Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Bella sat stiffly across from Gerald in the corner of the café, her arms folded loosely on the table. Her eyes were fixed on the older man in front of her, searching his expression.
Gerald, however, looked perfectly at ease. He leaned back in his chair, hands folded across his chest, studying her with a faintly amused smile tugging at the edges of his mouth.
“I was surprised,” he said finally, breaking the silence that had stretched a little too long between them. “When I saw your call. And then when you asked me to meet you here… well, let’s just say, I didn’t think you’d come around so soon p>
Bella inhaled sharply, annoyed at the way he spoke as if he had known all along that she’d give in. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she said coolly. “I thought about everything you said the other day. That’s all. And if what you claim is true–that it’s for the good of the pack–then fine. I’ll play whatever role you want me to play p>
His smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “I knew you’d see reason, Bella. You’re not as cold as you pretend to be. You care. You always have p>
Bella’s jaw tightened, and she had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at his patronizing tone. She wasn’t doing this because Gerald had swayed her heart with some grand appeal to loyalty. She was doing it because she hated Faye. That was her truth, though she wasn’t foolish enough to admit it aloud…not here, not to him.
Gerald leaned forward now, lowering his voice. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to do much. All I need is Alexander’s phone p>
For a moment, Bella just blinked at him, certain she hadn’t heard right. “His… phone?” she repeated.
“ Yes. ” Gerald’s expression didn’t change.
Bella’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you insane? What do you even want with Alexander’s phone? I thought Faye was the one you were after p>
Gerald chuckled softly, shaking his head like a patient teacher explaining something to a slow student. “And she is. But sometimes, Bella, one must take a longer route to reach the destination. I don’t need the phone itself, just something on it. A sketch. Someone sent it to Alexander a few days ago p>
Bella stared at him, her pulse quickening. This was far more complicated than she’d expected. “A sketch p>
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< Chapter 80
“Yes,” Gerald said simply, his gaze fixed on her.
$25 Points
Bella leaned back, crossing her arms tightly. “Do you realize how impossible that sounds? Alexander is always with his phone. Always. He barely leaves it on a table long enough for someone to breathe near it. And what do you expect me to say to him, hm? ‘Alex, may I borrow your phone for a minute‘? Do you know what kind of questions he’ll ask me p>
“You’re clever,” Gerald said, unbothered. “Figure it out. If you truly want to help save this pack from the mess it’s heading into, then you’ll find a way p>
Bella glared at him, her teeth gritted. “And even if I managed to get it…by some miracle…how am I supposed to know what I’m looking for? ”
Gerald’s lips curved into a faint, calculating smile. “You’ll know it when you see it. It’s a sketch of a wolf… with three eyes p>
Bella blinked again, certain this was some sort of twisted joke. “A wolf with three eyes p>
“Yes p>
Her brows knitted tightly. “That’s ridiculous. What does that even mean p>
Gerald sighed, his tone turning serious now. “I don’t know. That’s why I need to look at it myself p>
Bella was still staring, skepticism etched all over her face. This was beyond strange. She had walked into this meeting expecting Gerald to give her some scheme about cornering Faye in a compromising situation, or stirring up rumors about her, something straightforward. Not… this. Not talk of three–eyed wolves and sketches.
Her suspicion only grew. Narrowing her eyes, she asked flatly, “Tell me something, Gerald. This is still about Faye, isn’t it? Because I don’t see how a stupid drawing on Alexander’s phone connects to her. If you’re dragging me into something else, then p>
“Of course it’s about Faye, ” Gerald cut in smoothly, though irritation showed through his
voice.
Bella raised an eyebrow. “Then explain. Because I’m not stupid enough to get anything from Alexander’s phone unless I know how it’s going to be used. My target is Faye. That’s all I care about. And I won’t be used to hurt Alexander unknowingly p>
For the first time, Gerald looked almost taken aback. His brows shot up slightly. “Why would you think I’d plot anything that would harm the Alpha? Don’t be absurd p>
“Then prove it,” Bella pressed, leaning forward now. “Tell me what this is really about p>
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Chapter 00
Gerald hesitated, and Bella could see the conflict flickering in his eyes. He didn’t want to tell her everything. But she had comered him, and he knew it.
Finally, he leaned closer, lowering his voice even more. “The picture I’m looking for… it’s said to be the symbol on a ring worn by someone Alexander is hunting. The police are using it as a clue to track them down. Whoever this person is, they’re a threat–to Alexander and to the pack p>
Bella froze, her eyes narrowing. “A threat p>
“Yes.” Gerald nodded firmly. “And after thinking about it carefully, I suspect this person may be the one who pulled the strings with those Blood Crescent guards. The ones who staged the attack at the northern border p>
Bella frowned. She had, of course, heard the whispers flying around about the border incident. Rumors had been spreading like wildfire, but she hadn’t paid much attention. She didn’t care much about guard politics, about Alexander’s endless battles with unseen enemies. But hearing Gerald tie it together like this made her stomach knot.
“And what does that have to do with Faye?” she asked slowly.
Gerald’s smile returned, sharper this time, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes. “If I can get the image, I’ll use it to set Faye up. I’ll have someone forge a ring that matches it, and when the time is right, that’s what will be found on her p>
Bella blinked, stunned into silence for a moment. The simplicity of the plan startled her, but so did its brilliance. If such a ring were found in Faye’s possession, the implications would be damning. It wouldn’t just make her look guilty, it would tie her directly to whoever Alexander and the police were hunting. She’ll be known as a traitor.
Still, unease coiled in Bella’s chest. This wasn’t like planting rumors or whispering suspicions in the right ears. This was something bigger, more dangerous. And if it went wrong…
She studied Gerald carefully, her voice wary. “You’re serious about this p>
“As serious as I’ve ever been,” Gerald replied without hesitation.
Bella sat back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the edge of the table as she considered his words. This was her chance, wasn’t it? The one real chance to bring Faye down. She had sworn to herself that she wouldn’t let that girl steal the position, the respect, the place that should have been hers.
And yet… a part of her still hesitated.
Finally, she let out a slow breath. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But you’d better make sure this
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doesn’t blow back on me. If Alexander finds out I stole something from his phone p> *25 Points “He won’t,” Gerald interrupted, his smile returning. “Not if you’re careful. And I trust you’ll be careful p> As Gerald stood to leave, sliding his chair back smoothly, he gave her a look of satisfaction.” I’m counting on you,” he said, his voice dripping with confidence. “I just hope you know what you’re doing,” Bella said. 2