BellaI keep my eyes closed as Myra continues to rant at Aiden. She calls me vermin.Vermin. I had been called worse. But I wondered if she would have said it if I had been awake. She had put on a nice act when I saw her in the pack hospital.Myra makes another strange comment. Something about how I no longer belong among Wolves and Lycans. That Aiden should get rid of me as soon as he could.Aiden somehow keeps his cool. His fingers may have squeezed me a little but his tone remains the same. Even when Myra starts swearing at him.“Is there something you need to tell me?” Aiden asks her.“I've told you everything that I needed to say. But Aiden, you should watch your back.”I hear the click clack of her shoes as she walks away.Opening one eye, Aiden shakes his head at me. “You need to stay asleep.”He starts walking as soon as I close my eyes again. He makes several turns before climbing the stairs.Eventually he tells me that we are alone and I can open them.He lowers me to my fee

BellaIt was stupid but I had to go. I couldn’t sit around letting Aiden decide my fate. I had never been that type of person and I never will be.It was obvious where I needed to go. Back to my home pack.That’s where I had been left for Aiden to find. And that was most likely the place Christian offered for a trade. I just needed to get to a main road to figure out the direction I had to go.Climbing out the window was the easiest part. A staggered roof allowed me to lower myself enough until I could drop to the ground. There was no one here. No one watching or spying. If I make it back, I really should tell the King that there was a blind spot at the back of the building for his guards.There was a large open plain between me and the forest. I had to get across it without being spotted.Casual walking would be the best option. I would look more suspicious if someone walked this way and I was creeping around.I stride towards the forest with confidence as my eyes continually move,

AidenAs she lays in my arms her golden eyes hover on mine.“Get him.” Her hand raises to point at Cedric.Cedric doesn’t move. Standing with a smile on his face, somehow impressed by what he had done.“Bella.” I mutter.Blood weeps from the wound in her stomach. Soaking her sweatshirt.“Kill him.” Her voice is quieter.I couldn’t move even if I wanted to. I was not losing another mate.Behind Cedric, I see Leighton’s van pulling up.‘Cedric,’ I link Leighton. ‘Get him.’“Bella, stay with me.” I look into her eyes, the light in them dimming as she stares back at me.Leighton grabs Cedric, forcing him down to his knees. Cedric starts to laugh, quietly but it grows louder as Bella coughs up blood.I watch on as Leighton knocks Cedric unconscious.My hand grips around the blade handle. I had to get it out of her.“Don’t!” Leighton yells. “It will be worse. She will bleed out.” “She will heal.” She was back to her normal self, surely she would heal?“We can’t rely on that.”He quickly b

BellaWith my hand still resting on Aiden, I sense the change in his heartbeat. He was most likely awake and just keeping his eyes closed, listening to what was happening instead. I wondered if Cedric was aware.“What was rightfully yours?” I mutter as Cedric stares at me with his dark eyes. They hadn’t even moved to Aiden.“I was supposed to be King. And I am still owed that.”“You’re not an heir. You are just the King’s Beta.”“Halle was promised to me.”“Halle?” I pause, shaking my head in disbelief.“Halle?” I ask again. My eyes go to Aiden. “Did Aiden promise you Halle?”“You don’t need to sound so disgusted!” He snaps “But no Aiden didn’t promise Halle to me. The King did.”“The King?” I had to keep him talking. I had to know if he was telling the truth or just trying to trick me like Christian. For all I know, they could still be working together and this is part of their plan. A diversion. It would be something that I would do.“Not who you thought he was?” He mutters“I just…

BellaThe Rogue carries me for hours. We had split from Christian shortly after leaving the hospital. Heading in completely different directions.He grunts as he carries me through the trees. His feet expertly navigated the forest like he had been here many times before.But why had he separated from Christian?After a while, I begin to notice that we are travelling in a figure of eight. Looping around and crossing back over the same path that we had already travelled.He does this a few more times before lowering me to the ground. He stares at me with his yellow eyes. I choose to keep my mouth closed. I needed to be aware of what was happening and I couldn't do that if I was talking.Christian steps between the trees. His lips curved up into a smile. He strides forwards with his hands behind his back. “Smart move.” He mutters when he is standing in front of me. “I didn’t think you would go through with it.”“She’s the Queen.” “I didn’t think you cared much about them.”I just glare