Three Alphas Beg For the Triplets They Never Wanted

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Exposed on Air

Bella’s POV

"I kept sinking deeper into his trap. I’ve been paying off that debt for years, but now I’m finally free. I don’t care anymore. If they want to come after me for breaking our agreement, let them. I’m done caring, Bella, because I can’t survive without you. Do you understand me?" His voice cracked with desperation.

My entire body went rigid. For a heartbeat, I felt like that timid girl I used to be, the one who never dared to speak her mind.

The pain in his voice was so intense that any response seemed inadequate.

"I don’t know how to respond," I whispered, forcing myself to breathe steadily.

"Then he told me you already knew about his plan to marry Felicia, that he bribed you to keep quiet. We had recordings, footage." He stopped, drawing a shaky breath while pressing his hand against his chest. "Bella, you probably think I’m despicable, and maybe I am. Considering everything you endured, I definitely am. But never doubt that I love you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever truly loved."

His declaration made my blood run cold. Words escaped me completely.

The vulnerability in his confession made my skin prickle. Then I heard the sickening sound of his bones beginning to snap. He collapsed with a pained groan.

"What’s happening?" I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him.

Another agonized sound escaped his throat as his head twisted unnaturally. His fingers dug into my arm for stability, and I could feel the desperation in his grip. He was clearly suffering.

"You need to shift and let it happen naturally," I urged, but he shook his head violently.

"Can’t," he gasped. "My wolf is damaged." He arched backward and collapsed onto the floor, writhing in torment.

"But why?" I demanded, panic rising.

"I... I forced my wolf to emerge and rescue you while he was poisoned with wolfsbane. Now he’s trapped in endless agony."

He clutched his abdomen and rolled onto his side.

I felt completely helpless. The moment my fingers touched his skin, I realized how ice-cold he’d become.

"Dear God, you’re freezing," I breathed, scanning the room for anything to help warm him.

I struggled to lift his massive frame, trying to maneuver him toward the bed. It was exhausting work since I still couldn’t properly communicate with my own wolf.

I had no understanding of what was occurring. All I knew was that she had emerged during crisis to shield me.

After finally getting him onto the mattress, I reached for a blanket, but his hand shot out to stop me.

"Don’t leave," he pleaded, his lips taking on a blue tinge.

"Derek, you’re seriously ill. You’re terrifying me," I whispered helplessly, watching his complexion turn ashen and blue.

"Stay close, and I’ll recover," he murmured weakly, his eyelids fluttering shut.

At that moment, I felt compelled to comfort him. He had risked everything to save my life, and the least I could do was repay that debt.

He was also Leah’s father, and with all these revelations surfacing, I couldn’t escape feeling partially responsible for his current state, for whatever torment his father had put him through.

I should have warned him about his father’s manipulations.

I still didn’t understand what he meant about signing some agreement with his father, or what terms that contract contained.

But right now, I knew I had to set aside my resentment and concentrate on helping him heal.

Without overthinking it, I pressed my palm against his forehead, attempting to share my body heat.

But he quickly intercepted my hand, guiding it downward to rest against his chest.

"This is how you transfer warmth properly," he whispered.

Before I could process what was happening, he lifted himself slightly and pulled me into his embrace, his arms encircling me tightly.

For several seconds, I couldn’t even breathe.

I was torn between conflicting emotions, but I gently placed my hands on his back. His presence and scent were so overwhelming that pushing him away felt impossible.

My wolf craved this connection. She was struggling desperately.

"Thank you," I heard my wolf whisper, and my eyes snapped open in amazement.

Even so, I didn’t end the embrace. Part of me was under her influence, and she refused to release him.

We remained tangled together awkwardly until I finally began to withdraw.

"I realize a lot has been revealed," I said quietly, "but that doesn’t erase the fact that I’ve suffered tremendously too, and that we’ve both built new lives."

The instant I broke our embrace, he cradled my face and moved closer. This time, his mouth found mine.

It felt like every suppressed desire had suddenly awakened, dancing through me like electricity.

Even though I knew it was a mistake, even though I knew we shouldn’t be this intimate, my wolf wouldn’t surrender control.

But my rational mind was still fighting, battling against my wolf’s instincts.

I couldn’t allow her to make this error. She was still emerging and needed time to understand the reality of our situation.

So I started to pull back. But just as our brief kiss, lasting barely seconds, was about to end, the door burst open and a swarm of reporters flooded in.

"Here we have it, the human scientist and the Alpha who rescued our children from a deadly sleepwalking incident," the lead reporter announced dramatically.

I jerked backward immediately, realizing they were filming live.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Have you lost your minds?" Derek roared.

As soon as he exploded, the reporter stumbled over her words and signaled for the camera to be lowered.

"We’re terribly sorry, we had no idea," she stammered, glancing nervously between Derek and me. "We’ll wait in the hallway. Could you please come out for an interview? Everyone’s celebrating what you both accomplished for the children."

She kept speaking enthusiastically, eager to document their breakthrough story. But the way she had invaded our privacy, with camera lights blazing, felt completely wrong.

My mind was already racing. Had the camera been recording when she entered?

How many viewers had witnessed us? The questions overwhelmed my thoughts until Derek demanded they leave so we could compose ourselves.

Once she retreated with her crew, I faced Derek.

"They were broadcasting live, Derek," I said, terror evident in my expression.

He appeared far less troubled.

"Look, it’s inappropriate and unprofessional, but we didn’t break any laws. You’re my mate. I’ll manage the situation. Don’t torture yourself over this," he said, stretching his arms and flexing his fingers.

It seemed that just one kiss from me, just that brief contact, had already restored his strength.

What surprised me was his composure. But he was about to be blindsided by my next words.

"But I don’t want people to know," I whispered. freёwebnovel.com

He raised his head, staring at me in complete disbelief.