32

Zach’s POV

The low rumble of engines rolled through the estate gates like distant thunder.

I was inside when I heard the noise, and I decided to step outside.

I stood on the porch with my arms folded across my chest, my jaw tight enough to crack teeth. The evening wind brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of asphalt, leather, and something else that set my wolf on edge.

The black SUV slid into the driveway with irritating elegance, followed by the rest of the security vehicles trailing behind like obedient dogs.

My Beta stood a few steps behind me, silent but alert. The guards around the property straightened slightly, sensing the tension hanging thick in the air.

The SUV finally came to a stop, and for a moment, no one moved, but after a while, the driver’s door opened.

Hayden stepped out slowly, adjusting the cuff of his suit like he had all the time in the world. That smug grin was already on his face.

My fists clenched, my veins reacting as anger boiled deep in me.

“Relax,” my wolf snarled inside my head. “One word and we rip his throat out.”

“Not yet,” I muttered under my breath, trying to control myself.

Hayden shut the door behind him and casually walked around the vehicle like he owned the damn place. Then he opened the passenger door for Bella, and she stepped out.

She moved with her usual grace, one hand resting protectively on the small swell of her stomach. Her chin was raised high, her posture proud, but I knew her too well. There it was, that flicker in her eyes showing uncertainty.

She had pushed too far, and now she knew it.

Hayden extended his arm like some knight escorting a queen.

“Careful,” he said softly to her. “Wouldn’t want the Alpha to accuse me of rough handling his mate,” he muttered silently.

Bella ignored his arm and stepped away from him on her own.

“Good,” I muttered silently, but the fact that he even tried made my blood heat as I was furious within me.

Hayden looked up at me then, his grin widening. “Zach,” he called smoothly with full confidence.

I slowly walked down the porch steps, each step felt like I was descending into war and when I reached the gravel driveway, I stopped just inches from him.

The tension between us snapped like a stretched wire ready to break. “Your wife,” Hayden continued, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve, “seemed a bit overwhelmed today.”

His eyes slid toward Bella before returning to me. “I thought a quiet drive would help her settle her concerns about my wife’s character,” he continued.

My wolf growled low in my chest as I could no longer hold myself from reacting.

“You think I’m stupid?” I said coldly, my voice low but firm.

Hayden chuckled as he looked at me “Now that would be rude.” he said unbothered.

I leaned closer to him, my voice dropping into something darker. “Stay away from my family, Hayden,” I warned him with all seriousness.

The air thickened; even the guards behind us shifted uneasily.

Hayden tilted his head, pretending to consider my words, and then he leaned in closer until our shoulders nearly touched.

His voice dropped so low only I could hear. “Maybe,” he murmured, “you should worry more about who Livia was before I found her.” Hayden said, and my body went still immediately.

My wolf stopped breathing and Hayden’s lips curved slowly. “Because if the press finds out where she really came from…” He paused for effect.

“Your little ‘theft’ rumors will be the least of her problems.”

My hands curled into fists, anger boiling deep inside of me.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I growled, getting fed up with his attitude already.

Hayden had already leaned back, that damn wink appeared. The same arrogant wink that supposedly made women across half the continent lose their minds.

I didn’t move, didn’t blink and didn’t speak again.

Hayden straightened his jacket. “Well,” he said casually, “this has been fun.”

He glanced at Bella.

“Take care of yourself, Luna. Stress isn’t good for the baby,” he said.

Belle’s jaw tightened. “Don’t speak to me like you care,” she snapped and Hayden only smiled.

“Oh, I don’t,” he said with a faint smile.

Then he turned and walked back to the SUV and the door slammed shut.

The engine started, and gravel crunched as the vehicle reversed.

I watched the car disappear down the long driveway, my wolf pacing violently beneath my skin.

My Beta stepped closer. “Alpha…”

“Not now,” I said, sharply cutting him out.

He immediately stepped back as silence fell over the estate.

My attention shifted slowly toward Bella. She had already started walking toward the house.

Her pace was calm, controlled, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.

“Bella,” I called but she did not stop.

“Bella,” I said again, louder this time around.

She reached the porch steps, still no response, and my patience snapped.

She stopped, slowly, she turned around, and her eyes met mine.

“What?” she said flatly.

I walked toward her until we were standing face to face.

“What the hell were you thinking getting into a car with him?” I demanded angrily.

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, please,” she said unbothered.

“Don’t,” I warned.

“Don’t what?” she shot back. “Act like you own the air I breathe?”

“You are pregnant,” I growled.

“And?” she fired back instantly.

“And you thought it was smart to ride around the city with my rival Alpha?” I asked.

She crossed her arms. “Your rival,” she corrected. “Not mine.”

My eyes narrowed. “He threatened my family.”

“He threatened Livia,” Belle said sharply.

“That’s the same thing,” I replied.

“No,” she snapped. “It’s not.” she corrected.

My wolf bristled. “Explain.”

Bella’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“You are so busy protecting everyone,” she said quietly, “that you don’t even see what’s right in front of you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked as her gaze hardened.

“Hayden didn’t threaten Livia because he’s bluffing,” she said.

My chest tightened.

“You sound very sure,” I said.

“I am,” she replied.

“And how exactly do you know that?” I asked.

She hesitated just for a second but I saw it.

My eyes darkened.

“Bella,” I said slowly, dangerously, “what did he tell you in that car?” I asked.

Her jaw clenched. “Nothing important,” she replied slowly.

“Don’t lie to me,” I said.

“I’m not lying,” she replied.

“Then look at me and say that again,” I demanded.

She looked away and my wolf snarled.

“That’s what I thought.”

Her eyes snapped back to mine.

“You don’t get to interrogate me like one of your soldiers!” she said.

“I will when my pregnant mate disappears with another Alpha for two hours!” I insist.

“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “If Hayden wanted to hurt me, your security detail would be the least of your problems,” Bella said.

I stepped closer. “So you trust him now?” I asked, shock all over my face.

“I trust that he’s not stupid enough to start a war,” she replied my voice dropped.

“You are defending him,” I said defectively.

“No,” she said quietly. “I’m warning you.”

My heart thudded once.

“What do you know?” I asked.

Belle stared at me for a long moment; neither of us spoke. The wind rustled the trees around the estate and finally she whispered,

“You should be asking who Livia really is.”

My wolf froze. “What?”

Belle shook her head slowly.

“You think this is just pack politics,” she said. 

“You think this is about territory and power.”

“Belle…”

“But it’s not,” she cut in.

Her eyes softened slightly as they moved to my face. “It’s about secrets,” she said quietly.

My chest tightened.

“What secrets?” I asked.

She stepped back.

“Ask Livia,” she said.

My jaw locked. “Bella,” I called, but she had already turned.