Regretted Rejection : Wrath of the Moon
Chapter 29

Bella had a sad smile when the call with Maya disconnected. She sat back in her chair andcontemplated the day she met Ryder. The past rose up like a treasured memory in her heart andeverything that happened on that particular day played in her head like a video.

#start of flashback#

A few years ago, Bella worked part time as a hacker for the Council and Dylan had contacted her forthe purpose of getting information on one of the vampire of Xia clan in Asia. He was suspected tohave set up a network of human trafficking in the guise of clan activities.

Bella had read up on the case file that Maya gave her. Maya was visiting with another person namedRyder Callum who she claimed to be an expert in hacking. Bella had a smirk on her lips. She hadbeen in the field for quite some time now and she had never heard of this person. "Even if this“Ryder’ goes by a fake name, would his results still be better than me? Maya is bringing himunnecessarily.” Bella said to herself.

"We will see whose presence is unnecessary." a voice said to her. She turned around quickly and sawa handsome man standing behind her booth. His eyes were sparkling and there was a deliciousscent coming off of him. At first, Bella felt that it was her vampire side showing up finally. Sheleaned in closer for a better sniff.

The man took a step back and raised his eyebrows at her. Bella blushed pink to the roots of her hair.Ryder however didn't gave another look at her and sat down in the booth. Maya joined them andimmediately noticed the tension in the air. Ignoring them she started briefing up on the casehistory.

Bella too started noting down the points that she would have to take care of. She understood thatthe person she would be targeting online was a creep of the topmost category. He not only wasinvolved in human trafficking but also in organ stealing. All the money he gained from his illegalactivities was involved in gaining power in the vampire clan that he was a part of.

The money was used by him to gain favour from the old leaders. Not everyone in the clan knewwhere he got his money from but there were a few who knew it and turned a blind eye towards it.Bella's job was to replace out who all were involved. Ryder was supposed to help her replace them butsince he heard her dissing him, he wasn't that keen on helping her.

He said, "Since you deem me unnecessary, then should we have a small bet between us?"

"Bet? What kind of bet?" Bella asked quizzically.

"Let's see who amongst both of us can replace maximum number of criminals in an hour. Whoeverreplaces the most criminals, wins." Ryder said smirking.

"What does the winner gets?" Bella asked a small smile playing on her lips.

"Whatever the winner says, loser will have to accept for a total of 24 hours." Ryder said irritated byher confidence.

After about an hour, Ryder confidently leaned back in his seat and said that he found all theperpetrators inside of the clan.

"How many did you replace?" Bella asked calmly.

"I found three people other than the main criminal who have directly profited from the criminalactivities. This means that they have good amount of knowledge of the activities going in the clan.”Ryder said.

"I see." Bella replied, her face solemn, without a smile.

Ryder smirked after seeing the smile disappear from her lips. "So... I take it that I won? I will see youtomorrow sharp at 7:00 am in the morning for your punishment loser." he taunted her.

"On the contrary, I would be seeing you at 6:00 am in the morning tomorrow... Butler." Bella repliedwith a full blown smile.

"Huh!?" Ryder looked puzzled at her.

Bella simply replied by spinning her laptop so that the screen faced him. She then calmly ordered aslice of pecan pie. Ryders jaw dropped when he saw the screen. He looked like a funny cartooncharacter at that time. Maya had sat quietly observing their antics at that time.

Tormenting the delicious smelling vampire called Ryder had been a pleasure for Bella.

#end of flashback#

Bella shook her head, her face softened in fondness of the memory. She then quickly paid the billand left the cafe to start packing for the journey to the Council Headquarters. As she started herjourney to the Council Headquarters, determination was blazing in her eyes. She was not going tolet Ryder get under her skin anymore. Since for all intents and purposes he didn't want her, then shewouldn't want him either. She will just indulge herself in her favourite activities and simply ignorethe incorrigible man's existence.

Maya was in the gym when little Sam came running towards her.

"Aunt Maya!" he yelled before rushing to hug her. He had rushed directly after school, to meet hisAunt.

"How was school today, little monkey?" Maya asked.

"I am not a monkey. I am a wolf" Sam said pouting.

Maya gently rubbed the top of his head, musing up his hair. "Yes, yes my little wolf, how was yourschool today?"

"It was so much fun." said Sam as he launched into a lengthy tirade explaining his daily activities.Maya was feeling relieved to see Sam so happy and relaxed. Since the day they came over, Sam hadbeen asking her for his parents. Maya at that time didn't know how to face this child.

It was only when Xander explained everything to Sam calmly and reminded him of Ken's partingwords that Sam had settled down. Under the loving care of Xander, Sam had gradually understoodthat he would be living with his Aunt Maya and Uncle Xander for some time. He also understoodthat during this time, he wouldn't be able to see or visit his parents.

Slowly but steadily, Sam started getting used to the new environment. His new school and newplaymates kept him distracted from the gloom at times. Thankfully he had made new friends andwas no longer confused by the situation.

Maya calmly listened to his stories about the school and laughed gently at his antics. She wasreminded of the time when her brother, ex-Alpha Ken was a child. His behaviour was quite similar tolittle Sam, even the way they gestured when talking was so similar.

Xander walked in the gym with a few of his trainees to start their regime and saw such aheartwarming scene. His mate, Maya was leaning towards a little child and listening to the childwhile smiling. His heart gave a loud thump and his wolf projected a series of images of Maya beingpregnant or Maya surrounded by their little pups. He couldn't help but wish for such a scene tocome to fruition soon.