The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 12

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**
**Chapter 12**

Bella

I squinted, a surge of defiance rising within me. “I have no intentions of—”

“Fifty-five vouchers,” Maya interjected, her voice dripping with disdain.

Before I could respond, Craig cut through the tension like a knife. “Maya,” he hissed, glancing around nervously. “Keep your voice down. We’ve been shortlisted, and we can’t afford to act like runaway criminals!” His eyes shifted to me, a mixture of frustration and pity. “Just leave before you embarrass us further. I’m sorry, but if you think I’m taking you back now, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“Yes, Craig is mine! Leave New York and never show your face again!” Maya spat, her words sharp as daggers. “Otherwise, we will tell Scott everything—how you abandoned us and how Daddy got sick!”

My heart plummeted at her words, a sickening dread washing over me. “What?” I stammered, horrified. “Daddy got—” Tears threatened to spill, blurring my vision.

“Shut up!” she growled, her voice low and venomous. “Just fucking leave New York!”

Her venomous words stung, but the revelation about Daddy cut deeper. Against my will, tears streamed down my cheeks.

“What a drama queen!” Maya sneered, her expression twisted with malice. In a swift, cruel motion, she lunged at me, splashing her drink across my face.

I gasped, the cold wine soaking into my coat, staining the fabric a deep crimson.

“This is no place for the homeless and traitors!” she declared, her voice echoing through the hall.

Heat surged to my cheeks, shame washing over me as I felt the eyes of the crowd turn our way, their glances filled with judgment. My confidence, already teetering on the brink, shattered completely. I longed to vanish into thin air, but my hands trembled uncontrollably, betraying my desperation.

“What’s going on here?” Scott’s voice thundered from behind, and I felt his gaze lock onto me like a spotlight. My heart raced as his eyes fell to my ruined coat, his expression darkening. He strode toward me, an intensity radiating from him that made my insides twist.

“Mr. Scott!” Maya chirped, her voice rising an octave too high, flirting with desperation.

“And who are you?” he asked, his tone clipped and dismissive.

Maya recoiled slightly, taken aback. “I’m Maya,” she replied, regaining her composure. “And this is Craig. We’ve been shortlisted by you. My father, Jared Williams, owns Jade Fashion, and we’re here to represent him. Don’t you remember?” Her hopeful smile faltered as she awaited his recognition.

“No,” he replied coldly, his eyes narrowing. He ran a finger over the fabric of my coat, as if assessing the damage. “This coat is bespoke. Handmade by New York’s finest designer. And you’ve ruined it.”

Maya’s confidence wavered, her smile flickering like a dying flame. “I-I didn’t know it was yours, Mr. Moore. B-but I wanted to inform you about this girl here. She doesn’t belong to this society. Bella is a fraud—”

He interrupted her with a sharpness that silenced the room. “I’ll have the coat sent to you tomorrow, along with the bill. Thirty-five thousand dollars. You can keep it forever.”

Maya’s face drained of color, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “What?”

“You heard me,” Scott stated, his voice a harsh whisper. “You better pay that money, or I’ll be reconsidering your application.”

Nancy regarded me with a look of sadness, her eyes filled with unspoken concern. She didn’t argue, merely nodded and left to get some rest.

That night, sleep eluded me as I tossed and turned, my mind replaying the encounter with Scott over and over. There was an undeniable spark between us, a connection that made me feel alive, as if I belonged to him and no one else. He had disrupted everything, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. And when he had kissed me, even in the midst of chaos, my body had responded with an urgency that left me breathless. Before I knew it, my hand found its way between my thighs, my fingers slipping inside. “Ah!” I gasped, the sound escaping my lips before I could stifle it.

The next morning, I awoke with a start, my eyes heavy with remnants of vivid dreams—of strange wolf-like creatures and a breathtaking man with golden eyes, a striking resemblance to Scott.

I shook my head, trying to dispel those thoughts as I took a long, hot bath, hoping to cleanse my mind. After dressing, I found Nancy and the kids ready to leave. Together, we made our way downstairs for checkout.

“Take the kids to the children’s garden over there,” I instructed Nancy as I approached the checkout desk. As she led them away, I inhaled deeply, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders at the thought of finally leaving New York behind.

Before standing in line, I wandered over to the newsstand to grab a newspaper, only to feel the stares of strangers upon me. How peculiar. Ignoring them, I began to read, my heart racing when I reached page three.

The headline screamed at me:

*Miss Bella Williams shortlisted by Phoenix Malls for special promotion.*

A detailed article accompanied it, featuring a photo of me alongside Scott. “Shit!” I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief. “No, no, not this!”

I lifted my gaze, only to find Scott watching me from a distance, his expression unreadable.