Chapter 97

Bella's POV

I watched as Sadie and Jasper walked away, feeling Chad carry me off. All those years and all this pain were caused by a lie. I regretted believing in Jasper; he was never my mate. No wonder Sadie hated me. Did this mean I had a mate somewhere else? I glanced at Chad, a pang of longing hitting my heart. I wished he had been my mate.

“Don’t overthink it,” Chad said, gently pinching my chin as we entered the spacious common room. Elise rushed toward me when she saw me sitting beside me on the couch and grasping my trembling hands.

“I have to go back and make sure the crowd is cleared from the entrance,” Chad said, looking at me intently before he left. He paused without turning back and added, “He will fucking pay for what he did to you. That’s my promise to you.” His anger was palpable. I let out a shaky breath. Elise wrapped her arms around me.

“He is a monster, Bella. I can't believe his wolf allowed him to do this to you when they have their own mate.” Elise was f