Bella’s POV

Two figures stood in my doorway wearing insufferable grins that made my blood boil. I had explicitly told them interviewing my children was off limits, yet here they were, completely disregarding my boundaries like they always did when something stood between them and what they wanted.

"Mommy, who are they?" Zack asked, his small finger pointing toward the uninvited guests. Derek cut an imposing figure in his brown jacket and matching pants, while Parker looked equally commanding in gray slacks and a crisp white shirt beneath his gray blazer. They exchanged one of their knowing looks before stepping inside without invitation.

"We’re your mother’s dearest friends," Parker announced, crouching down to meet Zack’s curious gaze on the carpet.

"Really? Mommy has friends like you?" Zack’s face lit up with innocent excitement. My hands balled into fists as I struggled to control my breathing.

"We came to discuss something fascinating with you about dreams," Derek added smoothly, his attention shifting to my two daughters. Every fiber of my being wanted to throw them out, but I refused to create a violent scene in front of my children.

"What kind of dreams?" Tara asked, her eyes wide with curiosity as she watched Parker approach. My heart hammered against my ribs when he settled onto the couch beside her. This was my worst nightmare unfolding.

Those piercing blue eyes of his seemed to study her intently, and I caught the meaningful glances he and Derek kept sharing. Terror coursed through my veins. What if he sensed something familiar about her? What if some paternal instinct kicked in? My gaze dropped to her neck, relief flooding through me when I spotted the pendant still hanging there, the one designed to mask her wolf scent and sever any supernatural connection to her biological father.

"The dreams that have been visiting you lately," Derek explained, though his attention kept drifting to me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

"May I speak with you both privately?" I managed to say through gritted teeth. Rather than disrupting my children’s routine by sending them away, I chose to model the polite behavior I was trying to instill in them, something these arrogant alphas had clearly never bothered teaching their own offspring.

"Of course," Parker replied with that infuriating smirk. I gestured toward the kitchen, waiting as my children settled back into their television program. The shimmery curtains that divided the kitchen from our living space provided the perfect barrier, and I yanked them closed before turning to face the two men who had invaded my sanctuary.

The moment we were alone, I advanced on Derek with my finger extended like a weapon. He retreated dramatically, hands raised in mock surrender until his back connected with the wall. The sound of his laughter made my skin crawl.

"Easy there, wildcat. You seem to enjoy putting me in my place," he said with a tone that felt far too intimate given our complicated history.

"Did I not make myself crystal clear about my boundaries?" I hissed, refusing to be distracted by his games.

"Actually, you never gave us a chance to discuss it. You have this habit of running away when things get uncomfortable," Parker interjected from behind me. I could hear the crunch of apple as he helped himself to fruit from my counter. "Though if you want to pin me against a wall too, I certainly wouldn’t object to having a beautiful woman that close."

His shameless flirting made me realize how close I was still standing to Derek. I stepped back immediately, creating distance between us.

"Come on, don’t retreat now. I was enjoying the proximity," Derek teased while Parker’s chuckle filled the kitchen.

"Children are dying in your territory, and this is how you choose to behave? Don’t you have responsibilities? A wife?" I snapped at Derek, hoping to remind him that we were supposed to be adults dealing with a crisis.

"Sounds like someone might be a little jealous," Derek replied with an exaggerated pout that made me want to scream.

"Why are you so opposed to letting us interview your children? We might discover crucial information that was overlooked in the original reports," Derek’s tone shifted, becoming more serious.

"You want those red pills for your kids, don’t you? You can’t expect us to provide that kind of favor without giving something in return, especially when other children are suffering," Parker added, his fake smile never wavering as he used my children’s wellbeing as leverage.

"Are you seriously threatening me?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

"We’re being practical," Derek replied, his playful demeanor completely gone now.

I realized I was trapped. If I wanted access to those potentially life-saving pills, I would have to allow this interview, provided they stayed within reasonable boundaries.

"Fine," I said finally, letting my arms drop in defeat.

Before anyone could respond, a bone-chilling scream erupted from the living room. My heart stopped. That was Zack’s voice.

Both men immediately sprang into action, their supernatural speed carrying them past me toward the sound. I followed as quickly as I could, my maternal instincts overriding everything else.

The scene that greeted me was absolutely terrifying.

Zack was cowering behind the couch, his screams echoing through the room while Tara and Leah held each other tightly, trembling not from fear of whatever had scared their brother, but from the intensity of his cries. I rushed to him, gathering him in my arms as he pointed toward the area near our television.

"I didn’t do anything wrong," came a defensive voice from that direction. The figure took a step forward, then immediately retreated when Zack’s screams intensified.

None of this made sense. I turned desperately to my daughters for answers.

"What happened?" I asked Leah urgently.

The man near our entertainment center made a sound of frustration.

"I told you, I didn’t do anything. I simply stepped out from behind the curtain and the boy started screaming," he said, his voice carrying both sternness and irritation.

"He really didn’t do anything, Mommy. Zack just started screaming the second he saw him," Leah confirmed, her voice shaky.

I cupped Zack’s tear-streaked face in my hands, trying to calm him enough to get answers.

"Sweetheart, tell Mommy what’s wrong. Why are you so frightened?"

"He comes into my dreams and scares me," Zack sobbed, his tiny finger pointing accusingly at the figure by our television.

My blood turned to ice as I looked at the man my son was so terrified of.

"But that’s just Alpha Hugo," I whispered.

Standing there, looking as shocked as everyone else, was Zack’s biological father.