The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 77

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

**Bella POV**

The next two days stretched before me like an endless, desolate road, each tick of the clock echoing the rising tide of my anxiety. The cottage, usually a haven of warmth and comfort, now felt like a cage, its walls closing in on me, suffocating and oppressive. My stomach churned violently, a physical reflection of the turmoil that surged through my veins like a dark, turbulent river.

When I had dared to breach the subject, Scott had unveiled the treacherous schemes of Joseph Diaz, each revelation hitting me like a heavy stone dropped into a still pond, sending ripples of dread through my heart. He guided me into the dimly lit dining area, urging me to take a seat at the small table while the twins played outside, blissfully unaware of the storm that raged within our lives. “What exactly did Joseph accuse you of?” I asked, my voice quavering, betraying the fear that gripped me.

Scott pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture that spoke volumes of his frustration and the weight of the situation. “He’s invoked an ancient treaty,” he replied, irritation lacing his words. “He claims I’ve broken the laws by bringing you into my pack and revealing our true nature to you.”

A shiver coursed down my spine as I absorbed the gravity of his words, my fear intensifying with each syllable. “He’s crossing a line, especially knowing what we are. This feels like his ultimate act of revenge against you,” I murmured, my heart racing, the implications of his accusations settling heavily in the pit of my stomach.

Scott nodded solemnly, his expression grave. “He’s twisting the truth to frame it as the most heinous betrayal a king could commit.”

My throat constricted painfully as he continued, the burden of his revelations pressing down on me like a weight I could hardly bear. Joseph was accusing Scott of betraying his own kind, of endangering the future of werewolves, and of acting recklessly by choosing a human over the traditions that had governed their kind for centuries. But the stakes were even higher; he was appealing to the High Council, demanding that Scott be prohibited from marrying a human altogether. He was dragging my past into the fray, attempting to publicly humiliate Scott in front of our kind.

“He’s going to argue that the Lycan King cannot marry a single mother,” Scott said in a hushed tone, the gravity of his words sinking in like a stone dropped into a still lake. “He’ll claim that human children cannot inherit my throne.”

I lowered my gaze to the table, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. How could I be the source of his downfall when all I ever wanted was to protect him? “Scott… I can’t bear the thought of you losing everything because of me. Maybe I should just leave. If I went back home—”

He interrupted me firmly, his voice resolute and unwavering, leaving no room for debate. “No. Absolutely not.” He reached across the table, his hands enveloping mine with a fierce grip. “I regret not holding you close the moment we met. I should have never let you out of my sight then, and I will NOT let you go now. You are my mate, Bella. Nothing and no one will take you from me. Whatever comes our way, we will face it together!”

My jaw trembled as I struggled to articulate my thoughts, but all that escaped were tears, warm and unbidden. Why did it feel like the world was conspiring to tear us apart? Scott pulled me into his embrace, lifting me onto his lap. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, seeking refuge in his warmth, allowing the calm of his presence to wash over me.

After a few moments, once I felt steadier, he spoke again, his tone shifting to a more serious note. “I need to meet with our lawyer. I’ve scheduled a meeting to discuss this entire mess. Will you be alright here? Cindy and Millie will be around.”

“Of course!” I replied, sliding off his lap, determination flooding my voice. “But my offer stands. You don’t have to do this.”

“No, Bella. There is no offer. I will never let you go,” he insisted, his gaze unwavering, filled with a fierce protectiveness that made my heart swell.

With a sigh, I leaned in and pressed my lips against his, feeling the warmth of our connection envelop us both. God, how deeply I loved him.

“I love you too,” he smirked, a playful glint dancing in his eyes, drawing a smile from my lips despite the heaviness in my heart.

I was taken aback, wondering how he could read my thoughts so easily. I jerked my head back in surprise, and he chuckled, a sound that was both comforting and teasing. “You don’t know many things about a Lycan, love.” With that enigmatic remark hanging in the air, he sauntered out of the house, leaving me with a swirl of emotions.

Inside, Nancy was quieter than ever, her demeanor almost hyper-aware, as if she were perpetually on guard against unseen threats. I made my way to her room, feeling the weight of guilt pressing down on me. “I’m so sorry you got pulled into this chaos,” I said, helping her fold sheets, my voice laced with regret.

She shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. “I’m here by choice.”

“But still, with everything happening—”

“Bella,” she interrupted softly, “you don’t need to apologize. I made my decision.” Her silence spoke volumes, leaving an unspoken tension between us, something I couldn’t quite grasp.

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