Free Web NovelChapter 54: Chapter 54 Three Alphas Collide
Bella’s POV
"I want to thank everyone for their support," I addressed the crowd of reporters. "This research represents a collaborative effort from an incredible team. Most importantly, I want to recognize the mothers who are fighting tirelessly for their children every single day. My hope is that we can set aside our personal conflicts and unite in this battle against this devastating illness. These children deserve our best efforts to end their suffering and give them the future they deserve."
The media had descended upon the hotel like vultures after our argument earlier. We had no choice but to clean ourselves up and face them professionally.
Derek sat beside me in the hotel lobby while Hugo remained upstairs with the children. Every camera flash reminded me of how these same people had violated our privacy just days ago. Yet here I was, pretending everything was perfectly normal.
I refused to let them see me break.
"That was beautifully said," replied the red-haired reporter wearing thick-rimmed glasses. Her smile stretched too wide across her face.
Beth was her name, I remembered. freewebnoveℓ.com
Just when I thought we had successfully navigated the interview, she delivered her final blow. "I want to close on an uplifting note. I’m sure you’re aware of the footage that’s been circulating online. Would you care to comment on those particular videos?"
The way she phrased it made my skin crawl. These were the same people who had ambushed us, yet she spoke as if the videos had mysteriously appeared from thin air.
Her definition of uplifting clearly differed from mine.
"We’re keeping this discussion focused on our professional work," Derek cut in sharply. His tone left no room for negotiation about our personal boundaries.
Despite his protection, I could feel their stares boring into me. Even as they praised my research publicly, I caught several women exchanging knowing looks and married men shaking their heads. In their eyes, I was nothing more than a homewrecker they had to tolerate because I was helping save their children.
"Alpha Derek, we understand your position, but don’t you worry this situation might create tension in your marriage?" Beth pressed, clearly hoping to crack our united front.
The moment those words left her mouth, I watched every face in the room change. Derek’s expression had shifted into something dangerous, and everyone recognized the warning immediately.
"We apologize profusely. We’ll conclude the interview now. Thank you both for your valuable time," Beth backtracked quickly, signaling frantically for her crew to stop filming.
We escaped the lobby as fast as possible. Hotel guests continued staring as we passed, their disapproval practically radiating from their bodies. They seemed genuinely disturbed that Derek remained by my side despite the scandal, following me to my suite without shame.
I couldn’t take another second of their judgment. Halfway to the elevator, I whirled around to confront him.
"You need to go back to your wife and handle this mess. I won’t have her storming in here screaming at me in front of my children," I said firmly.
"I’m not a child, Bella. If she tries anything like that again, I won’t be responsible for my reaction," Derek replied, his face tight with frustration.
His anxiety was palpable, but for all the wrong reasons.
"Why do we have to hide that we’re mates from everyone?" he demanded, placing his hands on his hips.
"Derek, are you even listening to me? I don’t want this," I snapped back. "I have a husband waiting at home. I won’t make him uncomfortable for no reason. Since we’re not planning to act on this mate bond anyway, what’s the point of announcing it and hurting our spouses?"
His eyes rolled dramatically at the mention of my husband.
"Stop lying to yourself. We both know there’s no husband," he practically shouted just as the elevator doors slid open.
Rather than continue this pointless argument, I bolted toward my room.
When I entered the suite, I discovered the children had already eaten dinner with Hugo and fallen asleep. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders from everything we had endured today. The illness, the research pressure, the media circus, and now this endless drama.
Hugo sat waiting on the couch, his expression making it clear he had questions brewing.
"What now, Hugo?" I snapped when I caught his pointed stare. I could practically see the interrogation forming behind his eyes.
"I watched the interview. Did you not hear the questions they were asking you?" he said, obviously trying to make me feel ashamed about what had happened in the cabin with Derek.
"I don’t care anymore. What happened happened. It was a momentary lapse of judgment, and I never even kissed him. I was about to push him away when those reporters burst in," I explained again, my patience wearing dangerously thin.
"Why are you explaining yourself to him?" Derek stormed in behind me, his voice rising with each word.
"Seriously, haven’t you damaged her reputation enough already?" Hugo shot back, matching Derek’s volume while I pressed my palm against my forehead in defeat.
"That’s enough. I’m done discussing this," I stepped between them before they could escalate further.
Just when I thought the chaos couldn’t get worse, another voice cut through the tension. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Why not discuss it? Why are you so eager to avoid this conversation? Why are these two getting opportunities when we all agreed to keep things strictly professional?"
Parker’s unexpected arrival sent shockwaves through the room.
Managing two of them had been impossible enough. Now the third had decided to insert himself into the situation after explicitly wanting nothing to do with it before.
"What the hell are you doing here, Parker?" Derek demanded, completely ignoring Parker’s valid concerns.
"Why shouldn’t I be here? Are you upset because you didn’t want me discovering that you two weren’t following the rules we established?" Parker fired back, stalking into the room with his warrior trailing behind.
I said nothing. I simply stared at each of their faces in turn.
"And you, Bella, how could you give them these chances? How could you kiss Derek? Have you forgotten he was part of the group that destroyed you? If you’re going to hate us, shouldn’t you hate all of us equally?" Parker turned his fury on me.
"Are you seriously here to turn her against me?" Derek challenged, spinning to face Parker directly.
"I’m not turning anyone against anyone. I’m simply stating what’s fair," Parker argued back.
While they continued their heated exchange, my phone began buzzing insistently.
