Semua Bab Twice Fated: Bab 21 - Bab 30

A group of soldiers emerged from the burning building, their faces streaked with soot and exhaustion. They carried an unconscious man between them, his body limp and covered in grime. My breath hitched the moment I recognized him.Cole.His clothes were scorched and tattered, his once-powerful frame slack with weakness. Soot clung to his skin, and for the first time, I saw him not as the untouchable Alpha, but as a man—battered, vulnerable, broken. My heart twisted painfully in my chest as I stepped forward to check on him.One of the soldiers, a sturdy-looking man with a streak of blood on his cheek, noticed my concern and offered a reassuring nod. “No need to worry, Luna Bella,” he said. “We got to him in time. He’ll make it.”I swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile. “Thank you.”Relief should have flooded me, but instead, confusion tangled in my thoughts. Why? Why had Cole risked his life for me? He wasn’t supposed to care—not anymore. That part of us had burned away long ago, just lik

Bella's POVFor the next few days, Cole lay unconscious in the Blood Stone Pack hospital. His wounds were bad, and the doctors told us he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. As for who actually started the fire, we were stumped. The security cameras didn't show anything helpful.Georgina was in the hospital room, looking after Cole, but we did not speak with her. We simply ignored her.After making sure that Cole was under the very best care, we decided to go back home.I felt a pang of dismay as I reflected on the news. I had not anticipated Layla to be so deeply connected to Rick. It made sense of her brashness, her courage in standing up to me. Rick had urged me to give her a chance."Her brother died defending me," he had said, his thumb caressing the tip of my cheek. "That's why she's so important to the River Bed Pack.I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Rick had sworn to love and protect me, and now he was suggesting I give Layla a chance."What if she was behind the fire?" I rais

Chapter 26: Getting to Know the Cruel Leader Following the touching moment that Theo and I shared in the forest, he merely whispered that he loved Mira. As nightfall progressed, we fled back to the pack house, our hearts still racing from what we had just experienced. As we arrived, I edged my way to Rick and delivered a gentle goodnight kiss to his lips. He kissed me back with hot fire, turning me around and pinning me against the dining room table. His kisses grew more passionate, consuming me with a heat that left me panting. I circled his neck with my arms, my leg running up and down his leg, feeling the warmth of his need against me. We never did get back to the room. Right there, on the dining table, he ripped off my underwear and pushed into me, hard and deep, without warning. A gasp escaped my lips at the brusqueness, but I indulged in the wild passion that overcame us. He raised my legs, pounding into me with relentless fervor. His deep, husky voice echoed in my ears.

I spun around to witness Layla standing tall, her face set in a stern, self-righteous expression. To everyone else, she could appear to be a standard of justice. But to me, she was merely an impostor.Gamma Teddy entered the room, with a maid bringing in a neatly wrapped box in tow. He halted in front of me and gave a slight inclination of his head."Luna Bella, someone left this for you a little while ago. Said it was a gift.""A gift?" I whispered, my brow furrowed as I took the box. The wrapping was immaculate, nearly too neat, as if the person who had sent it had gone out of their way—or was concealing something behind its shiny face.I opened the little card stuck to it and read the note out loud:"Little surprise for my new sister. I took this from Atom and thought you would require it more than we do. You're welcome. – Lilet"Rick snatched the card out of my grasp, his eyes black."Who sent this? Where are they?" he snapped."I don't know. They probably already left." The maid was shak

"I want her killed and her offenses publicly announced."The tension in the room became palpable. All the members stared at Rick in fear, not making a move. Even I felt a shiver course through my body. His presence was oppressive, a grim reminder of the sheer might of an authentic Alpha. Layla, however, seemed to have just seen a specter. She stumbled and then burst into tears. "You're going to kill me for a dubious tape? After all I've done? After winning all the wars? And my brother—he died to save your life! How can you do this to me? How can you be so cruel?Her desperation was nearly believable. I even felt a weak sense of pity as she broke down. Rick's face, though, did not falter. His eyes were as unyielding as metal."Our past doesn't excuse you," he said casually. Layla emitted a pitiful wail, sympathetic nods from some of the council members. To them, she would have appeared the tragic, wronged hero, and I the plotting witch to get their Alpha to kill her. Noel rose, his expre