“Good,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “because you are here for us, Bella—not just because of Tyler.”
She sighed, dropping her hands from her hips, and crossed her arms instead. “You’re being overbearing,” she muttered, though there was no real heat in her voice.
“Overbearing?” he repeated, leaning forward in his chair. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’m being protective, sweetheart. There’s a difference.”
“Protective,” she echoed with a roll of her eyes. “You’re acting like I can’t handle myself.”
“It’s not about what you can or can’t handle,” Luke replied, his tone softening but still laced with authority. “It’s about what I will allow as your Mate and Alpha.”
Her eyes flashed at the word allow, and he could see her defiance rising. His wolf stirred, Maddis alert and ready to push back if needed. Luke internally sighed; he’d been prepared for this. Bella was nothing if not headstrong.
“I’m not a pup to be coddled, Luke,” she shot back, stepping closer to his desk. “I’ve taken care of myself and the kids for six years. I think I can manage to tie up loose ends without a chaperone.”
He stood then, his height towering over her as he walked around the desk. He wasn’t trying to intimidate her—not entirely, anyway—but he wanted her to know he wasn’t going to back down on this.
“And I’ve spent those six years without you, Bella,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Do you know what that’s done to me? To Maddis? You’re mine now, and I’m not letting you out of my sight—not with those men, not with anyone. If that makes me overbearing, then so be it.”
Her green eyes met his, defiance flickering in them, but there was also a softness, a recognition of his sincerity. His whole Alpha Unit watched silently, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife.
Bella finally let out a huff, running a hand through her hair. “You’re impossible,” she muttered.
“And you love it,” he countered, the smirk returning to his lips.
Her lips twitched as if she were fighting a smile, and she shook her head. “Fine,” she said at last. “But don’t you dare try to control how I handle my own life. If I want to speak to Ben or Chris or whoever, I will. You can stand there, but you don’t get to interfere.”
Luke tilted his head, considering her words. “Fair enough,” he said after a moment. “But I’m going with you. No negotiation.”
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he thought she might argue again. Instead, she sighed and muttered something under her breath that he didn’t quite catch. She turned on her heel and started for the door.
As she reached it, she glanced back at him, her eyes softening just a little. “You really can’t help yourself, can you?”
“Nope,” he said with a grin. “You’ll just have to get used to it.”
Her laugh, soft and almost reluctant, was the last thing he heard before she left the room. His Alpha Unit exchanged glances, and Benzy chuckled, breaking the silence.
“You’ve got your hands full with that one, boss.”
Luke leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Luke chuckled softly to himself as he watched the door to the Luna’s office slam shut with a satisfying bang. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, a grin spreading across his face.
“Well, that went about as expected,” he muttered, his eyes flicking to his Alpha Unit.
Benzy, leaning casually against the wall, shook his head with a laugh. “Boss, I think you might enjoy poking that bear a little too much.”
“I do,” Luke admitted, his grin widening. “She’s feisty, and I wouldn’t have her any other way.”
“You know she’s probably plotting how to get back at you in there, right?” Lanky added with a smirk.
Luke nodded. “Oh, I know. That’s part of the fun.” His tone was teasing, but there was a glint of genuine affection in his eyes. “She’s been on her own for six years, making all her decisions, raising three kids without help. She’s not going to hand over the reins easily. But she’s mine now, and she’ll learn that I’m here to carry the load with her—even if she fights me every step of the way.”
Macky snorted. “Yeah, but you don’t mind the fight.”
“Not at all,” Luke replied with a low laugh. “Keeps things… lively.”
Benzy raised an eyebrow. “You know, most Alphas would prefer a more docile Luna. One who doesn’t slam doors or openly challenge them in front of their pack.”
Luke’s grin turned predatory. “And most Alphas don’t have a Luna like mine. Bella’s not just my Mate—she’s my equal. I don’t want someone who backs down or bows to me out of fear. I want someone who pushes me, who stands up to me when I need it, and who fights for what she believes in. That’s who she is. That’s who I fell in love with.”
The room went silent for a moment as the weight of his words settled. His Alpha Unit exchanged glances, their teasing expressions softening into understanding. They knew their Alpha well enough to see that his feelings for Bella went deeper than just the Mate Bond. He truly respected her, admired her, and was ready to stand by her no matter how many doors she slammed in his face.
The sound of muffled voices reached Luke’s sharp ears, and he realized Bella had already started making the calls. His wolf, Maddis, stirred in the back of his mind, curious but calm, satisfied that their Mate was handling her business.
“She’s doing it,” Maddis rumbled.
“Of course she is,” Luke replied internally. “She’s stubborn, but she knows what needs to be done.”
“She’s perfect,” Maddis murmured, his pride evident.
Luke leaned forward, grabbing a pen and tapping it lightly against his desk. “Buckle up, boys,” he said to his Unit with a smirk. “This is only the beginning.”
