~ Bella ~"Oh my gosh, Parker, what's all this?" I gasped, looking at the sight spread out before me.Without even realizing it, my lips were hanging open. I slapped my palm over my mouth.He smiled. "I just thought I'd surprise you. You've been working so hard. You deserve it."The dining table was set with a new pink table cover. My favourite color! Dishes of food sat on the table covered with the cutest ceramic bowls. It also had pink flowers and trimmings.He'd added a vase of fresh flowers in the centre of the table and nice aesthetics candles on silver stands."This is so beautiful," I gushed, my eyes misting over. "When did you even get time to do this?"He pulled out a chair and pushed me gently into it. "I left work a little earlier to get everything done," he said.I knew he'd had a particularly busy day today. He'd had two court session that day and various meetings at his office.How he even had the strength to get all this together was beyond me."This is so beautiful, P

~ Bella ~"Oh my gosh, I think he's angry," Maggie muttered fearfully.I knew the same fear I could hear in her voice was definitely reflected in my face as well."More than angry. He is furious," I said."Oh shit! Oh shit! I told you I wasn't interested in playing chaperone to you guys. Why, oh, why did you bring me into this!" she cried.I swallowed heavily and didn't answer. Maybe I hadn't made the best decision asking this of Maggie?It's just that after yesterday's events, I'd renewed my decision to stay as far away from Nikolai as possible and kill any errant feelings for him.And this was the solution I readily found. At least if we weren't alone, there was less of a chance of me doing something stupid.I didn't think it would make him this angry. It's not like he liked me or anything."He isn't going to hurt me, is she?" Maggie asked fearfully.I shook my head. I knew Nikolai. I knew he wouldn't hurt me. Or Maggie. He would never do that.He might have misread my nervousness fo

~ Nikolai ~"Now, let's get some answers," I said. "Emily here has been kind enough to inform me that it was you who approached her with an offer to make quick money."Tony's eye darted to Emily. Even in the dark room, I could see the light of accusation in his eyes."N-no, that's not true," he said.Nikolai gave a world-weary sigh. "Listen here, Tony boy, I'll be straight with you. I already did one interrogation today. Let's save each other a lot of stress and just be truthful, okay?"He said everything in a calm, reasonable voice that was even scarier than if he had just yelled.Tony must've thought so too because he immediately nodded. "I-I'll tell the truth sir," he said."Good! Emily here was nice enough to inform me that she was offered some money to file the case against Isaiah and Isabella," Nikolai started.Emily made a choking sound in her throat. He ignored her.She continued. "Apparently, the person who did the offering was you. I'll like to know why.""N-no! I didn't do

~ Nikolai ~The second I heard that slight ruffle, I knew where it was coming from.With a burst of wolf speed, I darted in the direction of the sound faster than the person, whoever they were, could see.I came to a stop in front of them and slammed my hand into their chest, sending them crashing back into the tree."Who the fuck are you, and why are you following me?" I snarled, my fangs extending out and eyes glowing."N-no sir! I was not following you!" a male voice cried. "I was just enjoying the view here when I heard someone coming so I ran and hid. But when I saw it was you Alpha Nikolai, I panicked!"The voice pierced through my blind fury. It was a child's voice.I realized that my hand holding the person against the tree was lower than it should be laying against their chest."Mathias!" I exclaimed, looking into the face of one of the compound kids. "What the hell are you doing here?"I'd thought this place was completely hidden from everyone."I come here from time to time

"Boss, we didn't know you'll be leaving so soon," Ahmad said when I suddenly returned to the car.He bowed. Boulin, who was standing next to him, bowed too."Change of plans," I said shortly.I'd told them that I'd be spending most of the day at Bella's office.After my conversation with Mathias last night, I'd realized that I may have overreacted so I'd wanted to spend time today making up for that.All chances for that were thrown out the window now that she considered me a murder suspect."Get in. We need to go," I ordered. "Bella will be coming with us.""Yes, boss," Ahmad said but gave me a quizzical look. I ignored him and got in.He held the door open and let Bella get in beside me then he got into the driver's seat. Boulin got into the passenger seat."Where to?" Ahmad asked."The compound," I said.There was no more talking in the car after that.Everyone could feel the weight of my mood and not even Ahmad dared to strike up a conversation.I saw him glancing at me in the rev