Chapter 53: Nerves.

Bella’s pov.

I watched nervously as John stared down his brother.

The tension in the room is thick.

So thick I could barely swallow…

Nothing could be heard besides my raging heartbeat.

“Now, now, boys,” Angel said, walking towards the king and sitting in his lap, “calm down, the both of you. John… you’ll do as he says. They want you to come home, so you’ll come home.”

John clenched his fists as his head slowly turned to look at her.

“What makes you think I’ll listen to you…” he said quietly, almost too quietly… “I already said I would go there to see our father and that’s it. I’ll be coming back here.”

I watched king Karl’s face darken, obviously not liking the discompliance…

“Little brother,” he said while chuckling, his eyes narrowing on me, “this wouldn’t be because of a little she wolf, would it? Because I can assure you that you won’t like what happens to her or her pack if you do not listen to what I am saying…”

My eyes widened and a gasp slipped past my lips before I could help myself, king Karl’s face lighting up with a wicked smirk.

“Oh yes…” he laughed manically, shivers running up my spine as I stared at him in horror, “I am the king. I get what I want, and you little brother, are what I want right now. I can’t have the kingdom falling as with you at the front lines, fighting for me, we’d surely never lose.”

“You will not use me as your puppet, Karl!” John yelled, standing up in his anger, “you’ve done that to me enough growing up! I will not stand here and let you decide what’s best for me! I’m happy here! Happier than I’ve ever been my entire life, and I won’t let you take that away from me! King or not!”

He slammed his fist against my desk before he quickly walked out of my office, slamming the door behind him.

I stared at the door, where he had left. Wondering what I should do… what I should say…

“Bella…” king Karl muttered suddenly, making me whip my head towards him, “you’ll do best to stay out of our way. If John doesn’t come help us at the kingdom… I won’t be helping you. And, I won’t be allowing you to stay the alpha… understand?”

I opened and closed my mouth in disbelief.

Is he serious right now? Can he even do that?

‘Technically, no. He can’t,’ Tundra growled so angrily I could barely hold control over her, ‘but he’ll do whatever he wants! No matter what…’

“King Karl… I think there’s been a huge misunderstanding,” I tried to say, not wanting to get on his bad side… “but-.”

“No buts!” Angel shrieked, her eyes glaring daggers at me as if I was her personal enemy, “you’ll convince him to come home… or else.”

With that both Angel and Karl got up, dusting off their shirts before walking out of my office without another word.

Leaving me alone, scared, and unsure what to do next…

‘Tundra… I’m scared,’ I said to my wolf, turning to her for guidance, not knowing if I could go up against the king and queen's wishes…

‘We do as John says. We trust him. He’ll help us get through this, I know he will,’ she responded, sounding so confident, so sure.

Before I could ask her any more questions she shit herself off to me.

Letting me think of my questions alone.

I turned around, looking out the window at the pack. My pack.

Everyone looked so carefree, so happy. But little did they know the danger that lurked here.

If I didn’t do as I was told… I could lose this pack, my title and everything I’ve worked so hard for.

But… I could also lose John, forever.

I was so caught up in my head I didn’t realize John had walked back through the door into my office, a sad look on his face.

“John!” I stuttered, caught off guard that he came back here, “you scared me!”

He chuckled while taking a seat across from me, folding his hands in his lap.

“I’m sorry,” he sighed, looking at me with complete exhaustion in his eyes, “and I’m sorry I left you here, alone, with them… I couldn’t- I couldn’t look at her anymore. I couldn’t listen to my brother deciding my fate. He doesn’t deserve my help, and I promise I won’t be going anywhere. I’m the beta here, always.”

“John…” I whispered, not able to look him in the eyes, “they said… they said if I didn’t stay out of their way… if I didn’t convince you to go there, to do what they want… they’ll take my title and pack away from me. I’m scared, John. I don’t think I could go against what they want. They have power and influence… I’m scared for the pack. For the members, who knows what would happen to them.”

He put his head in his hands, breathing in deeply before looking at me again.

“Bella… don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the pack. If I have to… I’ll tell him that Angel was my mate. That should make him want to keep me here. No matter what, I got you. Don’t be afraid, not as long as I’m here, okay?” He said, a promising look on his eyes as he searched my face.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something…

But I closed it, not knowing the right words.

“It’s okay… you don’t have to say anything else. Just know that I won’t let anything happen. And that I’m not going anywhere, as long as you’re around, so will I. I… I want you, Bella. I want you in my future,” he whispered, raw, vulnerable.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my body wanting to move closer to him…

I hesitated before I stood up and walked towards him slowly…

Crouching down to his level and looking into his eyes.

“How can you know that, John?” I asked quietly, searching his face for something, anything…

“Because I do…” he whispered back, leaning closer towards me…

Just as I thought our lips were about to touch he pulled back, looking at me sadly.

“You don’t want this, do you? Us? You’ve pulled back, you’ve been so distant. Why?” He asked suddenly, making me look at him curiously.

“John… what about you and Kadence?”