Chapter 306

Chapter 306
Bella

I stared at Soren's hand wrapped around my wrist. His Alpha pheromones were subtle but deliberate, and every instinct in me wanted to either submit.

Was Soren upset?  

As I was wondering, Soren smiled warmly and said, "I'll be here waiting for you. When you're done with filming, would you like to grab a bite with me? Just us."

I replied, "Soren, I—"

"I'm willing to wait," he continued. "However long it takes for you to finish your work today. For something—or someone—I care about, time is never an issue."

I pulled my wrist free and said, "My career comes first right now. I'm not looking to develop... romantic relationships."

Soren responded, "I'm not asking you to mark me, Bella. Just dinner. A chance to build trust between us."

Something in his tone made me hesitate. I should have given him a firm no, should have drawn clear boundaries. Instead, I found myself simply nodding toward the soundstage.

"I need to get back to work."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked toward the filming area.

---

The afternoon scene was one of my favorites—an emotional confrontation between my character and Cindy's. I threw myself into the role completely, channeling all my pent-up frustration into the performance. For a few blissful hours, I could forget about complicated Alphas and the secret growing inside me.

Cindy seemed unusually focused too, her acting sharp and intense. We were standing by the artificial lake they'd constructed for the scene, our characters having reached the climactic moment of their rivalry.

"You think you're so perfect," Cindy delivered her line with convincing venom. "But everyone can see what you really are."

I responded with my character's defiant comeback, but something felt off. Cindy's eyes held a gleam that had nothing to do with acting, and her body language was too tense, too real.

The director called "Action!" for what should have been the final take, and everything happened too fast.

Instead of delivering her next line, Cindy suddenly shoved me hard toward the lake. The push was vicious, far beyond anything we'd rehearsed, and I heard the director's startled shout: "Wait! I don't remember that being in the blocking!"

I hit the water with a splash that knocked the wind out of me. But as I tried to surface, something was terribly wrong. My limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. Every stroke was a struggle, as if the water itself was fighting against me.

Silver, my wolf senses screamed. There's silver in the water.

Panic shot through me as I realized what was happening. Someone had contaminated the lake with silver particles—not enough to be visible, but more than enough to weaken any wolf who came into contact with it.

My vision blurred as I fought to stay above the surface. Through the chaos, I saw a figure diving into the water, swimming toward me with powerful strokes. For a moment, my oxygen-starved brain conjured a familiar silhouette, and I could have sworn it was Liam coming to rescue me.

Liam, I thought desperately as consciousness slipped away. Why did I still think of you when I was drowning?

---

I woke to the sterile smell of a hospital room and the uncomfortable sensation of being watched. Soren sat in the chair beside my bed, his usually pristine appearance disheveled. His clothes were still damp, and I caught the scent of lake water clinging to his skin.

"You saved me," I said, my voice hoarse.

He leaned forward, his expression serious. "Cindy won't be a problem anymore. I've made sure she'll face consequences for what she did."

I responded, "You don't need to—"

Soren cut me off, "I don't need to protect you? Bella, that woman tried to seriously harm you. In my book, that makes it my business."

I shifted uncomfortably, trying not to think about the life growing inside me. Had the silver exposure hurt the baby? The thought made my stomach clench with worry, but I couldn't exactly ask for a pregnancy check with Soren sitting right there.

"I appreciate your concern," I said carefully, "but I can handle my own problems."

"Can you?" He studied my face intently. "You looked terrified in that water."

"I was drowning," I said. "Anyone would be terrified."

"Perhaps." Soren didn't look convinced.

I continued, "You really don't have to go out of your way for me. Even if the crew stops giving me a hard time, what's the point?"  

Soren sighed softly. "The thing is, without distractions or worries, you can really pursue your dreams. Otherwise, you'll get stuck in the grind, tied down by all the drama and favors. I just want you to have the freedom to focus on what truly matters."

"Tell me something, Bella. What does freedom mean to you?"

The question was so unexpected that I answered honestly. "Freedom means being able to make my own choices without having to consider how they'll affect anyone else's power plays or pack politics."

Soren pressed, "And have you ever had that kind of freedom?"

I thought about Liam.

What I craved most in the past was freedom, but Liam never really gave it to me.  

Then, there was someone else who could offer it, yet I realized freedom wasn't as vital as I once thought.  

As long as I felt free, I was free no matter where I was, wasn't I?  

I looked down with a faint, bitter smile, about to say more, when a figure suddenly appeared in the doorway of the hospital room.

Liam Wilson.

His dark eyes swept the room, taking in my hospital gown, Soren's protective posture, and the obvious tension between us. When his gaze met mine, I felt that old familiar pull, the one that had once made me believe we were meant to be together.

"Bella." Liam's voice was rough with concern. "Are you all right? I heard about the accident."

I forced myself to remain cold, even as my wolf stirred restlessly at his presence. "Why are you here?"

"Does it matter?" He stepped into the room, his Alpha aura clashing immediately with Soren's. "I was worried about you."

Soren rose from his chair, and suddenly the hospital room felt far too small for two Alphas who clearly saw each other as threats. The air crackled with tension, both men unconsciously squaring their shoulders.