Chapter 376
Three hundred and seventy eight
Tabella POV
The motorbike rode so fast that my eyes swam with dizziness as I tried to hold Maverick with one hand and grip the back of the bike with the other, swallowing the insults the rider kept hurling at me.
The wind struck my face as we moved, carrying away some of the heat trapped beneath my skin. My jaw throbbed where Desmond had knocked me down, and every time I touched my mouth, my fingers came away stained with
blood.
“Are they even worth all this noise?” the rider said to another who caught up with us.
“She’s some woman who caught some spoiled brat’s attention. They’d probably pay whatever ransom he demanded if Lord hadn’t intervened p>
My arms tightened around Maverick.
They could say whatever they wanted, as long as they didn’t hurt us and as long as we kept moving farther away from Desmond.
I glanced down at Maverick. His eyes were closed, but his face was still wet from crying. I wiped his cheeks with my thumb and pressed him closer.
The device hidden beneath my clothes stayed pressed against my body. The riders eventually turned onto a familiar road. My heart lifted when I saw the gas station ahead, the same place where I had waited earlier.
The pickup truck was parked near the edge of the lot, with several people standing around it.
The moment the motorcycles slowed, Beta Franklin moved toward us while the rogues started their bikes and vanished down the road, leaving a trail of dust.
My legs nearly gave out beneath me. Beta Franklin caught my elbow before I fell, while another guard took Maverick from me and hurried him into the truck.
Alpha Cameron reached for Maverick at once, checking him carefully, running a hand over his hair and feeling his forehead. He looked at his face, then his arms, checking for injuries.
“No visible wounds,” he said. “We’ll take him to the physician, then to the healers to check for any signs of Meridian p>
My voice barely came out.
Alpha Cameron pulled a bottle of water from the truck and offered it to Maverick, then handed him a green apple from the bag beside him.
Maverick took a bite, then leaned against him.
“Poor boy,” Cameron said quietly, then turned to me.
“I don’t understand. How did they let you go p>
I swallowed.
“There was a fight. Not exactly. I don’t know.” I rubbed my palms against my dress. “From what I could tell, Alpha Desmond broke the rules and hadn’t told their leader that he’d abducted Maverick p>
Alpha Cameron and Beta Franklin exchanged glances. I kept going, trying to piece together what I’d seen.
1/5
15 Bonus
“The rogue told Desmond to give me my son. He said they don’t take children from their mothers. Desmond refused, but the other man had men with him. He made Desmond let Maverick go p>
“That makes no sense,” Beta Franklin said. “Rogues don’t grow a conscience overnight p>
Alpha Cameron stayed quiet.
“Did you get his name?” Beta Franklin asked.
I shook my head and told him the others had called him Lord.
Alpha Cameron sighed. “Kieran and Charlie should know. They’re probably the rogues who’ve been causing trouble in their territory. Something doesn’t add up p>
I lowered my eyes to Maverick and stopped caring about the rest of the conversation. I had my son. That was all that mattered.
I caught pieces of what they said, but my mind couldn’t hold on to any of it. Something about Desmond coming after Maverick openly and what would happen if he tried to claim my son.
“Isabella will have to testify against Desmond,” Cameron said, looking at me. “Every assault he committed against you. Your grand-uncle’s testimony will be taken too. Don’t expect Desmond to disappear quietly. He’ll make it known to everyone that Maverick belongs to him p>
The ride home began. The breeze moved through the open side of the truck, cool against my face. At some point, I closed my eyes from exhaustion and only opened them when someone touched my shoulder.
“We’re home,” Beta Franklin said.
I looked ahead.
The gates of the Alpha House stood open. The moment we stepped into the driveway, people rushed toward us.
Luna Lisa reached me first.
“Oh, Isabella p>
She pulled me into her arms, and I nearly broke down.
Emma’s mom took Maverick from me, offering to carry him inside.
Emma’s gaze moved over me as though checking for injuries. Even Charlie stayed close.
“Where’s Wesley p>
Emma lowered her eyes.
“He isn’t doing well,” she said quietly.
My heart squeezed.
“What do you mean p>
“He relapsed but refuses to give up. He keeps insisting he has to hold on until you come back p>
“Can I see him p>
“Not tonight,” Alpha Cameron said. “You’ve just come back from being taken by Desmond. Wesley isn’t dying, but he needs rest, and so do you. You’ll see him tomorrow.” 1
2/5
I managed a nod.
