Bella sighed, brushing a hand through her tangled hair. Last night had been a whirlwind, and the emotional toll was evident. Tyler was quiet, resting, which was rare. Usually, her wolf was constantly at the edge, ready to defend or argue, but now she was subdued, as if even she needed a reprieve.
“The beach,” Bella murmured to herself, staring at the door Karis had rushed through in his excitement. It was a good idea. The kids loved the water, and the fresh air might help her clear her head. A moment to breathe. She wasn’t sure how long the peace would last, but she’d take it for as long as it did.
She rose from the bed, stretching and trying to shake off the exhaustion clinging to her. The smell of coffee was tempting, but she knew better. Her adrenaline and anxiety had already wreaked havoc on her system—adding caffeine to the mix would probably make her jittery. Instead, she decided to focus on the kids and the day ahead.
By the time she got to the living room, the triplets were buzzing with excitement. Karis had rallied the twins, and they were already dressed in mismatched beach clothes, their chatter filling the space. Bella couldn’t help but smile at their energy.
“Alright, alright,” she said, holding up her hands. “Let me grab some things, and we’ll head out.”
She packed quickly, throwing together a bag with towels, sunscreen, snacks, and a change of clothes for each of them. Her eyes lingered on the apartment’s windows for a moment, her senses sharpening. The wolves would still be out there, watching, monitoring her every move. Benzy and Macky, most likely. Maybe others. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed it aside. Today was for her and the kids.
“Ready!” she called, and the triplets erupted into cheers.
As they pulled out of the city and toward the coast, Bella felt a small wave of relief. The open road, the kids laughing and singing along to their favorite songs—it was a stark contrast to the chaos and tension of the past few days. The beach wasn’t far, and by the time they arrived, the early morning chill had burned off, leaving a crisp, sunny day.
The triplets wasted no time racing toward the water, their shouts of glee carrying over the crashing waves. Bella followed more slowly, setting up a small area with blankets and their supplies. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of peace.
“This is nice,” she murmured to herself, watching her children play. Tyler stirred faintly in her mind, but it wasn’t with agitation. There was a sense of quiet approval, of agreement. This was good for them.
But Bella couldn’t completely relax. She scanned the beach periodically, her senses always on high alert. She didn’t expect trouble here—not with so many humans around—but she knew better than to let her guard down entirely.
Back in the city, Luke was pacing his office, trying to focus on research while Maddis prowled angrily in the recesses of his mind. His father’s suggestion of giving Bella space gnawed at him. Maddis hated it. Luke hated it. But he knew it might be the only way forward.
“We give her space,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. “But not too much.”
Maddis growled in agreement. “Not too much. Find Mate. Show Mate. Protect Mate.”
Luke sighed, rubbing his temples. “We will. Just… not yet.”
For now, they waited. But Luke knew that patience wasn’t something Maddis—or he—had in abundance.
Bella felt a genuine smile creep onto her face as she watched her children play in the water, their laughter ringing out across the shoreline. The sunlight glinted off the ocean, casting a golden glow on the waves. For the first time in what felt like ages, the tension in her shoulders loosened, and a small sense of peace settled over her.
This was what she fought for, what she endured for—these moments of pure, untainted joy. She saw it reflected in her children’s bright eyes and carefree giggles, the kind of innocence that only came from being truly happy and unburdened. It was worth every sleepless night, every moment of fear, every confrontation.
Karis waved at her from the shallow waves, motioning for her to join them again. Bella stood, brushing sand off her legs, and waded into the cool water. Tyler was eager, practically pushing her to engage. Her wolf loved these moments, running and playing with the pups, feeling the natural bond of their little pack.
For the next few hours, they splashed, swam, and played without a care in the world. Bella tossed Karis and the twins into the gentle waves repeatedly, their squeals of delight making her laugh. Her heart felt lighter, even if only temporarily. Tyler, too, seemed content, fully present in the moment, her earlier restlessness eased.
When they finally stopped to rest, Bella stretched out on a towel under the sun, watching the triplets build sandcastles together. The warmth of the sun against her skin and the sound of the waves in the background soothed her mind. She let herself imagine, just for a moment, what life in Winter Moon Pack might look like.
Snow-covered forests, cozy evenings by the fire, and the sense of community she hadn’t felt in years. The kids running around with other pups, learning the ways of the pack, and growing up surrounded by a network of support. It felt foreign yet comforting, the idea of belonging somewhere again.
Her thoughts wandered to her grandmother. Clara had always been a strong presence in her childhood, someone Bella had looked up to. She wondered how it would feel to reconnect, to let her children be embraced by their great-grandmother’s love and the warmth of an extended family. Would it finally feel like home?
“Mommy, look!” Minka called, holding up a perfectly shaped shell she’d found. Bella grinned and waved her over, marveling at her excitement.
“That’s beautiful, sweetheart,” she said as Minka proudly added it to her growing collection.
