Chapter 13
All these years, I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath, until today. I emerged from my father’s room with a smile, instead of that perennial look of sympathy.
The doctor’s voice was gentle yet firm, “He’s improving, Bella, actual progress. If his vitals continue to recover like this, it’s just a matter of time. He could wake up very soon.”
I swear, in that moment, the world seemed to. slow down, my shoulders relaxed, and my heart pounded like a drum, releasing the tightness in my chest.
I pressed my hand to my mouth, and my eyes filled with tears that no longer burned.
These were no longer the tears of someone abandoned; these tears brimmed with hope.
I nearly staggered into the hallway, my steps light, my lungs filled with air untainted by
sorrow.
1/7
And there he was, leaning against the wall,
arms crossed over his chest, a long-awaited
smirk on his face.
“How did it go?” he asked, his tone low, slightly teasing, but his eyes earnestly seeking the
answer.
I threw myself into his arms, my voice muffled against his shoulder. “He’s improving. He’s coming back to me.”
Tristan’s laughter rumbled in his chest as he held me tightly, as if the earth might vanish but we wouldn’t.
“That’s great. I suppose I can wait for the bonding ceremony then,” he murmured, dropping a kiss on my hairline, “don’t want your dad to miss your happiest moment.”
I pulled back slightly, looking up at him, unable to stop the smile tugging at my lips. “Will you wait for me?”
His eyes glimmered. “I’d wait a lifetime. But don’t you dare run off again.”
2/7
I pretended to pout, “No more running. I promise.”
Then I bit my lip at a sudden thought, “Tristan…
do you think there’s still hope? Can we reclaim my father’s pack’s business and make it part of our pack again?”
He raised an eyebrow, his grin turning enigmatic, that signature ‘I have a secret’ look of his that always sent my heart racing.
“Funny you should ask,” he began slowly, “this was supposed to be a surprise for the bonding ceremony, but since you asked…”
“Tristan.” I tapped his shoulder, “What did you
do?”
He tilted his head nonchalantly, but I could see the pride brimming in his eyes.
“Well, when you left Jason and took those investors with you, it hit them harder than you expected. More shareholders pulled out from BlackstonePack, their elders were panicked, and their sales plummeted. The pack’s valuation dropped overnight.”
3/7
I pretended to pout, “No more running. I promise.”
Then I bit my lip at a sudden thought, “Tristan… do you think there’s still hope? Can we reclaim my father’s pack’s business and make it part of our pack again?”
He raised an eyebrow, his grin turning enigmatic, that signature ‘I have a secret’ look of his that always sent my heart racing.
“Funny you should ask,” he began slowly, “this. was supposed to be a surprise for the bonding ceremony, but since you asked…”
“Tristan.” I tapped his shoulder, “What did you do?”
He tilted his head nonchalantly, but I could see the pride brimming in his eyes.
“Well, when you left Jason and took those investors with you, it hit them harder than you expected. More shareholders pulled out from BlackstonePack, their elders were panicked, and their sales plummeted. The pack’s valuation dropped overnight.”
3/7
I stared at him wide-eyed, “You knew all this
and didn’t tell me?!”
He shrugged, all charm and allure.
“Patience, princess. While they struggled to stay afloat, I quietly bought up controlling shares through a friend’s pack. Silently. Completely. Now… congratulations, you’re the latest elder of the IronWolfPack’s old empire.”
I gaped at him, then couldn’t help but laugh, joy bursting uncontrollably inside me.
I threw my arms around his neck, nearly lifting off the ground. “Are you serious?! You really did that?”
Tristan’s grin was both smug and sweet. “Who says I did it for you? I did it for myself. I’m selfish. I like seeing you happy. Especially when you kiss me like this.”
And I kissed him right there in the hallway, uncaring if anyone saw, something I’d never have dared before.
4/7
But now, I didn’t care.
I kissed him until my chest hurt, until we both panted for breath.
He pulled back slightly, lips grazing mine, whispering, “Seems like if this is how you thank me, I should buy more shares for you.”
I laughed, warmth blossoming in every once-cold corner, “Then buy them all, Tristan, reclaim everything that was once ours. I’ll give you everything.”
“Anything?” he asked playfully, eyes sparkling with that boyish mischief that used to drive me
wild.
“Anything.” I pretended to glare at him, pinching his waist. “I could give you ten heirs if you needed.”
Tristan’s deep laughter echoed down the corridor, bouncing off the marble floors.
“Careful,” he joked, pulling me closer, his nose. brushing mine, “You said it, I’m holding you to
it.”
5/7
“You’re incorrigible,” I sighed, but the smile never left my face, “But you’re mine.”
He kissed me once more, slow and sure, like a promise we wouldn’t break. “Indeed.”
That night, I sat again in my father’s room, the scent of paint from my studio still clinging to my hands.
I held his hand, tracing circles on the back, the
monitor’s steady rhythm a comforting cadence.
“Dad,” I whispered, “I hope you wake up soon. You need to see what we’re building. What
we’re reclaiming. I want you to see that I’m no
longer that frightened little pup.”
I glanced at the open door, Tristan was there, pretending to browse his phone, but sneaking glances at me every few seconds, helplessly.
For a moment, the weight of years-betrayal, loss, loneliness-all vanished.
My wolf felt light, hopeful, surrounded by a love we’d never felt we deserved.
“This time I chose right, Dad,” I whispered, “I really did.”
And this time, I knew I would never be left
behind again.
