Bella's POV
"No, they would never hate you. Your siblings love you unconditionally," I whispered, stretching my hand toward her trembling form.
A sharp knock echoed through the house, cutting through our conversation like a blade. My body tensed instantly.
Hugo had left for his evening run only minutes earlier. There was no reason for him to return this soon, especially not with such aggressive pounding on the door.
I rose from the bed and walked to the front entrance. When I pulled the door open, the sight before me made my blood turn to ice.
The entire council stood on my porch, flanked by what looked like every alpha from the surrounding territories. Their expressions were cold, predatory. They had come for blood.
"What do you think you're doing? You cannot barge into my home like this. My children are asleep upstairs," I snarled, blocking Lord Morris's path as he attempted to push past me.
