My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 37

chapter 31
BELLA’S POV

Two days later, the Vice Director called me into his office.

“Bella, I need you to deliver this document to the Urban Management Bureau representative. They’re attending a luncheon at the country club,” he said, bringing out a brown envelope.

I blinked. “Sir, it’s the weekend-”

“I know. But they asked for it today. And you’re available.”

Of course, I was.

I took the envelope with both hands and nodded. “Understood.”

Inside, I was groaning. Out of everyone in the department, why me? I was a street cleaner, not a delivery person. Still, I couldn’t argue. The last thing I needed was trouble with my superiors.

By the time I reached the country club, my nerves were already tight. The building looked luxurious as always. It had tall glass doors, marble floors, gold-trimmed pillars, and the smell of expensive perfume floating through the air.

I had been here with Damien a few times. He was a member. He probably still is.

As soon as I stepped inside, a man in a tailored suit looked at me from head to tow. Then another one glanced at my fluorescent orange uniform and frowned as though I had tracked mud in. Even the women looked at me with disgust. Goddess, especially the women.

They eyed me from head to toe, whispering to themselves. I could see the judgement in their eyes. One of them even held their nose.

I was the odd one out. It was clear. Everyone else was dressed in the finest clothes. And then…there was me.

“Excuse me, miss,” one of the staff members said quickly, stepping in front of me. “This area is for members only.”

I held up the envelope. “I’m here to deliver a document from the hospital. It’s for someone from the Urban Management Bureau.”

He studied me for a moment, clearly unsure. The stares around me burned. God, I hated this feeling.

I could almost hear their thoughts: What is she doing here?

I felt like an outsider again, like some wild animal wandering into human space.

My wolf would’ve found this funny. She’d have bared her teeth just enough to make them flinch. I missed her voice in my head, that calm snarl of warning, the confidence she always gave me.

Before I could say anything more, another staff member walked up, holding a clipboard. “You’re from the hospital?” he asked.

“Yes.” I said.

He checked a note and nodded “We’re expecting you. Follow me.”

I was relieved “Thank you.”

The sooner I could hand off the document, the better. Then I could disappear back into the quiet streets where no one looked at me like I was dirt.

The man led me down a long hallway lined with mirrors and paintings. The sound of laughter and soft music grew louder with each step. He pushed open a pair of double doors and suddenly I was standing at the edge of a luxury Ballroom.

It was filled with people dressed in silk and velvet. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead. Laughter and the clinking of glasses echoed around me.

I took one step inside, clutching the envelope tighter and then I heard it.

“Look who’s here!”

That voice. I recognized it. My stomach sank.

I turned slowly, and sure enough Jane was standing near a round table. Her arm was linked with none other than Nina.

Of course. Of all the places.

“Bella!” Nina called out loudly, waving her perfectly manicured hand. Her voice was loud for everyone in the room to hear. Heads turned. Eyes landed on me.

I froze. I could see several faces I recognized. These were old classmates of mine. My chest tightened.

My chest tightened at the mention of Damien.

Nina’s eyes gleamed at the word mate. She might not have fully understood what it meant in our world, but she could sense how important it was The air felt heavier suddenly. Everyone was looking at me right now.

“Yes,” I said quietly. “He made the choice he thought was right for him.”

I wouldn’t fight. Not here. Not for them.

Derek’s smirk deepened. “You’re not so high and mighty now, are you?”

I inhaled slowly and stepped back, keeping my voice even. “It’s in the past, Derek. Let it go.”

His eyes flashed with amusement and something darker. “You don’t tell me what to do.”

I felt my muscles tighten. He was bigger than I remembered, broader, more dangerous.

Once, he’d tried to corner me at a charity event years ago. He’d grabbed my arm and tried to drag me outside. I’d fought back. I clawed at his face, partially shifted, tore into his arm before Damien found us.

The scar near his eye was the reminder. Damien taught him a huge lesson that night.

And now, he was touching that scar. A twisted grin formed on his face as he touched the scar.

“Your ex is untouchable,” he murmured. “But you…” His voice dropped low. “You aren’t. And you still owe me for what he did to me.”

The room felt colder suddenly. My heart pounded.

Every instinct in me screamed to shift, to bare my teeth, to fight but there was nothing left. My wolf was gone.

All I could do was stand there.

I knew I was in trouble. Huge trouble.