Two Weeks After Belle's Arrival
After spending two entire weeks confined mostly within the Pack Residence, allowed only to wander the halls with very little else to occupy her time, Alpha Conrad and Luna Caroline finally decided that she had settled in enough. They felt it was time for her to see the City and meet other children her age before she officially started classes at Highland High. Belle silently thanked the Moon Goddess, because honestly, she felt like she was slowly going mad staring at the same four walls day in and day out.
At the very least, she had learned how to avoid Drake for most of the day, only having to endure his presence during meal times. She thought she was doing well enough, until the Luna took her into town. As kind-hearted as the woman was, she unfortunately led Belle straight into the company of Drake and his group of friends. While the Luna happily introduced her to the boys gathered around her son—the future Alpha—Drake said nothing. Instead, he simply stood there, glaring daggers at her with eyes that looked sharp enough to cut.
The moment she was able to gently steer the Luna away from them, she did so, but not before enduring what felt like an eternity of awkward small talk. It was agonizing trying to act normal while avoiding his gaze, knowing full well the hatred and anger radiating from him. It wasn't until they had walked a good distance away that Belle finally felt like she could take a proper breath again. Once the Luna had shown her every corner and shop of the City, she gave Belle permission to wander around on her own.
"Enjoy yourself, sweetheart," Luna Carolinedeclared warmly. "There is plenty of money loaded onto this card if you wish to purchase anything from the stores. Our contact numbers are already saved in the phone we provided you. Once you are fully accepted into the pack, you will be able to mindlink everyone else as well." She pulled Belle into a gentle hug. Since Belle was already quite tall for her age, she was only slightly shorter than the Luna, which caused her hair to catch uncomfortably on the Luna's earrings as they pulled apart.
"I promise I shall return before dinner," Belle assured her, stepping away and heading back toward the residence. Her eyes had spotted a small trail leading away near the end of the driveway, and her curiosity was burning to see where it led. She wasted no time hurrying down the path, where the sharp, fresh scent of pine and evergreen trees filled her lungs, slowly masking her own presence and making her feel invisible.
Determined to see where the path ended, she kept walking until the trees finally opened up. Before her lay a vast Ground covered in the most brilliant, lush green she had ever laid eyes on—a color that spoke of rich, healthy soil. Tiny wildflowers dotted the landscape, their bright yellow petals glowing under the afternoon sun, and they swayed gently as a soft breeze swept across the open space.
Just as she took a step forward to enter the clearing, she heard the sharp snap of a twig behind her, followed by the sound of voices drawing near. Not wanting to be discovered, she quickly scanned the area and spotted a sturdy tree with low-hanging branches. She hauled herself up, her palms scraping slightly against the rough bark as she climbed higher to hide among the leaves. From her perch, she waited and watched as the group of boys walked along the path below. As they came closer, she recognized one voice immediately.
"Come on," Marvinbegged, his tone impatient and whiny. "Spill it already. Tell us more about that new girl, Belle."
Alvininterjected confidently, "My mother revealed that she is an Omega orphan hailing from a distant pack."
"I couldn't care less where she originated," Marvin snapped back, his eyes lighting up. "She is absolutely stunning."
Drake remained completely silent as they passed directly beneath her hiding spot. However, he suddenly halted in his tracks and lifted his head, sniffing the air suspiciously as his eyes scanned the surrounding trees. Belle's heart hammered against her ribs, and she held her breath so tightly her lungs began to burn, afraid that even the slightest sound would give her away. After a moment of searching and finding nothing out of the ordinary, he eventually continued forward.
"Seriously, Drake," Marvin pressed, oblivious to the dark mood settling over his friend. "Give me the details so I can stake my claim before anyone else in the pack gets ideas. Have you even seen how adorable she is? Just imagine how breathtaking she will blossom into when she matures!"
He rambled on, completely missing the lethal expression hardening on Drake's face. Marvin was just about to add something else when a deep, dangerous growl erupted from Drake's throat. The sound was so powerful it seemed to vibrate through the ground and up the very tree Belle was sitting in, causing her to lose her balance for a second. She immediately clutched the trunk tightly to keep from falling.
In the blink of an eye, DrakesnatchedMarvin by the throat, his grip turning into an iron vice that crushed the air from his lungs. He hoisted him effortlessly into the air, holding him suspended as Marvin's face darkened and turned a sickly shade of blue, his body twitching helplessly.
"NEVER approach Belle," Drake snarled, his voice dropping to a terrifying, guttural rumble. His eyes had become bottomless black pits, void of any emotion. "Do not dare speak to her. She is not some trophy for you to seize or claim. I swear to you both—if I catch either of you addressing her without my explicit order, you will plead for me to end your misery. Do you understand?"
He didn't need to shout; the deadly aura radiating from him was enough to freeze the blood in their veins.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" Drake bellowed, slamming Marvin's face inches from his own. A strangled, wheezing sound of agreement finally escaped the boy's lips before Drake hurled him downwards. Marvin crashed heavily onto the dirt, gasping and choking for air.
Instantly, that terrifying gaze snapped toward Alvin, piercing him with unspoken demand. Alvin jerked his head up and down frantically, yielding completely to the harsh laws Drake had just imposed.
Satisfied, Drake shouldered violently past him and strode back toward the driveway, leaving destruction in his wake. Alvin scurried instantly to his friend, yanking the coughing boy upright before they both scrabbled to follow their future Alpha.
High above, Belle remained frozen in place, her limbs locked solid as stone. Her arms were still clamped tightly around the tree trunk, her mind reeling as she tried to decipher the terrifying meaning behind Drake's words and the savage possessiveness that had driven him to such violence.