Bella's POV

I left Jasper’s place in a hurry. I took my small bag and walked through the roads towards the parking lot, trying to act normally. I needed to leave fast before Jasper felt my absence. If not him, but Theron his wolf. He wouldn’t like it.

I froze when I saw Beta Luca standing there in the parking lot. Luca, Dr. Janna's mate and my friend. Another jab at my heart. He must have known everything since the start. He is Jasper’s Beta. The closest person to Alpha.

He knew about Jasper and Sadie, but he chose to stay quiet. I stood there, not knowing what he was going to do. He saw me and gave me a knowing nod.

“Get in the car, Luna. I’ll take you wherever you wish to go.” He opened the door and helped me get in. It was never lost to me how, as Beta, he had always been protective of his Luna. Whatever were his reasons to stay quiet I’m sure one day he’ll let me know.

Inside the car, I breathed a sigh of relief. Luca didn’t ask me anything. He was probably still embarrassed for betraying our friendship. I asked him to drop me somewhere near my pack. He did as he was told, and then he drove off.

It was late afternoon when I arrived at White Claw Pack. Everything was quiet. It felt gloomy. They were mourning the death of their three Alpha’s.

I came here to await the bodies of my father and brothers. If they fell on the battlefield, the Royal Guard would bring them back home for a proper burial. How I wish my child could have had the chance to meet them.

Uncle Conner and my father were the best of friends. This pack saw glorious years under their command. Uncle Conner taught my brothers and then Sadie and me how to fight.

The rigorous training for me came years later, but just with my brothers and my father. Did Uncle Conner betray me, too? I disguised my scent as I entered his house quietly. I needed to be cautious and respect the warning my father gave me once.

‘Never reveal everything of what you’re capable of Bella. Not even to your mate. Power corrupts people. You will never know a person’s true colors until you’re no longer of use to them. You were blessed like your mother. Be cautious with that.'

The phone rang, and Uncle Conner picked up.

“Alpha Jasper.” He said with disdain. “What are you calling for?”

Shit, I shouldn’t have come here. Of course, this is the first place he would look for me. My heart started pounding wildly.

Uncle Conner sneered at something Jasper said. “She’s not here, I didn’t see her.” Fuck, they’re talking about me. “I don’t have time for this Jasper. We’re preparing funerals for our Alphas.” I started to leave quietly but the next thing Uncle Conner said made me stop.

“Fuck you, Jasper. What makes you think you can order me around? Just because you are having an affair with my daughter? I am ashamed because of that! If I didn’t say anything was because Bella’s brothers would not only have killed you but Sadie as well.”

He threw the phone to the wall visibly enraged. He knew, but he had his reasons to stay quiet. I was glad that at least he was still someone I could trust.

I stepped out of the shadows startling him, but he quickly moved to give me a hug when he froze.

“You heard that, didn’t you?” He said, ashamed. I nodded.

“But I also heard you refusing to help him. You didn’t betray us, Uncle, and for that, I will be forever grateful.” This time he really gave me the fatherly hug I didn’t know I needed.

Tears started prickling my eyes again. “Uncle, I want to see the bodies of my family.” Those were the hardest words I ever uttered.

“You didn't know?" Uncle Conner looked at me with pity in his eyes. "Bella, there are no bodies. They couldn’t be found. They were swiped away by an avalanche. The snow up North was out of the ordinary.” A glimmer of hope surged through me, between the dark clouds that surrounded my existence. I knew that not everything was lost. If they couldn't be found, how sure were they of their death?

“But if there are no bodies, there’s still hope, Uncle. They need to keep searching. They need to hurry… They need to....” He shook his head, sadness marring his features. The tears I was so bravely trying to contain ran down of their own free will as my last hope was torn to shreds.

“No, child. We all felt our Alpha’s aura and control snap. We can’t feel him anymore. You know what that means. Searching for their bodies is another impossible task. More people’s lives would be lost if they ventured into the inclement conditions in the North. Alpha Jasper said that the only reason the war stopped was because the conditions were hazardous. If they didn't die fighting, they would've died of hypothermia. None of those options were good." My heart sank.

I couldn't picture my father and brother's bodies buried under piles of snow. They couldn't even rest in peace after death.

