She intended to work today, selecting a simple black pencil skirt and pairing it with a light blue long-sleeved blouse. She discovered a pair of black one-inch boots, observing the absence of stilettos in the shoe section. It appeared he anticipated her to dress like his mother. That was unacceptable; she possessed her own style, and he would need to acclimatise to it, or they would inevitably argue. Alternatively, she might simply choose to walk around unclothed.
She donned the coordinating jacket with the pencil skirt and descended the stairs, allowing her hair to cascade down her back. Upon reaching the fourth-floor landing, she encountered Abbey, who was accompanied by her mate, Johnny, Benzy’s younger brother. At the time of her departure, Abbey had been 17, nearing her 18th birthday, and was merely two years junior to Luke.
Tyler abruptly sprang forward, growling menacingly at the lady. Johnny positioned himself protectively in front of his mate, and they observed his eyes glaze over, indicating he was summoning reinforcements. He quickly contemplated whom he would contact: his Alpha or the pack’s Beta, his own brother.
Tyler withdrew, merely informing Abbey of her ongoing displeasure. She was not seeking confrontation at that moment. Bella pivoted and descended the staircase, pausing four steps down to glance back at Abbey. “Our discussion is not concluded, Abbey,” she asserted, revealing her irritation towards the woman.
“I apologise, Bella,” Abbey said.
In her book, she remarked, “We will have our day, Abbey, when you are no longer pregnant.” She descended the stairs again and observed both Benzy and Macky ascending at full wolf speed, presumably attempting to intercept her; she surmised that Johnny had summoned reinforcements, specifically his brother.
She fixed them both with a look as they halted on the steps adjacent to her.
“Do you believe I am so heartless as to assault a pregnant woman?” She glared at them, more than irate that they would have such a notion about her. She had ceased, as had Tyler that day, the once they discovered her pregnancy.
“I am not a callous individual,” she asserted. “I would not assault a fellow pack member without cause.” She acknowledged that they were all listening, including Abbey and her mate, who would have also heard her.
She intended to refrain from claiming a portion of Abbey until she had given birth to the pup and regained her ability to engage in combat.
“Bella!” Benzy expressed his disdain of her words.
“Benzy!” she said in the same tone, continuing to walk away from the lady who consistently incited wrath in both her and Tyler upon each encounter.
She exited the pack-house and traversed the softly descending snow towards her parents’ residence on the opposite side of the pack. The trip was pleasant, while rather brisk, yet it was refreshing to be in the open air.
She was aware that all details would be communicated to Luke regarding her contact.
Tyler was growling at his younger sister and was indifferent to the derogatory remarks she had directed at the woman. If he confronted her about her statements, he would likely receive a vehement rebuttal for defending that woman, particularly if he admonished her for her behaviour.
She was now the Luna, and he had informed her that she could discipline pack members, having suggested it to her on two occasions. While it was not her responsibility, she might exercise that authority if deemed necessary. Should he align himself with Abbey, she may consider enacting punishment. She was unaware of the consequences Abbey had faced.
Although it would likely have been mild, like to his treatment of Robyn, where no substantial punishment was administered, the lady seemed perfectly well to Bella, presently strolling freely with her Mate, suggesting that nothing had altered for her whatsoever.
She entered her parents’ residence after two brief knocks on the front door, heard her mother summon her to come inside, and discovered both of them bustling in the kitchen, seemingly attempting to prepare her favourite breakfast dishes. The kitchen table was set in anticipation of her arrival. “Cease cooking,” she instructed them. “Simply sit down and elucidate your actions to me,” she asserted as she took a seat, lacking the inclination to consume anything at that moment.
Food was positioned before her as they both took their seats opposite her. “Where would you like to begin?” her father enquired, having previously faced some of her earlier confrontations.
“How is it possible that you, of all individuals, permitted Abbey to persuade you into allowing her to harm our mother in such a manner? Your own Mate, whom you pledged to safeguard at all times, was deliberately hurt by her.”
She observed both of them exhale deeply, noting the uncertainty in their expressions. Her mother then turned to her and remarked gently, “This was not meant to occur; I was not supposed to be injured at all. The intention was merely a conversation between you and Brad, where he would persuade you to return here, with no harm to me whatsoever. However, he was reluctant to be involved, and both your father and I understood that if Jodi contacted you and was not entirely distressed, you would not trust her. Therefore, Brad had to make the call despite his unwillingness to participate. You would not have believed him any more than you would have Jodi.”
“I did not,” she said. “He is not a proficient liar; he never has been. He could not even convince you that he had not absconded from the house. The burden of his deceit gnaws at him.”
Upon observing both of them smile, she nodded, confident in her correctness.
Upon the failure of that scheme, her mother remarked, “Abbey believed it would only succeed if I were genuinely injured. However, the injury needed to be sufficiently grave for you to perceive it and acknowledge its veracity; this was the sole means to compel your return home to us, to the pack.”
“We did not reach an immediate consensus, my dear.” Her father informed her, “I was not in agreement, as you stated, and did not wish for Vera to be harmed in any manner.”
