A talk with her brother
ISABELLA’S POV
“What did you just say?” Raymond’s eyes narrowed, disbelief and frustration simmering in his gaze after I told him my decision.
He had just arrived from the Bluemoon Pack, and I was already guilty of telling him the news so late. But I had already made up my mind.
“I’ve decided to stay here, Ray,” I repeated softly, my voice low as I watched his reaction. “With
the kids. I’m giving him another chance.”
Raymond’s jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides. His voice dropped low as he
spoke in a hard tone. “Have you forgotten the hell you went through because of that man?”
The sharpness of his words cut through me, making my throat constrict. It was a painful truth
that I couldn’t deny. I had suffered immensely because of my past with Xavier, and some of
that pain still lingered deep inside me. But then, I have decided to confront it all, I’ve decided
to start moving on and not be stuck from the shadows of our past anymore.
I couldn’t let it hold me hostage any longer.
“I haven’t forgotten.” My voice wavered slightly, but I forced myself to continue. “But I can’t live
in the past forever.”
Raymond’s voice rose, his tone was laced with sharpness and anger. “Who knows he’ll hurt
you again? You’re putting yourself, and the kids, back in danger, Bella.”
A painful knot formed in my chest, and I had to fight back the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
“I’ve spoken to Xavier.” I started. This time, Raymond went silent, crossing his arms on his chest as he waited for me to continue speaking still with a deep frown in his face.
“A lot of things happened in the past, but I discovered there have been some misunderstandings between us.”
The scowl on his face deepening. “Misunderstandings? Bella, he broke you once. You think he’s changed?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if he’s changed, but I do know that I’m not the same person I
was back then. I can protect myself and the kids, and I won’t let him hurt us again… if he ever does that.”
1/4
50 Point
A talk with her brother
Raymond stared at me with a deep, scrutinizing look. “What if he’s just manipulating you again? What if this is all a game to get control over you, Liam, and Lily?”
I sighed, hearing my brother’s words full of accusation towards Xavier stirred something deep inside me. I met his gaze head–on, this time, my voice firm.
“I won’t be fooled, Ray. Not when it comes to the kids. Besides… I don’t think Xavier would do
that.”
His eyes only darkened with frustration, his voice dropping to a whisper, as if the thought pained him. “What makes you so sure? He had hurt you in the past, Bella.”
I swallowed hard, my heart aching at the memory of everything I had endured. “Because… I’m
giving him a chance to prove otherwise.”
“Besides, as I said, there have been some misunderstandings between us, and Xavier’s trying…
to fix those now…”
Raymond’s expression softened slightly, but I could still see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes. It made my heart clench. He had always been my protector and my great anchor. He was there when I was left broken, picking up the pieces with me. The last thing I wanted was
to let him down, but I knew I couldn’t run from this any longer.
“I know you’re just worried about me, about the kids.” I spoke after a few moments of silence between us. “But Ray, I can handle this. I’ve already decided, and this is what I think is for the
best… for my children.”
For a long moment, Raymond didn’t say anything. He just stared off into the distance, his jaw clenched. I could see the struggle within him, the worry and the love he had for us.
I sighed as I continued to speak. “Besides, Liam and Lily deserve to know their father. And Xavier also has the right to be part of their lives. I can’t be that selfish anymore to deny them
all of these.”
After what felt like forever, Raymond finally spoke, his voice laced with a hint of helplessness. “And you’re really going to leave Bluemoon Pack? Just like that?”
I nodded, my face full of apologetic look. ““It’s more appropriate to stay here. My decision is
mainly for the kids. Their father is here. And you know how things are between the Bluemoon
and Lunar Crescent Packs. It’s best if we stay.”
Raymond ran a hand through his hair, his expression clearly torn. “I still don’t like it, Bella. If you stayed at Bluemoon Pack, at least I could protect you and ensure your safety with the
twins. I don’t trust Xavier to do that.”
2/4
+50 Points
A talk with her brother
The weight of his words hit me like a stone. I understood his fears, they were my fears too. But I couldn’t let my fears dictate my decisions this time. Not anymore.
“There’s still the threat,” he continued, his voice low. “Those dark forces are still out there,
looking for us. Looking for the twins and all other descendants of Urduvas. You’d be safer with
me.”
I didn’t answer immediately, a cold shiver running down my spine. It hadn’t left my mind, not
even once. The looming danger wasn’t something I could ignore, but the pull to give my
children the family they deserved was stronger.
“And does he know?” Raymond pressed, his tone growing sharper. “Does Xavier know about
who you really are? About what we are?”
I hesitated, shaking my head. “I haven’t told him yet.”
Raymond’s expression darkened further. “See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You’re
risking everything, and he doesn’t even know the full story. How is he supposed to protect you
when he doesn’t even know the truth?”
The weight of his argument made my chest tighten, and for a moment, I had no response.
Raymond was right. Xavier didn’t know the full truth, and it was my fault for not telling him
sooner. But then, a part of me believed that Xavier, once he knew, would do whatever it took to
protect us.
“Bella… think this through,” Raymond urged, his voice softer but no less insistent. “There’s still
time to reconsider.”
I was silent for a while, pondering deeply of how to tell him that my decision was final. That I
have put my trust once more on Xavier. But before I could even find the right words, a deep
voice suddenly cut through the tension, sending a shiver down my spine.
“There’s nothing to reconsider.”
I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Xavier striding toward us, his expression resolute and commanding. His presence filled the space between me and Raymond. His gaze locked
onto mine briefly before turning to my brother.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Xavier began, his voice calm but firm. “But I want to make
something clear.”
He stopped just a few feet from Raymond, his stance tall and authoritative. “I am more than capable of protecting Isabella and our children.”