My lips trembled and I had to dig my nails deep into my flesh to keep myself from losing my mind

I stayed in Uncle Conner’s guest room that night, pondering about the death of my family. It all sounded like Jasper’s made-up story.

I tried to sleep but sleep never came.

It had been such a long and tiring day. I curled up on the sheets; a huge hole was dug in my heart. Today, I have lost the most important person in my life.

What should I do now?

I gently touched my belly, my child was there. I needed to be strong for my baby.

I gradually felt sleepy. The roar of a car made me jump.

‘Mate!’ My wolf, Anaisha said. Fuck, Jasper is here! I scrambled to my feet looking for my stuff. He was already inside the house, he could sense me. There was no way to run now. A loud knock on the door, made me jump. My heart was thumping.

“Open the door, Bella.” Jasper’s unmistakable voice came. “I will explain everything to you. You need to listen to me.”

Anaisha growled in my mind. I just stood there clenching my fists, unable to believe his lies anymore.

"Bella, my mate. I never loved Sadie. How could you ever think that? We’re fated mates. I’ve only ever loved you.” He is a liar. “Come back with me, Bella. Is been almost four months. I desired you. Come home. Let’s make a pup, I know you’d love that.” Bile rose in my throat. Too bad I won’t ever believe him.

“We’re done, Jasper. Forever. There is no fixing this.”

Jasper started slamming his body against the door like crazy.

“Bella!” He growled.

Jasper thinks I can’t escape him, but he is wrong. I will never come back to him. My child doesn’t need this scum of a father.

I grabbed my bag before he managed to open the door. I bit my right hand’s finger, drawing blood. I carefully Smeared it on my mother’s ring that I’ve always worn. I thought of my father when a halo enveloped me. I disappear instantly from inside the room.

I appeared in a deserted forest. It was almost dawn. I stumbled over a body falling on top of him. This man was huge, and he was wounded. I got up on my feet rather quickly. Who can it be?

Bella's POV

I almost fell on top of the wounded man. It was still night before dawn. The man moaned in pain slightly. He must be one of the warriors who fought in the war. Before I disappeared from my pack, I thought of my father, and I wished to find him. I'm near the battlefield now. The weather was cold but not as bad as Jasper made everyone believe. I put my arms around me. The night was chilly. I needed to find a safe place to spend the rest of the night.

I looked at the warrior on the floor. He must have fought side by side with my father and brothers. They were all protecting our country. The least I could do was to help him. Moving him wouldn't be easy. The soldier was impressive. With massive hands and muscles. Even wounded on the floor, he looked threatening. I played with the ring on my left hand. It belonged to my mother.

My father told me how the ring worked, but he never wanted me to use it. He was always overprotective of me on that matter. I had already exposed myself when I used it to get away from Jasper. At least this is for a good cause. I kneeled closer to the soldier. Rubbing some of my blood on the ring, I wished for a sheltered place close by.

We appeared inside a cave. I rummaged inside my bag and grabbed a small blanket to put under his head. The light of dawn was shining through the cave's entrance. He was breathtakingly handsome, like a God. I found myself shuddering as I studied his face. I couldn't resist touching his perfectly defined features. When I touched his cheek, I felt like an electric current was coming from my hand. I retracted my hand instantly, but his eyes flew open. His golden eyes pierced through mine. They were cold and menacing, but they seemed to soften when he saw me.

"I won't hurt you," I said. "I will take care of you.!" He blinked a few times before his eyes closed again. I gathered some wood to make a small bonfire. The rest of the hours flew by as I spent them taking care of the handsome warrior. With the use of my ring. I gathered everything I needed to treat his wounds. If my father were here, he would've been appalled. I had used my ring so many times in one day, more than I had ever used it throughout my entire life.

"By the third day, the warrior seemed to be better. His wounds were starting to heal. The herbal medicine made him drowsy, though. I rarely saw him opening his eyes, but when he did, he would watch me intently, making me blush under his scrutinizing gaze. Sometimes, our eyes would lock, and I felt an increasing pull towards him. The electric tingles I felt every time I touched him were unsettling as well. He never fully woke up, though, and we were never able to have a conversation.

Later that day, I was going to gather some berries. I needed to take care of myself as well. The pregnancy was making me constantly nauseous. Sometimes, I had to force myself to eat something. I came to an abrupt stop when I saw the cave surrounded by warriors. My heart plummeted to my stomach. They didn't look friendly at all. They barged inside when they saw me. The tallest, meanest one looked at me threateningly.

