Bella’s POV
"We just discovered our mate bond, and my marriage isn’t built on love or genuine connection. I’m ready to walk away from Moon. I’ve only remained with her for the sake of my children. What’s stopping us from being together now?" he demanded.
The audacity in his voice made my blood freeze. I hadn’t anticipated such brazenness from him.
"Excuse , could you repeat that? Perhaps I misunderstood," I responded, my smile sharp enough to cut glass.
"The reality is, I’m done pretending with her. I want to be present for my children, to finally hear Tara call her father," he pressed on.
My head turned slowly, examining his face with growing disbelief as a bitter mory clawed its way to the surface. Once upon a ti, he’d sworn he would never allow my child to call him daddy.
The cruel irony twisted my lips into a cold smile.
"I had valid reasons for abandoning you back then," he declared, moving closer with determined steps.
I retreated imdiately, my arms forming a protective barrier across my chest.
"Then enlighten . What magnificent excuse justified your actions?" I challenged, watching him draw a shaky breath.
"While we were together in bed, my parents called. They claid there was an ergency, soone alleging pregnancy with my child. I was completely blindsided, but they made it sound catastrophic," he paused, straightening his shoulders defensively. "I was terrified that if I refused to co, they would track to your place and endanger you. You rember how ruthless my parents were, how they remain now.
When they summoned , I had no choice but to abandon you that day. My intention was to return imdiately. I planned to, until I arrived ho and discovered an alpha’s daughter was carrying my child." A weary exhale escaped him.
"My mother specifically threatened suicide if I didn’t save the family from scandal. Then when you revealed your pregnancy, I lost all control," he admitted, his voice trailing off.
By this point, I already possessed fragnts of this story. I knew his mother despised , though the reasons had always remained mysterious.
Every encounter with her triggered eye rolls or explosive tantrums.
At every gathering Parker brought to, her presence guaranteed chaos.
The mories remained vivid, so his claims about her behavior rang true.
"Additionally, my mother had invaded your privacy, reading the ssage you sent asking about my disappearance after that night," he continued, nervously scratching his neck as my jaw dropped.
"She violated my private ssages?" I gasped in horror.
"Listen, my mother dominated everything. I was unaware she possessed my passwords. She monitored all my accounts, hunting for your communications after blocking your contact. She ensured complete isolation between us. Rember, I was still very young then. The alpha title hadn’t been transferred to yet, and her power terrified . I feared she would involve the council and destroy your life. So I surrendered and followed her commands." His body language betrayed his agitation.
"But then your announcent arrived. When you confessed your pregnancy, my only thought was protecting you from my mother’s wrath. I had to drive you away for your survival because I was too weak to shield you. Then Moon’s situation beca their weapon against .
My mother threatened to expose everything and prove my worthlessness to you. The pressure was overwhelming from every direction. I was desperately waiting for my coronation to finally claim independence. But you vanished before that mont ca," he concluded.
His revelation left reeling. I couldn’t fathom the depth of his mother’s hatred toward .
Understanding that so many people harbored such intense loathing was devastating. How had I survived with such dangerous naivety?
My survival instincts had been completely absent.
I’d been walking directly into the hos of people plotting my destruction.
Everything finally crystallized. The pieces ford a complete picture.
Perhaps the moon goddess had orchestrated my escape from the vicious sches surrounding .
"We were all children then. But one truth remains constant, my feelings for you were always genuine," he confessed, causing my eyes to narrow suspiciously.
"It’s the truth. We discussed it openly as friends. Before that intimate night, we were all fascinated after discovering your feelings for us," he continued, burying his face in his hands and rubbing slowly. He was obviously referencing their discovery of my diary.
I had solved that mystery on my birthday.
"I understand our behavior was inexcusable. But none of us was prepared to step aside. Argunts erupted, with everyone demanding to be your choice. We agreed you would decide after that encounter," he revealed.
As his explanation ended, I found myself speechless.
Throughout all these years, I had believed they used because of my desperation.
I never suspected there had been secret competitions happening behind my back over my affections.
"It’s accurate. We were sabotaging each other’s opportunities with you, each hoping for victory. But our families were already more effective at destroying everything for us," he confessed, making my chest constrict with panic.
"So all of you harbored feelings for while I believed my crush was one-sided?" I asked, struggling to comprehend.
He confird with a decisive nod, showing no uncertainty.
"Even accepting that as truth, countless opportunities existed for contact and explanation. Any of you could have reached out. But that’s irrelevant now. The reality is, nothing can develop between us, not because of your situation with Moon, but because I’m committed to my husband. I refuse to abandon my marriage simply because you’re finally available. Whatever emotions existed have been permanently extinguished," I stated, eting his gaze without flinching.
Those feelings had truly died. Perhaps I’d developed enough strength to bury them forever.
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