Bella's POV

I woke up to the sound of voices. I was still in a daze, but something was smelling really good. Just then, I felt someone getting closer to me. Gathering all the little strength I had left. I threw a punch that landed on someone's jaw. A man's chuckle and a sharp gasp from a woman made me open my eyes. My eyes widen in disbelief. It was him, the God Warrior I have saved! He was still smiling as he rubbed the spot where my fist landed.

"What a mean right hook you got there." He smiled broadly. Goddess, he was so handsome. I was hopelessly mesmerized by his looks. "Sorry," I whispered. I had never been at a loss for words before. "I...I thought I was still with the rogues." He stretched his hand trying to touch me, but he curled his fingers before he reached the strand of hair he seemed so focused on. I realized then that the Dr. had left quietly, and it was just the two of us.

"You're safe now. Do you want me to contact someone for you? A family member, perhaps?" His eyes lost some of their sparkle at that moment. He must find me troublesome, but he went to look for me. I thought the mad rogue had killed me. "How did you find me?" Who are you?" He turned away from me thinking about how to answer. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to," I said. He turned towards me again.

"You can call me Chad. Of course, I went out looking for you. You saved my life." I wanted the Dr. to come back. I wanted to ask her if my baby was fine. He noticed how I pressed my hands protectively on my abdomen, and my cheeks reddened. "Your baby is fine. The Dr. told me." My face got even redder. I thought doctors were sworn to their patients' secrecy. He also seemed to read my mind. "Don't blame the Dr. This pack is a military base. Everything has to be run by me. We're on the outskirts of the main city." He said gently. He must be their Colonel, for sure. He folded his arms across his chest. Goddess, he was so strong.

I was trying to sit up when he moved swiftly to assist me. He grabbed my hand and put the other on the small of my back to pull me up in a sitting position. When our bodies touched, the same sparks I felt in the cave came back to life again. It was like a powerful current emanating from him sipping through my veins. Our eyes met for the first time, and it was as if time had stopped. My breath came in soft pants as he caressed my hand with his thumb. He smelled so good. I fought the need to bury my nose on his broad chest. It didn't help that our mouths were dangerously close. A knock on the door brought me back to reality. Chad cleared his throat and let go of me.

"I see she is awake." Dane strolled in looking cheerful. I looked around for something to throw at him, in case I needed to. Chad chuckled again, guessing my intentions. Goddess, he reads me so well. "It's okay, Dane came here just to apologize. Right, Dane?" Chad gave Dane a stern glance.

"My apologies, Miss...? He looked at me waiting for me to fill in the blank. "Bella, my name is Bella," I said. "Miss Bella, quite a fitting name." Said Dane. I swear I heard a small growl coming from Chad. Dane cleared his throat before continuing. "It was never my intention to harm you without concrete proof. I wish I had approached you differently. I'm just grateful that you're back safe and sound." I nodded in acceptance. He at least sounds sincere. "I'll leave you now, I wish you a speedy recovery." He did a military salute and left.

Later, a nurse walked in with a trade of food. Chad grabbed it quickly and placed it on the high table next to my bed. He put the table across the bed and put away the plate covers. He also took the wrappers off the utensils. "If there's something else you want to eat, don't hesitate to ask." He said courtly. The nurse's mouth hung open. She had probably never seen Chad, the fierceless Colonel being so attentive. He was just grateful that I saved his life.

That afternoon, he had moved me to a suite at the top of the hospital. He insisted that I stay until I was fully recovered. The Dr. was concerned about my pregnancy. I hadn't been eating well lately, and she didn't think making a long trip back to the South would be advisable. I couldn't just tell them I could use my ring. Chad hadn't left my side since I woke up. Dane came for him about an hour ago, but he promised to come back soon. He still wants to know why I was alone in the forest.

