“How could you?” she choked out, her voice trembling.
Luke’s expression hardened. “How many times, Abbey, did Mum and Dad overlook your blatant insubordination and reckless behavior? I will not be like them. You brought this on yourself.”
Her sobs filled the room, but Luke held firm. This was a lesson she had to learn—actions had consequences, even for her.
Johnny knelt beside Abbey, trying to help her up, but she refused to move. Luke watched as her eyes glazed over, a telltale sign she was reaching out through the mind-link, likely calling her parents for backup. Whether they would come, he didn’t know, but they were well aware he was displeased and intended to punish her—they just didn’t know how severely.
“It’s no wonder she runs away from you,” Abbey spat angrily, tears streaking her face. “You’re so cruel.”
Luke’s patience was wearing thin. “Do you really want to test me, Abbey? I can demote you to omega if you’d prefer,” he said, his tone sharp and unyielding.
Her gasp was audible, and the horrified look she gave him made it clear she hadn’t expected him to go that far.
“Get her out of my sight, Johnny,” Luke commanded.
Johnny, still recovering from his injuries, struggled to help Abbey to her feet. When she reached for him to carry her, it was clear his lingering wounds wouldn’t allow it. Luke turned to Benzy. “Give your brother a hand, will you?”
Without hesitation, Benzy stepped forward, lifted Abbey into his arms, and carried her out of the room. She was still crying, but Luke knew it wasn’t from physical pain. The punishment had shaken her to the core. For the first time, his wayward sister had been truly held accountable for her actions. No more slaps on the wrist. She was realizing the hard truth: her behavior had consequences, and she didn’t like it.
One down, Luke thought, leaning back in his chair. He didn’t have to wait long before his father walked into the office. Curiously, his mother wasn’t with him. That was unusual—she was typically Abbey’s fiercest defender.
“Really, son? You demoted her to a warrior?” his father asked, shaking his head.
“Yes. She needs to learn accountability. Now she answers to the Delta, Gamma, and Beta ranks as well as the Alpha. So much for thinking she’s above everyone,” Luke replied firmly.
His father sighed but didn’t argue. Instead, he sat in the chair opposite Luke’s desk. “How did it go with Tyler and Bella?”
Luke raised an eyebrow at the phrasing.
“Oh, come on, son. Maddis was on the hunt—we all heard his call. And with Tyler back, it was clear he went to claim his mate. Did he?”
Luke nodded. “Yes. Bella just needs more time.”
“Then give it to her,” his father advised.
“I plan to,” Luke assured him.
His father leaned forward slightly. “Just for clarification—Maddis did mate Tyler, yes?”
“Yes,” Luke confirmed. “Why?”
“Just making sure. With their wolves bonded, neither of them will allow her to run off again,” his father replied.
Luke agreed. Tyler’s wolf would never let Bella leave now, not with Maddis so deeply tied to her.
As for Jody and Vera, Luke wasn’t sure how to address what they’d done to bring Bella back. Their methods had caused her significant emotional distress. While they might not have anticipated the impact, it was undeniable. Bella had been overwhelmed, and if Macky hadn’t been there to calm her, Luke dreaded to think what might have happened. Their actions had crossed a line, and he needed to figure out how to handle them.
Luke knew he couldn’t take any action against Bella’s family without discussing it with her first. For now, Jody and Vera would have to wait. As for Robyn, he was tempted to punish him further, but it seemed the boy was already sufficiently shaken. Luke’s anger alone, even without Maddis’s influence, had terrified his younger brother. That fear would likely keep him in line for a while.
Still, Luke intended to demand that Robyn apologize to Bella. Whether he did so in front of Dani or not was another matter. Luke was still unsure what Bella had said to Dani to change her mind, but it certainly hadn’t included Robyn’s storming into her apartment while her children were inside. If Dani knew about that, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Though Dani seemed happy to be here now, Luke was certain Robyn’s actions, not Bella’s, were the real source of her initial upset. Robyn’s behavior had been uncalled for, and Luke would make sure he owned up to it.
Luke stood from his desk and stretched. “Why isn’t Mother here trying to rip into me for de-ranking her daughter?” he asked his father as he walked toward the door.
His father shrugged. “I imagine she agrees with you. Honestly, you could have punished Abbey more severely. Being de-ranked isn’t much when your parents are former Alpha and Luna, and she’s still mated to a Beta. She hasn’t really lost anything. Your mother and I never had the heart to punish her, but we always knew the day would come when she pushed you too far. I’m just glad you didn’t toss her in the cells.”
“Trust me, the thought crossed my mind. If she weren’t pregnant, I probably would have,” Luke admitted, his exhaustion evident. He needed rest.
On his way to his suite, he opened a mind-link to Benzy. I’m going for a nap. Wake me if Bella wants to talk or brings the children to meet me. Otherwise, I’ll see you at lunch.
Got it, boss.
I had her phone last night. Find it and give it to her in case Nina calls.
Will do.
Bella was struggling with how to handle her parents. She was furious at Jody and Vera for what they’d done, yet a part of her was still glad to be here, to see them again. She’d gone upstairs to take a hot shower, leaving the triplets with Luke. Despite everything, she doubted he’d harm them.
She was more disappointed than angry with Brad. He hadn’t really tried to convince her to go along with the plan, and now she realized it was probably because he hadn’t wanted to be part of it in the first place.
