Now, he couldn’t ignore his growing unease about Ben Billy’s connection to her. What if this human man was more than just a friend? Ben had already demonstrated his willingness to use every resource at his disposal to protect her and get her back. He was respected and feared in the human world—a formidable force to reckon with.
And if her children turned out to be his? That would be a problem. Luke couldn’t imagine her leaving them behind, and he certainly couldn’t see Ben relinquishing them—not to a man who, in Ben’s eyes, had kidnapped and brutalized her.
Luke had done his homework on the man. Ben Billy was 45, impressively fit for his age, with a black belt in Taekwondo. Though Luke knew the man’s skills would pale in comparison to his own or Maddis’, he couldn’t dismiss him entirely. Ben was a respected prosecutor, admired in human society, a wealthy CEO of a prestigious law firm.
He wasn’t married anymore—divorced for a decade now—but he was still regarded as attractive, with his short blond hair, steely gray eyes, and chiseled jawline. His build was strong—by human standards. Luke, of course, was far more imposing, his strength and muscle unmatched. But if Ben was Bella’s partner, it made sense. A lone she-wolf would naturally gravitate toward power and protection.
Luke sighed, running a hand through his hair. Who was to say they weren’t together, just keeping it private? It might explain why she’d done internships at his firm and started working there after passing her Bar Exam.
Still, Luke couldn’t find any records of them working directly on cases together. They shared a workspace, sure, and Bella might have been drawn to Ben’s influence and authority. The thought made Maddis growl low in his mind.
“Down, boy,” Luke muttered, amused despite himself. But Maddis pushed back, confident. “Once she scents us, no other man will matter. Tyler won’t allow anyone else to touch her once she knows who we are—and you know it, too.”
Another low growl rumbled from his beast, a primal reaction to the thought of anyone—wolf or human—touching what was his. The mere idea ignited a fierce protectiveness in him. But for now, she was gone. Seven days had passed, and she had vanished without a trace. He doubted she’d chosen a hotel, not with children in tow. Most likely, she’d gone to the children’s father’s residence—assuming they didn’t already live together. Hell, this situation might have pushed them to move in as a family.
Though he had surveillance on Ben Billy’s home, there had been no sign of her. If she was there, she had managed to stay hidden, away from prying eyes. It was maddening not knowing her whereabouts, a constant irritation and a growing worry.
Luke’s legal team was pressuring him to hold a press conference, a move they believed would smooth things over in the human world and help clear his name. He was supposed to be reviewing their prepared statement, standing in the middle of his office, but his mind kept wandering. How could it not, when she was still missing?
The statement wasn’t unreasonable. It would have him admit to sending men to retrieve her but deny any intent to harm her. He would issue a formal apology—something he had no qualms about doing—and express his desire for mediation to resolve the situation. His legal advisors believed this would be the quickest way to get the human charges against him dropped. If he could persuade Bella to agree to drop them, it would all be over.
But the real challenge was getting her in the same room with him. Given the human-imposed restrictions on his movements, she’d likely have to come to him. Not that he cared about those restrictions—if necessary, he’d disregard them entirely. His Mate was far more important than some human-imposed limitations.
Bella feared him, that much he knew. The words she’d overheard during their phone call would have convinced her he didn’t care about her wellbeing. But the truth was, he cared deeply—more than she could possibly understand right now.
If she could just stand in the same room with him, so much would be made clear. But he was painfully aware that the way she’d been brought in, coupled with the injuries she had sustained, would fuel her doubts even if she caught his scent. Trust would have to be rebuilt—and that was on him. He already loved her and couldn’t wait to claim her as his Mate. Once upon a time, she’d been playful and fun, their love affair filled with laughter and joy.
Maddis’s rage at the sight of her battered and disheveled state had likely been misinterpreted. To her, his anger probably seemed like fury at her defiance and refusal to return home. But the truth was, his rage had stemmed from her injuries, from seeing her in such a condition.
She had defied him at every turn, ignoring the absolute authority of an Alpha’s command—a boldness that brought a small smile to his face. Stubborn she-wolf.
There was also the question of whether Bella knew his previous Mate-bond was over—completely severed, and something he was glad to leave in the past. If she didn’t know, stepping into a room with him might come as a shock to her—and to Tyler. Right now, the only thing Luke felt he had in his favor was the memory of their past relationship, before Mia.
If he had to, he would use that history to earn her trust. He was counting on Tyler to help sway her. After all, he’d dealt with Bella without Tyler’s influence, and she had been afraid of him. That fear was something he needed to overcome—desperately.
Tyler’s bond with Maddis, Luke was sure, would be instant and strong. They had known each other for a long time. Tyler had always been a cheeky wolf, and Maddis had enjoyed their playful encounters—tracking her, hunting her down when she hid from him and the other boys to tease them. He’d relished the chase and the moments of pouncing on her. Not that it had ever gone beyond playful interaction; wolves respected the boundaries of human relationships unless they involved a fated mate. Still, Maddis and Tyler had always shared an easy, lighthearted connection. She had been a beautiful wolf, unlike anything Maddis had ever seen.
