The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 19

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**
**Chapter 19**

**Bella**

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A gasp escaped my lips as I instinctively recoiled from Scott’s touch, a wave of shivers coursing through me. My fingers curled into a tight fist, a desperate attempt to maintain my composure and fend off the dizzying attraction that crackled between us like electricity. In that moment, I found myself silently pleading to the universe, “Please, let this be over soon.”

As I stepped back, I caught a glimpse of Scott’s smug grin, the kind of smile that suggested he was fully aware of the effect he had on me. He reached out, cupping my face, his thumb brushing gently against my cheek, igniting a warmth that spread through my entire being. “I love when you blush for me,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. I opened my mouth to protest but he merely nodded toward the conference table positioned by the window. “Come. We’ll go through the plan. I promise, I’m not just here to seduce you.”

“I’m not seduced,” I muttered under my breath as we made our way to the table. He flipped open a binder and slid a page toward me, revealing a meticulously organized array of timelines, potential locations, contractor lists, and brand guidelines. I couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly he had compiled such a comprehensive plan. I skimmed through the pages, my mind racing as I formulated questions, jotting down notes with urgency. He observed me intently, his silence a testament to his respect for my process.

“Floor options?” I inquired, my pen poised over the notepad.

“Two,” he replied confidently. “Both are premium. One option boasts higher foot traffic, while the other offers greater privacy. The choice is yours.”

“Both,” I declared without hesitation, surprising even myself with my decisiveness.

He made a note of my choice without further comment. “Launch window?”

“Four weeks,” I stated, the words spilling from my lips as if I had already envisioned the timeline in my mind. For the next three hours, we delved into the details with a rhythm that felt almost natural. For the first time, I sat across from him and felt… valued. It was as if he recognized me as more than just a woman he sought to ensnare. When we finally reached the marketing strategy, he set his pen down, his expression shifting to one of genuine admiration.

“You’re good at this,” he said, a hint of sincerity in his voice.

“Thanks,” I replied, heat flooding my cheeks at the unexpected compliment.

“I need to get back to the hotel,” I said, closing the binder with a decisive snap. “My children are waiting for me.”

He nodded, his expression turning serious. “I’ll have a car take you.”

“I can take a cab,” I countered, trying to assert my independence.

“No,” he responded, his tone sharper than I anticipated. “From now on, you will have a car and a driver.”

“It’s not necessary—”

“No arguments, Bella!” he nearly growled, his possessiveness evident. Why was he so insistent? What was it about me that drew his attention amidst all the other women in the world?

He swung open the door, and the secretary looked up, her eyes widening in surprise at our presence before she quickly returned her focus to her screen. Scott and I stepped into the elevator, the tension between us palpable as it descended.

Outside, Scott’s driver—a kindly older gentleman with a warm smile—was already waiting by the car. Had he arrived so soon?

“Ms. Williams,” he greeted, taking my folders with a gentle touch.

Her voice turned venomous. “If you don’t leave, Bella, I will ensure you regret it for the rest of your life. I could even have you imprisoned for embezzling funds from Jade Fashion House.”

Straightening my spine, I shot back, “You can try whatever you like. I have no intention of returning to that family or listening to your threats. And as far as I’m concerned, it was you and Craig who were embezzling!”

“You wench!” she screeched, her voice rising in fury. “If you don’t leave, I’ll make sure your twins end up in orphanages. They’ll never see the light of day again.”

My grip on the phone tightened painfully, my knuckles turning white as fear surged through me, quickly followed by a tide of anger. “You stay away from my children,” I warned, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. “If you dare come near them, you’ll have to go through me first.”

Maya’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “That’s the plan.”

For a moment, I was rendered speechless, the weight of her threat hanging in the air like a dark cloud. I ended the call and swiftly blocked her number, my heart pounding in my chest. I rubbed my face with both hands, attempting to quell the rising tide of panic. My driver caught my eye in the rearview mirror, concern etched across his kind features, but I turned away, not wanting to reveal my turmoil.

I couldn’t remain in this hotel any longer; it felt like a trap closing in around me. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through listings for houses or apartments. One small house on the outskirts of the city caught my eye. It looked inviting—clean, simple, and far removed from the chaos of crowded streets. Best of all, it was available for immediate occupancy.

I called the agent and arranged to view it that evening. Once the driver dropped me off at the hotel, I didn’t even step inside. Instead, I called another cab, climbing in and giving the driver the address of the house.

As the city slipped past my window, I couldn’t shake Maya’s threat from my mind. Her words echoed ominously, a warning I couldn’t afford to ignore. No matter what happened, I was resolute in my determination to protect Emma and Ryan. The house was perfect, nestled among tall pine trees, a sanctuary away from prying eyes. After a brief negotiation, I handed over the deposit to the owner, who beamed with delight at leasing his property so quickly.

“I’ll have it cleaned by morning and ready for you,” he promised eagerly.

“No, I’ll be moving in right away,” I replied firmly. “You can send the papers tomorrow.”