Free Web NovelChapter 97: Chapter 97 Human Among Wolves
Bella’s POV
I had requested a few moments alone with Vance before facing the council, and now we stood together in the sprawling living room of the estate.
The children were upstairs on the rooftop terrace with Chloe, their laughter drifting down through the open windows. I felt relieved they had left after everything they had witnessed today.
Watching them look at their stepfather again would be unbearably uncomfortable.
"Something tells me you’re not exactly thrilled to see me," Vance said, his tone carrying that familiar note of casual complaint. His hands rested deep in his trouser pockets, his posture radiating the effortless confidence that defined him.
This was vintage Vance. Always composed, never rattled.
Nothing ever seemed to disturb his equilibrium.
He possessed enough wealth to dismiss minor inconveniences as irrelevant. That philosophy had always been his mantra.
"That’s completely wrong. I’m genuinely surprised, but seeing you makes me incredibly happy," I replied, painting my features with the soft, demure smile I knew melted his resolve every time.
"I was just worried about how you might handle learning about..." The words caught in my throat, refusing to emerge.
This revelation threatened to shatter everything we had built together.
"About your wolf?" he asked, tilting his head with that characteristic pout while making a soft clicking sound with his tongue.
He gave a slight, understanding nod.
His profile remained as striking as ever. The sharp definition of his jaw contrasted beautifully with his flawless complexion. His eyes possessed that distinctive shape, narrow at the inner corners and dramatically swept upward at the outer edges, reminiscent of a predatory bird. Intricate tattoos decorated both forearms, and instead of a traditional wedding band, he wore an ornate serpent ring on his ring finger. Our actual wedding ring hung from a platinum chain around his neck.
"You already knew?" I asked, my voice betraying my bewilderment.
"Absolutely. I received detailed reports from one of the security personnel over recent days about the situation developing here. That intelligence prompted me to abandon all my business commitments and rush here to support my wife." His demeanor transformed, revealing genuine concern as he moved closer and captured my hand in his gentle grip.
His contact sent electric shivers racing across my flesh.
The chaos surrounding my existence felt overwhelming. Potential mates pressing for acknowledgment, opportunities for redemption, claims being made alongside their offspring, my inability to escape werewolf lands, my stepsister creating complications, Lord Morris insisting on genetic verification, and now Vance’s unexpected arrival. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
One wrong move could demolish our marriage completely.
"My darling Bella, this isn’t the woman I sent away from home."
His observation jolted me back to the present moment, and I studied his expression while anxiety crept across my features.
"Your confidence seems shaken, and you appear to have dropped weight. Are they neglecting to nourish you properly?" he inquired, his thumb tracing tender circles across my cheekbone.
I captured his palm and pressed my face against his warm skin.
"Come to me," he whispered, encircling me with his strong arms and drawing me against his chest in a protective embrace.
"I’m with you now. Stop worrying. Everything will work out perfectly," he murmured, his voice resonating with deep affection.
I allowed my eyelids to flutter closed, focusing on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"The council expects your presence."
Another unmistakably familiar voice shattered my peaceful moment, destroying our intimate connection.
Parker stood framed in the main entrance, observing us with an expression of barely concealed displeasure.
His attention moved deliberately from my face to the places where Vance’s hands rested on my body.
Parker was obviously cataloging every detail of our tender interaction, his gaze tracking the movement of our intertwined fingers with uncomfortable intensity.
"Ah, greetings. My apologies for monopolizing your researcher’s time," Vance responded in his characteristically rich, gravelly voice. I stepped back from our embrace and smoothed my disheveled hair.
"Hello, I’m Vance. And you would be...?" Vance asked, narrowing one eye in casual inquiry.
Before Parker could formulate a response, Vance’s arm curved around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side.
I observed how Parker’s jaw tightened visibly, his throat working as he swallowed hard before managing to speak again.
"I’m Parker. Alpha Parker," he stated formally, taking a deliberate step backward. "I trust you both enjoyed your reunion. The council remains in session, waiting," he reminded us with pointed emphasis.
The way his eyes held mine conveyed unspoken accusations and frustration.
"Certainly. We’ll address the council situation immediately.
Sweetheart, we should go before we lose ourselves in each other like we inevitably do. You remember how we always become oblivious to time and everything else when we’re together," Vance declared, reaching up to lift my chin gently while stroking my cheek with two fingers, making sure Parker witnessed every intimate gesture.
"Yes, that’s absolutely true." I bashfully guided his hand away while maintaining my grip on it.
Public displays of affection had never come naturally to me.
Parker pivoted sharply and strode away. Vance and I followed at a measured distance.
We returned to the garden courtyard, and immediately every conversation ceased as all attention focused on our entrance.
Derek kept his gaze fixed downward after stealing a brief glance in our direction. His hands formed tight fists against his thighs, and his leg bounced with nervous energy.
Lord Morris’s scrutinizing stare tracked Vance’s every movement with calculating precision.
Then there was Hugo. He maintained his penetrating focus on Vance for an extended period, his expression remaining completely neutral, as though attempting to decode some hidden meaning.
"This situation has become rather complicated," one council member muttered under his breath, alluding to their expectation that I would sign the pack integration documents while my human spouse stood witness.
"What makes you say that?" Vance interjected unexpectedly, though his boldness shouldn’t have surprised me.
Vance had never lacked confidence. He possessed the remarkable ability to enter any unfamiliar environment and immediately establish his presence.
"The complication arises because your wife is a werewolf while you remain human. How do you expect to maintain contact and preserve your marriage? Certainly, you can visit periodically, but she can never return to human civilization. Such crossover is absolutely prohibited," the council member elaborated. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Humans could enter werewolf territory for limited periods with proper council authorization, but no werewolf had ever been granted permission to enter human domains.
This restriction had remained unchanged for decades.
Following a catastrophic incident involving a werewolf in human society, the prohibition had become permanently enforced.
"When two people share sufficient love, they discover solutions to any obstacle. I’m confident we will too. For the immediate future, I can remain here until this crisis is resolved.
Wasn’t the established protocol that she could bring her family members?" Vance responded with unwavering confidence, refusing to allow the circumstances to dampen his optimism or threaten our bond.
Managing my responsibilities while simultaneously worrying about Vance’s presence here would prove challenging.
I knew his personality intimately. He could become dangerously impulsive when situations didn’t develop according to his expectations.
