Chapter 139: Chapter 139 Wolves at the Door
Bella’s POV
"No, they would never hate you. Your siblings love you unconditionally," I whispered, stretching my hand toward her trembling form.
A sharp knock echoed through the house, cutting through our conversation like a blade. My body tensed instantly.
Hugo had left for his evening run only minutes earlier. There was no reason for him to return this soon, especially not with such aggressive pounding on the door.
I rose from the bed and walked to the front entrance. When I pulled the door open, the sight before me made my blood turn to ice.
The entire council stood on my porch, flanked by what looked like every alpha from the surrounding territories. Their expressions were cold, predatory. They had come for blood.
"What do you think you’re doing? You cannot barge into my home like this. My children are asleep upstairs," I snarled, blocking Lord Morris’s path as he attempted to push past me.
I pressed my palm firmly against the doorframe, creating a human barrier between these wolves and my babies.
"We simply need to have a conversation," Lord Morris replied, though his eyes held nothing but contempt and judgment.
I could see it written across every face. Derek had exposed my secret, and now they all knew the truth I had fought so desperately to hide.
"Do not concern yourself with our presence. We have only come to hear your side of the story. No one here intends to harm you or your offspring," Lord Morris continued, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
His words confirmed my worst fears. Every person standing before me now understood that my three children belonged to three different fathers. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"And you thought the middle of the night was the appropriate time for this discussion?" I hissed through clenched teeth, rage building in my chest at their complete lack of consideration.
"We could not take the chance of you disappearing again. You have fled before when faced with difficult questions. We will not allow you to escape this time," Lord Morris stated matter-of-factly, while the crowd behind him murmured their agreement.
Dozens of alphas from various packs had gathered here tonight, and their energy felt like that of an angry mob preparing to drag a condemned woman from her home.
"Wait. I need to make a phone call first," I said quickly, my breathing becoming rapid and shallow.
They began advancing toward me in unison. I had no choice but to retreat deeper into my own house.
I could release Astra, let my wolf take control like she had begged me to do before. But that would only make everything worse.
They would brand me a monster beyond redemption, and then they might try to destroy me completely.
If I were alone in this world, perhaps I could risk such a desperate move. But I had three innocent children sleeping upstairs.
I could not make reckless choices that would endanger their lives. Every decision had to be calculated and careful.
"Come now, Bella. Allow us inside where it is warm. The night air is quite chilly," Lord Morris taunted, his voice dripping with mock politeness as he stepped closer.
I was forced to step aside and watch as they invaded my sanctuary.
"Bella Vance, explain to us how you managed to conceive three children simultaneously, each fathered by a different alpha," one of the female council members demanded the moment they crossed my threshold.
She wasted no time getting to the heart of their accusations.
"I understand what you believe you have heard, but it is completely false," I declared with every ounce of strength I could summon, making one final attempt to protect myself and my family.
"A simple DNA test would settle this matter once and for all," Lord Morris suggested, his smile turning positively wicked.
"Then we shall discuss this further after the DNA results are available," I countered, desperately trying to buy myself precious time to figure out my next move.
"Unfortunately, we cannot wait that long," Lord Morris replied ominously, and I noticed how the crowd was slowly closing in around me, forming a human cage.
"Are you threatening me and my children?" I demanded, my hands curling into fists as I glared at each face surrounding me.
"Certainly not. We are reasonable people acting in the best interests of our community. However, you must understand that it is virtually impossible for any she-wolf to carry three powerful alpha bloodlines simultaneously. Surely you comprehend what I am implying," Lord Morris explained, making it clear that he viewed me as either an abomination or something dangerously supernatural.
Given his history, I knew exactly which category I fell into in his mind.
My chest constricted painfully. I did not understand how this had happened to me, so how could they expect me to provide answers I did not possess.
"Since I cannot explain what I do not understand myself, I am asking all of you to leave my home immediately," I stated firmly, pointing toward the door with a trembling finger.
But every head shook in unison, rejecting my request.
"We cannot take that risk. Only some kind of freak could produce offspring under such circumstances," one council member spat.
The word hit me like a physical blow. That cruel label had followed me throughout my childhood, and hearing it now brought every painful memory rushing back.
But I was no longer a helpless child. I was a mother, and I would fight for my babies.
"Thank you for revealing your true feelings about women with that charming terminology," I shot back with venom in my voice.
One of the men opened his mouth to argue, but I held up my hand, silencing him before he could speak.
"Perhaps you should conduct proper research and provide me with answers about my condition, rather than barging into my home demanding explanations I cannot give. Furthermore, my children are perfectly safe in my care. I have protected and nurtured them for years without incident," I declared.
My entire body was trembling so violently beneath my clothes that I feared they would notice my terror.
"That is irrelevant now. We must inform the broader werewolf community about this situation. Once word spreads, there will be widespread fear and chaos. You will need to address these concerns publicly," Lord Morris announced, his tone becoming more authoritative as he sensed victory within his grasp.
"Fine. I will speak publicly when the time comes. Now please remove yourselves from my property," I demanded once more, attempting to physically guide them toward the exit.
Their proximity was suffocating me, and I knew that at any moment, they might resort to violence.
"Actually, we will need to place you under arrest until that time arrives," another council member announced coldly.
The true purpose of their visit finally became crystal clear.
I stared at him in complete shock before turning my horrified gaze to Lord Morris.
"Absolutely not. I refuse to allow this. I have committed no crimes. More importantly, I have three young children who depend on me completely," I protested, my voice rising as panic set in.
How could they even consider separating a mother from her babies.
But just as I thought the situation could not possibly get worse, terrified screams erupted from the bedrooms upstairs.
Lord Morris’s smile widened with satisfaction.
"It appears your children are not as safe as you claimed," he commented with obvious pleasure.