Chapter 14: Those Deep Blue Eyes
1236 Words
BELLA'S POV
Naomi stayed for a few more minutes, then excused herself for a meeting in the city.
After she left, the house settled into that soft midmorning quiet again.
“Is everyone ready?" Sebastian's voice resounded.
He was descending the winding stairs, already changed in a deep blue shirt topped with a black suit jacket. It made him look noble and insanely handsome.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Until, I felt a light nudge from Selene.
“My brother is too handsome, isn't he?” she grinned.
Heat flared on my cheeks.
"We've been waiting for you here for a while. What took you so long?” Selene grumbled, linking her arm with mine.
Sebastian's eyes fell on me, and it took him a moment to glance away.
I think… we had just dressed in the same color—like a couple.
“Look at the two of you. Matching colors! Ah, you make me jealous. Maybe it's time to find my mate too," Selene ranted again, but was met by Mom's stern gaze.
“Only when you're finished with your degree, young lady," Ava interjected.
Selene pouted like a spoiled little girl.
Mom had been strict with her since she was finishing her degree in college.
In their world, especially as the Alpha's daughter, she was bound by duty to follow Sebastian. She couldn’t just pick some random wolf as her mate. Usually, the Alpha chose his daughter’s mate for political alliances.
But I don't think the Whitlocks would ever do that. Selene was their precious princess, and I truly believe her happiness always came first.
Ava stood and smoothed her skirt. “I’ll come with you to the cemetery. It's been a while since I last visited my best friend's grave.”
“Shall we go?" Sebastian turned to me.
"Okay,” I nodded.
Then we headed out together.
Sebastian drove the car, and I sat in the passenger seat, while Serena occupied the back.
In the other car were Mom and Ronan, who was driving.
The drive to the cemetery was quiet until we arrived at the resting place, tucked away from the city.
Once the cars were parked, we got out one after another and began walking between rows of markers, each of us holding a bouquet of elegant peonies.
We stopped when we reached the polished stone that bore my parents’ names.
I knelt and traced the letters with the side of my thumb. The granite held a faint chill.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” I said quietly. My voice sounded smaller in the quietness. “I’m sorry it’s been a while.”
Ava set the peonies at the base of the headstone and stepped back to give me room. Selene stood on my other side, close enough that our shoulders touched.
I continued. “I wanted to tell you… I’m okay. Please don't worry for me up there.”
A steady breath moved through me, easing the tight place in my chest.
“Naomi came by this morning,” I said, almost like I was catching them up after a long phone call. “She thinks I could go back soon. I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t want to force it just because people are waiting. I want to choose it.”
I paused and let that settle. Selene slid her hand into mine and gave it a squeeze.
Ava stepped forward and rested her palm on my shoulder. “They would be proud of you, Bella.”
We stood there a while, not saying much.
The grounds were quiet except for a soft rustle through the trees and the distant sound of a bell from the chapel.
I placed my fingertips on the stone one last time.
“I’ll come back soon,” I promised.
We went back to where the car was parked. Sebastian turned to me.
“I can’t go with you,” he said, voice even. “There’s something I need to attend later.”
I just nodded without asking further questions.
“Ronan will stay with you,” he added, eyes resting on me a second longer. “Call me if you need anything.”
“We’ll be fine,” I assured him.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer and pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.
My heart filled with warmth again.
This wasn’t a new feeling for me. Sebastian had always been this gentle since I came to their home. He always regarded me as a precious treasure.
Ava leaned in as well and kissed my temple, then Selene.
“I’ll head home first. Be careful on your way. Don’t be too long,” she reminded us.
“We won’t,” Selene said, already thinking about stores.
Ronan opened the car door for us, and we settled inside.
We pulled through the gates and back onto the main road.
Selene shifted toward me in the backseat. “So… let's get on with the gift plan. What do you suggest?”
“She wears brooches to council events,” I pondered. “Maybe we can look for something elegant but not loud.”
“Or a pendant,” Selene suggested. “She loves pieces with meaning.”
Ronan glanced at us in the mirror, chiming. “There’s a boutique on West Row. They handle custom work.”
I saw how Selene blushed at Ronan's simple gesture.
I had long known that Selene liked him, and so did Ronan. But neither had the guts to openly show their feelings, respecting boundaries.
Ronan was loyal to Sebastian and didn’t want to stir any trouble for the Whitlocks. Selene thought the same way.
***
We arrived at the shopping center, and Ronan led us directly to the boutique he had mentioned.
It was a high-end establishment, sleek and minimalist, with a quiet elegance that spoke of custom craftsmanship.
Selene and I started scanning the displays, picking up pieces and examining them carefully.
Brooches, pendants, rings—everything was tasteful and understated.
After a few minutes of looking for some pieces, I felt the urge to use the restroom.
“I need to step out for a moment,” I told Selene.
She immediately offered, “I’ll go with you.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I just need a few minutes.”
She hesitated, then nodded, and I slipped toward the restroom.
When I finished and stepped back out, I started walking toward the boutique again—but accidentally collided with someone.
I looked up—and froze.
A pair of deep blue eyes met mine.
He was tall, composed, and there was an intensity in the way he studied me that made my heart skip. Not in a flustered way—more like recognition, sharp and sudden.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, stepping back slightly, though I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
His gaze didn’t waver.
“No harm done,” he said, his voice calm, but carrying a weight I couldn’t place.
Something in that moment felt charged—familiar, yet completely new.
I cleared my throat. “I… I need to get back to my friends.”
He nodded slowly, still watching me as I turned toward the boutique entrance.
But I could feel his eyes lingering behind, like a shadow that followed me without moving.
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