Regretted Rejection : Wrath of the Moon
Chapter 36

Bella was completely thrown when Ryder said, "I need your help.”

Bella understood Ryder's nature. Unless it had been a really problematic situation, Ryder wouldnever approach her directly. "What is the problem? How can I help?" Bella asked a bit tensed. Shemoved to a side and allowed Ryder to step inside Maya's room.

"The Xia Clan." Ryder replied in a clipped tone.

"Xia Clan?" a voice called from the open door. Both of them turned to see Maya standing there witha bag slung over her shoulder. "Didn't we deal with the power struggle in Xia Clan last time? As faras I know we cleaned out all the bad people from the clan.” Maya continued questioning them."Apparently, we missed someone the last time. There is a illegal sale of were animals going down inthe country. It is scheduled on the coming weekend though the specific day and time is unknown.We are still trying to get the information on this sale. The organizer seems to be named Xia.” Ryderreplied in a reporting tone. Although Ryder was leading his own team now, he slipped into his oldway of reporting to Maya.

"Any chance that it is a coincidence? Maybe it is someone else named Xia with no relations to thevampire clan.” Bella commented trying to see other possibilities.

"Someone else named Xia in the criminal world committing the same type of crime? Highlydoubtful. It cannot be a coincidence.” Maya replied.

"Alright, it is your first time as a Team Leader Ryder. A lot is riding on you. If you need any help thendon't hesitate to ask me. Also remember, successfully rescuing the victims of trafficking is moreimportant than anything else.” Maya stated to Ryder and turned towards Bella, "Once this mission iscompleted, we will enter our deal. I have high hopes from you.”

Bella and Ryder left the room to walk towards the computer zone and Ryder's office. There was afeeling of an unspoken truce between them.

"She doesn't make it easy, does she?" Bella asked Ryder with a smile.

"It is certainly difficult to work while knowing the expectations people have from you.” Ryder repliedin a soft tone.

"Put me to work. Let's make sure this demon is slain forever." Bella said.

When Bella entered the room, everyone was busy on their workstations and no one paid attentionto her. However when Bella set up her own work station and logged in on it, Carter noticed her andasked Ryder, "Who is she? Is she a new joinee?"

"She is a temporary consultant that will be helping us on this case.” Ryder replied.

"Is she any good?" Carter asked.

"She is Bella. She is a vampire and she is the best online tracker out there. Trust me, she is morethan good for this work.” Ryder said.

"Ok boss man, if you say so." Carter replied not believing his words. For Carter, Ryder was the bestperson for online criminal tracking while he ranked the second.

"You don't believe him, do you?" Bella asked raising her head a little arrogantly.

"Forgive me, but I replace it hard to believe that there's a better tracker than us out there in the world.It is nothing against you, just that Council has more money and equipment and has given us thebest of the training available.” Carter explained his viewpoint.

"I don't blame you for disbelieving. How about a little bet Carter?" Bella asked.

"What type of bet?" Carter returned her question with one of his own.

"Let's see who amongst both of us can replace most relevant clues with regards to the case in under anhour. Whoever replaces the most relevant clue, wins. It can be judged by your boss, Mr. Ryder." Bellasaid smirking.

Ryder was jolted back by her words. What Bella had said was quite similar to the challenge he hadthrown her way. He had arrogantly challenged her and had fallen flat on his face. It was anembarrassing moment of his life. However it was also that moment were he had felt attractiontowards someone other than his mate. He had been shocked at that time. When Bella had claimedherself to be his second chance mate, a lot of things had made sense. Unfortunately he had neverbeen quite ready to accept another person as his mate.

"What does the winner gets?" Carter asked a smirking wildly.

"Whatever the winner says, loser will have to accept for a total of 24 hours." Bella replied with asmirk of her own.

"Challenge accepted.” Carter replied.

Their banter had attracted the attention of the entire office and people gathered around them tosee them work. Bella and Carter went at it and started collecting information from their sources,tracked down other illegal sale activities connected with name Xia and did so much more.

After the hour was completed, Carter displayed his results to the group and showed them the pastillegal activities with traces of Xia clan involvement.

Bella laughed lightly and showed her laptop screen to Carter. She had found out the date, time andplace for the sale of were animals that was going to take place on the upcoming Saturday evening.But what clinched her victory was that she had managed to secure an invitation for the sale. Hercontact was going to send her more information about the sale that was going to take place.Carter stood up holding on to her laptop. There was disbelief written on his face, his mouth hungopen. He looked quite comical and Bella couldn't resist a showing a smile. Silence reigned in theoffice for a moment or two before everyone started speaking at once commenting andcomplimenting on Bella's work.

"How? It would have taken us a few days or at the very least a few hours. How did you manage toget these details in just an hour? Who are you?" Carter asked his shock showing in his speech.

"I am Bella, a hybrid vampire and an online criminal tracker. Now do you believe that I am goodenough for this job?" she asked raising her left eyebrow.

Carter nodded dumbly and sat back down in his seat.

"Don't feel too bad. She had bested me once as well. She is really good.” Ryder said patting Carter'sshoulder.

"Hmm.. yeah I had forgotten about that.” Bella commented nonchalantly. Her head was alreadyback in her laptop and her attention just focused on the task at hand. She didn't notice how painflashed in Ryder's eyes at her words.

He wanted to say something, question her about her new behaviour but he was reminded of Dylan'swords. He barely managed to keep himself quiet. He sat with other members of the team and theystarted researching on the past sales of the were animals.