"Search inside the cave." The burly and intimidating warrior said. He looked like he was their leader. The men scurried inside the cave, looking for something. They were dressed similarly to the wounded God inside the cave.

"Who are you, woman?" He asked icily. I retreated a few steps, fearing for my baby. I wetted my lips, feeling them dry. My mouth had probably been agape. Before I could say anything, profane exclamations were heard from inside the cave.

"Fuck! He's here, Dane!!" One of the soldiers yelled. The scary warrior named Dane almost pushed me when he ran inside. They were here for him. They sound happy to have found him. I saw Dane's cold demeanor change when he heard that the wounded God was here.

"Do not leave that woman out of your sight!" He growled. I fidgeted nervously. Who were these men? They all looked dangerous and powerful. I was sure they would harm me. I was tempted to use my ring, but one of the warriors grabbed my arm. "Do not attempt anything. You don't want to make him mad." He warned menacingly.

One of the men came back and dragged me forcefully inside the cave. My hands moved instinctively to my abdomen. We stopped near that Dane guy who was staring worriedly at the wounded warrior.

"Who did this to him?" His voice was laced with a dangerous edge. "Speak woman, if you value your life!" He snarled. He was clenching his fists. I could feel his anger rolling out in waves. Where were they when this happened to him if he was so important to them?

Usually, I would have something smart to say, but I didn't want to make this beast angrier. "I found him unconscious, and I brought him here." Before I even finished, I realized my big mistake. His eyes went wide, and then he sneered.

"Do you want me to believe that a fragile woman like you carried him to this cave? Who else helped you?." He stepped closer to me, trapping me between him and the cave's wall. "Look for her accomplices. Find them!" Roared Dane. He stepped back, making me release the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"There's no accomplices! I didn't do this to your... friend. You have to believe me!" I said frustratedly. He punched the wall above my head, making me flinch. He literally made a small dent in the solid rock. How strong were these people?

"Oh, I know you didn't do this to my...brother. It'd take more than a weak woman to bring him down. He was clearly ambushed. Someone else helped you, and I will make you talk one way or another." What does that even mean? How did I get involved in all of this? I was just trying to help. My breaths started to quicken. His look was murderous. I was in danger. I needed to make him understand he was wrong to judge me.

"That is not how it happened! You're horribly mistaken..!" I kept arguing but they all ignored me. He started barking orders to the werewolf warriors. Some of them brought a stretcher I didn't know they had.

"Seize her!" He ordered like I hadn't been threatened since the very beginning. "You will be treated as a suspect until my brother wakes up. You better be telling the truth. Otherwise, we will not show you mercy!" My heart sank. 2 soldiers restrained me and forcibly tied my hands. I was beginning to regret having helped Dane's brother. I stared at him on the floor. Oblivious to everything that was going on. If he were awake, he would tell them, but even though he was healing, the herbs and lack of proper food weakened him.

I saw them pull him out on the stretcher. He was too big for it, his legs were dangling. I was unceremoniously thrown in the back of one of their cars once we made it down the mountain. Dane had gotten impatient at my low pace and had thrown me over his shoulder when we were descending. All I could think of was my child. I can't reveal my identity to them. They would send me straight to Jasper. I prayed to the Goddess that Dane's brother woke up. Only he could save me now.

Bella's POV

I slept with one eye open. I didn't trust any of these people. At least they didn't hurt me physically, but they were starving me instead. My stomach was growling. I needed to eat something urgently. I caressed my stomach, promising my child I would find something to eat as soon as I could. The door of the cell opened with a squeaky sound, making me jump to my feet. In came Dane with a cup of steaming coffee, smelling like the heavens. The coffee, not him. My stomach growled. I was famished. I could almost taste the bitter yet smooth flavor of the coffee on my tongue.

He stood right in front of me. I had to throw my head back to lock eyes with him. Goddess that coffee smelled so good. For a minute, I thought he was going to hand it to me. He just smirked. I felt the need to kick him in the shins if he weren't this stupidly tall. He doesn't look anything like his brother, though. Even their hair color is different. Dane's hair is sandy blond, and his handsome brother has dark, wavy locks falling on his forehead. I shook my head. This was not the time for that.