I was dreading that talk. The embarrassment I felt just thinking about telling Chad about my mate's betrayal was overwhelming, but I had to. What other plausible explanation could I give him? The soft knock on the door announced his return. I went to open with quick steps. My eagerness to see him overpowered any embarrassment I might feel. His towering figure made me take a breath intake. His golden eyes met mine, and like before, they made time stop. "May I come in?" He asked with a husky voice after a few seconds. I stepped aside and let him in. Once inside, he looked at me appreciatively. I was wearing an elegant, long-sleeved silky dress in bronze color. It hugged my upper body to perfection. It was flowy from the waist down, falling below my knees. I knew the brand. This dress was expensive.

"Thank you for the clothes. You shouldn't have to." I smiled at him. He was about to say something, but he just waved his hand like it was nothing. 2 people came in at that moment bringing carts with deliciously smelling food. They organized everything on the dining room table. After they were done, they bowed and left. Every now and then, I see people bowing to Chad. The customs of the North are a little strange. I chuckled. Chad was sitting across me and looked at me amusingly.

"I like seeing you smile." He said as he piled food on my plate. I love how attentive he was to me. Jasper could take some lessons. Thinking of him, my face saddened. It was time I told Chad everything. "I know you have lots of questions, Chad. You might have noticed already that I'm marked." I touched the mark on my neck. One that in the past, I had always felt proud of. "You also know that I'm pregnant." His face turned serious, and I saw his Adam's apple rise and fall. "My mate is Alpha Jasper Holloway of Riverbank Pack." I heard a clatter on his plate. My eyes became watery all of a sudden. I do not wish to go back to him. He has a mistress. It would be better if I reported him to the council and the Lycan king. I'm not going to overwhelm Chad with all my troubles.

I wiped the tears of my eyes, and Chad was behind me in seconds. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it lightly, sending the strength I needed to continue. I almost told him everything that Jasper did to me, but I still haven't even processed it myself. "We haven't been seeing eye to eye lately. I don't even think he knows I'm pregnant yet. I don't even think I want him to know. Jasper and I are fated mates. We were together for five years!" I felt Chad tense on my back, but he didn't say anything. "He's just not who I thought he was. Would you ever hurt your mate's feelings, Chad?"

Chad.

I am 36 years old, and I haven't found my fated mate. At first, I thought, because of me being a Lycan, I was destined to die alone. The Goddess might not want to pair me with a she-wolf. As of now, I just think the Goddess hasn't been doing a good job. How could she have paired Bella with Alpha Jasper of all people? The Holloways have always been power-hungry, hypocrites, and without morals. I glanced at the beautiful woman sitting on the chair, and I crouched to her level.

I stared intently into her beautiful baby-blue eyes. They were stained with tears. I felt another wave of rage. "No, Bella. If I had a mate, I would do everything in my power to never make her cry. I would give her the moon and make sure to always look at her with stars in my eyes. She would always be my priority and the source of my adoration." Cobalt agreed with me. Bella stopped crying. It was so easy to get lost in her eyes.

I stood up and sat across her again. My blood boiled with rage and jealousy. I don't know what was worse, her having a fated mate or that her mate was someone like Jasper. They both hurt. Jasper was her fated mate. She was made for him. I clenched my jaw. How could I compete with a bond like that? I was also enraged just thinking about how Jasper hurt her and took her for granted. My rage and Cobalt's were reverberating in my blood, oozing for release.

"Chad, your aura." Shit, my aura was all out emanating in waves. I reigned it in, and she instantly relaxed. "I'm deeply sorry." She nodded. "The bruise is going away. The doctors have created a faster healing serum. You would have healed instantly with that, but you're pregnant." Goddess, the word sounded odd in my mouth. "That's why they ran all tests on you before they used it. So how did you end up in the forest and so far away from your pack?" Her eyes turned sad again.

