Twenty-Two

Chapter 22

Zachary’s POV

I stood still, my jaw tight, as I watched Bella walk away.

Her steps were slow, careful, and one hand rested protectively over her stomach.

I swallowed slowly.

“Bella…” I called, but my voice came out rough.

She didn’t even turn again as the door to her room shut quietly.

That soft click echoed louder than any scream as I exhaled sharply. “Damn it.”

My chest felt tight, suffocating, and the walls were suddenly too close.

“I can’t breathe in this house,” I muttered to myself, and without thinking twice, I grabbed my car keys and stormed out.

The engine roared to life as I sped out of the compound.

Other cars drove past me as I drove through the city. The air pressed against the windows, but it did nothing to cool the storm inside.

I turned on the radio, and a slow, calm song filled the car as I let out a humorless laugh. “Calm music? Really?”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Why does everything feel like it’s falling apart?” I muttered.

Bella was pregnant, Livia hated me, and I was losing control of my own pack. I was even losing myself.

I drove aimlessly through the streets, the calm melody clashing with the chaos in my mind.

“You are the Alpha,” I whispered harshly to myself. “Act like one.”

But this very moment, I didn’t feel like an Alpha, but I felt like a man drowning.

After nearly thirty minutes of driving, I pulled into the parking lot of a high-end restaurant.

I stepped out and adjusted my jacket, masking my turmoil with my usual cold expression.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm, low chatter, clinking glasses, and the smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air.

A waitress approached me. “Good evening, sir. Table for one?” the waitress asked.

I gave her a sharp look. “What does it look like?” I asked sternly.

She blinked. “Y-yes, sir. This way.”

I followed her to a secluded table.

“Would you like to see the menu?” she asked.

“Just bring me your strongest steak,” I replied flatly. “And water.” 

“No alcohol?” she asked carefully.

My eyes darkened. “Did I ask for alcohol?” I snapped.

“N-no, sir.” she stammered.

“Then bring what I ordered.” She hurried away.

I leaned back in my seat, exhaling slowly.

“Get yourself together,” I muttered.

A few minutes later, my food arrived, and I started eating, forcing myself to focus on something, anything other than the mess in my head.

But then, a loud laugh erupted from the table behind me.

“Look at this guy,” one of them said, but I ignored it as I pretended they weren't referring to me.

“Acting all serious like he owns the place.” Another voice chuckled. “Probably got dumped.” They laughed.

My fork paused mid-air as I inhaled and exhaled but still tried to ignore them.

“Hey,” one of the men called out. “You deaf?”

I slowly placed my fork down and turned my head slightly.

“Are you talking to me?” My voice was low but dangerous.

The man smirked. “Yeah, I’m talking to you. What’s your problem? You look like someone stole your wife.” The others laughed.

I stood up slowly.

The entire restaurant seemed to grow quiet as I walked toward their table with measured steps.

“You don’t know me,” I said coldly. “So I suggest you stop while you still can.”

The first man scoffed and stood up too.

“Or what?” he challenged.

I tilted my head slightly as my wolf instincts reacted.

“Or I will make you regret breathing in my direction.” I was warned.

“Oh yeah?” The man pushed me lightly. “And who the hell are you?” he asked, and that was his big mistake as I could not take it anymore.

In a flash, I grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted it behind his back. The man groaned loudly.

“Ahh! Let go!” he pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.

The other two stood up. “Hey! Hey! Relax!” I leaned closer to the man’s ear. “I’m already in a terrible mood,” I whispered darkly. “You chose the wrong time to test me.”

“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry!” the man hissed in pain.

“Zachary.” His name was called by a familiar voice.

I released the man slowly and turned.

The restaurant manager hurried over nervously.

“Alpha Zachary… please. We don’t want trouble here,” he pleaded.

The men’s faces drained of color.

“Alpha?” one of them whispered.

My eyes shifted back to them.

“You wanted to know who I am?” I asked quietly.

The man swallowed hard. “We, we didn’t know…” they stammered.

“You didn’t need to know,” Zachary cut in sharply. “You just needed to respect boundaries.” I stepped back.

“Be grateful I’m not handling this outside.”

The three men nodded quickly.

“Sorry, sir.” They apologize.

I stared at them for a long moment before returning to my table.

The entire restaurant avoided eye contact as I sat down again but my appetite was gone.

I dropped the cutlery.

“Bring the bill,” I told the waitress.

“Y-yes, sir,” she stammered.

Moments later, I paid and stood.

As I walked out, the air hit me again.

I inhaled deeply, still restless, still angry and still empty.

I got into my car and rested my forehead briefly against the steering wheel.

“What are you doing, Zachary?” I whispered to myself.

I closed my eyes, opened it, and started the car.

The drive home felt longer and quieter, and when I finally pulled into the compound, the house lights were dim. 

I stepped out slowly, for a moment, I just stood there, staring at the windows.

“Get it together,” I muttered firmly. “You’re not some reckless boy.”

I walked inside, and the house was silent.

Bella’s door remained closed.

I stood in the hallway, staring at it.

My hand lifted slightly… then dropped.

“Not now,” I whispered.

I turned and walked to my own room.

But as I shut the door behind me, one truth echoed loudly in my mind.

Running around the city couldn’t clear my head. The problem wasn’t outside but it was inside me.

I was losing control of my own head.

Every time I tried to focus on what mattered, the pack, my unborn child, Bella, she found her way back in.

Livia, I slammed my palm against the desk in my study. “Enough,” I muttered to myself. “She made her choice.”

