After being photographed and having her injuries documented, Bella was tended to by a human doctor. She provided her statement to the human federal authorities, recounting everything she knew about the incident. She was careful to stick to the truth, detailing only what had happened. However, she deliberately left out the fact that she had killed one wolf, instead stating that she had merely injured him. Bella refrained from fabricating anything regarding the events on pack territory, fully aware that doing so could provoke further wrath from her Alpha—a consequence she was determined to avoid.
Technically speaking, none of her injuries had been inflicted by the Alpha, the Beta, or even the former Alpha. To ensure there was no confusion or escalation, Bella referred to these individuals by their human names during her account. Once her statement was completed, she was escorted back to Matt and Nina’s home, where her children had been waiting anxiously for her return. Despite the severity of her wounds, she couldn’t allow Tyler to heal her, knowing it would raise suspicion if her injuries were to miraculously disappear overnight.
When Bella arrived, her emotions overwhelmed her. Dropping to her knees, she pulled her children into her arms, hugging them tightly as tears streamed down all their faces. She kissed each of them repeatedly on their heads while they cried at the sight of her battered state. They gingerly touched her, asking if she was in pain. Bella’s heart ached; she never wanted her children to see her like this. However, it was a consequence of navigating life in the human world. Their distress over her absence was palpable. Even simple acts like going to the bathroom had her children trailing after her, refusing to leave her side. She didn’t mind. Neither she nor Tyler wanted the children out of their sight either, so they let it be.
For the entire week, Bella and her triplets shared the same bed every night. Their closeness was a source of comfort for all of them. Tim had rushed over to Matt’s house the moment Ben informed him that Bella was safe and had returned. That first night, he stayed with her, holding her protectively in his arms until morning. While he slept, Bella spent the night quietly watching her children. It wasn’t typical for Tim to stay the whole night—usually, their time together involved intimacy, followed by one of them leaving. Overnight stays were rare.
That night, however, there was no intimacy. Bella’s body was too injured, and her mind too weary. Tim hadn’t suggested it either; his sole concern was her well-being. He wanted to reassure her that he was there for her to lean on, and for that, Bella felt deeply grateful. Although he couldn’t stay beyond the weekend due to his courtroom obligations during the week, his presence was a comfort. He frequently hugged her for no reason, played with the kids, and brought a warmth that made his visit genuinely pleasant.
The circumstances of Bella’s discovery had stirred significant trouble. When the federal authorities found her—bruised, bloodied, and screaming as she fled from the Blood Moon Pack, or Cupper’s Corporation as the humans referred to it—it put Luke in serious legal jeopardy. Although Bella suspected the Wolfen Council would intervene to protect him, finding ways to manipulate the system and ensure he escaped human justice, it would still take time and effort. The right bribes and influence would likely make the charges disappear, but it was an ordeal nonetheless.
Jaya had informed Bella that Luke was formally charged with murder and grievous bodily harm, with Ben spearheading the case as prosecutor, just as he had promised. Ben’s frustration was evident—he had openly expressed his disdain for Luke when he picked Bella up from the airport, shocked by the extent of her injuries. He called Luke vile names and understood why Bella had refused to accept them as clients. After ensuring Bella received the necessary care, Ben personally drove her to Matt and Nina’s home, prioritizing her safety and well-being above all else.
Ben had announced a week-long break from work, allowing Bella to spend uninterrupted time with her children at Matt and Nina’s home. The house offered her a sense of safety and security—it was gated, equipped with surveillance cameras, and, to her knowledge, completely off the radar of Luke or any of his men. She felt certain, or at least hopeful, that they wouldn’t be aware of this haven.
Matt’s contempt for Luke was openly expressed through his choice of words, often referring to him as a “prick,” an “unethical bastard,” or sometimes even a “dumb-a*s.” Meanwhile, Bella and Tyler stayed constantly close to their children, never straying more than five feet away from them at any time. The nights were long and filled with vigilance. Tyler promised to protect their pups while Bella tried to rest, assuring her that no wolf would ever get near their children again. Despite her reservations, Bella allowed Tyler to heal her gradually, a little each day. The sight of her children’s distressed faces was too much for her to bear. By the end of the week, her wounds had healed completely, leaving her physically back to normal.
She knew her recovery would seem unusually fast by human standards. When questioned, she simply shrugged it off, attributing it to her health and claiming she was a naturally fast healer. It was a plausible enough excuse.
As the week ended and the prospect of returning to work loomed, Bella couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of unease. Sending her children back to school made her worry even more. Alpha Tomas had seen her children clearly, and she had no doubt he would recognize Karis as his grandson. Karis bore a striking resemblance to his father, even at his young age. The twins, on the other hand, might cause some initial confusion due to their smaller stature, which made them appear a year younger. But Bella knew that Tomas wouldn’t miss the undeniable connection—he would see the truth. She recalled vividly what Karis’s father had looked like as a child. Tomas would, too.
