Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
Fiona smiled.
“Just make sure it is what you want,” Fiona said. “If you choose to come because you think it will make Galen happy, you’re right.”
Bell laughed. Fiona smiled before continuing.
“He would be happy to come home, but he would always be worried about your feelings. If you didn’t like here, if you missed Winter, he would blame himself.”
“I know,” Bell said softly. “Truthfully, I am scared to leave Winter.”
“Of course you are, dear,” Fiona smiled. “But no one is going to force you to rush your decision. Take your time, do what is best for you and your family.”
“Thank you,” Bell smiled.
Fiona was a kind woman. Bell knew she loved her sons more than anything, and now with a grandson, she would love to have them all in Summer.
It meant a lot to Bell that Fiona had come to her to make sure that she knew it was alright to stay in Winter.
***
It had only been a few days since they arrived in Summer. Alice was recovering and had even been cleared to leave the hospital.
Selene and Fiona had both taken turns stealing little Ren away and spoiling him with attention. Yet, Bell and Galen had barely spent any time together.
After doing her part for Alice, Bell had time to wander around Summer, to meet the wolves. She ran into Clara and Nessa, who offered to give her a tour and then took her out to lunch. But most of the time she spent alone, exploring.
In her exploration, she had actually found Galen several times, but he had not seen her even once. So instead, she watched him from a distance as he gave orders and helped with odd jobs here and there. She watched him laugh with old friends and even saw him stop in at the school and play with the children.
Summer was a beautiful place filled with exciting things and people. But watching Galen over the course of the day was, by far, the most interesting thing she had encountered.
That evening, the night of the full moon, Bell and Galen were supposed to meet at one of the restaurants for a romantic meal.
Fiona had agreed to keep Ren for the night, so they could enjoy some time together under the moon’s light.
But Galen had run into some trouble. He apologized and let Bell know that he wouldn’t be able to meet her at the restaurant. He expected that she would already be asleep by the time he arrived back at his room.
He was racked with guilt when he opened the door, and the aroma hit him immediately. A garlic alfredo wafted through the air and drew a groan of hunger from his stomach.
Galen saw the two tv trays placed together, each with a plate of food and a drink. A small push light, used on a shirt or belt to light the way in a dark space, sat between them like a makeshift candle.
He smiled and turned toward the bed where Bell was lying down with her eyes closed. She had the blanket pulled up to her waist, but he could tell she was wearing a dress. She rarely wore dresses. He wondered how long she had waited for him.
Galen gently closed the door, locking it behind him. He moved across the room and sat down on the side of the bed. He smiled as he looked at her resting form.
Had he ever seen a more beautiful woman in his life?
Gently he stroked his thumb along her jaw. She stirred. Her brown eyes slowly began to open, and she smiled when she saw him.
“Hello, puppy,” she whispered.
Galen laughed. He leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss.
“Hello, my love,” he whispered back. “I’m sorry I ruined our plans, twice it seems.”
Bell smiled and reached for him, pulling him down to lay beside her in the bed. She snuggled into him, resting her head on his chest.
“I know you were busy,” she said.
“Still, I should have”
“You have never complained about Winter,” she said, interrupting the apology she knew he was trying to get out. “You have been an amazing help to Axel and Corrine, and I couldn’t have done without you all this time.”
Galen furrowed his brow; he wrapped his arm around Bell protectively. He wasn’t sure where this train was leading, but he didn’t like that it sounded like a goodbye.
Bell pulled herself up and turned so she could see his face. She rested her chin on her hands, crossed over his chest.
“Did you know that you light up?” she asked.
“What?” Galen asked.
“You give orders with ease; you’re passionate about your work,” she smiled. “You come to life here in a way I’ve never seen before.”
Galen moved to sit up; they both did.
“What are you trying to say?” he asked.
“I’m saying that Summer is where you belong, Galen.”
“I don’t understand what you’re getting at, Bell,” Galen sighed. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I belong wherever you are.”
Bell smiled and moved closer to him.
“Of course you do because we belong together,” she said, leaning forward and gently nuzzling her cheek against his hand.
Galen lifted her chin to look at him.
“Good, because it sounded like you were trying to send me away again for a moment.”
Bell gave him a gentle smile.
“I already told you that I believe our future is in Summer,” she began. “Seeing you the past couple of days has been incredible. I love seeing the pride on your face when you accomplish a task.
“Like I said, you have been amazing in Winter. You have helped with everything and never complained about anything. But here, this is your home. I can see that so clearly now.”
Galen swallowed.
“But your home is Winter,” he said softly.
Bell smiled.
“Winter has been a haven for me. It was a place for me to hide while my wounds healed. I love the people of Winter and the memories I have built there. But my family is my home.”
Bell reached out, touching his cheek. Galen smiled and leaned into her hand.
“I will always be a part of Winter, and Winter will always be a part of me. But you and Ren are my home. Where you are is where I belong.”
Galen took a deep breath. He swallowed, trying to keep himself calm. But Bell could see the excitement, the hope in his eyes. He wanted to come home. He just didn’t want to force her.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked. “You really want to come to Summer.”
Bell took a deep breath.
“Yes,” she said. “I do.”
Galen’s smile widened, and his eyes lit up.
“But, not yet,” she quickly added.
Galen furrowed his brows and looked at her with confusion.
“I am going back to Winter, and Ren is coming with me,” she said. “But, you need to stay.”
“What? No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Galen…”
“Bell.”
Bell sighed and looked at her husband. He looked back at her; his expression was serious with a touch of irritation.
“Look, you and I have been given a chance to live in relative peace for the past couple of months. We got to enjoy our time together without fear of war. Our friends and family ensured that we enjoyed our bubble for as long as we could.
“But the fact is, war is here. Every day, there are more and more attacks across the territories.”
“Which is exactly why we need to stay together,” Galen growled.
“No, Galen, it’s exactly why you need to stay here.”
Galen lifted his eyes to her. He was upset, concerned, and scared.
“You belong here, Galen. You belong with Alexander and the soldiers. We were barely here for five minutes before you were already adjusting deployment schedules and training programs.”
“It’s my job, Bell.”
“I know, I understand, and I want you to do it,” she said, giving him a sincere smile. “But you need to be here to do it.”
Galen clenched his jaw and lowered his eyes. But he didn’t deny her words.
“Why can’t you stay too?” he asked. “If this is going to be our home, anyway, why would we split up now?”
Bell took a deep breath.
“Because there is a war that needs to be fought,” she said. “Summer is well defended, but we both know the war will come here.”
“The war will go everywhere,” Galen said. “Winter won’t be able to avoid it.”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?