He hung up, leaning back in his chair and considering his next steps. He hadn’t yet told the pack about Bella or the triplets, though he knew some of his wolves suspected the truth. The ones who worked in the human world had likely connected the dots after watching his press conference. Thankfully, none had confronted him or spread the word—probably out of fear of Maddis’s explosive temper.
The thought of Maddis made Luke’s jaw tighten. When his wolf was provoked, the resulting half-shifts were enough to instill raw terror in anyone present. It was an ability that had proven useful in keeping enemy packs at bay, as even his rivals had grown wary of his power. But that same ferocity was something Luke hoped Bella and Tyler wouldn’t have to witness anytime soon. They already feared him enough; adding that to their perception of him would only push them further away.
“It makes us look stronger,” Maddis snorted in his mind, unbothered.
“Is that what you think?” Luke asked dryly.
“Tyler will like it,” Maddis rumbled confidently. “Wolves like strong mates—strong enough to protect them.”
Luke couldn’t help but smile at Maddis’s unwavering faith. His wolf seemed utterly convinced that Tyler would accept him in all his dominant, temperamental glory. Maddis was certain she’d be drawn to his power, that her instincts would recognize his strength as her mate.
But Luke had his doubts. Maddis’s approach—mating Tyler by force if necessary until she fully submitted—seemed like a recipe for disaster. Luke could already picture the chaos: a massive wolf fight, teeth and claws tearing into each other, likely leaving destruction in their wake. Hopefully, it would happen in the woods and not the Alpha suite. The latter scenario would be a logistical nightmare.
Luke, on the other hand, intended to take a different approach. Bella wasn’t someone he could—or would—try to dominate outright. She was too strong-willed, too stubborn, and too proud for that. No, he would use every seductive tactic he knew to win her over, to make her want him willingly. They’d been together before, shared passionate nights in the past, but this time would be different.
This time, it wouldn’t just be about passion. It would be a bond, a lifelong commitment. Luke imagined how it would feel: the heat between them would be more intense, their arousal heightened by the undeniable pull of the mate bond. At some point, the desperate, primal need to claim and be claimed would consume them both. And when that moment came, Luke knew his dominant instincts would take over, driving him to possess her utterly.
He could see it so vividly—Bella beneath him, her body arching in pleasure as their bond ignited fully. The culmination would be fierce, raw, and overwhelming, with him marking her at the peak of their shared climax, sealing their fate as mates forever. The thought alone made his wolf growl in anticipation.
But for now, Luke pushed the vivid fantasy aside. There was work to be done, boundaries to respect, and trust to rebuild. Seduction would come later—on Bella’s terms, when she was ready.
“We’ll mark deep,” Maddis murmured in Luke’s mind, his tone carrying an almost primal satisfaction.
“We will indeed,” Luke agreed. “Everyone will know she is mine. Ours.” He could already feel the possessiveness surging through him, the urge to sink his teeth into her neck, his venom binding her to him permanently. He hoped—no, he knew—she would mark him back with the same intensity. That was the bond he wanted, fierce and unbreakable.
Bella stood at Jordan’s desk, staring at the message in her hand. It read:
“Winter Moon Industry CEO Austin White would like to personally discuss affiliation. Approved by your grandmother, Clara.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Clara—her grandmother. The name pulled her back to her childhood, to fleeting memories of visiting the Winter Moon Pack with her mother, Vera, and her brother. If anyone in this mess was genuine, it would be her grandmother. This offer felt honest, far removed from the political manipulation of rival packs trying to exploit her position.
Clara must have heard about everything, Bella thought. Not only about her precarious situation but about the existence of her great-grandchildren as well. The thought stirred something warm in her chest. Could this be the answer?
“Jordan,” she said, handing him the message, her voice steady but firm, “call Mr. Austin White back and make an appointment. If he can’t come here, I’ll go to him. I’m free next weekend.”
“Yes, Bella,” Jordan nodded, quickly jotting down notes.
“Let me know as soon as it’s confirmed. And give me the number, too.” She watched as Jordan wrote it down and handed it to her. She immediately saved it to her phone, tucking the slip into her pocket. She was about to retreat to her office when their scent hit her.
She stiffened slightly but didn’t turn around. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed Benzy and Macky approaching. They didn’t sneak—she would’ve heard them—but they certainly took pleasure in reminding her of their constant presence. All day, every day.
“Bella, may we speak with you?” Benzy asked, his tone unusually polite.
“About what?” Bella replied without looking at him. “I’m expecting Ben Billy any minute, and he’s not going to be thrilled about you two being here, considering who you work for.”
“I don’t care,” Benzy shrugged, his smile smug. “I wasn’t charged or court-ordered to stay away from you. What can he do? Really?”
“Add a harassment charge to Luke’s growing list of crimes,” she shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm. “For sending you.”
Benzy didn’t flinch. “It’ll all get resolved when you come home, Bella. Which you will do.” His confidence was infuriating.
Bella laughed softly, her gaze finally meeting his. “Considering I just received a legitimate offer of affiliation, I don’t see that happening.”
The shift in the atmosphere was immediate. The air grew thick with anger, practically vibrating around them. It radiated off both Benzy and Macky, their wolves clearly close to the surface. Bella stared at them wide-eyed for a moment, caught off guard. Why were they so angry? Surely, they knew this was coming. She’d been openly entertaining offers, and they were well aware of it.
