Chapter 3

Bella's POV 

Three months had passed since I left Nightwood Pack after that night with Alpha Xander. I still didn’t know how I survived the journey here, but somehow I did. I ran all the way to Atlanta with nothing but fear in my chest and confusion in my mind, trying to escape everything that tied me to that place.

That was where I met Asma again.

She wasn’t just a stranger to me. I knew her from the pack. She and her brother had been exiled by Lucian, and fate brought her here too. 

When I arrived broken and lost, she didn’t ask too many questions. She simply opened her door and gave me shelter like I mattered. Like I was still a person and not just someone discarded by pack life.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a kind of peace.

Slowly, I started to move on from Lucian and I barely even thought about him anymore. It was like he had faded into the background of my life, becoming someone I used to know but no longer belonged to my present.

But Alpha Xander… he never left my mind.

Not even for a single day.

His face followed me everywhere, even in silence. Those deep blue eyes. That cold, unreadable expression. The way my body reacted before my mind could even understand why. It haunted me in a way I couldn’t explain.

And then I found out I was pregnant just a week ago.

Everything inside me broke and shifted at the same time then.

I still remembered the shock of it, the fear that followed right after. I didn’t know what to do, and for a moment I even thought about aborting it. I was overwhelmed, scared, and completely alone with the weight of something I didn’t understand.

But Asma stopped me.

She calmed me down, held me together when I felt like falling apart, and told me not to make a decision I might regret later. She believed maybe Lucian would come back for me someday, not knowing the truth of what I carried inside me wasn't his but Alpha Xanders.

Because I never told her the truth. That secret stayed locked inside me, heavy and silent, growing with each passing day.

Asma also helped me find a job. She refused to let me sit in despair, pushing me gently until I had no choice but to try again. Today marked my third interview at the company, the final stage where they would either give me the appointment letter or end everything I had been working toward.

I got dressed carefully, trying to look presentable despite the exhaustion I felt inside. My hands moved slowly as I adjusted my clothes, my thoughts already heavy with worry and hope fighting at the same time.

An hour later, I stood outside the huge glass building downtown while cold wind brushed against my face. My heels clicked nervously against the floor as I stared up at the company building.

Everything about it screamed money.

People in expensive suits walked in and out confidently while luxury cars lined the front entrance.

And there I was trying not to throw up from stress and morning sickness together.

I tightened my grip on my handbag.

You can do this. You survived worse. The thought strangely gave me strength.

Taking a deep breath, I walked inside.

The lobby was massive. Marble floors. Crystal lights. Expensive furniture.

Even the air smelled rich.

A woman behind the front desk smiled politely. “Good morning. Name?”

“Bella,” I answered nervously. “Bella Nightwood. I’m here for the final interview.”

She typed something into her computer before nodding. “Twenty-second floor.”

“Thank you.” I whispered as I leave the place.

The elevator ride felt endless. By the time the doors opened, my palms were already sweaty.

Several other applicants sat in the waiting area, but unlike the first interview, there were only a few of us left now.

That made my stomach twist harder. This was serious.

I quietly sat down and tried calming my breathing while staring at the office doors ahead.

Everything depended on today. 

My monthly spends.

My future.

My baby.

I lowered my eyes quickly before anyone noticed the sadness on my face. I needed this job badly. Our rent was due next week which asma talked about me to give something. The little savings I had left were disappearing fast, and Asma had already done more for me than anyone else ever had.

I slowly pressed my hand against my stomach again.

One by one, names got called.

People entered and left.

Finally, the office door opened again and a man stepped outside holding a file. His eyes landed on me.

“Miss Bella Nightwood?”

I stood up quickly. “Yes sir?”

He walked toward me and handed me a paper. His expression looked apologetic, which instantly made fear crawl up my spine.

“I’m sorry,” he said carefully. “Your CV and test score results didn’t exactly meet the requirements for this position.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

For a second, I just stared at the paper in my trembling hands while heat rushed behind my eyes.

No.

Please no.

Not again.

I swallowed hard and forced myself not to cry in front of strangers. I had cried enough these past few months. I was tired of looking weak.

“Oh,” I whispered, trying to smile even though my lips barely moved. “I understand.”

The man studied me for another second before speaking again.

“However…” he continued, making me slowly look up at him, “there’s another opportunity.”

My heartbeat paused.

“What?”

“There’ll be a short oral interview.” He pointed toward the office at the end of the hallway. “If you answer well enough, you may still be considered for employment.”

Hope rushed through me so suddenly it almost hurt.

“R-really?” I asked softly.

He nodded once. “Yes. You can go in now.”

“Thank you,” I breathed out quickly, gripping my bag tighter. “Thank you so much.”

He gave me a small polite smile before walking away.

The moment he disappeared down the hall, I let out a shaky breath and pressed my hand against my chest.

Okay.

This was my last chance.

Don’t mess it up, Bella.

I wiped my sweaty palms against my skirt before walking toward the office door. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor, each step making my nerves worse.

By the time I reached the door, my heartbeat was pounding so loudly I could hear it inside my ears.

I raised my hand and knocked gently.

“Come in.”

The deep masculine voice nearly made my breath catch for reasons I couldn’t explain.

Slowly, I pushed the door open.

And everything inside me stopped by how impressed I am to the person sitting even before he lifted his eyes.

He sat behind the large black desk, dressed in a fitted dark suit that looked painfully expensive. His broad shoulders filled the chair with pure authority, and the silver watch around his wrist probably cost more than everything I owned combined.

But it wasn’t the money or power that made my body lock in place.

It was him.

His sharp deep blue eyes lifted from the document in his hand and landed directly on me.

The second our eyes met, something inside me exploded awake.

My wolf slammed against me violently.

Mate.

Mate!

The roar echoed through my entire body so loudly I nearly stumbled backward.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips.

No…

No way.

My fingers tightened around my bag while my wolf went completely wild inside me, clawing and whining desperately.

Mate. Mate. Mate.

Heat rushed through my veins so suddenly my knees weakened.

Then he slowly stood up. Dangerously tall.

The air around him felt heavy and commanding, making it impossible to breathe properly. Power rolled off him naturally, suffocating the entire room.

My eyes widened in fear as I sight the mark close to his brows and recognition hitted me instantly.

Alpha Xander Marco.

His sharp gaze stayed locked on mine, unreadable and intense. Then his nostrils flared slightly.

Like he smelled me too, his wolf recognized me.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Oh Moon Goddess. What sort of cruel twist is this, The devil I never thought to cross path with here in the human city, the one I'm carrying his child. And now he is my second chance mate?

I froze, my heart kept racing but my gaze never left his. His jaw hardened. His golde

n eyes darkened with something dangerous.

And then his deep voice sliced through the suffocating silence.

“Close the door and come forward,” he ordered quietly.

And my entire body trembled.