Chloe’s POV
The emptiness inside had been growing stronger ever since Vance departed, and only hours had passed.
Sothing felt different this ti, sothing that made my stomach twist with dread.
Most of the ti lately, he seed completely uninterested in anything I offered.
When I tried to initiate intimacy, he barely responded, going through the motions without any real engagent.
The other evening, when he arrived needing sowhere to sleep, he walked into my bedroom and told to take the couch instead.
I managed to lure him back to bed later that night, but we barely did anything before he claid exhaustion.
Watching him turn away from and fall asleep left feeling hollow inside.
Now I was forced to observe Bella floating around like she was the only woman who could hold his interest.
He had actually married her, sothing I never believed he would do with anyone, and sohow he made her feel cherished in ways he swore he could never manage.
The situation was becoming desperate. Seeing all those alphas surrounding Bella made wonder why she even needed Vance when she had so many options.
Why couldn’t she just marry one of the other alphas instead?
Then I rembered they were already committed to others.
"Except Jack," my wolf snarled, and I found myself agreeing.
"Exactly, why would she stick with a long-distance relationship when she knows Vance will end up with other won?" I muttered back, sharing my wolf’s opinion that Bella should choose soone from the werewolf territory.
"That would be terrible for us. He can only handle one other woman at a ti. If he gets involved with soone else, he’ll abandon us completely, which seems to be happening already based on how cold he was this visit." My wolf’s reminder of his distant behavior made my chest tighten with fear.
"Don’t say things like that." The thought of existing without him was unbearable.
I gripped the kitchen counter, pressing my palms against the cool surface. Panic and stress overwheld as I wondered, "what are my options now?"
"Show Vance that you’re more devoted to him than Bella could ever be," my wolf suggested, and I nodded imdiately.
I grabbed my phone and opened my email application to compose a ssage for Vance.
"Smart move pretending you weren’t in contact with him," my wolf acknowledged.
I nodded nervously.
I had been the one feeding Vance information about everything happening here.
He used to refer to as his surveillance. I was among the guards who reported back to him about activities in the werewolf territory.
Even when I had withheld certain details, hoping Bella and I might develop a friendship, I had reconsidered that approach.
There was no point in protecting her. She didn’t require rescuing. She already had plenty of people doing that job.
I entered the subject line: Your Wife is Being Unfaithful. Then I started writing the ssage.
Dear Vance, I hope your journey ho went smoothly. I wanted to update you on the current situation here.
A supernatural storm has been attacking people, hurling objects around, striking them, even causing deaths. We are all trapped in one location.
Earlier today, your wife rushed out into the dangerous weather to reach the guesthouse. She remained there for approximately an hour before returning with Hugo, who was using his body to protect her from the storm. Now she insists he must stay here because she doesn’t want him venturing out and getting injured.
I regret having to tell you this, but I suspect sothing inappropriate is developing, not just between her and Hugo but also between her and Alpha Jack. They have been taking private walks together, and he frequently acts as her protector.
I pressed send and exhaled deeply before starting to prepare their al. I made sothing the children weren’t permitted to consu: wine. After dinner, I intended to serve them wine, but not ordinary wine. A very particular kind. Once they made compromising choices under its influence, I would be there to docunt everything and report it back to Vance.
I shut my eyes, trying to convince myself this wasn’t wrong, that I was acting appropriately because it was necessary.
Bella had to be removed from the picture for Vance to focus entirely on , and even if it ant using underhanded tactics, I was prepared to do whatever it took for him.
After finishing the al preparation, I went to inform everyone it was ready.
By now, I could see that Hugo was completely exhausted.
He was sprawled across the couch by himself, arms stretched wide, body slumped backward, head tilted back, eyes shut.
Occasionally, he would fidget with one leg, raising it briefly before letting it drop again, as if signaling to everyone that he wasn’t actually sleeping.
The children were still occupied with their gas, and Bella was nowhere to be seen, so I figured she had gone upstairs.
I climbed the stairs to notify her that the food was ready.
"Lunch is served," I announced.
"I was thinking that since the weather is so severe, I could set up one of the spare rooms for Hugo so he can get so proper rest," I suggested, referring to the small room that had never been occupied, which was why Vance had ended up sleeping on the couch.
"You can use my room since I won’t be sleeping tonight. Hugo can take your room. The other room would require too much preparation right now," she replied, tapping her pen against her papers.
Her manner of speaking made her sound so regal.
Even though she wasn’t royalty, it was all Vance’s doing, giving her such confidence and attention.
If he had shown that sa treatnt, I wouldn’t be working as just a nanny today.
"Alright, I’ll bring out the food then. I also prepared so special beverages for after the children nap," I said. Nervousness was building inside , and small beads of perspiration began forming and sliding down from my temples.
"Sounds good," Bella responded, rising from her chair to assist with serving lunch.
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