CHAPTER NINE

Harry

The ledgers Bella had given me remained on my desk. I told myself I would look through them later. Instead, I found myself opening the first one before the afternoon meeting. Every page was neatly arranged. Every correction was clearly marked. Nothing had been overlooked. I flipped through another ledger. Then another. When I reached the last page, I realised something. She hadn't made a single mistake.

A quiet knock sounded on the door.

Come in.

Lucas stepped inside carrying a stack of documents.

The Council sent these over.

I nodded and took them from him.

As he turned to leave, his eyes fell on the ledgers spread across my desk.

Lady Bella organised those?

Yes.

He smiled slightly.

The servants have been talking about it all morning.

I looked up.

They have?

They said the Alpha House hasn't been this organised in months.

I closed the ledger.

They're exaggerating.

Maybe.

Lucas shrugged.

But she's trying.

After he left, the room fell silent again.

Trying.

The word echoed in my mind.

Bella wasn't doing any of this because I asked her to. She was simply doing what she believed was expected of a Luna. For reasons I couldn't explain.

That bothered me.

Bella spent the rest of the afternoon in the library.

It had quickly become her favourite place inside the Alpha House. No whispers. No pitying looks. Just silence.

She returned a book to the shelf when she heard footsteps behind her.

Lady Bella.

She turned to find one of the younger maids standing in the doorway.

Yes?

The Alpha requested the household expense report.

Bella nodded.

I've already completed it.

I'll take it to him.

Bella hesitated before handing over the folder.

Thank you.

The maid smiled politely before leaving.

Bella watched the door close.

There had been a time when she would have been delighted that Harry had asked for something she had prepared.

Now it simply felt like another duty. Nothing more.

That evening Harry returned to his office after meeting with several elders. The expense report lay neatly on his desk. He opened it absentmindedly. Inside was a small note.

The kitchen inventory has been reduced to prevent unnecessary waste. If you disagree with any of the changes, I'll correct them immediately.

Bella

Harry stared at the handwriting for several seconds.

There wasn't a single complaint.

Not a single attempt to gain his approval.

Only a simple explanation.

He folded the note and slipped it back into the folder.

For some reason He couldn't bring himself to throw it away.

Bella was about to retire for the night when hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.

A servant stopped outside her door, breathing heavily.

Lady Bella

Bella frowned.

What happened?

The servant swallowed nervously.

Miss Brianna has arrived.

Bella's fingers tightened around the doorknob.

The servant lowered his voice.

And she insists on having dinner with the Alpha.

Bella remained silent.

Then, without another word, she slowly opened her bedroom door.

From downstairs she heard a woman's familiar laugh. And for the first time since the wedding Bella realised she wasn't prepared for what came next.