She had a child, a child with that bastard.

Hayden.

The name alone tasted bitter in my mouth.

And that kid… I would have sworn he wasn’t hers if not for how painfully alike they looked.

Same sharp eyes, same stubborn expression and same defiance that used to make my blood boil and my heart race.

“She’s not your problem anymore,” I told myself firmly. “You have your own child now.”

That word hit differently, my child with Bella.

The realization settled heavily in my chest. I decided to walk back into the bedroom quietly to meet with Bella. 

I thought the door was locked but as I pushed it it opened.

Bella was sitting up against the pillows, one hand resting on her stomach.

She looked up at me carefully. “You have been distant,” she said.

“I know,” I replied.

I walked closer and sat at the edge of the bed. “I have been distracted,” I explained.

“By her?” she asked softly.

I didn’t answer immediately.

That was enough, Bella sighed but didn’t lash out. “You’re going to be a father, Zachary.”

Her voice wasn’t angry. It was firm.

“I know,” I said quietly.

“Do you?” she pressed. “Because sometimes it feels like you’re fighting ghosts instead of protecting what’s right in front of you.”

Her words stung, but I swallowed and moved closer, placing my hand gently over her stomach. “I’m sorry,” I said, my voice low and sincere. “I have been selfish. I have been angry, and I let it spill into this room.”

Bella studied my face. “Are you done being angry?” she asked.

I leaned down and kissed her stomach softly. “I promise I will be better, for you and for our child.”

She laughed lightly. “You look funny when you are serious,”she teased.

“I’m not trying to look funny,” I muttered.

“You are trying too hard,” she teased again.

“I mean it, Bella,” I said firmly. “No more distractions.”

She reached for my collar and pulled me closer. “Then show me,” she said, her eyes full of emotion.

My brows furrowed. “Show you what?” I asked, pretending not to get her.

“That you are here,” she whispered. “With me.”

I stiffened slightly. “Bella… I don’t want to hurt you during the process.” I said.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m pregnant, Zach, not glass,” she said.

“I don’t want to risk it.” I muttered.

She cupped my face. “Just be gentle.”

Before I could protest further, she pulled me into a kiss. It started soft, slow.

Her fingers tangled into my shirt. “Stop thinking so much,” she murmured against my lips.

“I’m not,” I lied.

“Liar,” she whispered with a smile.

Then she let out a soft sound.

And everything shattered.

Because it wasn’t her voice anymore, It was Livia’s.

Breathless, broken and calling another man’s name.

“Hayden… don’t stop…”

My chest tightened violently.

I tried to shake it off, but my mind betrayed me.

The sounds grew louder in my head. Her voice, her pleasure, her saying she wanted another round.

My imagination made it worse, filling in details I never saw.

My hands froze.

“Zach?” Bella’s voice broke through faintly. “Why did you stop?” she asked.

I pulled back abruptly, breathing hard.

“Get out of your head,” I muttered to myself.

“Zachary,” Bella said, now confused. “What’s wrong?”

I stood up quickly, running a hand through my hair. “I can’t.” I muttered.

“Can’t what?” she asked, hurt creeping into her tone.

“I can’t do this right now.”

Her face fell. “Because of her?” she asked.

“Don’t,” I snapped, then immediately regretted it. I lowered my voice. “Don’t ask me that.”

“Then tell me what it is!” she demanded.

I looked away. “It’s me. It’s my head. I just, I can’t.”

Bella’s hand dropped from where it had been resting on my chest. “You just promised to be better.” she reminded me.

“I know!” I growled in frustration. “And I am trying.”

“Trying isn’t enough if she’s still living in your head,” she said quietly.

Her words hit deeper than she intended.

I stepped forward again and knelt down, placing a gentle kiss on her small bump.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to both of them. “I won’t hurt you. I won’t risk you.”

Bella’s voice softened slightly. “Running won’t fix it.”

“Staying might make it worse,” I replied coldly.

I stood up and left before she could see how angry I really was not at her, but at myself.

My weakness is that Livia could still crawl under my skin without even being here.

As I walked down the hallway, something else surfaced in my mind.

Perry had said something earlier. “Alpha, someone has been watching the mansion.”

I stopped walking, watching?

Perry never said things lightly. And he never ignored threats.

If he mentioned it, it was serious.

I pulled out my phone immediately and dialed him.

He picked up almost instantly. “Yes, Alpha.” his voice echoed through the phone.

“You told me someone was watching us,” I said sharply. “Who?”

“We are still investigating,” he replied carefully.

“That’s not how you work, Perry,” I said, my voice turning cold. “You don’t bring me half the information.”

There was a pause on the line. “We traced suspicious signals near the estate,” he admitted.

“And?” I asked.

“They appeared multiple times. Late at night.”

My jaw tightened. “Connected to who?” I pressed on.

Another silence followed immediately.

“Speak.” I ordered.

“We are still verifying the number,” he said cautiously. “But it seems connected to a private line that frequently communicates with someone outside the territory.”

“Who?” I demanded.

“We believe it may be connected to Livia’s network.”

My heart skipped not out of softness, but alarm.

“What do you mean by ‘connected’?”

“The same signal pinged from near her residence,” Perry said. “And fro

m a number that attempted to access our security feed.”

A cold rage flooded through me.

“Are you telling me she’s spying?” I asked dangerously.

“I am saying,” Perry corrected carefully, “that someone connected to her might be watching both sides.”

I went silent for a while as that didn’t sit right well with me.