Bella’s POV
My phone buzzed again, and I could see Parker’s jaw tighten with annoyance.
"That call can wait. We need to settle this first," Parker snapped, jabbing his finger toward my phone to prevent from answering it.
I completely ignored his demand and snatched up my phone. Alpha Jack’s na glowed on the screen.
"There’s nothing left to discuss. I don’t owe explanations to any of you, Parker. If you want to fight, fight each other. My decision is final. None of you will be acknowledged as my children’s father, and I’m certainly not starting anything romantic with any of you," I declared, watching their faces shift through shock, anger, and confusion.
I turned my back on them and headed toward the bedroom to take Alpha Jack’s call.
At least his timing rescued from watching three grown Alphas have a collective ltdown.
"Hello?" I answered, closing the bedroom door behind so Jack wouldn’t overhear their inevitable shouting match in the living room.
"Ms. Bella, our absolute champion! I’ve been dying to call you since this morning, but etings kept tied up. Everyone here is thrilled with how brilliantly you handled the children’s situation," Jack’s voice bubbled with enthusiasm.
"Thank you, but really, it was just doing my job. That’s what you brought here for," I replied simply.
"Even so, my grandmother and I spent most of today talking about you," Jack continued. "She’s practically bouncing with excitent to see you again and toast to this success."
The word ’celebration’ imdiately brought back mories of our last encounter, and my stomach dropped.
"She really doesn’t need to go through any trouble. I’m perfectly fine without it," I said, scrambling for any excuse to avoid another painfully uncomfortable evening.
But I knew escape wouldn’t be simple. I was working within his pack territory, and maintaining professional relationships was essential for my job.
"Co on, just one drink then. Surely you can spare a little ti for my grandmother? She’s beco oddly captivated by you," Jack pressed, making shift nervously.
I felt cornered with no graceful way out.
"Alright, what about tomorrow evening?" I suggested.
He made a disapproving sound.
"Why wait? Tonight’s perfect, and the little ones should be sleeping soon anyway. You wouldn’t want them around alcohol, would you?" he reasoned, and I had to suppress my frustration.
"Fine, tonight works. I’ll leave the warriors watching the door and drop by, but I can only stay briefly since I need to get back to the children," I agreed.
The mansion was only minutes away by car anyway.
"Perfect, just one drink is all I’m requesting," Jack confird, and our plans were set.
We had nurous warriors from Derek’s, Parker’s, and Hugo’s packs positioned throughout and around our hotel suite, so I knew my babies were completely protected.
Still, my nerves always settled better when I was physically near them. But work sotis required to step away, and I had to accept that reality.
I erged from the bedroom to find three furious Alphas occupying separate sofas, each stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the others’ existence.
They all looked like thunderclouds ready to burst.
"So, are we ready to discuss this properly now?" Parker demanded, jumping to his feet the mont he spotted . I held up my hand like a stop sign.
"Absolutely not, Parker. Alpha Jack wants to join him for a celebratory drink. I refuse to trigger another screaming match between you three," I inford him, grabbing my purse and heading for the door.
But I quickly realized all three were trailing behind . I spun around at the threshold to confront them.
"Where exactly do you think you’re all going?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.
"I’m obviously part of this celebration. I was right there beside you during the mission, contributing to its success," Derek announced, mirroring my crossed-arm stance.
"Understood. What about you two?" I directed my question toward Parker and Hugo.
"I remained here protecting the babies. That made essential to the mission too," Hugo responded, making roll my eyes skyward.
"Hold on, that’s completely unfair! I see your ga," Parker protested, shaking his head vigorously.
"What ga? It’s only logical that we go and you stay behind. You weren’t even present to help," Derek taunted, prompting Parker to wave his finger dismissively.
"You can all tag along, but I swear on everything, if any of you starts another fight, I’m walking out imdiately," I warned, exiting the hotel suite with my three-person entourage.
It struck as bizarre how suddenly they all craved my attention and wanted to discuss matters they’d previously made impossible to address.
We moved toward the car and crowded into the elevator together. Inside the cramped space, I beca painfully aware that all three had positioned themselves facing , hands shoved deep in their pockets, eyes locked on like laser beams.
The awkwardness was suffocating. I desperately searched for anywhere to look that didn’t involve eting their intense stares. I even found myself holding my breath under their collective scrutiny.
When the elevator doors slid open, Parker spoke with determination.
"The mont we return ho, we’re having that conversation. If she believes she can escape this discussion forever, she’s absolutely wrong," he declared firmly.
Hugo claid the driver’s seat, which imdiately sparked another petty dispute about seating arrangents next to . I solved the problem by choosing the passenger seat and focusing intently on the passing scenery.
Behind , Parker and Derek bickered about every conceivable topic, but I ntally blocked them out entirely. The drive felt endless and torturous.
When we finally reached the mansion, my chest constricted painfully. Every visit to this place, every thought of these grounds, transported back to that devastating night when I’d co begging for their help and revealed my pregnancy. I forced myself to breathe deeply before stepping out and plastering on a fake smile for Alpha Jack and his grandmother.
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