+15 8cnus
I woke to sunlight. For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. Then yesterday came rushing back, and I sat up, my heart jumping as I searched the room for Maverick. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was the fact that I was still shaken, but I found him asleep in the bed beside me, curled up tightly. I headed out and found Luna Lisa first:
“He’s with Cassidy. She’s checking to make sure he’s fine,” she said with a smile. “I was heading down for lunch. Join me p>
I frowned, trying to remember how long I’d slept.
We went to the dining room, where a maid was setting the table.
“Desmond is here in the pack p>
I stared at her.
“What does he want p>
“What else? Causing trouble, claiming we stole his son, demanding Maverick be returned. But don’t worry, Cameron is handling it p>
“He abducted my child p>
“That’s why we’ve already reported him to the regional council. He has an advantage because he’s an Alpha, and until the council rules, we’re trying to avoid turning this into a fight inside the pack p>
I rubbed my palms together.
Luna Lisa reached for the glass of water on the tray and handed it to me.
“Drink p>
I thought about the rogue from yesterday, how the others had obeyed him, and still couldn’t understand why he’d let me go.
A guard stepped into the room, interrupting my thoughts.
“Luna. The council has called for Isabella. Desmond has formally challenged the claim that the child belongs with her p>
Lisa looked at me.
“We should go p>
I moved on autopilot, freshened up, and joined Luna Lisa as we headed to the council hall.
Desmond stood inside with several of his people beside him. He looked far too comfortable for someone who had entered another Alpha’s pack, abducted a child, and then shown up at a council hearing to complain that his victim had wronged him.
My father and grand-uncle stood among the witnesses.
At the front of the hall sat the regional council members, their expressions stern as they watched the people gathered before them. Several advocates stood nearby, ready to argue for each side.
One of the council members raised his hand.
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+15 8gnus
“State your claim p>
Desmond stepped forward.
“I am an Alpha. You do not take an Alpha’s son from him p>
Alpha Cameron’s voice came from the doorway.
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have abducted him p>
Desmond laughed.
“You’ve always been a fool, Desmond. You couldn’t even come for the boy yourself. You hid behind rogues p>
Desmond’s gaze tightened.
Cameron turned to the council.
“You’ve always needed someone else to do your dirty work. When your own strength isn’t enough, you reach for dark powers from Meridian. Stealing is the one thing you’ve always been good at p>
Desmond’s face darkened.
“You have no proof p>
“Then prove me wrong p>
Cameron turned back to the council.
“Where did he find the child? Where’s his evidence that Isabella willingly gave Maverick to him? Why did he need rogues to take a child from his own mother p>
They kept arguing. I’d expected to feel angry, but instead, I felt strangely detached.
“I never assaulted her. She came to me willingly. She was just a girl chasing status. Do you know how many women approach Alphas? How was I supposed to know her age p>
My hands trembled.
“Your explanation does not improve your position,” Alpha Cameron said.
Desmond turned to the council.
“Cameron’s family is so invested in this because their son is sleeping with Isabella. If this pack wants to keep the boy, let Wesley fight me for him p>
A murmur spread through the hall.
“A wolf duel,” Desmond said. “If Wesley wins, the boy stays. If I win, Maverick comes with me p>
My mouth fell open.
“Desmond knows about Wesley’s condition,” I whispered to Luna Lisa.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
He laughed.
“Let’s see whether that sick boy can protect an heir p>
4/5
15 Bor
My heart slammed against my ribs.
He’ll fight,” Alpha Cameron said, and gasps rippled through the room.
Luna Lisa touched my arm.
“Isabella p>
“He’s sick. Desmond is Meridian. What if he uses that against him? What if he brings poison into the duel? What if/ he has something hidden? What if he p>
“They’ll search both fighters before they enter the arena,” Lisa said.
Her calmness stunned me.
“You’re not worried p>
A faint smile touched her lips.
“Have you ever seen Wesley in his wolf form p>
I blinked.
“No p>
“Then perhaps you should p>
I looked at Desmond, who seemed certain he’d finally found a way to hurt Cameron.
Luna Lisa leaned closer.
“Wesley may be sick, Isabella, but don’t mistake sickness for weakness p>
Her words made me wonder whether Desmond had just challenged the wrong man.
The council members conferred among themselves before the eldest finally raised his hand.
“The duel will take place at dawn p>
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.