Bella’s POV
"You don’t need to go down there," Hugo declared, his voice carrying an edge of authority after spending what felt like forever trying to gently persuade otherwise.
Several things had unfolded since I’d regained consciousness.
Parker had managed to locate clothing for from sowhere in the house - a simple shirt and pants that would suffice. They’d also arranged for food to be brought up, apparently under the assumption that I’d have an appetite after learning about the old man’s death.
All I craved was to witness the destruction I’d wrought, because the mories had returned to .
For once, I actually retained every detail of what had transpired.
Yet they ford a protective barrier, refusing to allow access to the basent. My only desire was to have a conversation with my wolf about alternative approaches to conflict resolution.
We could have restrained him, left marks with our claws, delivered a warning bite, rendered him unconscious. The situation hadn’t demanded such extre asures.
"Absolutely not," Astra responded to my internal dialogue, her voice unwavering in its conviction.
Having never possessed a wolf consciousness before, and based on conversations I’d overheard from others, most people rarely discussed their wolves in great detail.
Now that she’d awakened within , I was fairly certain this level of assertiveness wasn’t typical wolf behavior toward their human counterparts.
"I simply want to assess the extent of what I’ve done," I stated again.
This ti, Derek’s facial muscles tensed visibly.
"You have two choices - either traumatize yourself by viewing that scene, or return to your family. Your children are expecting you," Hugo explained, clearly exercising restraint in his tone, likely because he recognized my mounting frustration.
His logic was sound, though. There was nothing productive I could accomplish by remaining here.
"Furthermore, why would you want to look at that man again? He certainly didn’t earn your compassion. Your wolf executed what was necessary. Don’t waste ntal energy on him - he was a worthless individual who t his end," Parker stated bluntly, prompting a weary exhale from .
His assessnt wasn’t incorrect either.
"Understanding a situation should enhance your humanity, not diminish it. Knowledge should cultivate civilization," Derek contributed, his hands forming fists as thoughts of the deceased man consud him.
I had to admit, none of their perspectives were flawed.
"So how do we explain today’s events to the outside world?" I inquired, recognizing that the nurse would arrive shortly.
If she encountered the carnage in the basent, the trauma would haunt her permanently.
The three n imdiately shared aningful glances before Hugo adjusted his position.
"We’ve already discussed our approach," he revealed. "We’ll inform everyone that we arrived to have a discussion with the man regarding certain matters, and that he initiated an attack instead. That he’d completely lost his ntal faculties. I believe that explanation will suffice."
I nodded my agreent. I suspected they preferred to keep distanced from this situation, which made question whether it was due to my wolf’s behavior.
Exactly how unstable was she?
Unstable enough to brutally end soone’s life and then turn on her own mates. At least two of them had been targeted.
"Are you certain it was only those two?" Astra’s voice suddenly pierced through my thoughts.
Each ti she erged in my consciousness, it startled - not from terror, but from the sheer unfamiliarity of the experience.
I remained unaccustod to hosting an internal voice.
"In any case, we should depart. We’ll escort you ho, then return to handle the remaining cleanup," Hugo proposed.
I observed the others exchanging glances, conducting silent conversations through their expressions.
"What’s the matter?" I pressed.
"Not all of us need to accompany you," Parker pointed out. "If we all abandon this location and the nurse or household staff arrives, we’ll face additional complications. One person should transport you while the others remain to manage the aftermath."
He looked between his companions, awaiting soone’s agreent.
"Very well. I’ll handle her transportation," Hugo declared decisively.
"Actually, I should take care of that," Derek interjected, offering his services.
"Have you forgotten about the person waiting at your residence?" Parker countered, raising an eyebrow. "If she witnesses you returning with Bella, she’ll create another dramatic situation. It’s preferable if I escort her while you two complete the work here."
The mont Parker referenced Serena, mories of Camilla flooded back, and I genuinely wanted to avoid encountering those two won again.
Camilla, in particular, represented a confrontation I wasn’t prepared to handle.
"Yes, I’ll accompany Parker," I announced before further debate could ensue.
That appeared to settle the matter, though neither of the remaining n seed satisfied with the arrangent.
"Excellent, let’s proceed," Parker said with unusual haste.
His eagerness seed peculiar, almost desperate in his desire to separate from the others.
Perhaps he intended to discuss sothing privately.
There had been a subtle connection we’d both experienced, but since I’d been in wolf form during that ti, nothing had been entirely comprehensible.
Was that the reason behind his insistence on taking alone?
I had no interest in addressing that topic. But I could always silence him if necessary.
We exited the house and entered Parker’s vehicle.
While they’d been managing various tasks on my behalf, they’d also strategically positioned their cars to obstruct the entrance, creating a temporary delay before anyone could enter uninvited.
The front entrance had been completely destroyed, leaving the house accessible to anyone.
"Don’t dwell on it excessively, Bella. That man was attempting sothing disturbing with you," Parker began, trying to provide reassurance.
"I’m not thinking about him," I responded softly, settling back against the seat.
Then he brought the vehicle to an unexpected stop in the middle of the road near the forest.
"Why are we stopping here, Parker?" I questioned, uncertainty coloring my voice.
I’d assud he wanted to discuss the strange attraction between us, but I hadn’t anticipated him halting the car to ensure I couldn’t escape until he received his answers.
He exited the vehicle, walked around to my side, and opened the door.
"I’m not getting out," I inford him firmly.
"I just need to understand sothing. Please," he pleaded.
I shook my head and folded my arms defensively across my chest.
Without warning, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to mine.
The unexpected tenderness paralyzed montarily.
I grasped his shirt, preparing to push him away until sothing fundantal changed within .
It was a sensation I’d encountered twice before.
Everything surrounding us beca motionless.
We remained locked in the kiss until I heard my wolf’s gentle whimper.
"Mate," she whispered.
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