Luke smirked faintly. “You’ll figure it out, Macky. But don’t let it distract you from the bigger picture—Bella and the pups.”
Macky nodded, his resolve evident. “I won’t. But… Suzzy’s mine. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Luke gave him a curt nod, understanding the weight of that promise. His Mate, Bella, was still out there, her walls as high as ever. But at least for now, she was safe, and they had a momentary reprieve to focus on what came next.
And for Macky, that next step clearly involved a very unsuspecting human nanny.
Luke listened intently, every word from his father hitting him like a physical blow. He sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing, and Maddis growled low in his mind, pacing and bristling with agitation.
“She thinks I would harm her? Or take her pups?” Luke’s voice was low and controlled, but there was an undercurrent of anguish and fury. Maddis roared within him, demanding to go to her, to fix this, to prove her wrong.
Alpha Tomas nodded slowly, his tired eyes meeting Luke’s. “Yes. That’s exactly what she believes, son.” He took a deep sip of his espresso, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. “It’s more than fear—it’s a deep-seated conviction. She genuinely believes that’s your intent.”
Luke ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. He’d known Bella was guarded, that she was hurting, but this? This was a level of mistrust he hadn’t anticipated. “But why?” he asked, his voice raw. “She knows me. She knows Maddis. How could she think I would hurt her or our pups?”
Tomas sighed heavily, setting his cup down on the coffee table. “You need to understand, Luke. For six years, she’s been fighting to survive, to protect her children, with no one to rely on but herself. That kind of isolation changes a person. Every threat, every danger, every slight—real or perceived—reinforces her belief that she’s alone in this world. And you…” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “You’re part of the reason she’s been in survival mode all these years.”
Luke flinched as if struck. Maddis growled in protest, but the truth was undeniable. “I never wanted this for her,” he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. “I didn’t even know—”
“That doesn’t matter now,” Tomas interrupted gently but firmly. “What matters is fixing it. You can’t approach her like the Alpha claiming what’s his. You can’t push her. She’s already feeling cornered, and if you press too hard, she’ll run again. And this time, son…” Tomas looked at him gravely. “She won’t stop.”
Luke leaned back, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Maddis was restless, desperate to act, but Luke knew his father was right. Bella was like a wounded animal—cornered, scared, and ready to lash out at anyone who got too close.
“What do I do, then?” he asked after a long silence.
“You show her she’s safe,” Tomas said simply. “You earn her trust back. No grand gestures, no alpha commands—just consistency. Be there for her, for the pups. Show her that she’s not alone anymore, that you’re not a threat.”
Luke nodded slowly, though he couldn’t ignore the knot of frustration and helplessness in his chest. “And Tyler?” he asked, his voice quieter now. “How do I convince her wolf?”
Tomas smiled faintly. “You don’t. Maddis will. Wolves understand each other better than we ever could. But Maddis needs to be patient too. Tyler is just as hurt as Bella, maybe more. If Maddis pushes, Tyler will fight.”
Luke exhaled deeply, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “She’s my Mate. I can’t let her stay in this state. She’s hurting, and it’s killing me.”
“I know, son.” Tomas placed a reassuring hand on Luke’s shoulder. “But if you want her back, if you want your family whole, you need to take this slow. Trust takes time to rebuild. And right now, she’s going to need more time than you’re comfortable giving.”
Luke nodded again, his resolve hardening. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Maddis growled his agreement, his tone softer now, more determined than furious. “For Mate. For pups. We wait… but not forever.”
Tomas rose to his feet, his expression weary but hopeful. “Good. Now, go to her, but tread carefully. She needs to see Luke—the man, not the Alpha. Let her know she’s still Bella, not just your Luna.”
Luke stood as well, his eyes blazing with determination. “I will.”
And this time, he wouldn’t let her slip away.
Luke leaned back in his chair, processing the weight of what his father had just revealed. His mother—his rock—was shaken to her core, overwhelmed by Bella’s distress. The revelation that Bella’s emotions had unintentionally unleashed a force akin to Luna Distress was shocking, but even more so was the idea that she was wielding Luna abilities without even knowing she was his Mate.
His father’s words played on a loop in his head: “She’s fighting to protect her pups from your Luna.” It hit him like a blow. Bella had spent six years seeing him—and by extension, anyone connected to him—as a threat. Even Maddis was quiet now, unusually subdued, as the implications of Tyler’s aggression toward Alpha Tomas sank in.
“She sized you up? Challenged you?” Luke asked, incredulous.
Tomas nodded grimly. “It wasn’t just posturing, son. Tyler wasn’t bluffing. She was ready to fight, and she wasn’t holding anything back. If things had escalated, it wouldn’t have ended well for anyone involved.”
Luke rubbed his hands over his face, frustration and fear mixing in his chest. “She’s willing to fight anyone, even an Alpha, to protect her pups. And me… she thinks I’m no different.”
Maddis growled in agreement, but his tone was laced with admiration. “Mate strong. Good. We need strong Mate.”
Luke exhaled deeply. “Strong, yes. But she’s also hurting. And if she really wants to escape… nothing is going to stop her.”
Macky and Benzy had been silent through the exchange, but the tension in the room was palpable. Finally, Macky stood, his expression resolute. “I’ll go talk to her.”
Benzy rose as well. “I’m coming with you.”
