로그인Bella's POVLong before I could open my eyes again, the first rays of sunshine warm my face.For a few quiet moments, I simply lay there, listening.There was peace in the mansion.Somewhere outside, birds sang from the towering trees surrounding the Alpha's residence. I heard the distant footfall of servants as they started their morning work, and the soft giggle of my kids peeking through the open bedroom door.Before I even had my butt on the seat, I had a grin on my face.Ayra and Aman were awake.I got up out of bed, set another light robe round me and moved gently into the hall.The door of the nursery was open.Laura was already inside, gently helping Aman sit upright while Emily played peekaboo with Ayra, making her burst into adorable giggles.The sight instantly warmed my heart.Laura looked over her shoulder and smiled."Good morning, Lady Bella.""Good morning."Emily bowed respectfully."We didn't want to wake you. The little ones have been awake for almost thirty minutes
Bella's POVThe walk from the Pack Hall to the Alpha's private quarters felt much longer than it actually was.I barely noticed the magnificent stone buildings surrounding us or the respectful bows from the warriors we passed. I was stuck in the hall and replaying the same painful moment over and over again in my mind."Greetings, Luna."I had greeted her with nothing but respect.She hadn't even looked at me.She hadn't acknowledged my greeting.She had simply walked past me as though I didn't exist.I wasn't angry.I was hurt.I had braced myself in anticipation of whispers, looks of suspicion, maybe even questions from the elders. I knew earning the acceptance of an entire pack wouldn't happen overnight.But I had never imagined Xander's own mother would reject me before I had even spoken more than two words.When we arrived at Alpha's house, I was able to pull myself together and not make any expression.I refused to cry.Not here.Not in front of all people.The guards opened the
Xander's POVSeveral months had passed since Bella came back into my life.The wounds from the gunshot had healed, leaving only a scar behind, but the lessons I had learned from losing her would remain with me forever. The days had settled into a normal routine. I woke up every morning to Ayra and Aman laughing from across the mansion; Bella's smile always welcoming me to breakfast; the sense that my family was no longer apart.Justin had spent the last two months behind bars.I went to see him a week ago, and I thought I would find excuses or complaints. Rather, I discovered a broken man whose pride had been taken from him.He admitted everything.He regretted trying to kill Bella.He regretted allowing his obsession to consume him.Repeatedly he apologized not out of a desire for forgiveness but because it had become too heavy.I agreed to let his case be discontinued after he confessed and he was in court. He was forbidden from approaching Bella or my family ever again, and if he v
Xander's POV The air in the room was strange, so thick that my hair stood up on my arms. I took a step forward, then another, closing the distance between us until I could smell the vanilla scent radiating off her.I didn't say a word. I couldn't find the air in my lungs to speak. I reached her, like I couldn't even think well enough with my hands moving with a desperate urgency that passed my brain entirely. I grabbed her, one arm hooking behind her knees and the other wrapping around her waist. Then she breathed a sharp intake of air that I felt at the base of my neck and lifted her off the chair. Her legs instinctively wrapped around my hips, her heels digging into my lower back.I walked in slow, heavy steps to the bed, where I placed her. The mattress dipped as I lowered her onto the duvet, but I didn't let go immediately. I hovered over her, my weight resting on my knees, staring down at her face. Her eyes were wide, dark pools reflecting the dim light, her lips parted slightly
Xander's POVA month had passed since I walked out of that hospital.The scar on my side still hurt when I moved too fast but nothing like the pain I've been feeling before. Every morning I woke up beside the family I had almost lost, and that alone reminded me that the Moon Goddess had given me another chance.I wasn't foolish enough to waste it.The sun had barely risen when I finished getting dressed for work. Straightening the cuffs of my shirt, I glanced around the bedroom before quietly stepping into the hallway.Everything was quiet at the mansion.I found Bella in the dining room downstairs, feedingAyra, and Aman was happily bumping his little high chair with a spoon, causing everyone around him to roar over his little exploding spoon.Bella looked up as I entered."You're leaving already?"I smiled.“There's a lot of work to be done.”She rose from her seat and went over to smooth my front of a jacket with soft hands, and then she went away."Don't overwork yourself.""I won'
Bella's POVIt was impossible to feel real heading back to the mansion.I sat quietly beside Xander, stealing glances at him every few seconds. His face was still pale from everything he had been through, and although the doctor had discharged him, I knew he was far from fully healed. Although each small movement brought him memories of the injury he was recovering from, he didn't complain.Rather, he stretched his arm across the console and gripped my hand.His fingers were warm to the touch. Just that small thing made me feel like my chest closed with gratitude.When the mansion gates opened, I barely waited for the car to stop completely before unfastening my seatbelt."Bella, Xander softly said, a tired smile on his lips. "Don't run."I looked back at him, tears already burning my eyes."I've missed them too much."He did give a slight nod.“Yes but, be sure to be careful.”I hurried into the mansion while the guards carefully helped Xander from the car. He said he should be able
Bella's POV His voice was calm, professional but yet it still sent a strange feeling in my chest.I slowly walked toward the desk. Each step was more difficult than the previous.Thousands of questions suddenly sprang into my mind.Out of all the places in the world, why was he here? And why would
Bella's POV Three months had passed since I left Nightwood Pack after that night with Alpha Xander. I still didn’t know how I survived the journey here, but somehow I did. I ran all the way to Atlanta with nothing but fear in my chest and confusion in my mind, trying to escape everything that tied
Bella's POVMy entire body was shaking.“I’m sorry… please…” I whispered, the words came out small. Weak. And Embarrassing.My hands pressed against his chest as if that could create distance, but it didn’t. He was too strong. Too still. The air around him felt heavy, his expensive cologne wrapping
Bella's POVMy entire body ached as I dragged my feet through the long hallway leading to my husband's chamber. Alpha Lucian. My hands trembled around the flowers I had picked myself from the garden earlier that morning. Their sweet scent mixed painfully with the smell of sweat still clinging to my







