The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 44

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

Bella

“No,” I stated emphatically, my voice steady and resolute. “That would only exacerbate the situation. It would make us even more vulnerable.” I took a step back, allowing the weight of the conversation to settle in as I truly looked at him for the first time. “You can’t fix this by locking us away in a glass cage,” I added, frustration simmering just beneath my skin.

His brow knitted together, the tension in his face revealing a struggle within him. It was as if he was desperate for me to see things through his eyes, to understand his perspective. “Please, just move into my villa,” he urged, urgency lacing his tone. “It’s safe there, away from the judgmental gazes and prying ears.”

I shook my head vehemently, my conviction hardening. “That’s even worse,” I shot back, my heart racing. “Tasha lives there. I refuse to be just another woman in someone else’s home. I am not your mistress!” My voice had escalated before I could catch myself, a mix of anger and fear spilling over. The thought of someone lurking, watching my children with a camera, filled me with dread.

He reached out, his warm hands cradling my cheeks, grounding me in that moment. “Bella, I’m not marrying her,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “This pressure is coming from the community, from people who want a clean alliance. I have to tolerate her presence for now. But I promise, it will only be for a few days. I’ll make sure she doesn’t come near you. I’ll even move in with you.”

I shook my head stubbornly, my heart pounding in my chest. No matter how sweetly he spoke, it didn’t change the reality of what being with him would entail. It would pull us deeper into his dangerous world, and the gnawing feeling of dread that accompanied that thought was inescapable.

Scott’s patience seemed to snap, his expression shifting into something more possessive. He stepped closer, his grip tightening around my waist, making it clear he wasn’t about to wait for my polite agreement. “You have to trust me,” he insisted, his voice low but commanding. “I will keep you and the kids safe. You can’t do this alone. I know how these things work. I can handle it, and with you by my side, I’ll have one less thing to worry about.”

I stared at him, grappling with the gravity of our situation. How had it come to this? The very person I had sworn never to rely on was now offering to be my protector, my knight in shining armor. Deep down, I recognized the truth in his words. A tremor coursed through me as I lowered my gaze. “I don’t know… I’m not sure I like this arrangement.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, then enveloped me in a warm embrace, tucking my head beneath his chin as if I were something precious to him. “I don’t care if you like it,” he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. “What truly matters is your safety and that of the children. Just move in with me. I promise I’ll ensure Tasha is out of the picture within a few days.”

A heavy silence enveloped us, and I found myself contemplating the bargain I was about to strike for the sake of safety. I didn’t want to step into his life. I didn’t want him to become the center of my universe. But with the threats looming, the ominous photographs, and the chaos that had erupted, my options felt increasingly limited. As I released my clenched fists from his shirt, I realized I had been gripping it tightly, as if it were a lifeline. Why did being with him feel so secure, even amidst my anger? What was this madness?

“Okay…” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “But as soon as the threat is gone, I’ll leave. And no one should know where I’m staying because the threat was made for me to leave you. We are doing the exact opposite.”

“No one will know,” he assured me, his voice steady and confident. “My villa is on private property, and only a select few have access to it.”

I lifted my head, a thought striking me, and added another condition. “You promise you won’t engage in any hanky-panky with me while I’m there.”

He tilted his head, a roguish smile creeping onto his face. “Define hanky-panky.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I lightly slapped him on the chest, but he feigned an exaggerated reaction, placing a hand dramatically over his heart and closing his eyes.

“How corny!” I gasped, unable to suppress a smile.

His laughter rang out, brightening the atmosphere around us. “I’m sorry, but I can’t promise that,” he said, his tone teasing. “I’ve vowed to seduce you in every possible way.”

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