“How did you permit this to occur?” she remained perplexed.
“The wolfsbane would induce unconsciousness in your mother.”
“I experienced no emotions and was aware that I would recover once Ivy returned to me.”
“And I just allowed this to occur?” I could not fathom it. No wolf desired to be separated, even momentarily, from its human counterpart. It caused them pain.
Rendered their person entirely susceptible to all threats, including death, without awareness.
“Indeed, Ivy desired your return as fervently as I did; we both did.” She gestured towards her Mate.
“We apologise, Bella; our intention was simply to have you return home. When Abbey informed us that Luke was your Mate,” he shook his head. “I did not believe her, nor did your mother; it required considerable persuasion, I assure you.”
Given that you had matured in this environment, not having been bonded to him at 18 as anticipated, and considering his actions of sending you away, we were entirely disinclined to accept her claims.
“I was completely unaware of your return to the pack until just prior to his arrest for assaulting you. Benzy and Tomas approached us directly before we received any other information to clarify the situation and impending events. They informed us that Luke had brought you back, but you were frightened and had successfully escaped from the pack.” Her mother stated.
“I commend you for that; I understand you confronted Benzy and evaded him. You can still outpace the pack’s Beta, I observe.” She noticed her father’s smile. “Additionally, you engaged and eliminated a wolf without Tyler, recalling all your training.” She recognised his pride in her.
She only nodded; it was hardly an accomplishment she took pride in, having killed someone, particularly now that she saw they had no intention of harming her whatsoever.
She was unaware of that at the time; the outcome may have differed had she been informed.
Perhaps.
“Terrified is an understatement of my emotions that day,” Bella murmured. “I was abducted, sedated, and restrained, forcibly separated from my children, under the impression that I was to be punished by Luke. The most distressing part was hearing him declare that I was the worst of the worst when dispatching someone to retrieve me.”
Both of them frowned, evidently unaware of that fact. “Bloody fool,” her father mumbled.
“I am confident he would not have made that statement or involved you had he been aware of your familial situation,” her mother sighed.
“We will never know, will we?” She sighed, “I still do not comprehend how you find it acceptable to subject yourself to such harm.”
“I desired your return home, Luke, and I now comprehend your struggle against it. I observed my mother shake her head. Although I was unaware of the triplets, and only a select few were informed, it remained unspoken within the pack, likely kept confidential. Had he disclosed that information, none of this would have transpired; your father and I would have willingly gone to you.”
“He occasionally lacks discernment, although I believe his wolf significantly contributes to this. Her father frowned, stating, “That creature can assert dominance at any moment. I have witnessed it several times; it is not precisely…something one wishes to observe.”
Maddis is well named, infant female.
She had heard it several times already, regarding Maddis’s ability to exert complete control at will. Nevertheless, she remained uneasy with that notion, since she had yet to witness it, particularly not his aggressive demeanour.
Bella glared at her parents. “How could you be unaware that our conflict involved him publicly discussing the children?”
“Only individuals engaged in the human realm truly comprehend the situation, and their numbers are limited. Most of us employed within the pack occupy offices on the third floor, as you are aware. Jodi and I do not frequently watch television; we prefer to cuddle and read an engaging book together.”
Bella was aware of both matters. Her parents frequently read the same book, often seen nestled together on the couch, suggesting either a shared preference for the same genre or a mutual enjoyment of each other’s company.
“We have also distanced ourselves from him since he sent you away.” A hint of anger was evident in her father’s voice. “I ceased training him and his unit, as I have previously informed you; your mother deliberately evaded him, and others would retrieve Halley for her during pick-up or drop-off at the creche if he was attending to his mother.”
Brad only stands in silence, acknowledging commands with a brief nod but offering no further communication. It is unlikely he has spoken a single word to Luke throughout your absence.
“Bella, our actions were motivated by good intentions; we merely wished to bring you home. However, you are correct. It was unacceptable, a realisation we have come to in retrospect.”
Hindsight often serves as the sole means by which individuals’ greatest intentions, initially perceived as correct, are ultimately recognised as erroneous and detrimental to others. Preoccupied by their own demands, they fail to anticipate the potential consequences of their actions.
She gazed at them for an extended, silent moment. “To clarify, I was utterly shattered by your deliberate actions, permitting Abbey to manipulate you merely to involve me. I was incapacitated, so engulfed by my anguish and sorrow that it adversely impacted the children. Witnessing me in such a state,” she shook her head, recalling their reddened eyes and worry for their mother, “I never want them to experience that again or feel that way. Do you both comprehend my sentiments?”
“Affirmative, dear.” Her mother acknowledged.
“I am not in a favourable situation either; Tyler and I…” she struggled to articulate their experience that evening at the restaurant, recognising it was detrimental. “Your actions did not assist us; they exacerbated our predicament.”
“Infant female?”
“I am unable to articulate our condition or even define it,” she said, shaking her head. “However, fear and pain impact us more profoundly than others; it overwhelms us, and we are incapable of coping with it.”
