They left, and I made my way back through the garden with small steps. Chad caught up with me. "Bella?" He grabbed me by my bare shoulders. I can't explain the sparks I felt at his touch. They feel stronger each time. Is it possible to build a connection with someone other than your mate? I saw his eyes flash when he looked at my teary eyes. "He's going to win, Chad. Elder Simon is his uncle. There's a reason why my father never liked him. He will not care about what Jasper did to me!" I turned around to hide my tears of anger and dread. "I don't want to go back to him, Chad. I wouldn’t be able to stand it." He turned me around and touched my chin softly with one hand. "You won't have to, Bella. He will not take you. I promise." We were so close. If he wasn't so tall, it would have been so easy to just press my body against his and kiss him. It would require more than going on my tiptoes, though. Goddess, why do I have the most inappropriate thoughts where he's concerned? I sto
Chad's POV: That night, I couldn't sleep. I wanted to wring Clara's neck for telling Bella those things. Dane warned me. I knew I was behaving out of character where Bella was concerned. I knew I should have never accepted the engagement to Lorna. I could have confessed my feelings to Bella by n
Bella's POV "You're mine, Bella. I will make sure you won't ever forget that tonight!" He said in my ear with a low growl. I felt my stomach revolt. He was so sure of his victory. "Alpha Jasper, you may begin." Said Elder Simon in his condescending voice. I almost ran towards Chad and sat down
I was trembling with rage and deception. How can they do that to me? They have all confabulated against me. Chad put his hand on my shoulder, stopping me from shaking. "We need to take a break before continuing!" Said Chad firmly, and he guided me quickly towards the exit. Once in the hallway, I darted to the bathroom, leaving Chad behind. I looked myself in the mirror. I was not going to cry. I was not going to give Sadie and Jasper the satisfaction of seeing me defeated. I fixed my hair and put lip gloss on, but I still felt uneasy. I rubbed my ring in slow circles, bringing serenity into myself. I closed my eyes, and the images of my nightmares flashed through my mind. I saw hands trying to reach me, and I heard voices "bright." I opened my eyes and decided to go back outside. Jasper opened the door before. It could get out and corral me, pushing me against the wall. His breath was too close to my face. He caressed my cheek with his knuckles as he smiled triumphantly. "Lon
Bella's POV "Dr. Jana." Elder Simon said as he paced around with his hands on his back. "You were brought here because you have been Luna Bella's Dr. for the past five years. We understand that Luna Bella is carrying Alpha Jasper’s heir." "Yes, Elder Simon." Said, Dr. Jana as she stared at Luca nervously "Is it true that Luna Bella and Alpha Jasper had been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for five years until now? Is it also true that in those five years, Alpha Jasper never pressured her or treated her differently?" "Yes, both statements are true." So far, but I was bracing myself for the lies. "I think is pretty clear to the members of the parliament that Alpha Jasper is in the right here. We can all agree that recent events have affected Luna Bella, somehow, making her judgment a little bit impaired." Elder Simon said with a chuckle. Chad growled. I could feel the coldness of his aura throughout the interrogations. I know he was pissed on my behalf. "We can all agr
"You're as much at fault, Theron," I said, making Anaisha growl in approval. "I, Luna Bella Lockwood of White Claw Pack, reject you, Jasper Holloway of Riverbank Pack." The painful tug of the mate bond was still strong. My knees almost buckled "Accept the rejection, Holloway, or I swear I'll take your pack away for your despicable crimes against your Luna," Chad ordered Jasper. I could feel both men's anger. The air was thick. Their auras were pushing at each other, but in the end, Chad won. Jasper's jaw tightened. He looked at Chad with pure hatred. He looked at me then, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Your actions brought us here, Jasper. Now you have Sadie instead of me." I said in a monotone. Jasper wanted to say something, but Chad stopped him. "Accept it now!" Chad boomed. His wolf got angrier every time Jasper spoke or looked at me. "I Alpha Jasper Holloway of Riverbank Pack, accept your rejection." I stumbled back, but Chad held me.
Bella's POV "What do you want, Sadie? You're no longer my problem. Jasper is all yours, I don't care." I rolled my eyes at her. I intended to leave, but Sadie grabbed me by the arm. "Not so fast, Bella. Listen well to me. Now Jasper is mine. Don't ever think that you can come crawling back to him once the Lycan King has gotten his fill with you." I clenched my fists at her insinuation. "Don't worry, you both deserve each other," I said, looking at her with disdain. Sadie scoffed. "Pretend all you want, Bella, but I know deep inside how you're really feeling. Your precious child that you wish so much for will be nothing but a bastard now!" I saw red. "How dare you!!" I slapped her with all my strength, making her staggered back. "You bitch!" Sadie yelled, ready to slap me as well, but Beta Conner appeared in a flash, grabbing his daughter and pulling her away from me. "Sadie, enough!! When will you ever stop?! You have dragged our name to the floor!!" Said Beta Conner.
Bella's POV "I have the results of..." Dr. Sarah stopped midway, noticing our stay in disarray. My lips probably looked swollen from the kisses, and Chad's shirt was skewed. "I... I could come back." The Dr. said. "No!" We both said at the same time. I was not to be trusted alone with Chad. Goddess, I almost... Dr. Sarah cleared her throat and laughed awkwardly. "Well, the Luna is fine. She could go home. She was just exhausted and with good reason. From now on, she needs to take care of herself. She is almost five months pregnant, and she barely has gained any weight. You need lots of nutritious food, and I prescribe you some vitamins." Dr. Sarah smiled. "I will make sure she gets rest and eats well from now on, Dr. Sarah," Chad said. "I'm sure you will, my king." Dr. Sarah said with a glint in her eyes. She left soon after leaving me with Chad to get ready to leave. I came out of the bathroom after fixing my hair and my dress. I had no idea how Chad had managed to unhook my b
The pain is agonizing. It burns in my chest, travels through my insides, and suffocates me until I can barely breathe. This feeling is brutal, gut-wrenching; it's torture—she's gone. My mate is gone, and I'm left behind, unable to do anything about it. I pace back and forth in the hospital's private
Bella's POV After I showered an hour later, the maids, whom I now knew as Alyssa and Lana, helped me into a breathtaking Thalia dress. The metallic color added to its beauty, but Chad consumed my thoughts. I let them do my hair and makeup, feeling like a mannequin. They hardly spoke to me, only as
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