Chapter 18
As Alpha Xavier chatted with Samantha, his attention was unintentionally drawn to a pair of individuals across from them. Bella caught his eye, looking composed and graceful in her old–fashioned attire. She sat beside Alpha Carl, who gazed at her with deep fondness and admiration.
A possessive pang surged through Xavier. Remembering Carl’s earlier interest in Bella and his affectionate conversation with her in the pack office, Xavier felt a rush of resentment towards him. He realized that Bella had strategically positioned herself to avoid his gaze. In that moment, their shared past felt like a distant echo fading into their current reality.
Xavier was further unsettled by Carl’s unwavering attention towards Bella. The lunch invitation and choice of their favorite restaurant, along with their engaging conversation, seemed like a deliberate plan to win her over. This was something Carl had never done for any other she–wolf. The words uttered by Carl, expressing his deep affection for Bella, echoed in Xavier’s mind and stirred deep feelings of heartache.
Despite Bella’s indifference towards Carl, her focused gaze and controlled demeanor were not signs of submissive behavior towards an alpha. They showcased her resilience. Witnessing her strength softened Xavier’s anger, leaving behind only sadness and regret.
A fleeting thought crossed Xavier’s mind, finding amusement in Bella’s ability to maintain her grace and dignity under pressure, always leaving the men in her life, including himself, wanting more.
As Xavier glanced at Bella once again, Samantha followed his gaze. Realizing who he was looking at, she smiled knowingly.
“Xavier,” Samantha murmured, drawing his attention back to her. “You seem lost today. Is everything
alright?”
Torn between his painful past and the pleasant present, Xavier managed a weak smile in response. “Yes, Samantha, everything is fine,” he falsely claimed, his eyes betraying the turmoil he felt within.
Bella Moonshadow, his former Luna, sat right across from him, under the affectionate gaze of another alpha, and he felt helpless. This was a situation he never envisioned himself in. Life had a strange way of circling back around.
Bella found herself at the center of Alpha Xavier’s intense scrutiny, causing a mix of dread and bittersweet satisfaction to flutter in her heart. Despite her best efforts, memories from their past relationship resurfaced with startling clarity. However, she resolved to keep her focus on Alpha Carl, the seemingly friendly wolf in front of her.
Their dishes arrived, interrupting Bella’s thoughts. A tear escaped her eye when she saw the Moonlight Shrimp Skewers, a dish that held countless memories of her and Xavier. She quickly wiped away the tear, hoping Carl hadn’t noticed. But the discerning wolf seemed aware that something was amiss. Anticipating his questions, Bella prepared herself.
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12:36 Sat, Mar
Chapter 12
Bella, do these skewers remind you of Him? Cart’s mice arka tirsing Ballies spring toge
Forcing a smile, she replied, Alpha Carl Fam here as your sachet me sahne & were don’t let personal emotions infarfars with our professional rating
Carl nodded, his eyes holding a hint of mopart and dragged the flight. He
Herock charge conversation, regaling Balla with stories about the park engine this sectional dances de lo the conversation remained light, providing some distraction from the pain of the nea
g
Bella’s wolf self longed to steal glances at Xavier, carious to safe was happy with Cements as they had once been But she resisted, refusing to give other of them the sarisfaction the waterbou to the present moment, finding support in the wolf beside her
As the meal came to an end, Bella excused herself, fabricating andsuse about wasting her sec uncle. A warm smile from Carl, filled with understanding warmed her heart
Carl’s concept of a united pack, mirroring Human society made him stand out among other acha lexes It made Bella realize why he was highly regarded in the werewolf community it also made me wonder things had turned out the way they did.
Walking away from the restaurant, Bella’s heart ached, reminding her of the longing the samed Seeing Xavier sharing intimate moments with another she wolf in their special place stined a me of emptore whim
her.
As painful as it was, life moved on, and so must she. Embracing this reality Bela walked into the evening twilight. The bitter chill of the wind mirrored the howling wolf within her, but she accepted the harm th Xavier was no longer a part of her life, but a character in a chapter that was firmly closed
Embracing this reality, she walked away–away from the restaurant, away from Xavier Samantha, and the painful memories they evoked. However, if there was any consolation, it was the respect and friendship of an unexpected wolf like Carl.
