Chapter 41

. **Chad's POV**

I didn’t stop walking until we were back inside Bella’s room. I set her down and buried my nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling her peaches-and-cream scent mixed with the vanilla and honey fragrance of her hair. It calmed me. That’s why mates were so necessary, and in my heart, Bella was my true mate, whether the Goddess had given her to me or not. She was mine.

Hudson and his sister can thank Bella that they’re still alive. Only her gentle touch calmed me enough not to rip their heads off and tear their hearts out. Images flashed in my mind of me holding triumphantly their still-beating hearts as blood ran down my arms. Beautiful.

“Are you alright, Chad?” Her soothing voice brought me back to reality. I kissed her neck in the spot where I was going to mark her soon, then stepped back. Jasper’s mark was already gone. I smiled with satisfaction.

“I am fine, Ma Petite. You can have a little fun with the competition. But just so you know, no matter who wins, you we