The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (Bella and scott) novel Chapter 57

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**
**Chapter 57**

**Scott**

As I entered the twins’ room, I spotted Bella perched delicately on the edge of their small bed. She was lovingly feeding them, one bite at a time, while weaving a gentle tale in a soft, soothing voice. The twins, with their wide, silent eyes, were captivated by her presence. They weren’t speaking a word, their little mouths busy chewing each spoonful as if it were a monumental task. In that moment, I realized they were trying their hardest to be good, sensing the weight of their mother’s distress. A tightness gripped my chest; an overwhelming urge surged within me to gather all three of them into my arms and reassure them that I was there, that no harm would come to them.

I chose not to interrupt this tender moment. Instead, I quietly set the plate I had brought on the dresser in her room down the hall and made my way back to where Bella was with the twins. When she finally looked up and noticed me standing in the doorway, a flicker of surprise momentarily illuminated her face, only to be swiftly replaced by a flash of anger. She didn’t utter a word; instead, she clenched her teeth and turned her head away, as if to shield herself from my presence. I felt a pang in my heart but knew better than to press her. I went to her room, placed the food tray on the table, and then re-entered the sanctuary of the kids’ room, where Bella was gently coaxing them toward sleep.

“Let me help,” I offered, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, though the warmth was absent from her response. I took a napkin and carefully wiped Ryan’s chin, feeling the soft texture of his skin beneath my fingers. Then, I lifted Emma and placed her gently on her pillow. Their faces lit up at the sight of me, a joy that hit me like a wave each time. I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial hush.

“Big day today,” I remarked. “Are you feeling tired?”

Ryan nodded, his little brow furrowing slightly. “A little,” he admitted, his voice barely audible.

Bella smoothed the blanket over Ryan, planting a tender kiss on his forehead, her soothing words wrapping around him like a warm embrace as she urged him to drift off to sleep.

I tucked Emma’s blanket snugly under her feet and pressed a soft kiss into her hair. She blinked up at me, her eyes wide and innocent. “Will you leave us?” Emma whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of worry.

I stroked her hair gently, feeling my heart tighten at her question. “No,” I promised. “I will never leave you.”

But as I spoke, I could feel Bella’s gaze piercing through me. When I glanced up, I noticed her jaw was clenched, a clear indication that she didn’t believe my words. The realization stung deeply; how could I bridge the growing chasm between us? It felt as though the distance was expanding, pulling us further apart.

Once the twins had curled into their pillows, I reached for the night lamp and switched it off, casting the room into a soft darkness as we stepped out together.

In her room, Bella immediately distanced herself from me, creating an invisible barrier between us. I closed the door behind us, feeling a surge of urgency. My instincts took over, and I crossed the room, wrapping my arms around her from behind, desperate for connection.

“I’m truly sorry about Elder Cass,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “He crossed a line, and I promise you, I will ensure this does not happen again.”

With a sudden jerk, she wrenched my hands away and turned to face me. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she attempted to wipe them away, but they kept falling, each drop a dagger to my heart.

Rage surged within me, hot and fierce. I wanted to tear that check apart and find Cass, forcing him to swallow the remnants. “I will deal with him,” I muttered, my voice low and filled with resolve.

Bella glanced down at the check, and for a fleeting moment, my heart raced, caught in the grip of fear. What would she do? Would she accept it? Would she leave us behind? The thought struck me hard enough to make me stagger. But then, in a surprising act of defiance, she tore the check down the middle, then again, and again. She approached me, opened my hand, and dropped the shredded pieces into my palm.

“Give this back to him,” she commanded. “Tell him this is my answer.”

A wave of relief washed over me, and I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath. I dropped the remnants on the dresser, then pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly against me. “Thank you,” I murmured into her hair, knowing that I would return those pieces to Cass, even if it meant making her an enemy of the Elders.

I cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears with my thumb. “Don’t doubt my intentions, Bella,” I implored, hoping to instill some faith in her without revealing too much. “I’m waiting for the right moment to speak to my people. I don’t want chaos to touch you. That’s the only reason I’ve held back.”

She stepped back, sitting on the edge of the bed, frustration radiating from her. “Who are your people?” she demanded, her voice tinged with urgency. “Just tell me that much.”

I inhaled deeply, knowing this was the hardest part of all. But her brave actions spoke volumes, indicating that she was taking her first step toward understanding me.

“Okay…”