Chapter 253: 253

In the calm moonlight of the night, Bella stood in the doorway, her figure illuminated faintly by the silver glow of the moon. She gestured firmly toward George, signaling him to step in and handle the situation. It was clear that she wanted George to escort Beta Craig out of the house.

The tension within the room was palpable, and Beta Craig, standing motionless, felt his temper simmering just beneath the surface. His gaze shifted to Leo, and though he tried to suppress his frustration, his tone betrayed him. "Leo," he growled, his voice low but sharp, "your grandfather will come back tomorrow to see you. You better listen to your mother’s commands." His words, though seemingly polite, carried an undertone of irritation that hung heavily in the air.

"Okay, goodbye, grandpa!" Leo chirped in response, his voice sweet and innocent. He waved cheerfully, entirely unaware of the tension surrounding the adults. His childlike enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the strained atmosphere, and it only served to heighten Beta Craig’s frustration.

Despite saying his goodbyes, Beta Craig did not leave immediately. Instead, he turned his cold gaze toward George, his expression hardening. "Thank you for taking care of Bella and Leo all these years," he said stiffly, his words lacking genuine gratitude. "Allow me to treat you to tea one day." His voice was formal, but the coldness in his tone was impossible to miss.

George, unwilling to entertain Beta Craig’s false pleasantries, responded without hesitation. "I don’t need your tea or your kindness," he said bluntly, his voice firm. "I’d rather not have any dealings with you at all." His words were sharp, and they left no room for further conversation.

A forced smile appeared on Beta Craig’s lips, but it lacked any warmth. "You don’t have a choice," he retorted, his tone icy. "I will personally extend the invitation, whether you like it or not." Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked out of the house, leaving the tension hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

As Beta Craig finally left, George’s expression shifted. His face grew pale, and an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. He couldn’t shake the sense that something was amiss. Bella, noticing his discomfort, tried to reassure him. "Uncle, don’t let him bother you," she said softly. "Leo and I have nothing to do with him anymore. He has no place in our lives."

George forced a weak smile in response, though his thoughts were far from comforted. Deep down, he knew that if Bella ever learned the truth about his identity, her feelings toward him—and Beta Craig—might change forever. The weight of that possibility lingered heavily in his mind, casting a shadow over the moment.

Later that afternoon, just after lunch, Alpha Xavier arrived at the house. His appearance shocked Bella. He looked visibly thinner, his face tired and worn. His once-strong presence now carried an air of exhaustion that Bella found difficult to ignore. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity as she looked at him. "Alpha Xavier," she said firmly, "please stop coming here. Don’t disturb us anymore. I promise that when Leo gets better, he will recognize you. Isn’t that enough?"

Alpha Xavier’s lips curled into a sad smile, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. "Bella," he said softly, "I didn’t come here to demand recognition from my son. I came because I’ve found a doctor for Leo. He’s a renowned traditional native medicine doctor within the pack, and he specializes in treating leukemia. I want him to take over Leo’s care."

"Medicine?" Bella asked hesitantly, her brow furrowing with uncertainty.

Before Alpha Xavier could respond, Mark stepped forward to explain. "Alpha Xavier heard about Old Doctor Chuck’s expertise in treating leukemia," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "He went to great lengths to bring him here. Please, let the doctor treat Leo. It’s worth a try."

"I’ve heard stories of traditional native medicine working wonders for leukemia," George added, his voice calm but encouraging. "Since the doctor is already here, why not let him have a look? It won’t hurt to try."

Bella hesitated for a moment, glancing at George. Seeing the trust in his eyes gave her the confidence to proceed. Reluctantly, she opened the door and allowed Alpha Xavier and the others to enter the house. Dr. Olsen, the traditional medicine specialist, examined Leo thoroughly. He reviewed the boy’s medical reports with great care, nodding occasionally as he read. "Leo has received good treatment in the past," he observed. "Thankfully, he hasn’t experienced a relapse since his initial recovery. However, we must follow a strict treatment plan to ensure his health remains stable."

Bella listened intently, her cautious nature still at the forefront of her mind. After much consideration, she agreed to follow Dr. Olsen’s advice. She accepted the traditional medicine prescriptions he provided, which included two different remedies to test their effectiveness.

George, ever the caretaker, made sure to ask Dr. Olsen about dietary restrictions for Leo while taking the medicine. The doctor warned them to avoid sour, cold, and spicy foods, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet during the treatment. Bella thanked the doctor sincerely, grateful for his guidance. She began preparing to get the prescribed medicine, determined to do whatever it took to help Leo recover.

Alpha Xavier saw this as an opportunity to spend more time with Bella. "Let me drive you to the pharmacy," he offered eagerly. "It’s the least I can do to help." Bella hesitated but eventually agreed, knowing that her priority was getting the medicine for Leo.

As they drove to the pharmacy, it was the first time Bella and Alpha Xavier had been alone together since returning to the pack. Alpha Xavier stole glances at her, his expression filled with regret. "Bella," he began, his voice soft, "I’m sorry. I know I’ve made so many mistakes. I never wanted you to go through all this trouble."

Bella’s laugh was bitter. "Alpha Xavier," she said mockingly, "is there anything else you can say besides ‘I’m sorry’? Apologies seem to be your specialty. Do you think they fix everything?"

"It won’t happen again," he promised, his voice earnest. "I’ve learned my lesson."

"Really?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "Do you honestly think there won’t be a next time? Let’s not fool ourselves."

Alpha Xavier fell silent, her words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. After a moment, he tried again. "Bella," he said softly, "I just want to visit Leo regularly. Can I do that? Please?"

Bella sighed, her frustration evident. "Do I even have a choice?" she replied flatly.

Alpha Xavier’s face lit up with a small smile, grateful for her reluctant agreement. "Thank you, Bella," he said sincerely. "I won’t cause any trouble. I just want to be there for my child."

"Don’t thank me," Bella snapped. "And don’t push your luck, either. I’m only allowing this for Leo. Don’t think this changes anything between us."

"I understand," Alpha Xavier replied quickly. "I’m only here for Leo. I promise I won’t overstep."

As they reached the pharmacy and stepped out of the car, Alpha Xavier’s eyes caught a familiar figure standing near the entrance. "Isn’t that Riya?" he asked in surprise. Bella followed his gaze and saw Riya, the family nanny, standing outside the pharmacy. A man soon joined her, and the two entered the building together.

Bella’s eyes widened in recognition. "That man... isn’t that Clem, Beta Craig’s driver?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"You’re right," Alpha Xavier replied. "How does Riya know Clem? That’s strange."

"Why don’t you go talk to her?" Bella suggested, her tone neutral. "You were worried about your mother earlier, weren’t you? Now’s your chance to find out."

Alpha Xavier hesitated for a moment, glancing at Bella. Her expression was unreadable, but her words made sense. Gathering his resolve, he nodded. "You’re right. I’ll go ask her," he said, stepping toward the pharmacy.