“I must proceed to arrange the rooms for their arrival; we can discuss our prior conversation later.”
“If that is your desire.” She acknowledged that he would probably inform her only one more time of his presence, and she would have no influence over it.
“Bella, please.” He scowled at her.
“What, did I not just concur with what…
He glared at her before abruptly exiting the room, interrupting her statement. She rolled her eyes; he was not even pleased when she acquiesced to his demands.
“Please extend some leniency towards him, Bella.”
“When he acts against me, I shall reciprocate.” She murmured, having just been confronted by him, who nearly accused her of reporting him to the council. “Accompany your Alpha, Beta.”
“Sufficient, Bella. You are not the sole individual experiencing confusion or stress at this moment.”
She arched an eyebrow at him; he would invariably side with Luke, being the man’s closest confidant, and would desire for him to attain his wishes. “Leave,” she said tersely.
He stood there, staring at her, seemingly unfazed by her statement, “I can make it an order if you prefer,” she stated.
“I will only adhere to it if you genuinely assume the role of a true Luna for this pack. Claim your rightful position.”
“I am present, am I not?”
“Indeed, I suspect you are eager to depart. What does Luna desire in distancing herself from her pack?”
“I must conclude my human existence, which was imposed upon me by the leader of this pack. It must be on my terms, not his, or do I lack the right to do so?” she said with difficulty.
Benzy stood there, glaring at her; she saw his anger, albeit distractedly. Well, he could join the discontented assembly. “None of you understand me anymore, Benzy.”
You all believe I should only overlook the incident. That he exiled me, and I should simply acquiesce and submit to him. Like an obedient she-wolf devoid of resolve, allowing him to dominate me and dictate my actions.
“That is not our desire, nor is it his. However, it is imperative that you afford him a fair opportunity; you accepted him, yet now you seem intent on penalising him. Perhaps greater deliberation should have been exercised in your decision to accept him, if that was not your true intention.”
“Perhaps I lacked a genuine choice; perhaps Benzy, my wolf, made that decision on my behalf.” She was aware that he understood Tyler had accepted Maddis before to Bella having the opportunity to converse with Luke.
“You could have still chosen not to proceed,” he retorted.
“Indeed, my wolf independently chose to Mark her Mate.” She was aware that Tyler desired him as a Mate and had supported Maddis from the moment she realised he was her Mate.
Observed Benzy’s current frown. “She would not have.”
“You are unfamiliar with her, and indeed, she would have experienced that. She felt isolated in the human realm.” Furthermore, she recognised that Tyler had endured isolation without the communal support of a pack, which caused him significant distress. Although he managed to cope, it still pained her, and she internalised that suffering, attributing blame to herself. This was the reason she had silently endured the loss of her pack, holding herself accountable for their expulsion.
Moreover, he would have perceived her solitude; indeed, the entire pack would have detected it in her scream directed at her Alpha: “Wolves can act as they wish, Benzy; I am confident you comprehend this thoroughly.”
“I do,” he said with a sigh. “The council wishes to discuss your relationship with Luke.”
“What is the reason?”
“As I comprehend it, they are arriving to ascertain that you are not being coerced to remain here. They will observe you, observe him, and evaluate your interactions. What do you anticipate they will observe upon their arrival?”
Bella?
“It appears that his sole interest lies in engaging with his children.”
He frowned as he stood there observing her. “I recommend that both of you endeavour to spend time together, reacquaint yourselves, and cultivate a friendly rapport.”
She observed him exit the room and sighed inwardly. She had not initiated the call to the council or her grandmother. Nevertheless, they had entered and interrogated her, posing multiple enquiries despite her direct response to the initial question, which prompted further questioning from him.
Luke believed it was evident to her.
She was not overtly rejecting Luke; rather, she was profoundly perplexed. Tyler believed he loved her because Maddis loved him. However, he had risen yesterday and returned to work. She recognised he had a pack to manage and was likely occupied, yet he could have entrusted Benzy with leadership to dedicate a single day to her, had he genuinely desired to do so.
He just did not wish to. It caused more than minor pain, which was the reason for her defences. Tyler excluded him, and it seemed that Tyler was beginning to harbour uncertainties about the man, not the wolf, only the guy.
She had conversed with Karis on their history to facilitate Luke’s connection with their son. Did it not constitute an effort on her part? She was endeavouring to ensure the children felt at ease in his presence and was promoting their interaction with him.
She had only adhered to his example and maintained distance from him, as he had from her, believing that was his desire. She informed him of her dinner arrangements and did not oppose his participation. At one juncture, she even attempted to console him.
She did not deny their connection; she had shared a bed with him, which only compounded her confusion. She loved him, yet now recognised that a part of her harboured animosity towards him, making it difficult to navigate her emotions. The desire to be with someone who had inflicted such profound pain, who had banished and abandoned her, could not simply dissipate.
It was perplexing, to say the least; one moment she adored gazing at him and desired his touch, while the next she yearned to physically assault him, to shout and berate him. She felt an inclination to inflict pain upon him, as if she were being torn in opposing directions simultaneously.
She recognised him as her Mate, yet acknowledged that it was his wolf that desired Tyler. She sighed once more, unwilling to be a doormat and relinquish her entire self, only to be disregarded and denied respect or autonomy. Although he had apologised, he could not undo his actions. She noted his reluctance to address her enquiries.
