BELLA
When I looked at myself in the mirror—despite the fact that mirrors now gave me full-blown PTSD—I almost didn't recognize the person staring back. For the first time in my life, I couldn't find the right word.
Beautiful felt too small.
Those women really did magic on me. I just stood there, staring, mouth slightly open. Long ginger hair falling down my back. Hazel eyes shining. Lips soft and full.
I looked… unreal.
Yeah. I knew it.
And even though I didn't want to admit it, I wanted him to see me like this.
That man.
Or wolf.
Or whatever he was.
Honestly, who cared?
My mind kept saying, I don't care what he thinks.
But my body was a traitor.
My heart was jumping. My stomach felt funny. I kept wondering if his jaw would drop or if his eyes would pop out when he saw me.
Pathetic.
Very pathetic.
The maids led me back to his room.
With every step, my heart beat faster. Like a drum. Loud. Wild. I wanted it to stop, but it didn't. Butterflies filled my stomach—too many of them.
I was nervous. Way too nervous.
And I didn't even know why.
Maybe it was because I was human. Maybe that's how humans feel around werewolves. Maybe it was just nature doing its thing.
Nothing special.
Yeah. Sure.
As we reached the door, my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
The door was open.
I walked in.
And there they were—him and that witch—locked in a tight embrace.
Anger exploded in my chest, hot and uncontrollable.
The words tore out of me.
"What the hell is going on here?"
"Bella!" he snapped, shoving her away and breaking the embrace at once.
And yes—when his eyes landed on me, I got exactly the reaction I wanted. Shock. Guilt. And totally captivated.
But it didn't matter anymore.
Because right then, reality slapped me hard—men really were idiots.
"Oh, we meet again," Clara said sweetly, her smile polished and poisonous.
Logan stepped toward me. "I guess I haven't introduced you two."
He gestured between us. "Bella, meet my best friend—and cousin—Clara. Clara, this is Bella."
Then, as if he hadn't already set fire to the room, he added, "The second most important woman in my life."
Second?
Interesting.
"Bella, it's nice to meet you," Clara said, smiling way too nicely.
Why was she smiling at me like that?
I knew this type of woman. Fake sweet. The kind that stings you when you relax. Like a scorpion.
She stepped closer. "You look beautiful," she said, then turned to Logan. "You're very lucky."
I almost laughed.
If she thought I was buying whatever she was selling, then she clearly didn't know who she was dealing with.
She reached out to touch me.
I stepped back fast. "Hey."
She paused, then sighed. "I should apologize for earlier. I'm sorry for how I treated you. I didn't know you were telling the truth."
She stretched out her hand. "Please forgive me."
I hesitated.
Then I took her hand.
Lady, you're not the only one who can pretend.
"It's fine," I said, putting on my fakest smile. "It's in the past."
She nodded and turned to Logan. "I'll see you both at the party."
And finally… she left.
The moment she was gone, I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.
Logan walked past me and closed the door.
Then he turned back.
And stared at me.
Like I was a painting.
My heart jumped again. Damn it.
"What?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
He smiled softly. "I knew you were beautiful the moment I saw you. But now… I don't even know what word to use." His eyes were warm. "You're a masterpiece, Bella. Perfect."
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
I folded my arms and gave him a sassy look. "Pretty words don't work on me."
"Are you upset?" he asked gently. "You looked upset when you walked in and saw me hugging Clara. She was just feeling down."
"Why are you explaining this to me?" I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled. "We're related, you know."
"I know," I said. "But that doesn't stop men."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Men sleep with their step-sisters, step-moms—even cousins now," I said flatly. "Family doesn't stop anything anymore."
He burst out laughing.
That surprised me.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked.
"You're probably right," he said, still smiling. "But I'm not like that."
I scoffed.
Before I could react, he took my hands. "I'm sorry if I upset you. That wasn't my intention."
I pulled my hands back. "I never said I was upset. Me and you are nothing. You can hug whoever you want."
"I know," he said softly. "Still, I'm sorry."
"Well… good."
He smiled again. "You really do look beautiful."
"Thank you," I muttered.
"You don't look bad yourself," I added.
That was a lie.
He looked breathtaking in that black suit. When I first saw him storm into the punishment hall and save me, my heart almost stopped. But I would rather choke than tell him that.
"Thank you," he said.
"Shall we?" He offered his arm.
I hesitated… then linked mine with his.
"Let's go to our engagement party," he said.
My heart went wild again.
"Don't be nervous," he whispered. "I've got you."
That didn't help at all—
because my heart started beating even faster.
The moment we stepped into the hall, everything stopped.
Every eye turned to us.
It felt like I was a painting placed in the center of the room. People stared openly—some curious, some shocked, some judging. I felt it all.
But intimidation?
No.
I don't scare easily.
Logan leaned closer to me, like he noticed every look too. He lifted my hand slowly—very slowly—like he was putting on a show. Then he pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles.
Not rushed.
Not shy.
Intentional.
I swear he enjoyed it.
My lips curved into a small smile. If this was a game, then fine. I could play too.
The first people he took me to were his parents.
Just like I expected.
His mother wasn't bad. She smiled gently, even apologized for not greeting me properly earlier. She told me I looked beautiful. I could tell she was trying, even if she was unsure.
But his father?
Cold.
He didn't look at me. Not once. His jaw was tight. His face hard. And he said nothing.
Not a single word.
What surprised me was Logan.
He ignored his father right back.
Like the man didn't exist.
While his mother kept asking polite questions about where I was from, another man joined us.
