chapter 4

When they got home, Ryan went to park the car while Bella stepped inside. On the couch sat Liliana, curled up in her silk nightgown, popping berries into her mouth.

Bella froze for a second, then said flatly, "Didn't you say you had a social party tonight? Said you wouldn't be home?"

Liliana gave a fake little smile, pretending to be shy. "Oh, Bella, I didn't mention, huh? I got into a fight with my boyfriend, so I went out just to annoy him.

"He didn't really care when I told him, but the moment I showed up at the party, he came in angry and dragged me out."

As she spoke, she slid her collar down to show off a bunch of hickeys and gave Bella a teasing look.

"I honestly didn't think he'd get that jealous—we ended up making love in the car three times."

Bella's fingers curled so hard her nails bit into her palm. Pain shot up her arm.

She forced a breath. "Since when do you even have a boyfriend? You've never said a word about him."

Liliana looked up with a casual smile. "Oh, just three months ago."

It had been exactly three months since Liliana moved into Riverstone Villa—and that was when Ryan started skipping nights at home.

So, they'd actually been together from the very first day she moved in.

Bella's breath quickened, and just as she was about to say something, a pair of strong hands grabbed her shoulders from behind.

Ryan stepped in, his voice soft, "Bella, you've had a rough day. I'll get a herbal bath ready for you—why don't you freshen up and try to get some rest?"

He gently nudged her toward the bathroom.

Just as she was about to take off her clothes and wash away the day's stress, she realized she'd forgotten a fresh set of clothes.

When she swung the door open, her eyes caught a scene that made her heart stop.

Ryan had Liliana pinned on the sofa, his wolf-like hands roughly pulling at her fur dress, his fangs brushing against her neck.

Liliana's fingers were tangled in his hair, tracing along his back, her voice low and teasing. "Ah ... take it easy. Bella's still in the shower ... wasn't this morning in the car enough?"

Ryan gripped her even tighter, and her breathy moans started to mix with little sobs.

"Shut up. Next time you even think about going to a social party, I'm locking you up!"

Liliana smirked, then, as if noticing something, she lifted her eyes seductively, casting a teasing glance at Bella, frozen in the doorway.

"Fine ... I won't. I'm all yours, okay? My jealous king."

Bella couldn't take it. She snatched her clothes, slammed the bathroom door, and sank into the tub.

The image kept replaying in her mind.

She thought back five years ago, on their honeymoon. She had only glanced at a patrolling werewolf, and Ryan's face had darkened instantly.

He locked her in their treehouse for seven days. Only when she cried and promised to only look at him did he finally unlock the door.

His eyes had been bloodshot when he held her then. "Bella, I can give you everything. Don't look at anyone else. Don't ever leave me."

She had promised, over and over, until his jealousy eased.

From that day, she never dared look at another man.

And now, for Liliana, he was just as crazed.

Bella poked her head out of the water and took a deep breath.

By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, the room was empty except for Ryan.

On the table sat sliced fruit and a steaming cup of chamomile tea.

When he saw her, he quickly offered it with a soft, caring smile. "I checked the calendar—you're about to start your period. I made this chamomile tea for you. Drink it; it should help with the pain."

Bella wrapped her fingers around the warm cup—but her heart stayed cold.

How could he act so perfectly caring?

One moment in another woman's arms, the next playing the doting partner.

The question gnawed at her all night.

Near dawn, just as she started to drift off, Ryan jolted awake.

"Bella!"

He sat up, panic in his eyes, searching the bed until he found her. Then he pulled her against him, shaking.

"Don't leave me, Bella!"

She stiffened. "What happened?"

"I dreamed you were gone." His voice cracked, his eyes rimmed red. "Thank God it was just a dream. I can't lose you."

Bella bit her lip. She almost told him then.

She would be gone soon.

Maybe it was because of that dream, but the next day, Ryan was determined to take Bella with him to the pack council hall.

Bella didn't want to, but he kept pleading.

Not wanting to argue forever, she finally gave in and went with him.

The stone walls of the council hall were plastered with pictures of Bella—her being chased by wolf pups the first time she stepped into the territory, her sitting by the campfire nibbling on roasted meat, and even her sleeping face, captured in photos Ryan had secretly taken.

"These pictures keep a lot of trouble away," Ryan said, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her head.

"There are always some clueless Omegas in the pack trying to get close. Seeing these, they should get the hint—you're mine."

Bella stared at the photos of her laughing brightly and felt a sudden distance from them. Back then, she had really believed his words, "One life, one true mate."

The Beta assistant knocked and stepped in, reminding Ryan it was time for the meeting. With a reluctant sigh, he pressed a quick kiss to her neck. "Wait here for me. I'll be back soon."

Bella wandered the council hall alone, feeling suffocated.

Around noon, Bella's human wrist communicator buzzed. It was the registrar from the border station. "Ms. Winthrop, we need your signature for the pack exit registration."

She was about to reply when a deep, commanding growl erupted from behind, carrying the unmistakable weight of an Alpha. "What registration?!"