“Wait, what?” Bella’s brows furrowed. “Why are you training juniors?” A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Did the Alpha demote him because of me? Had her entire family been punished for her actions?
“It was my choice, baby girl,” Jody said gently, clearly trying to ease her concerns. “When I opted to train the juniors, Brad decided to join me. We’re both happy with it.”
But Bella couldn’t shake her worry. “Did he demote you because of what I did?” she asked hesitantly, unable to stop herself. She knew her father didn’t want her to feel responsible, but she couldn’t help but wonder.
Jody sighed, his expression softening. “No, Bella. I chose this path. You’re not to blame for anything,” he said firmly. “Now, eat your dinner and stop worrying about things that aren’t your fault.”
Though his words were reassuring, the guilt in Bella’s chest didn’t entirely ease. Still, she nodded and returned to her meal, determined to enjoy this rare moment with her family.
“No,” Jody said firmly. “I refused to keep training him because of what he did. Brad also refused to take over my position because of it.”
“Oh!” Bella’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “May I ask why?”
“I was pissed off, baby girl. So was your brother, and your mother for that matter,” Jody admitted, his tone steady but edged with lingering frustration.
“Probably didn’t go down so well, then?” she asked hesitantly, hoping her family hadn’t been punished for standing up against the Alpha’s son.
“Not particularly,” Jody replied, a small smile playing on his lips. “Alpha Tomas tried to convince me to keep training the Alpha Unit, but I just couldn’t. He lost my respect that day, and I told him as much.”
Bella’s concern deepened. “Did you get into trouble because of me?” she asked softly, guilt creeping into her voice.
Jody shook his head. “No. Alpha Tomas said he completely understood. He was mad about what his son did too. But what was done was done. He tried to reassure your mother and me that you’d come back someday. I think he truly believed that—there was this certainty in him, like he just knew. Even had a little smile when he said it.”
“I was never coming back,” Bella murmured, sadness evident in her voice as her eyes flicked to her children, who were happily chatting and enjoying their pie.
“I can see why,” Jody said with a nod, his expression soft.
“It’s not a good situation, Dad,” she sighed, unwilling to elaborate with the triplets so close.
“It’ll be fine, baby girl,” Jody said, patting her shoulder reassuringly. “I promise you.”
She nodded but didn’t share his confidence. Doubts swirled in her mind. She wondered if her father knew she had been back in the pack just a few weeks ago but decided against bringing it up. If he didn’t know, it was better to leave it that way.
After dinner, Bella made her way to the pack hospital. The snow was coming down heavily now, blanketing everything in a thick layer of white.
Thankfully, her parents had left her old room untouched. She had found all her winter clothing still neatly in the wardrobe where she had left it. Nothing had been thrown out, and the room itself looked as if it had been cleaned regularly. There was no dust, no musty smell. The window had likely been opened often to air it out. It felt strange to step back into the space—it was a time capsule of her life before everything had changed.
The triplets were staying in Brad’s old room, while Bella had been told to use her own room. She avoided looking at the photos scattered across the shelves and walls as she unpacked. There were so many memories preserved in those frames—her and her family, the Alpha Unit growing up, and even two of just her and Luke. She was surprised her parents hadn’t removed those photos, given everything that had happened.
Her gaze shifted to the triplets as they wandered around her room, curiously examining the photos. She guessed they were recognizing some of the men from the pictures, likely connecting them to the people they’d seen on the plane. None of them looked drastically different from their younger selves.
She watched as Karis stopped in front of a photo of her and Luke. He stared at it for a long moment, his head tilted slightly to the side, his expression thoughtful. His eyes narrowed briefly before he turned and walked away without a word.
Bella’s breath caught in her throat. Did he figure it out? she wondered. Does he know that the man in the photo is his father?
“Probably,” Tyler piped up in her mind, her tone matter-of-fact. The resemblance is uncanny.
Bella sighed, a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest. This was only the beginning, and there were still so many questions to answer, so many truths to face.
Maybe, Bella thought, watching Karis as he moved away from the photo. Her children weren’t exactly known for their tact—they asked whatever came to mind, whenever it came to mind. She’d never curbed their curiosity; a curious mind was a learning mind, after all.
Leaving her children at the house, Bella walked to the pack hospital. As she approached, she crossed paths with Abbey, the Alpha’s sister, who was just leaving. Abbey smiled at her, a small smirk playing on her lips.
Welcome back, Abbey said through the mind-link before continuing on her way without waiting for a response.
Tyler surged forward, turning to watch Abbey’s retreating form. Her ears pricked, her nose sniffed the air, and a low growl rumbled deep within Bella’s mind.
What is it, Tyler? Bella asked.
Don’t like her, Tyler replied. Something is wrong. Go to Vera now.
Bella didn’t dismiss Tyler’s instincts. Her wolf’s senses were sharp and often caught things Bella couldn’t. But they could deal with Abbey later. Right now, both she and Tyler wanted to see Vera.