"My father and my brothers fought in the war. You might have met them. Alpha Maxwell Lockwood of White Claw Pack and My twin brothers, Braxten and Brent." Fuck! They were the Alphas I was with before the ambush. "Jasper told me they were dead, but I don't want to believe it. How could I have lost everything in one day? They were all I had! So I came looking for them." She was heaving. I grabbed her denty hand, relishing in its softness. "What do you mean you came looking for them. What happened to their bodies?" I asked, already suspecting one of Jasper's foul plays.

"Jasper said they couldn't find their bodies. He said there was so much snow, and the conditions were far too dangerous to risk the lives of more people looking for them. But I'm here, and it doesn't look anything like he described to Uncle Conner, my dad's Beta. I had to see it for myself. I'm starting to believe Jasper lied deliberately. Now he wants to take over White Claw pack, and he's looking for me to facilitate the process." A low growl escaped me. If I had that asshole in front of me, I would pulverize him with my fists. She was shivering. "I was looking for them, Chad, in the forest. But I only found trouble. Well, and I found you. I'm glad I found you." I was fucking glad as well.

"I will help you look for your family. Don't worry about that. You don't have to be risking yourself outside anymore. Just focus on getting better. Now, let's finish eating. I'd like to see you eat. Dr. Sarah says you're underweight for your gestational period." her cheeks tainted pink, making her look adorable. 'She is adorable.' Cobalt said. He had been quiet since he heard she had a fated mate. 'I will kill him. He didn't appreciate her. She doesn't need him. She has us now.' As much as I would love that, I'm the King. I can not go out and about killing my subjects just because I dislike them. I'm sure that's something Jasper would do, but behind their backs like a coward.

"I'm sorry, Chad, I'm usually not this hormonal. My father taught me to be resilient and strong. I just had bottled up everything for so long, and you're the first person I have ever felt comfortable with, besides my family." That made Cobalt's chest expand.

"Really? What about Jasper? Didn't you feel understood and protected by your mate?" I grunted inwardly, I hated to refer to Jasper as her mate. Cobalt huffed. 'He seems to have lost that right already.' Damn right!

"Jasper has always kept a cold front around everyone. He hated public shows of affection, and the same rules were pretty much extended to the privacy of our home as well. He rarely let me go to public events and galas with him. He would take me sometimes just to appease my brothers. But he would send me back home early. He used to say that having me by his side made him lose focus."

I was wondering why I had never seen her at those events. I've always arrived late, and the woman I sometimes saw on Jasper’s arm wasn't her. "I'm sorry he never saw your value. With your background and beauty, as well as your enchanting personality, you would have been the center of attention at any social gathering. He should have been proud." A beautiful smile appeared on her face.

"You always find the right thing to say, Chad." I love how my name sounds on her lips. "Only when the person deserves it." After that, I managed to keep her mind off her troubles for a bit. I made her laugh quite a lot, and it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I reluctantly bid her goodnight after a while, much to Cobalt's spite. I didn't think it was appropriate if I asked her if I could spend the night on her sofa.

Dane pulled me aside as soon as she closed her door. "Chad!" he hissed. "You left the council waiting all night for you!" He chided. "Shit, I completely forgot about them."

"No! Really?!" He mocked. You need to go back to the Royal City. You haven't been back in a while. She is safe here now. Go sort everything with the council, and the fiancée Alpha Terrence keeps nagging about." I was definitely not going to marry Alpha Terrence's daughter. I shuddered, but not in a good way.

"Send them a link to a conference video call in 5, I will make a brief appearance just to appease them. Going back to the city is not possible for now. I don't want to leave Bella. She has not fully recovered yet." Dane exhaled, I know the pressure the council puts on him is too much because Dane was our link of communication.

"Chad, I see you're harboring feelings for her, and I would have loved that for you, but she is mated... and pregnant." My eyes flashed.

"Don't I know that! But do you know who's her poor excuse of a mate? Jasper Holloway!" I grunted. His eyes rounded. "That's right, him of all people. I also have the suspicion that he had something to do with her father and brother's disappearance as well as my ambush. She is the daughter of Alpha Maxwell Lockwood."

