Bella stepped back from the door, her mind racing. She had to find a way out before he arrived. Her punishment would undoubtedly be worse now. She’d attacked his pregnant sister—unknowingly at first, but that wouldn’t matter. The pack wouldn’t forgive her for it, least of all Luke.
We’ll go out fighting, Bella, Tyler huffed, equally agitated at being confined.
We just need to stop him from coming in, Bella thought, her resolve hardening. She scanned the room, looking for anything she could use.
Moving with purpose, she started dragging furniture toward the door. Using Tyler’s strength, she lifted and hurled a chair at the door, then a small table, then the couch, the noise echoing throughout the suite. She made no effort to be quiet, hoping to sound like she was throwing a tantrum to throw them off.
“It’s no use, Bella,” Benzy sighed through the link. “The door won’t budge.”
Bella ignored him, stacking every piece of furniture she could move against the door. It opened inward, and she silently dared anyone to try getting in now. Her barricade would at least slow them down.
Once satisfied, she began searching the rest of the suite. In the bedroom, she spotted the balcony. A rush of hope filled her as she pushed the handles. To her surprise, the doors swung open, and the frigid wind and swirling snow hit her immediately.
Luke sat in his mother’s private plane, staring blankly ahead, his thoughts miles away. His outward calm mirrored Maddis’s, but inside, he was a storm of anticipation. Speaking with his children earlier had lifted his spirits, and knowing Bella hadn’t bolted from the pack the moment she woke up had kept him steady.
They were only hours away now. He wouldn’t wait until morning to see her. The moment they landed, he’d go straight to wherever Benzy reported she was. There would be no more waiting, no more distance. Bella would finally know the truth.
Luke smiled to himself. He imagined waking her, watching her as her subconscious registered his scent. Even in sleep, Tyler would sense him, waking her wolf to the presence of her mate.
He didn’t know how it would go. They had a lot to work through, but Bella had known him for twenty years. Surely, somewhere beneath the fear and anger, there was a part of her that would be relieved—maybe even happy—that it was him. Maddis chortled at his optimism, but his wolf’s mood was good, a rare occurrence. The thought of being with their mate had lifted him.
A buzz on his phone pulled him from his thoughts. It was a message from Benzy. As Luke read it, a deep frown settled on his face, erasing his earlier calm.
Bella is locked in the Luna Suite. Sorry, boss. Had to.
The tension in his chest surged back. Gone was the calm anticipation; now, he was filled with exasperation and worry.
Just hours ago, Benzy had reported that everything was fine. Bella had been having dinner with her father and the triplets. She hadn’t tried to run, even though she knew he would return at some point. According to Benzy, she’d even asked about his arrival. He’d told her he didn’t know, bluffing to keep her at ease. She’d seemed relieved by the vague answer.
And now? She was barricaded in the Luna Suite. Luke rubbed a hand over his face, his jaw tightening. Whatever had happened, it was clear his mate wasn’t in the mood to cooperate.
Just hold on, Bella, he thought, his resolve hardening. I’m coming.
Luke hit the call button on his phone, only to have it immediately rejected. A flash of irritation surged through him. No one rejects an Alpha’s call.
Except, of course, Bella. She absolutely would. But her reasons were different—rooted in fear, not defiance. He sighed, his irritation ebbing. He had to address those fears, make sure she understood he meant her no harm. But that would have to wait until they were face-to-face.
A text came through moments later. “Sorry, boss. Don’t need her knowing how close you are. She’s already angry and losing it.”
Luke closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. For the love of the goddess… What on earth had happened in the past hour? He was still in the air, at least two hours away. It was late, snow was falling over the pack, and most members were likely at home, avoiding the cold. How much chaos could possibly unfold in such a short time?
“What happened?” he texted back, his fingers tapping sharply on the screen.
The reply came swiftly. “Tyler let loose on Abbey. And boss… Tyler’s a lot bigger than she used to be. Almost as large as Apollo.”
Luke stared at the message, surprised. Tyler, almost as big as Apollo? That was unexpected. She’d always been a tiny wolf, barely reaching Maddis’s chest when they stood side by side. Her small size had been a source of endless amusement, especially given her fierce personality. They had all teased her about it, marveling at how such a diminutive wolf could house such a powerful, fiery spirit.
Now, it seemed, Tyler had grown not only in stature but also in presence. Luke could feel Maddis wagging his tail enthusiastically in his mind.
“Mate strong,” Maddis commented, his tone filled with pride.
Luke already knew that. Perhaps this was why his parents had been wary about a confrontation between them. Maybe even Storm, his father’s wolf, had sensed the change. Bella—and Tyler—were different now.
“Why Abbey?” he asked, though his gut already told him the answer.
“Smelled Abbey on Vera’s wounds, I believe.”
Luke exhaled deeply. He clenched his jaw, frustration and understanding swirling in equal measure. “Abbey still alive? Her pup?”
“Injured, as is Johnny. Both are in the pack hospital. Lanky’s with them.”
Luke sighed, shaking his head. So Bella taught Abbey a lesson. It wasn’t surprising. His sister had always pushed boundaries, unchecked in her power. Perhaps this would finally teach her that she couldn’t do as she pleased. The fact that she’d put her unborn pup at risk, whether knowingly or not, was unacceptable. He hoped the pup would survive, but Abbey needed to learn to control herself.
