtains, bathing the desk in silver light, making the black ink of Alpha Mason’s name stand out even more. His name, tied to Layla’s in every damning transaction. Payment after payment, each one like a nail hammered into the coffin of her deceit.I leaned back in the chair, the air in the room suffocating despite the cool night breeze. “Layla and Grey… It’s all connected,” I whispered, my voice breaking the silence. Saying it aloud didn’t make it easier to believe.My wolf stirred within me, her presence steady. “You know what this means,” she said, her voice calm yet commanding. “You’ve found the truth. Now, what will you do with it?”The answer should have been simple. Expose them. Make them pay. But I couldn’t stop the memories flooding back—of Grey&rsqu
BELLAThe sun had barely risen over the horizon, but the online world was already buzzing with activity. I woke up to the sound of my phone blowing up with notifications.I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and reached for my phone, scrolling through the trending topics on social media. My heart sank as I saw my name plastered all over the internet, accompanied by hashtags like #BellaTheScammer and #KaiDeservesBetter.It seemed that the online rumors about me had reached a fever pitch overnight, with many people calling me out for allegedly being a hypocrite and a scammer. I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach.I knew that I had done nothing wrong, but the constant barrage of negative comments and messages was starting to take its toll on me. I decided to put on a brave face and face the day head-on, knowing that I had Kai and our son Olly to support me through this difficult time.I knew I had to get to the bottom of t
LAYLAThe house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the heater and the occasional creak of the old floorboards. I sat alone at the dining table, the dim glow of my phone casting long shadows on the walls. My tea sat untouched, its surface rippling slightly each time I exhaled sharply. My eyes, however, were glued to the screen, scanning the images over and over again.Bella’s family photos.Kai was smiling—a rare, genuine smile that once used to belong to me. His arm was slung around that woman’s shoulders, his eyes crinkling in a way that betrayed how deeply he was invested in them. And there, nestled between them, was her son. A child that wasn’t even his, yet he held the boy like he was his own blood.My hands tightened around the phone. How could he?I zoomed in on Bella’s face, trying to find something—anything—that would explain what Kai saw in her. Her long, dark hair framed a face that was soft and warm. Her smile was open, almost too perfect, and the way her eyes crinkled mad
BELLAI watched as the look of confusion on Kai’s face—his brows furrowed, his lips in a thin line, his head slightly bobbed to the side—transformed into one of pure joy.He was grinning from ear to ear, his brows now raised in excitement.“Are you pregnant?” He asked, taking a step towards me, excitement radiating off him in waves, it made my stomach dance with butterflies.But I wasn’t pregnant.I blinked. "Not literally pregnant. Metaphorically. Spiritually? I—""Bella," he said sharply, leaning forward, his amber eyes boring into mine. The look of confusion was back. "This is not something you joke about.""I'm not joking!" I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I mean, I've been thinking about adopting Olly."Kai froze. His expression shifted from confusion to something softer, more contemplative. "Adopting Olly?""Yes." My voice steadied as I explained. "He needs us, Kai. He's been through so much. No pack. No family. No one to show him he's worth something. We can give him
BELLAAs soon as I heard the door open, I rushed to Kai's side, embracing him warmly. "I was starting to get worried," I said, trying to keep my tone light.Kai smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, but I could still see the worry etched on his face. I knew that look all too well."Hey," he said, his voice low, as he wrapped his arms around me.I leaned in, our lips meeting in a soft, gentle kiss. But as we kissed, I felt a distance between us, a sense of withdrawal that I couldn't quite explain. It was as if Kai was holding back, his emotions locked away behind a mask of calm.I deepened the kiss, trying to bridge the gap between us, but it only seemed to grow wider. Kai's responses were mechanical, his touch lacking the usual spark of passion.I pulled back, searching his face for answers. "What's wrong, Kai?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Kai's hand enveloped mine, warm and reassuring, as we sat together on the bed. He took a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine, a
KAIAs I descended into the dungeon, the air grew thick with the stench of mold and decay. The walls, crafted from cold, grey stone, seemed to absorb the faint light that flickered from the torches, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. The only sound was the soft clanking of chains and the muted whispers of the prisoners, their voices barely audible over the creaking of the old wooden beams.The wolves who guarded the dungeon bowed their heads in respect as I passed, their eyes cast downward in submission. I was their alpha, and they knew better than to meet my gaze without permission. The human guards, too, nodded deferentially, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords as they stood at attention.The darkness of the dungeon seemed to press in around me, a physical presence that weighed heavily on my shoulders. I could feel the weight of the pack's justice in this place, the knowledge that those who had betrayed us were paying for their crimes.As I turned a corner, th
BELLAThe hospital was quieter than usual, the faint hum of machines blending with the soft whispers of nurses drifting through the sterile halls. My steps echoed faintly as I made my way toward Olly’s room, clutching a small picture book I’d brought with me.Two months had passed since Mable’s imprisonment, and though things were beginning to settle, my heart still ached every time I thought of Olly and what he had endured. He was healing—I could see it in the way his shoulders didn’t hunch quite so much anymore, in the way he tried to smile, even when the shadows of his pain lingered in his eyes.Stopping outside his door, I peered through the window. He was sitting up in bed, sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting him in a golden glow. The therapist beside him held a set of flashcards, her voice gentle as she encouraged him.“Good,” she said with a warm smile. “Now try it again. Sun.”Olly furrowed his brow, his lips moving silently as he worked to form the word. My heart
BELLAThe soft hum of chatter filled the grand hall as the party celebrated my ascension as Luna of the A-pack kicked into full swing. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden glow across the room, reflecting off the polished marble floors. Members of the New York pack mingled with ours, laughing and toasting to new beginnings, but all I could think about was escaping the stifling crowd.I hadn’t wanted a celebration, especially not one this lavish, but Kai insisted. They need to see their Luna, Bella, he’d said, his piercing green eyes soft with determination. They need to know you’re here to stay.He wasn’t wrong, but that didn’t mean I had to enjoy it. The heavy weight of their scrutiny pressed down on me—some still unsure of me, others skeptical of what my leadership might bring.“Luna Bella!”I turned at the cheerful voice to see one of the maids I’d helped earlier that week with Mabel. I was relieved that she was gone. I couldn't believe all she did. That woman was vicious. Her sm
MABEL“Leave us,” Bella commanded, her voice steady. She waved a hand dismissively at the guards and maids in the room. One by one, the guards exchanged looks, hesitating only for a moment before they filed out, their footsteps echoing in the room. The maids followed suit, some glancing nervously at me as they shuffled out of the room.Once the last of them had exited and the door clicked shut behind Bella, sealing off any chance of escape. A chill swept through the room. Her calm demeanor only fueled the fire burning in my chest.I decided to quench that fire and ignore her and went back to the files I was looking through. Maybe she was just trying to mess with me, making me think she had control over the situation. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. Soon she and everyone in this pack would be begging for my mercy.I just had to get these documents duplicated.I skimmed through the stack of papers, flipping from one to the next. Something felt off. I glanced back at them an