Dane pointed at me with one finger, like I was some sort of misbehaving kid. "Do yourself a favor and start talking. You don't look good at all." I rolled my eyes at him. I was tired of repeating myself. What would it take for him to believe me? I forced myself to repeat it again.

"I'm tired of repeating myself, and you won't believe me. I found him lying on the ground, and then I..." He didn't even blink. He definitely didn't believe me, and he'll never do. They will just starve me to death or leave me in prison forever. I couldn't trust his brother to wake up and help me. He probably doesn't even remember me. He was badly wounded, and who knows when he will wake up. I will probably be dead by then. I can't use my ring either. They would hunt me down to the end of the world.

Dane's semblance changed. His brow furrowed. Someone was mind-linking him. He let his coffee cup drop and turned on his heel darting towards the exit. What a waste of coffee. The guard locked me up again. A few minutes passed. I don't even understand why they apprehended me. The most sensible thing to do was to thank me for helping Dane's brother. Instead, they were treating me as a conspirator. Just exactly, who is this supposed brother of Dane?

I can't stay here any longer. I will not leave my fate and my child's at the hands of these lunatics. I always had the utmost respect for warriors because my father and brothers were warriors themselves, but these warriors are nothing like my family. My family would never target innocent civilian women. I needed to escape now.

I had been hearing a lot of noise coming from outside for a while. It was building up with every second that passed. Could it be that the warrior has woken up? My heart started thudding. There was no way to know if he would jump to the same conclusion as the rest of them. My plan to escape wasn't the best, but I was going to try or die trying. It was now or never. I dropped to the floor, clutching my abdomen, screaming in pain.

"What's wrong with you, woman?" The warrior hit the cell's bars with a baton. He furrowed his brow in annoyance.

"Help me, please! It hurts!!" I gave it my all to my impromptu performance. I heard his keys hitting the bars noisily. He was opening the cell.

"Don't you dare die on me, woman. He's awakened, and if you had anything to do with his attack, he would want to be the one who finishes you." I found strength in those words and putting into practice everything I learned from my brothers, I grabbed him by the wrist, stealing his baton. I hit him right in the face. He was barely trying to react when I already had him in a chokehold. He was desperately trying to pull the button off of his neck, but soon he passed out.

I grabbed his keys quickly and my bag. They had left it with me after they had searched the contents. I locked the cell with the guard inside and threw the keys out of his reach. I grabbed the only cloak I had inside my bag and put it around my shoulders. With the hoodie, I covered my hair and most of my face. My jaw almost dropped when I saw the huge crowd gathered outside, and it seemed that more people continued to arrive. I sneaked past them, mixing with the crowd. It made it easier for me to pass inconspicuous. Soon, I was outside of that dreadful place.

I was going to have to use my ring again to gain distance from them. I couldn't shift to my wolf form while pregnant. I wished myself to be close to the nearest town. I needed food and a warm bed. Luckily, the warriors didn't take the little money I had inside my bag. It would be enough to stay in a hotel for a few days.

When I registered in the hotel, I didn't give them my real name. I was sure Jasper would be scouring the earth for me. The werewolf Parliament would never give him the rights of my father's pack without me. He is not a blood relative. He must be desperate. It gave me some kind of satisfaction imagining him losing control. My wolf has been quiet after everything that we went through. The death of my family, Jasper's betrayal, and then being kidnapped and imprisoned. Only the baby is keeping us from crumbling. I can't lose it. It would destroy me and my wolf.

I ordered room service before I took a most-needed bath. When I came out, the food was already there. Everything tasted so good. The pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh coffee, and delicious fruit. I hadn't been eating well for so many days. My heart squeezed. I prayed so much for a baby to now neglect my pregnancy. The Goddess knows it is not my fault. I'll do better now. Hopefully, Jasper and Dane won't find me here. I needed to try to look for my family first. If I don't find my brothers and my father, I will go to the Parliament to expose Jasper's betrayal of the mate bond and prevent him from taking over my pack. He could never have it.

I went straight to bed after I ate. I was exhausted. My head and my heart were still in turmoil, but when so many things were going on in my life, I couldn't even pick a problem to overthink about it. I fell asleep as soon as I placed my head on the pillow. I was safe for now. Tomorrow, I will search for my family.