The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (Bella and scott) novel Chapter 98

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

**Chapter 98**

**Bella**

As I stepped out of the bedroom, a sudden awareness washed over me—something was amiss. The air crackled with a tension that suggested I was not alone.

Millie stood in the living area, her excitement barely contained. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her chest, and her eyes sparkled with an infectious enthusiasm that was hard to ignore.

However, it was Troy’s presence that truly halted me in my tracks. He was there too, and the expression on his face sent a jolt of apprehension through me. His jaw was set tight, shoulders squared, and his eyes blazed with an intensity that could ignite a fire. It was as if someone had deeply offended his lineage, and he was prepared to defend it with a ferocity that left me momentarily speechless.

For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I had unwittingly triggered yet another crisis, but before I could dwell on that thought, he strode toward me with determined strides that echoed his urgency.

When he reached me, his frustration erupted like a volcano. “What were you thinking?” he demanded, his voice a tempest of panic and anger. “Do you have any idea how reckless that was? Venturing into the forest alone? Without any protection? Without informing anyone?”

I blinked, unfazed by his outburst. “Good morning to you too, Troy,” I replied, my tone light.

But he was relentless. “I am the Alpha of this pack,” he continued, his voice rising in pitch, reverberating with authority. “Your safety is my responsibility. If anything had happened to you, it would have weighed heavily on my conscience. My failure.” His chest heaved as he took a deep breath, the gravity of his words hanging in the air. “And because I failed to prevent this, I will be stepping down.”

Millie gasped softly, her surprise palpable.

I stared at him, my gaze unwavering. For what felt like an eternity, I simply looked at him, processing the weight of his declaration. Then, rubbing my forehead in exasperation, I sighed. “Is everyone in this pack this dramatic, or is it just a prerequisite for leadership?”

Millie stifled a laugh, quickly transforming it into a cough.

Troy’s jaw tightened further, his irritation palpable. “This is not a joke.”

“I know,” I replied, maintaining my calm demeanor, even as my lips threatened to curl into a smile. “But let’s recap the situation. I went into the forest, found Scott, and brought him back. Everyone is alive, and the forest is… well, mostly still standing.” I waved my hand dismissively, as if to brush away the concern. “All’s well that ends well.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but I stepped closer, placing a finger gently against his chest. “And you are not stepping down. Ever. You didn’t fail me. I made the choice to act. I had to bring your king back from the brink of madness that I inadvertently caused. I had to bring my mate back. So… that’s a win in my book.”

His fierce glare wavered, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “You could have died,” he snapped, his voice barely concealing the worry that lay beneath.

“But I didn’t,” I countered, my voice steady. “And I was fully aware of what I was doing.” Troy looked as if he was about to launch into another argument, but I gently interrupted him. “You didn’t fail me. You protected me to the best of your ability. And if you ever think about resigning over something like this again, I’ll personally assign you to flower-arranging duty for every wedding in the pack.”

Millie snorted, unable to contain her amusement.

I leaned back, satisfied with my small victory. “See? Crisis resolved.”

Despite himself, Troy’s lips twitched, the corners of his mouth betraying a hint of a smile. Finally, he let out a sharp exhale and turned his face away. But when he looked back, the faintest trace of a smile lingered, and he cleared his throat, bowing his head slightly. “As you command, my Queen.”

“Good,” I said, waving him off with a playful gesture. “Now go be useful. There’s a wedding tomorrow.”

With a reluctant smile, he shook his head before departing.

I clapped my hands together, feeling a surge of excitement. “Great! Now that we’ve wrapped up the guilt spiral, Millie—take me wedding dress shopping!”

Millie squealed, her voice ringing with joy, so loud I half-expected the wolves outside to hear her. “Oh my goddess, finally! I know exactly where to take you!”

“I’ll be right back,” I said, turning toward the bedroom, but paused to glance back at Troy. “You should probably go prepare for the wedding. It’s tomorrow, after all.”

He shook his head, now smiling openly. “Scott already told me.”

I frowned, curiosity piqued. “How?”

“Wolves can mind-link,” Troy replied casually.

That revelation caught my attention immediately. “Wait—so you can communicate without phones?”

“Yes,” he confirmed.

As evening descended, the pack buzzed with excitement, the air thick with anticipation. Later, Millie insisted on manicures and pedicures, a pre-wedding tradition. But as night fell and Scott still hadn’t returned, a wave of anxiety settled deep in my chest.

My worry sharpened as I approached Chidy, who was busy preparing dinner while Nancy chatted with her in the kitchen. “Why hasn’t he come?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.

That was when Nancy calmly interjected, “He won’t be meeting you tonight.”

“What?” I exclaimed, disbelief flooding my voice.

She smiled serenely, her demeanor calm. “It’s tradition, Bella. No groom sees his bride the day before the wedding.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I shot back, frustration bubbling within me.

“So is destiny,” she replied, her eyes softening with affection. “Your mother would have done the same.”

Her words silenced me, the weight of her sentiment pressing down. But just then, a deafening roar echoed through the air outside, shaking the very walls of the house.

Millie rolled her eyes, entering the kitchen with a knowing smile. “Our King is throwing a tantrum. He says he’ll kill the witch if she doesn’t allow him to meet his bride.”

I walked into the living room, my cheeks flushing as another roar rattled the doors and windows. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone, dialing his number. He picked up on the first ring.

“Bella,” Scott’s voice came through, raw and filled with frustration.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, baby,” I said softly.

He growled low in his throat. “I don’t like this.”

“I know. Nancy is doing it for my mom,” I whispered, trying to soothe him. “But I love you.”

A heavy silence followed, and then he replied in a softer tone, “I love you too. Can’t wait to see you.”