The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 7

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**
**Chapter 7**

**Bella**

Five years had slipped by since the day I walked out of my father’s house, suitcase in hand and a bruise on my cheek that throbbed with every heartbeat. The journey had not been smooth; it had been a struggle at every turn, but somehow, I had made it through. More than just surviving, I had managed to create something uniquely mine.

With the scant cash I had managed to save, I began my venture on a modest scale. I purchased vibrant fabrics, sewing late into the night, crafting delicate lingerie pieces that I sold at local markets. Back in my father’s fashion house, I had often fantasized about branching into lingerie, captivated by its allure and potential.

The work was grueling, yet slowly and surely, women began to return, drawn in by the comfort and beauty my creations offered. Over the years, I had opened a quaint little boutique on a quiet street in Dallas. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was a space I could call my own. Now, my shop buzzed with activity, and I finally felt the time had come to take a leap and expand.

One crisp morning, as I sipped my coffee and perused the newspaper, an advertisement leaped out at me. “Phoenix Mall is inviting new businesses to open shops in its malls. Applications now open. Selected brands will receive premium spots in one of the most elite chains in the country.”

My heart skipped a beat. Phoenix Mall. Getting a foot in the door was notoriously difficult. They only accepted the crème de la crème, the best of the best. This advertisement was a rare gem, as such opportunities rarely came up. Perhaps the management was looking to shake things up a bit?

If I could secure even a modest corner in one of their malls, it could transform my business overnight. This was a dream opportunity, and I felt an urgent need to seize it. That evening, I returned home from the boutique, fatigue weighing on my shoulders, yet hope bubbled within me. As soon as I stepped inside, the sound of laughter filled the air, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. My twins came barreling toward me.

“Mommy!”

I bent down just in time to catch both of them in my arms, their little bodies colliding with mine. Ryan and Emma were four years old, bursting with energy and joy. They were my everything. Their cheeks glowed with the flush of play, and their bright eyes sparkled with excitement. It amazed me how quickly they were growing, their intelligence shining through in every interaction. Ryan was already a force to be reckoned with, racing ahead of boys older than him, while Emma, sharp and observant, absorbed everything around her like a sponge. Though Ryan had dark hair and deep-set eyes, Emma mirrored me in appearance.

I recalled the moment I discovered I was pregnant with them; it had been a shock, an unexpected twist in my life’s story. Yet, I embraced the challenge. How could I ever consider ending the lives of my little ones? They were a part of me, and it didn’t matter that their father was oblivious to their existence. I vowed to do whatever it took to raise them, to protect them from the world, even if it meant keeping their father in the dark.

I pressed kisses onto the tops of their heads, pulling them close. “Did you miss me today?”

“Yes!” Emma exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “Nancy played with us, but we want you!”

A smile spread across my face as I glanced at Nancy, the woman who had become my lifeline over the years. In her fifties, she radiated warmth and kindness, yet she possessed a fierce strength when it was necessary. I had found her on an online platform when the twins were just a few months old, and I couldn’t believe my luck. Nancy was more than just a nanny; she had become family. She had fiercely protected my twins, standing by me on nights when I felt I could no longer go on.

“Did they behave themselves?” I asked, a playful glint in my eye.

The application hall was already brimming with people when we arrived. I surveyed the room, my heart sinking. There were individuals clad in expensive suits, polished shoes glinting under the fluorescent lights, men and women representing established brands, each clutching thick folders that spoke of their extensive experience. I stood at the back with my humble folder, suddenly feeling minuscule in comparison.

Nervously, I filled out the forms, my hands trembling slightly as I handed in my proposal at the reception desk, along with a $10,000 refundable deposit. If I was shortlisted, that deposit would be lost.

The woman at the desk barely glanced at me, stacking my file atop the others with a dismissive air. “You can check the results online on the mall’s website,” she said, her tone indicating I was no longer of interest.

I hurried back to the hotel, my heart heavy. By the time I reached my room, the small flame of hope I had clung to flickered dangerously close to extinguishing. This city always had a way of making me feel insignificant. I thought of my father, wondering how he was doing, and briefly considered calling him, but I quickly dismissed the thought. To him, I was a ghost, a memory he wished to forget.

When I opened the door, Ryan and Emma rushed toward me, eager to show off their colorful drawings created on the hotel notepads. I hugged them tightly, forcing a smile for their sake, but inside, doubt gnawed at me like a relentless beast.

That night, as I lay awake staring at the ceiling, I whispered to myself, “What was I thinking?” Competing with those big names seemed futile. My boutique felt too small, too obscure. There was no way Phoenix Mall would ever choose me.

In that moment of despair, I resolved that in the morning, I would withdraw my application and the money. I would pack our things and return to Dallas. My children needed me, and my business, while modest, was enough. I promised myself I would never set foot in New York again. How could I have been so naive?