赤裸裸的滑稽故事

A whole week had gone by since Roman’s attack.

Caleb was working hard to get the defense system up and running. But he had run into even more troubles than Galen had known about.

Ashleigh had also remained, spending much of her time either in meditation or with Bell. But, surprisingly, she had pulled away from outright training or sparring sessions.

Axel and Corrine were both busy manning the war effort. They were in constant contact with Fiona and Jonas, keeping everyone updated.

After Axel had sent Wyatt’s team to investigate whether the obsidian was being targeted, there had been more skirmishes and ambushes reported across the lesser packs in the south.

Fiona was handling most of the reports, while Jonas covered the attacks reported in the west.

From what they were able to put together based on reports, there was no rhyme or reason, the attacks seemed random and unorganized. But all descriptions and identifications came back as the Autumn wolves.

For their part, Bell and Galen still mostly lived in their own world. They had stayed at the hospital for three days. Then, once the doctors felt that Ren was perfectly safe and that Bell had recovered from the shock of the event, they were released home on bed rest.

Galen, per usual, doted on her.

He made sure that she wanted for nothing, and everything was available to her.

“You do know that it’s not a permanent bed rest, right?” Bell laughed as Galen arranged the table beside their bed full of snacks and drinks she might be interested in.

“She said bed rest for a day or two, and it has been five!” Bell giggled.

Galen turned and smiled at her. He sat down on the bed beside her and cupped her face.

“I just like taking care of you,” he whispered.

Bell smiled and leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

As they pulled away from each other, Galen got a look in his eye. A look that Bell had become familiar with. He was thinking hard about how to bring something up. Something important.

“Did you hear that Axel has created roles for multiple betas?” Galen finally said, rearranging a few of the items on the table.

‘There it is,’ Bell thought with an internal smile.

She reached over and grabbed an apple, taking a small bite out of it before replying to his question.

“I heard something about that, yea.”

“It’s an interesting idea,” he said. “Honestly, it’s something Caleb should take into consideration. Summer isn’t as large as Winter and we are close enough that communicating with the pack as a whole is much easier. But, having a beta for each of the primary divisions would be a great way to make sure all needs are being met.”

“Well,” Bell said, “it’s something you could suggest to him. It sounds like it would be a big help in your job.”

Galen nodded.

“Yes, it would definitely help whoever was in the primary beta role.”

Bell looked carefully at Galen, she said nothing, and he continued to look at the table as he spoke.

“I was thinking I would suggest it to him…. When I give him the recommendations for my replacement.”

The words hung in the air between them. Galen waited for a response, but Bell remained quiet.

He licked his lips and swallowed his nerves. He had already opened the can, might as well spill it all out on the table.

“I am going to speak with Axel,” he said, turning to look at her. “About the possibility of a role for me here in Winter. I know I won’t be a beta anymore, but I’m willing to work my up the ranks wherever there’s a place for me.

“Even if it’s in an entirely different community. I will go, do my work, and come home as often as I can until I can earn a place here in this community. With my experience and my determination, I feel confident it won’t be a long time.”

Bell took another bite of her apple while Galen waited patiently for her to respond. She slowly chewed, and he watched her, waiting. He knew she was thinking, processing, asking and answering her own questions. That was how Bell worked through things.

She had entire conversations in her head, the good, the bad, the ugly. She let it all out inside her mind and then decided if it was worth it to bring it all out in reality.

“You want to do a long-distance relationship with me again? With your son?” she asked, looking at the remaining half of her apple as she spoke.

“I don’t think Axel with assign me somewhere too far off, but even the southern border is only a couple of hours. And only for a little while,” Galen replied.

“From the southern border of Winter to where your wife and child will be living is a much longer commute than that,” Bell said.

Galen furrowed his brows. He didn’t understand what she meant, she didn’t have friends or family in the far northern territories. As far as he knew, this was the only place she wanted to be.

“I don’t understand,” he said.

“It’s simple, my big dumb lovable puppy,” Bell smiled. “Ren and I will be in Summer.”

Galen stared at her in surprise and confusion. Finally, he took a deep breath and sat down on the bed beside her legs.

Bell took another bite of her apple and smiled as she waited for his response.

“Bell,” he began. “I truly appreciate that you are trying to give me what you think I want, I really do. But we can’t move to Summer.”

“Why not?” she asked, setting the apple core in the garbage beside the bed.

“You know why,” Galen sighed. “It is too dangerous. Here you’re safe, and we have family and friends. This is our home, Bell. I promise you, I want to do this.”

Bell took a deep, cleansing breath through her nose. She smiled and reached her hand to his cheek. Galen naturally leaned into her hand and looked back into her warm eyes.

“Oh, puppy,” she whispered. “This isn’t about what you want.”

Galen looked at her with confusion.

“I want to go to Summer,” she said. “I want to go to Broken Crag, Burning Ember, to a human city.”

“Bell…” Galen whispered.

His heart was beating hard. And a heavy weight had settled in his stomach.

“You know, I want to give you everything…” he said. “But it’s just too dangerous.”

“Why?” she asked, pulling her hand away from him.

“You know why,” he replied sadly.

Bell leaned back against the headboard and took another deep breath.

“Because of Roman?” she asked.

Galen swallowed and nodded.

“Yea,” he said. “He’s dangerous, Bell, and I don’t know if I can protect you out there. But here, we know he can’t get to you. Here you are safe.”

Bell closed her eyes and sucked her lips together. She blew out a heavy breath and sniffled before opening her eyes and staring at her husband.

Bell clenched her jaw and then relaxed before she spoke again.

“Fuck Roman.”