The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 43

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

**Chapter 43**

**Bella**

The moment our plane’s wheels kissed the tarmac in New York, a surge of urgency coursed through me. I hurried alongside Scott, who was engulfed in a whirlwind of responsibilities. His demeanor was a mixture of determination and stress, each meeting seemingly piling on top of the last. I could see the tension etched in his brow, the way he clenched his jaw as if bracing against an unseen storm. He was a man consumed by his mission, and I felt that urgency reverberate in the air around us.

As I made my way to my shop, I dove headfirst into the chaos awaiting me. Scott had kindly offered to help financially with the renovation, but I felt a strong moral compass guiding me to wait for the insurance money. Accepting his generosity felt like stepping into murky waters that I wasn’t ready to navigate. He had shown me nothing but trust, and I couldn’t bear the thought of taking advantage of that.

Yet, as the hours slipped away, my mind kept wandering back to that intimate night we shared in Dallas. The memory of his touch lingered like a warm glow, igniting a blush on my cheeks. I smiled at the thought, even as a pang of guilt twisted in my stomach. It felt wrong to indulge in such memories when I had so much on my plate. I chastised myself silently, reminding myself that I needed to focus on the present, on my responsibilities.

As evening approached, fatigue began to weigh down my thoughts, but the twins had other plans. Their excited voices cut through my weariness.

“Park, Mommy! We want to go to the park!” Emma and Ryan shouted in unison, their faces alight with joy, as if a trip to the park was the pinnacle of adventure.

Nancy nudged me gently, her voice laced with encouragement. “They need some fresh air, Bella. It’ll do them good.”

With a reluctant sigh, I agreed. We made our way to the nearby park, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over everything. The tranquility of the surroundings eased the tension in my shoulders momentarily. Watching the twins play was like a balm for my soul, bringing a fleeting sense of normalcy back into my life. Nancy pushed Emma on the swings, her laughter ringing out like a melody, while Ryan filled his little plastic truck with gravel, animatedly detailing his grand plans for imaginary roads.

“I’m going to build a bridge, Mommy!” he declared, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I listened, a smile spreading across my face, feeling a rush of ordinary happiness wash over me. In that moment, he reminded me so much of Scott—full of dreams and ambition. I recalled the way Scott had passionately discussed his business over lunch, and warmth spread through my heart.

But then, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my reverie. It was an unknown number. I hesitated, expecting either a spam message or a mundane notification. Instead, I was met with chilling photos—pictures of my Emma playing, with Nancy in the background, and Ryan engaged in his imaginative play. My heart plummeted as I read the accompanying message, a threatening note that sent icy tendrils of fear spiraling through me.

Color drained from my face, and a cold sweat broke out on my skin. I scanned the park, searching for anyone who seemed out of place, anyone who might be watching us. The realization that these images had been captured recently sent a shiver down my spine. Someone had been close enough to witness our moments, yet I couldn’t pinpoint a single suspicious figure.

Nancy, sensing my growing unease, approached me. “What’s wrong?” she asked, concern etching her features as I showed her the photos, my hands trembling.

“Whoever sent this message is here,” I managed to whisper, panic rising like a tidal wave within me.

With urgency, we left the park, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. How could this happen? Upon arriving home, I hurriedly secured all the doors and windows, but a nagging feeling lingered. The message read, “It seems my threat didn’t deter you…” Did that mean I had received another warning?

Frantically, I rifled through my phone records and discovered an unanswered call from an unknown number the previous night. My mind raced as I tried to connect the dots. What if Scott had received that call and hadn’t mentioned it to me? Goosebumps prickled my skin at the thought.

That night, sleep eluded me. Was someone truly watching us? Every whisper of wind against the window made me jump, my heart hammering in my chest. A potent mix of fear and anger coursed through me, leaving me grappling with which emotion was more dominant. Finally, feeling drained and shaky, I resolved that I couldn’t wait any longer. My children’s safety had to come first.

The following morning, I voiced my concerns to Nancy, suggesting we return to Dallas. Her reaction was immediate and firm. She sat me down, her expression serious. “Whoever could burn down your shop could do worse, especially when you’re alone. You need to inform Scott. He has resources. We are safer here than in Dallas.”

“No!” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “I don’t want to involve him!” The mere thought of bringing Scott into this turmoil sent a shudder down my spine. What if they tried to harm him too? No, I couldn’t bear that thought. I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling the ugly grip of fear tighten around me, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. Why did he have this effect on me?

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