Bella buried her face in his neck, her sobs shaking her entire body. She clung to him weakly, not caring where he was taking her, just needing the safety of his embrace.
He ignored everyone in his path, not even stopping for Matt, who was demanding answers and yelling about calling the police. Benzy’s response was curt and unwavering: “Go ahead,” he said as he strode out the door with Bella still in his arms.
He carried her into a waiting car and settled her in his lap, her sobs muffled against his neck. “It’s going to be okay, Bella,” he murmured, his voice gentle but firm. “We’ll make it back to the pack in time. I promise.”
But Bella shook her head, her despair unrelenting. She knew better. The pain coursing through her told her the truth—the bond with her mother was nearly severed. They were simply too far away.
“I’ve got the pack’s private plane ready, Bella,” Benzy continued, trying to reassure her. “We’ll make it. I swear we will.”
Still, Bella couldn’t bring herself to believe him. The pack was on the other side of the country, a five-hour flight away. Even with the private airstrip only thirty minutes from the pack, it felt impossible. Time wasn’t on their side, and she could feel every second slipping away.
Benzy carried her from the car onto the plane, her sobs never ceasing. She had no sense of time passing as they traveled, only the overwhelming weight of her grief.
At some point, she found herself seated on the plane, surrounded by her children. Their green eyes stared up at her, wide and rimmed with tears. Their little faces reflected sadness and confusion, their trembling lips mirroring the grief they saw in their mother.
Bella’s heart broke anew as she looked at them. They were upset because she was upset, and she couldn’t seem to stop crying long enough to reassure them.
The realization struck her like a hammer blow—her children had never known their grandmother. Vera had never met them, never held them, never seen their mischievous smiles. And now, they never would.
Her mother, who would have loved them fiercely, spoiled them endlessly, and encouraged every ounce of mischief they possessed—just as she had with Bella—was slipping away. Her children would never know the warmth and love of the woman who had shaped so much of Bella’s life.
The grief hit her in fresh waves, and she clutched her children close, her tears spilling onto their small shoulders. She whispered apologies they didn’t understand, her voice cracking under the weight of her sorrow.
She had failed them. She had failed her mother.
And now, all she could do was weep.
All of Bella’s fun-loving, mischievous nature had come from her mother. Vera had always been full of life, constantly teasing and pranking her mate until he would chase her around the house—or even outside—laughing in a playful game of catch me if you can.
More tears spilled down Bella’s face as the memories overwhelmed her. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered to her children, bowing her head in sorrow. She couldn’t bear to look at them, realizing for the first time just how much her grief and actions had hurt them.
A soft, calming hand slid down her back, its gentle touch soothing her. She didn’t need to look to know it was Macky. His Gamma Charm radiated through her, easing her distress with a calming aura. For once, Bella didn’t resist it. She welcomed the peace he offered, thankful for the reprieve from the crushing weight of her emotions.
Her tear-filled eyes met Macky’s caramel brown ones. His gaze was steady, filled with sadness that mirrored her own. “Bella… honey, just breathe,” he murmured, his southern drawl carrying the calming tone of his Gamma ability.
For the first time, Bella opened herself completely to his Gamma Charm, allowing the wave of calm to wash over her. She desperately needed to regain control, and she couldn’t do it on her own. Not even the sight of her children’s sadness and worry had been enough to break through her overwhelming grief.
She didn’t understand why she felt so weak. Normally, she was the strong one, the rock her children leaned on. Now, they had been taken from Matt and Nina’s home by strangers—men they didn’t know, whisked away without explanation. They didn’t know who these people were, where they were going, or why their mother couldn’t stop crying. The thought of their confusion and fear broke Bella’s heart all over again.
Exhaustion suddenly settled over her like a heavy blanket. She leaned into Macky, her body drained of all strength. He wrapped his arms around her fully, holding her close. His whispered words of comfort lulled her pain-riddled body into a fitful sleep.
Bella vaguely remembered being moved, carried from one place to another. She felt weightless, too weak to stand or walk on her own. She awoke, seated in a chair, her mind still foggy. A deep but gentle voice broke through her haze.
“Bella, baby girl.”
Her eyes flickered toward the sound. Standing in front of her was her father, Jody. His familiar baritone, warm and soothing, reached into the depths of her grief. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m home,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Slowly, she stood and reached out to him. Six long years had passed since she had felt the comfort of his arms, and now, in this moment, she craved it more than ever.
Jody pulled her into his massive chest, wrapping her in the same embrace she had known as a child and a teenager, the one that had always made her feel safe. He held her tightly, his chin resting atop her head, offering the reassurance only a father could provide.
“Mum?” Bella sobbed, her voice muffled against his chest.
“She’s alive,” Jody said softly, his tone carrying an optimism that cut through her despair. “The doctor says the worst is over.”
