Bella’s POV
The morning breakfast felt like a carefully orchestrated performance. My children and I sat around the dining table, while Vance played the role of the devoted father with practiced ease.
Throughout the entire al, he maintained his perfect facade. The charming smile, the gentle voice when speaking to the kids, the way he cut Tara’s pancakes into perfect little squares.
What struck most was how completely he ignored Chloe’s presence. She sat there like a ghost, invisible to him despite sharing his bed behind my back.
Not once did I catch him stealing a glance in her direction. No secret touches, no aningful looks, nothing that would suggest they were anything more than strangers.
The whole situation baffled sotis.
If she was worth betraying our marriage for, wouldn’t he show so interest in her when they were in the sa room?
"What are your plans today?" Chloe asked, her voice cutting through my thoughts.
Technically, she was my assistant, but her questions always carried an undertone that had nothing to do with work schedules.
I often wondered if her relationship with Vance stemd from her complicated relationship with her father. Mr. Wyatt had been a thorn in my side for years, and maybe sleeping with my husband was her twisted way of getting back at .
"I need to check with the Alphas about today’s agenda," I replied, keeping my voice steady and professional.
When Vance was around, I couldn’t simply ignore her existence like I preferred to do. Her betrayal burned fresh every ti I looked at her.
"Interesting how my presence suddenly makes work so urgent," Vance comnted, his fingers drumming against the table edge. "Most wives would clear their schedule when their husband visits."
"I’ll make ti later, but right now the children’s situation takes priority. You know how much they’re struggling," I said, hoping he’d understand the gravity of what we were dealing with.
"Daddy, we’ve been really sick," Tara chid in, turning those big eyes toward Vance.
"Don’t worry, sweetheart. Now that I’m here, everything will get better," he promised with a gentle nod.
I noticed the slight tension in his jaw, as if he wanted to press for more details but was restraining himself in front of the children.
After we finished eating, I was eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere.
The kids were excited about their park trip with the warriors from the three Alphas’ packs. Chloe would accompany them, which ant I could focus on eting with the Alphas about finding a cure.
But just as I was about to leave the mansion, an unexpected visitor appeared at our door.
"Good morning," Jack called out, that familiar easy grin spreading across his face.
"Morning, Mr. Jack. Are you here to verify that my husband actually exists and isn’t so elaborate fantasy I created?" I teased, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease slightly.
Jack had always been refreshingly straightforward, and his presence felt like a breath of fresh air.
"No need for that. I t him yesterday, and he’s definitely real," Jack chuckled, then added with a softer edge to his voice, "and incredibly fortunate."
I didn’t dwell on his aning. He’d already made his interest clear, so I understood what he was implying.
"Actually, I didn’t just co to check on how you and the kids are settling in," he continued. "There’s been a developnt with one of the affected children that we need to discuss."
"What kind of developnt? Why wasn’t I notified imdiately?" I asked as we began walking away from the mansion together.
I wasn’t sure where Vance had disappeared to, probably upstairs on the terrace doing his morning workout routine. The kids were already at the park with their escorts, loaded down with snacks and entertainnt for the day.
"You’ve had your own challenges to deal with these past few days," Jack explained as we strolled down the path.
"Tell what’s happening," I pressed.
"One of the children in my pack started reporting dreams about water," he said. "But now he claims he can see water even when he’s awake, surrounding him constantly."
"That’s disturbing," I muttered, feeling a chill run down my spine.
"First fire, now water. The symptoms keep evolving." The weight of responsibility pressed down on again.
"That’s actually just one of the issues I wanted to discuss," Jack said. "The other matter involves the council’s decision to assign you an official rank. It’s standard procedure for all pack mbers."
My heart practically stopped beating.
I swallowed hard while Jack gazed around casually before his eyes found mine again.
"Everything alright?" he asked, clearly noticing my reaction.
I forced my expression into sothing resembling calm.
"Of course. When exactly is this ranking supposed to happen?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.
"By month’s end," he replied. "They want to give your wolf more ti to fully erge. Since your transformation happened so late in life, they’re being cautious about letting her demonstrate her complete abilities."
The logic was sound. Most wolves experienced their first shift at twelve years old, while mine had been delayed until adulthood. My wolf would naturally need more ti to reach her full potential.
"Thanks for the warning," I said, my mind already racing with ways to conceal my grey wolf’s true nature.
"So, are you ready to et this child?" Jack asked.
I nodded, though my thoughts were spinning.
"Should we contact the other alphas as well?" he suggested.
"Let them rest," I said firmly, not wanting to reveal my real motivation.
They’d bombard with questions about Vance, and I wasn’t prepared for that interrogation. I didn’t owe anyone explanations about my marriage.
Especially after Parker’s suspicions about Vance’s alleged infidelity. He was too sharp to simply accept our explanation about that late-night walk.
"Alright then, my car is parked just over there," Jack said, drawing back to the present.
I started following him when a voice rang out from the mansion’s entrance.
"I heard you’re heading out on a mission. Mind if I join you?" Vance appeared, dressed in crisp gray slacks and a white shirt, his hair still damp from his shower.
"Absolutely, you’re welco to co along," Jack responded imdiately.
Of course he had to agree.
I watched Jack’s posture stiffen, his discomfort obvious as he glanced between Vance and with barely concealed tension.
User Comments
0 comments from readers