You would have been, for your information. “I had to be,” Bella groaned hard. “You must inform me of details so that I can independently decide whether to attend.”
“I acknowledge that I was quite selfish today when the council informed me about it.” I prefer that you maintain your distance from that woman, to be candid, Bella. The decision was not mine to render. You are correct, yet I proceeded anyhow.
She remained silent for an extended minute. She would have contemplated attending it. Shed has not departed from the pack since being captured. “Very well, Mr., I am in command.” That is the final decision you will make on my behalf.” She poked him in the chest. “You will be sleeping on the couch from now on. You comprehend me.
Luke acknowledged, “You are not particularly upset about this.”
“No. I would have preferred the option.” She nodded. “However, I would not have participated.” Not in my presence with the puppy. She will not jeopardise our child by exposing them to anything beyond this pack. “Although I did not behave well during your absence either.”
She bit her lip and gazed up at him, stating, “Your father is exceedingly persuasive, and how can I refuse the former Alpha?”
“Goddess, what did he persuade you to purchase?”
She grinned, “It is merely a house.”
He frowned and asked, “Where?”
“Cape Cod.”
I heard him groan, “Please tell me it wasn’t that beach house he has been persistently urging me about for almost a year.”
“Perhaps it was a seaside residence.”
“What assurances did he provide you to acquire that beach house?”
Luke exhaled audibly and inclined his head in disapproval.
“We could vacation there in the summer, as the yacht he purchased will be anchored there.” That can also be utilised.
“You express concern about my expenditure of pack funds; does that not appear to you as a misallocation of resources?”
“In fact, it constitutes a sound investment.” In his absence, pack members may access and utilise the facility. Family vacations benefit everyone, both him and the pack members.” She smiled directly at him, “Evidently, Alpha Philip intends to utilise it as well; I observed him there with a tall, slender woman.
Your father believes he will ultimately discover his Mate and requires that residence to facilitate this endeavour.
The man is manipulating you, Bella. However, your kindness prevents you from declining his request.
No, I believe Alpha Philip has patiently awaited the discovery of his mate. The patient has resisted the pressure to select a Mate and produce an Heir, despite having the opportunity to do so. He continues to await the arrival of his divinely bestowed mate. It is endearing, and if your father observed him there with his companion, how could I possibly decline? Your father believes that the house should be purchased for Alpha Philip’s use, facilitating their meetings.
You were deceived by his prescience. He could have instructed Alpha Philip to purchase it for Bella, rather than for us. He desired that house a year prior. I declined. “Now he has you under his control.” He shook his head. “What was the cost to the pack?”
“Not to the same extent as the yacht.” She grinned at him.
“You are exceedingly fortunate that I hold affection for you,” he grinned and ran a hand through her hair, “Kiss me and I shall pardon it.” Allow the man to experience happiness.
Bella placed her lips on his in a modest kiss and then rose from his lap, proceeding towards the door.
“Greetings!”
“What?” It was indeed a kiss, was it not? “I wish to observe your purchases,” she said with a smile.
“Bella, are you interested in learning about Mia’s punishment?”
She ceased walking and exhaled, “I suppose so.” She gazed at him as he approached, preferring to contemplate their puppy and the fact that he had finally purchased something he appreciated for it. “Is it suitable?”
“Indeed, it is.” He affirmed with a nod. “However, the meeting was somewhat peculiar.” She appeared to have multiple offences for which she was to be penalised. I was not privy to the specifics, but Alpha Philip conveyed her sentencing based solely on her actions towards you, Macky, and her intentions about all of us. We will receive a comprehensive report on her duration of incarceration in the royal realm, along with an anticipated release date, as it is available.
He extended a folded sheet of paper towards her, stating, “This constitutes merely our portion.”
Bella stood and read the document, facing six charges, with a sentence of one year of incarceration for each offence, in addition to wearing a silver cuff throughout the duration. It is undesirable to be separated from her wolf for such an extended period. She might lose her wolf during that period. “Are her children accompanying her?”