At first glance, I thought Logan's father had cloned himself.
Same face.
Same silver hair.
Same height.
But the smile was warmer.
"Uncle," Logan said happily, pulling the man into a hug.
"My boy," the man laughed. "Look at you."
"Bella," Logan said, turning to me. "This is my uncle, Malcom. Clara's father."
I gave him a sweet smile. "It's nice to meet you."
His eyes lit up. "Oh, so this is her? Your mate?"
"Yes," Logan said calmly.
Uncle Malcom studied me closely, then smiled wide. "You're beautiful."
"Thank you," I replied.
"Well," he said cheerfully, "I guess I'm your uncle too now. One day, you both must visit me."
"Yes, Uncle," Logan said smoothly.
Then Uncle Malcom turned to Logan's father. "Robert, why do you look so gloomy? It's your son's engagement."
Logan's father stiffened. "I need to speak with all of you. In private."
Everyone moved to follow him.
I stepped forward too—
"Not you," he said sharply.
I stopped.
"This is a family matter. Wait here."
That was the first thing he had ever said to me.
Logan leaned close to my ear. "I'm sorry," he whispered. His breath brushed my skin. "I'll be back soon."
Then he left.
I watched them walk away, but I didn't feel hurt.
After all… I wasn't really his future wife. I was fake. Temporary. I'd go back to my world soon enough.
A waiter offered me champagne. I took it and sipped slowly.
It didn't take long before guests surrounded me.
Curious. Smiling too much. Asking too many questions.
I stuck to what Logan told me to say. When they pushed, I changed the topic. When they pressed harder, I pretended not to understand.
They were like leeches.
Then—thank the universe—Logan appeared.
"May I steal her?" he asked with a charming smile.
They laughed and let go immediately.
The moment we stepped away, I leaned close to him. "Where were you? They were about to eat me alive."
"I'm sorry," he said softly. His eyes held mine—deep and intense. "Please forgive me."
That look.
Damn it.
"It's fine," I muttered.
The party continued. More introductions. More smiles. The engagement cake was cut. Logan gave a speech. Lies, of course—about how we met, how we fell in love—but it was smooth. Convincing.
Then the music changed.
He froze.
His face lit up. "This is my favorite song," he said. "Bella, will you dance with me?"
Me? Dance?
"No," I whispered quickly, waving my hands. "I don't dance."
He leaned closer, smiling like a devil. "Are you shy?"
"No," I snapped. "Of course not."
Then, quieter, "I just… can't dance."
He chuckled. "Relax. Just follow my lead."
He held out his hand.
I hesitated.
"It'll help sell the love story," he whispered. "Please."
I sighed. "You better help me find my way home after this."
He nodded. "Deal."
I took his hand.
He led me to the center of the hall.
Music wrapped around us. He placed my hands around his neck, his hands on my waist, and pulled me closer.
Too close.
His eyes locked onto mine like nothing else existed.
"Easy," he murmured. "I can hear your heart racing."
I swallowed. "I'm nervous because I can't dance. Not because of you."
A lie.
A big one.
His lips twitched. "Whatever you say, Bella."
And still—even as I warned myself—
Men are players.
Wolves are still men.
My body wasn't listening.
"Relax," he whispered. "You're doing perfect."
His voice sent a shiver down my spine.
I pulled away, taking a step back.
He smirked and pulled me back. His hand slid a little higher on my waist. Just enough.
My stomach tightened. My knees felt weak.
I didn't know where to put my eyes.
So I looked at his lips.
Big mistake.
He noticed.
A small smile touched his mouth—the kind that said I know exactly what I'm doing to you.
My thoughts went wild.
Run.
Push him away.
Knock him down if you have to.
But my body refused.
Why was I so weak around him?
He is a man.
Men lie.
Men break hearts.
I repeated it in my head like a warning.
But still… I didn't move.
He leaned in closer. Too close. His forehead almost touched mine. His breath brushed my lips. My heart slammed so hard it hurt.
I closed my eyes.
Please don't kiss me.
Please don't.
One second passed.
Then another.
Nothing.
I opened my eyes slowly.
He was smiling.
Soft.
Knowing.
God, I was embarrassed.
He leaned to my ear and whispered, "I won't kiss a woman who doesn't want me to."
Then he pulled back.
I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding. My chest felt tight. My hands were shaking.
Before I could say anything—
BANG.
The doors slammed open so hard the walls shook.
The music died mid-note.
Silence crashed into the hall.
It wasn't normal silence.
It was heavy. Thick.
Like the air itself had turned against us.
Men in black overalls, hoods pulled low like they had something to hide, walked in.
Slow.
Measured.
Dead serious.
Their boots hit the floor in one steady rhythm.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
There were many of them.
Too many to count at first.
Maybe twenty.
Maybe more.
Conversation vanished.
Laughter disappeared.
Even breathing felt too loud.
People dropped their heads instantly.
Nobles. Guards. Guests.
Everyone bowed.
I bowed too, my neck stiff, my stomach tight.
Everyone bowed.
Everyone—
Except Logan.
He didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
One of the men stepped forward.
He reached up and pulled back his hood.
He was old.
Empty eyes.
His voice cut through the hall.
"This engagement cannot hold."
The words landed like a slap.
My body went cold.
"You cannot marry that woman."
His finger lifted.
Pointed.
Straight at me.
Every single face turned.
I felt naked under them.
Small.
Wrong.
My breath caught in my throat.
My legs felt weak.
For one second—just one—
I truly wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.