Chapter 176

Chapter 176
Arabella's POV

I followed Alexander back to the private room, my heart finally slowing down to normal. My hand was still shaking a little as I grabbed the edge of his shirt. The club music thumped through the walls like it was from a whole different world.

I spotted Asher by the window, looking tense as hell. When he turned around, I could see the dark circles under his eyes and his jaw all tight. I knew that look—he was worried about me.

"Frank's bounty is already making the rounds," Asher said, cutting through my thoughts. "Our guys say there's already hunter teams heading this way."

My stomach knotted up again, and I felt the panic trying to claw its way back. But Alexander wrapped his arm around my waist, his heat and smell like a shield around me. I breathed in deep, getting a noseful of his pine and musk scent—my anchor, my safe place.

"I've got a safe house," Asher said with that big-brother protectiveness I knew too well. "Three hours from here. Hidden, killer security system, fully stocked. Arabella and Alice can lay low there till we deal with Frank."

I felt Alexander tense up behind me, his fingers digging slightly into my waist. I didn't need to see his face to know he hated that idea.

"No." His voice was a deep growl that vibrated against my back. "We've tried the running and hiding shit before. This time's different. I won't let my mate and pup get hunted like fucking prey."

My heart swelled at Alexander's words, feeling weirdly relieved. I looked at Asher and saw the anger flash in his eyes—just like when we were kids and he'd stand between me and anything scary.

"You want to keep her exposed to danger?" Asher was practically snarling. "This isn't about your Alpha dick-measuring, Alexander! This is about my sister's safety!"

I felt caught between two powerful protective forces. But this time, I didn't want to be the weak one they shielded. Something new and strong rose up inside me.

"Asher, I don't want to run anymore." My voice came out steady, surprising even me. I turned to look at Alexander, seeing surprise flash in his eyes. That gave me the balls to keep going. "Running just kicks the can down the road. I'm... I'm sick of being chased by Wesley and his asshole father."

Saying that felt like dropping a heavy backpack I'd been lugging around forever. I stared right into Asher's eyes, watching him go from shocked to thinking it over.

The room went dead silent. Lucas stopped his nervous finger-tapping. Tristan's glasses caught the light, hiding his eyes. They were all looking at me like they'd never seen me before.

My heart was racing, but not from fear—this was more like the rush you get before jumping off a high dive. I realized this might be the first time I'd actually spoken up during a major decision instead of just going along with whatever everyone else planned.

Alexander moved to the center table with new purpose in his steps—like my decision had somehow given him a boost. "Frank crossed a line," his voice went low and dangerous. "Putting a bounty on a pregnant mate? That's a fucking challenge to all of Blood Moon."

My hand automatically went to my stomach, feeling the tiny but definite life inside. My baby. Our baby. This little life made me even more determined—I didn't want my kid born into a life on the run.

Lucas looked at me warmly and nodded. "Hiding just makes him bolder. We need to hit this head-on." He sounded more serious than I'd ever heard him.

I glanced at Tristan, who was pushing his glasses up—what he always does when he's thinking. "We need more intel," he said, calm as ever. "Who's helping Frank? Is this just revenge, or is there a bigger play?"

A thought hit me, and I heard myself say louder than I meant to: "What's Black Moon's role in all this? Wesley's one of them. Could Frank have Declan backing him?"

Saying Wesley's name still made my stomach twist, but not as bad as before. His name was losing its power over me.

Alexander's face went thoughtful, and I could practically see the wheels turning. "We need to find out if Black Moon's working with Frank. If they are, we're facing double trouble. If not, there might be something even bigger going on."

Asher crossed his arms, looking defensive like he did when we argued as kids. "And how're you gonna do that? Just ask Declan? Like he'd tell the truth?"

I watched Alexander shake his head. "Not Declan." His eyes moved to Tristan. "Call Blood... "

Tristan pulled out his phone, dialed, and put it in the middle of the table. Each ring felt like it hit my nerves. Finally, someone picked up.

"What?" The voice—cold and wary.

Alexander cut right to it: "Blood, I need to know if Black Moon's working with Frank Carter on the bounty for Arabella."

Hearing Alexander just put my situation out there so bluntly made me bite my lip. I stared at the phone like I could see through it to Blood's face.

There was silence for a few seconds—long enough to make me squirm. Then, a cold laugh. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me. Black Moon got hit too. Ten members seriously fucked up, one missing. We thought it was you assholes."

This news hit me like a slap. I looked at Alexander in surprise, our eyes meeting, both of us realizing the same thing. "What does that mean?" I barely whispered.

Tristan's analysis was cool and clear: "Looks like someone's playing both sides, attacking both packs at once."

A chill ran up my spine. If someone was attacking both packs, this threat was bigger and more organized than I'd thought. Now I wasn't just worried about me and Alice, but for all the werewolves.

Alexander took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Maybe this is our chance. Two packs putting aside old beef to find who's really behind this."

I held my breath—this was a bold-ass move. I looked at Asher, seeing the shock on his face I expected. "Are you insane? Working with Black Moon? They could be setting us up!"

I remembered Wesley's lies and betrayal, but also knew this crisis was bigger than old grudges. "If Frank's really declared war on both packs," I said, surprised how steady I sounded, "working together might be our only shot."

Lucas and Alexander exchanged a look, and I'd learned to read their silent conversations. Lucas nodded: "Even a temporary team-up would need strict ground rules."

Over the phone, Blood's breathing got faster. I could almost picture his internal struggle—Blood and Landon talking to each other in his head, like I'd glimpsed before. "Declan won't trust you easily," he finally said, his voice carrying something I couldn't quite place.

Alexander spoke into the phone: "Take a message to Declan. I want to meet, talk about this shared problem. Neutral spot, three members each."

"Why would he risk it?" Blood's voice dripped suspicion, but I heard curiosity underneath.

Something pushed me closer to the phone. "Because Frank's threatening both packs." I paused, gathering my nerve. "And... tell him I'll be there. As Wesley's ex, I know how Frank thinks."

Saying this, I felt Alexander's hot stare on me. But he didn't object, which surprised and pleased me. He was respecting my choice, letting me be part of this mess that involved my life.

Silence from the other end, then the voice changed—softer, hesitant: "Arabella, are you sure you want to be in such a dangerous meeting?"

My heart skipped—that was Landon's voice, not Blood's. The switch was so sudden I didn't know how to respond. I looked at Alexander, whose face had stiffened slightly, but he nodded for me to go on.

Lucas suggested, "The edge of Moon Shadow Forest. Tomorrow evening." His eyes had that strategic gleam. "Safe enough, but neutral enough."

The voice hardened again—Blood was back: "I'll pass the message. Can't promise he'll bite."