Free Web NovelChapter 58: Chapter 58 Rons Unexpected Confession
Bella’s POV
Derek stepped forward with that commanding presence that made every conversation feel like a negotiation he intended to win.
"She needs rest after today’s exhausting events and those relentless interviews. The car would be more suitable for recovery," he declared, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
Jack’s expression shifted from hopeful to uncomfortable as the rejection came not from me but from the alphas who seemed to think they could speak on my behalf.
"Of course, that’s completely her choice. I never meant to impose anything on her. If she needs rest, then naturally she should take the car," he responded, though the warmth in his smile began to dim noticeably.
"I’m actually feeling fine," I interrupted sharply, refusing to let them make decisions for me.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward me, their gazes heavy with unspoken warnings. They clearly hadn’t forgotten about our pending discussion regarding the mate bond, and here I was, ready to walk away with another alpha.
"Please don’t feel pressured, but I’d genuinely enjoy the company if you’re up for a brief stroll. The hotel is just ahead anyway, so it won’t take long," Jack added gently.
The three alphas continued their silent pressure campaign, staring at me intently as if their collective willpower could change my mind.
I deliberately avoided looking back at them as I prepared to leave with Jack. Without another word, I started walking.
"We’ll catch up with you later," I said, moving past all three of them.
Jack’s face lit up with genuine excitement about our walk together. I found myself curious about what he planned to discuss.
During my time in his pack, we had barely interacted directly, except for that single occasion when I needed his permission to stay at his house and speak with the alphas.
As we stepped outside the mansion, I heard the unmistakable sounds of the alphas getting into their vehicle. The aggressive way they slammed their doors echoed through the evening air.
"Is everything alright with them?" Jack asked, glancing back toward the commotion.
I shook my head and forced an uncomfortable smile.
"I’m not sure, they might have had some disagreement. You know how alphas can be when they’re close friends, their arguments tend to get intense."
I attempted to downplay the situation, even though it was obvious the alphas had stopped caring about maintaining appearances or controlling gossip.
They used to be obsessed with their reputations, but now that I was the one concerned about it, they seemed completely indifferent.
"What you accomplished today was truly remarkable, the way you managed that crisis. Everyone was genuinely impressed by your leadership," Jack said as we walked at a leisurely pace.
His hands were buried deep in his jacket pockets, the black leather gleaming under the moonlight that filtered through the trees.
I clasped my hands together in front of me, maintaining a dignified posture as we moved along the path.
"It really wasn’t anything special. Everyone’s making it sound bigger than it actually was. The real problem still exists," I murmured quietly, looking up at the stars as a vehicle passed by on the nearby road.
I noticed Hugo behind the wheel, his eyes catching mine briefly in the side mirror before the car vanished around a curve.
"But it was definitely something significant. You handled it brilliantly, and now everyone has hope again," Jack insisted. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"I’ll only celebrate once everything is resolved and those children are truly safe," I replied firmly.
"Absolutely. That actually leads me to something I’ve been wanting to ask, if you don’t mind me bringing it up," he said, his voice taking on a more cautious tone.
The shift in his demeanor immediately told me what direction this conversation was heading.
"You want to know about the father of my children, don’t you?" I said with a laugh that sounded more strained than amused.
He nodded, clearly hesitant about proceeding.
"Would asking be crossing a line?" he inquired, studying my expression carefully.
When I shook my head in response, he visibly relaxed.
"So, is he still involved in your lives?" he asked awkwardly.
The way he was behaving, sneaking around the topic and showing excessive curiosity about my children’s father, didn’t strike me as genuine concern for the kids or their wellbeing.
He seemed far more interested in the details of my personal relationships, which made me quickly formulate an answer.
"Oh absolutely, my husband in the human world. His name is Vance," I said without hesitation.
The moment those words escaped my lips, I watched the color completely disappear from his face.
"Listen, you don’t need to create stories for my benefit. I can keep whatever the truth is confidential," he said gently, giving me a look that suggested he thought I was fabricating the whole thing.
"I’m not creating anything. I have a husband named Vance who lives in the human world. Why does everyone refuse to believe me when I say this?" I asked with a strained laugh, finding the situation almost absurd.
Every person I mentioned my husband to immediately dismissed it as fiction.
"Because what kind of husband who truly loves you would allow you to return to the dangerous werewolf world alone? If you were mine, I would never let you face these risks by yourself, Bella," he said suddenly, coming to a complete stop.
His voice became tender and intimate as he looked at me with unmistakable desire, causing my heart to race with alarm.
"That’s very thoughtful of you." I struggled to find an appropriate response to his unexpected sentiment.
When I attempted to keep walking, I realized he remained motionless. Obviously, he had more to reveal.
"I have genuine feelings for you, Bella. From the moment we first met, I started developing these strong emotions toward you," he confessed, nearly making my jaw hit the ground.
The same Bella who had once been completely invisible to everyone was suddenly receiving romantic attention from multiple alphas.
Frankly, I wasn’t prepared for this level of interest. It was overwhelming attention that I neither wanted nor knew how to handle.
"That’s incredibly kind, but I’m married, and I should really head back. My children sometimes have nightmares and wake up during the night," I babbled nervously, but he started chuckling softly, interrupting my rambling.
"Don’t worry about responding or making any decisions about what I’ve shared. I just wanted to be honest about my feelings. I’ve always believed in direct communication. Now, let me walk you back to your children," he said calmly and confidently, clearly determined not to let things end awkwardly.
As he began moving forward, he motioned for me to join him.
I had to admit, he possessed a remarkable ability to provide comfort, even after dropping such a significant confession on me without warning.
