SWNOVELS Chapter 29
Bella had a sad smile when the call with Maya disconnected. She sat back in her chair and contemplated the day she met Ryder. The past rose up like a treasured memory in her heart and everything 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 for the purpose of getting information on one of the vampire of Xia clan in Asia. He was suspected to have 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 named Ryder Callum who she claimed to be an expert in hacking. Bella had a smirk on her lips. She had been 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 him unnecessarily.” Bella said to herself.
"We will see whose presence is unnecessary." a voice said to her. She turned around quickly and saw a handsome man standing behind her booth. His eyes were sparkling and there was a delicious scent coming off of him. At first, Bella felt that it was her vampire side showing up finally. She leaned 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 and immediately noticed the tension in the air. Ignoring them she started briefing up on the case history.
Bella too started noting down the points that she would have to take care of. She understood that the person she would be targeting online was a creep of the topmost category. He not only was involved in human trafficking but also in organ stealing. All the money he gained from his illegal activities 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 knew where 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 find out who all were involved. Ryder was supposed to help her find them but since 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 find maximum number of criminals in an hour. Whoever finds 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 by her confidence.
After about an hour, Ryder confidently leaned back in his seat and said that he found all the perpetrators inside of the clan.
"How many did you find?" Bella asked calmly.
"I found three people other than the main criminal who have directly profited from the criminal activities. 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 you tomorrow 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 replied with 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 a slice of pecan pie. Ryders jaw dropped when he saw the screen. He looked like a funny cartoon character 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 bill and left the cafe to start packing for the journey to the Council Headquarters. As she started her journey to the Council Headquarters, determination was blazing in her eyes. She was not going to let Ryder get under her skin anymore. Since for all intents and purposes he didn't want her, then she wouldn't want him either. She will just indulge herself in her favourite activities and simply ignore the 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 his Aunt.
"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 your school 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 had been 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 parting words that Sam had settled down. Under the loving care of Xander, Sam had gradually understood that he would be living with his Aunt Maya and Uncle Xander for some time. He also understood that 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 new playmates kept him distracted from the gloom at times. Thankfully he had made new friends and was no longer confused by the situation.
Maya calmly listened to his stories about the school and laughed gently at his antics. She was reminded of the time when her brother, ex-Alpha Ken was a child. His behaviour was quite similar to little 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 a heartwarming scene. His mate, Maya was leaning towards a little child and listening to the child while smiling. His heart gave a loud thump and his wolf projected a series of images of Maya being pregnant or Maya surrounded by their little pups. He couldn't help but wish for such a scene to come to fruition soon.