"The hidden Princess of White Claw pack?" Dane exclaimed. Bella didn't know she was widely referred to in that monicker. She was far from pampered, though. I could tell by her toned body that she was well-trained. Jasper's books and pack management have been impeccable for the last five years, and my guess is, it was because of her. It baffles me as to why her father and Jasper would hide her from the rest of the world.

"There is no way I will throw Bella back to his greedy claws. As soon as the Dr. deems it safe she is coming back with me to the Royal City.

Bella's POV

Chad had to leave impromptu yesterday. I can't believe I've only met him for a few days and I already miss him. He has been so patient and attentive. I'm surprised he still doesn't have a mate. She will be a lucky woman, whomever that be. Somehow, thinking about it gives me an unpleasant feeling. But it's understandable I got the short end of the stick where mates are concerned.

The Dr.announced herself with a soft knock on the door. Chad left me in charge of only the female staff. Every person who entered this room, doctors, cleaning people, and cooks were only women. Just the guards posted outside my door were men, and they acted like they were afraid to look at me. I think Chad was exaggerating. Nobody in their right mind would come looking for trouble to a military pack. He makes me feel like I matter, though. I wouldn’t say cherished because that's way too inappropriate. He is just grateful that I saved his life. But he saved mine too, so I considered ourselves even.

"Good morning, Bella. How are you feeling today?" Dr. Sarah asked. I have been bombarding her with questions about my pregnancy and my baby, but she has been really understanding. She had assured me everything was going perfectly fine. She was also adamant about me needing to eat more. "I feel energetic today. These past few days of confinement have been restful, but I think 3 days is quite enough. I need to go out, or else I'll become crazy." The Dr. chuckled, but then her face turned a little worrisome. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to go out without His..." She cleared her throat. "...his approval, I meant to say..."

"Please, Dr. I'll tell him I left you with no option but to accept. You won't be in trouble. One of the guards can go with me." I was sure I was almost making puppy eyes, but I really needed some fresh air. "Alright, but please stick to your guards, and don't take too long. My head is on the line." She chuckled, but she also looked like she wasn't joking. Strange.

When I stepped outside a couple of minutes later, the guards looked surprised to see me, but they quickly averted their eyes. "I would like to go for a stroll." Without waiting for an answer, I walked past them and continued towards the elevator. They both sprinted towards me, looking, anything but happy.

'Let's just stay inside Bella, please.' Said Anaisha. 'What's wrong, Anaisha?' She still had her pride a little hurt because we got captured by the rogues. 'I'd just preferred it if Cobalt was here. ' I chuckled. 'We can't rely on them forever, Anaisha. In a couple of days, we gotta go back to the White Claw pack. Right after, I expose Jasper to the Council and the Lycan King.' Anaisha didn't say anything else, but something was bothering her, and I was starting to feel it too.

l kept walking, admiring my surroundings. We were so close to the forest. Out of nowhere, a young girl came running with a parasol offering to walk along with me while holding it over my head. I politely declined the parasol, but I asked her to walk with me. "What's your name?" I asked her. "Rose, my Lady." She looked like she was still in her teens. "Please call me Bella." She gasped. "I'm not sure if that's allowed." She said meekly.

"Rose, this is ridiculous. Call me Bella, I allow it. The customs in the North are really strange. I practically forced Dr. Sarah to call me by my first name and the guards won't speak to me. They just acknowledged me with grunts and mumbling. Is it because I'm a foreigner?"

Rose didn't have a chance to answer. Four black SUVs with tinted windows screeched to a halt a couple of feet away. 'He found us, Bella.' Anaisha snarled. Fuck! Warriors surrounded Jasper and his men. My guards stepped in front of me. How did he find me so fast? "Bellaaa!!" My heart started thudding. He was pissed. "Tell them not to get involved!" He kept walking towards me, ignoring the guards. They know Jasper. They have no reason to consider him a threat. "Rose, please. Find a way to tell Chad!" She nodded and left in a hurry.

