Bella turned her gaze directly to the camera, her expression calm yet defiant. She sighed heavily. “Mr. Cupper, if you wish to formally remove me from your corporation, go ahead. I will find another to affiliate with.”
With that, she turned and walked away, Ben right at her side, his hand once again resting on the small of her back. Her ten-man legal team followed closely behind, their presence a clear statement of her support system.
Luke felt the weight of the room’s silence pressing on him. Every eye was on him, but his focus remained locked on the screen. Bella’s words echoed in his mind, her challenge unmistakable. She was outright defying him, openly declaring her willingness to sever her ties to the pack. Worse, she had implied she would join another pack.
Does she even realize how dangerous that would be? Luke thought, his stomach churning.
If another pack took her in, the consequences could be catastrophic. They could claim her and the pups, using them as leverage against him. T*****e, harm, or worse—execution—was all too real a possibility. The thought of his pups suffering, or Bella enduring a fate worse than death, twisted his gut into knots.
And if any of his enemies discovered she was his Mate? That knowledge alone would make her a target for unspeakable cruelty. He couldn’t let that happen.
Luke’s voice was firm as he addressed the room. “I want warriors on round-the-clock surveillance at her apartment building. Her pups must be watched at their school as well. No interference for now, unless there’s a clear threat.” His tone left no room for debate. I will protect what’s mine, he vowed silently. Even if he couldn’t do it himself, he would ensure they were safe.
This situation was beyond dangerous. For someone so intelligent, how could she be so reckless? Any wolf watching her statement would understand the implications. His enemies would already be creeping out of the shadows, scheming to lure her into their grasp.
Would Bella even know who to trust? Who to avoid? He doubted it.
Benzy and Macky were already on their phones, issuing orders. Luke caught the edge of Macky’s voice—sharp, commanding, and unyielding. It was the first time his Gamma had spoken in weeks. Luke suspected Macky’s Gamma instincts, honed to protect the Luna and future heirs, had finally overridden whatever had kept him silent.
“Son!” His father’s voice snapped him from his thoughts.
“I know,” Luke replied tersely, working to keep the fear out of his voice. “I’ll sort it out. I’ll fix it.”
Maddis growled in his mind, seething with frustration. “I’ll fix it,” the wolf snarled. “We just need to go to Tyler.”
“That might not work,” Luke replied internally. “She’s truly upset. She needs time to calm down. We have to protect them first and plan this out carefully. If we move too soon, the human world might see it as another attack, and we’ll have the Feds breathing down our necks again. This will take time. But I promise you, Maddis, I won’t give up. I want her back too.”
“Promise?” Maddis asked, his tone softening, though the tension lingered.
“I swear by the goddess, Maddis. I’ll get her back. She’ll recognize us as her Mate, and everything will fall into place.”
Luke exhaled heavily, grounding himself in his vow.
“Son,” his father spoke again, his tone softer now. “You know your mother and I need to travel to help your brother with his human Mate and her… challenging family.”
Luke nodded. “Yes, go. I’ll be fine.”
His mother approached him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We’ll try to see her while we’re out that way.”
“Thanks,” Luke replied earnestly. “I’d appreciate that.”
He truly would. If anyone could talk sense into Bella, it was his mother. She still held the rank of Luna in the pack, her wisdom and calming presence respected by all. If anyone could remind Bella of what was at stake, it was her.
Luke’s thoughts drifted to his father. If there was anyone else Bella might listen to, it would be him. He was the Alpha she had trusted in the past—the man she had gone to when she was desperate, pleading for help. She had even taken the risk of showing him her pups through his gift, knowing full well he might recognize their connection to Luke. But she had been willing to take that risk, trusting him implicitly to protect her when she had no one else to turn to.
Aside from her own parents, Luke’s father and mother were likely the best chance to navigate this worsening situation. With every step Luke took, Bella’s defiance seemed to grow stronger, and the gap between them widened.
“I will punish Mate when she comes home,” Maddis growled, his voice thick with frustration.
“You will not,” Luke snapped back instantly. “She needs to feel safe and happy.” Allowing Maddis to act out his anger would be a disaster. His beast’s punishments were never gentle, and everyone suffered when his temper flared.
“I will s**k her good and proper,” Maddis chortled suddenly, his mood shifting.
Luke relaxed, a faint smile pulling at his lips. He couldn’t help but laugh internally at his wolf. “She might like that punishment.”
Maddis snorted. “Want to hear Mate’s voice.”
“Me too,” Luke admitted. But would she even pick up if he called? She had to know he would try after her last statement. She was likely expecting a raging Alpha, furious and ready to unleash his wrath.
“Benzy, give me your phone. I need to talk to her.”
Benzy raised an eyebrow but handed the phone over without hesitation. He knew why Luke wasn’t using the pack’s official number—Bella was likely screening those calls. Luke dialed her number, but instead of ringing, the automated message came through: “The number you have called is not in service. Please check the number and dial again.”
