“What pack?” Benzy snarled, his voice a low growl, Apollo brimming beneath the surface. He seemed to momentarily forget they were standing in the human world, not in wolfen society. The intensity of his tone made Jordan shrink back in his chair, his eyes wide with unease.
“Philip White will be calling himself to make the offer in person,” Bella replied calmly, though her heart thudded in her chest.
Benzy’s jaw tightened, his mind visibly working as he processed the name. Did he know Alpha Philip? she wondered. She couldn’t recall much about him; she’d only been a child during her visits. But Benzy’s deep frown hinted that he knew something—perhaps more than she did.
Her gaze sharpened as she watched him. Did he know about her blood connection to the Winter Moon Pack? If so, what did it mean? Were the Red Moon Pack and Winter Moon aligned—or were they rivals?
The thought sent a ripple of uncertainty through her. If they were aligned, it could complicate things. If they weren’t, it could explain Benzy’s visible frustration. Either way, she would find out soon enough. Clara wouldn’t steer her wrong. At least, Bella hoped not.
Jordan’s voice interrupted Bella’s thoughts. “Bella, Mr. White is on the line for you now. I’ve put it through to your office, line 1.”
“Oh, thank you, Jordan,” Bella replied, caught off guard by the promptness of the response. The fact that Philip White, the Alpha of the Winter Moon Pack, was taking the time to speak with her directly on such short notice was unexpected but appreciated. She turned and walked into her office, intending to close the door behind her. Before she could, Benzy shoved it open and stepped inside, followed closely by Macky.
She sighed internally, not now, but pushed the distraction aside. This call was far more important.
Picking up the phone, she spoke calmly. “Alpha Philip, thank you so much for taking my call on such short notice.”
“Not at all, dear Bella,” came the deep, steady voice on the other end. “Your grandmother brought your situation to my attention and was deeply concerned. She asked me to extend an offer to you.”
Bella appreciated his directness—it saved time and cut through the pleasantries. “Thank you,” she said sincerely, surprised but grateful.
“I was planning to visit you personally, but since you’ve responded so promptly, let’s address this now. I’d like to offer you and your pups protection. I’ve heard about the treatment you endured under your current Alpha, and let me assure you, that behavior would never be tolerated here.”
“I truly appreciate that,” Bella replied, her voice laced with genuine relief.
“Given your blood ties to the Winter Moon Pack, and Clara’s willingness to open her home to you and your pups, I see no issue. You’re welcome to visit us at your earliest convenience. If you find the pack to your liking, I’ll initiate you and the pups. Simple as that.”
“That… simple?” Bella’s voice betrayed her shock. Relief began to trickle through her, loosening some of the tension in her chest. She couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t thought to reach out to her grandmother earlier after her banishment. But back then, she’d been too distraught to think clearly, burying her pain in her studies and later her role as a mother.
“Yes,” Alpha Philip said firmly. “I won’t try to manipulate or pressure you as others might. And rest assured, neither you nor your pups will ever be harmed here. My pack’s strength speaks for itself—80% of us are warriors, and we’re highly respected among other packs. I also sit on the Alpha council, so my word carries weight. You’ll have safety and stability here for as long as you choose to stay. Consider it an open invitation, Bella.”
His voice was unwavering, and Bella couldn’t detect even a hint of insincerity. “Thank you, Alpha Philip. I will visit very soon,” she said, meaning every word.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he replied before disconnecting.
Bella lowered the phone, a sense of hope stirring within her. But her moment of relief was short-lived. When she turned her attention to Benzy, she saw him practically vibrating with rage. His gray eyes burned with anger, and the tension in his body made it clear he was barely holding himself back. The air in the room thickened as Tyler, sensing the threat, pushed forward in response. Bella felt her wolf bristle, ready to defend herself if necessary.
Before anything could escalate, Macky stepped between them, his hands outstretched toward both Bella and Benzy. “Everybody calm down,” he said softly, his voice laced with Gamma Charm that immediately began to ease the tension in the room.
Bella felt the pull of his power, her anger and defensiveness subsiding slightly against her will. Even Tyler relaxed a fraction, though still poised and alert. Benzy’s posture shifted as well, though his expression remained dark, and his wolf, Apollo, still lingered just beneath the surface.
“Macky,” Bella said sharply, forcing herself to look away from Benzy and focus on the Gamma. “Get him out of here. Now.”
Macky’s gaze flicked to Benzy, and with a small nod, he guided the seething Beta toward the door. “Benzy, let’s go,” he said firmly, still keeping his Gamma Charm in full effect to ensure compliance.
As the door shut behind them, Bella exhaled slowly, leaning against her desk. Alpha Philip’s offer was promising, but clearly, this decision wasn’t going to sit well with everyone. She’d have to tread carefully moving forward.
The tension in Bella’s office was thick enough to choke on. Things were spiraling rapidly, and it was clear a full-blown wolf-on-wolf fight was seconds from erupting. The human world wasn’t ready for the destruction that could bring, and Bella’s office certainly wasn’t the place for it.
Then, as if on cue, Ben Billy opened the door and stepped in. His eyes quickly scanned the scene, taking in Benzy’s barely-contained fury, Macky’s poised stance, and Bella’s wary posture. “Who the hell let you in here?” he barked, striding toward Bella with a protective energy.