"Let me pass!! I'll be out of here fast. I just came for my mate! Bella, tell them!" He growled. I just shook my head, not accepting any of his claims. "She is Luna Bella Holloway, and she belongs to me. I will report this pack to the council if you don't let me pass! I am Alpha Jasper Holloway, in case you have forgotten!" Anaisha was seething. 'With what right, Jasper comes to claim us?.' An old fat man arrived running and out of breath to witness the spectacle.

"What is the meaning of this Alpha Jasper?!" He asked with authority. "Ah, Alpha Terrence! I'm glad you're here. I just came to collect what's mine." Alpha Terrence looked at me suspiciously. Then, he seemed to realize something and turned towards Jasper with excitement. "Of course! Let Alpha Jasper take his mate. We don't want unrest between the packs. We just ended a war, and we don't want to start another. Everyone go to your posts and leave the love birds be. "No, please. I don't want to..." But Alpha Terrence kept threatening everyone, and even my guards left me alone with Jasper.

Jasper stretched his arm towards me. "Come, let's go home." I stayed rooted to the spot. He walked closer to me. "Goddess Bella, the pregnancy is agreeing with you. You look even more beautiful." He said huskily. My heart sank. He knows. Dr. Jana must have told him. "I am not going with you, Jasper. You disgust me!" He growled. "Bella, enough of your tantrums! Wasn't that enough for you already? You almost got killed by rogues, for Goddess's sake!!" How does he know?

I turned towards the hospital, not wanting to entertain him anymore, but he grabbed me painfully by the wrist. "Bella, start acting like the Luna you're supposed to be. I will put a complaint to the Council. You're clearly incompetent to fulfill your duties. I will also seek the instatetment as Alpha of White Claw pack because clearly you are not up to the task." I slapped him so hard that my hand went numb. "Don't you dare! You're not a Lockwood!" I growled. He smirked. But my son will be. This slap is going to cost you, Bella. I have been way too lenient with you. Let's go home, all you need is a good fuck. You won't be able to walk for days when I'm done with you." Over my dead body.

He grabbed me by the waist and threw me over his shoulder, but I bit his back, making him yelp. I slipped from his hold, landing on my feet. I started running towards the hospital again, but he was faster. He grabbed me by the hair and pulled me towards him, but I fell. He tried to lift me, but I bit his wrist, making him bleed. "Fuck Bella, don't make me hurt you! Stop acting childish!" He tried to pick me up once again, but I wasn't letting him. I punched him on the chin. He was still holding me by the hair and started dragging me on the dirt towards the car. "You are leaving me no option. No matter what you do, you'll always be mine, Bella." He kept pulling me; thank the Goddess I had jeans on, but even so, the hard ground was hurting my skin.

We were getting closer to the cars. Luca opened the doors of one of the cars. He looked at me with a pained expression. "Alpha, let me help the Luna. I'm sure she's..." Jasper gave him a loud growl. "Don't you dare touch her, Luca? Move out of the way!" Jasper was being territorial, which was making me more mad. I kept kicking and squirming, but he was determined.

Just when I thought my short freedom was over. A deadly snarl reached us. I turned towards the source when I saw a magnificent wolf running toward us at incredible speed. A Lycan! He was frothing from the mouth. His smooth black fur was shining under the sun. Jasper let go of me, and I took advantage of that, putting more distance between us. The Lycan stopped between Jasper and me, shifting back right in front of us. My mouth went dry when Chad appeared in his naked form right in front of me. His skin was tanned and ripped with muscles. His imposing 7ft chiseled figure turned to Jasper, staring at him menacingly. One of the warriors threw a kilt at Chad before I got to see all the goods. My face was tomato red when he looked at me.

"My King." Said Jasper, bowing slightly. Wait... what?!