Parker’s POV

Moon’s voice cracked as the questions poured out of her like water from a broken dam. "What happens now? What did they mean about the other children? Are those kids from the alphas too? They all appeared to be the same age. Bella disappeared after she got pregnant by you, so none of this makes sense."

Her composure was crumbling before my eyes, and I found myself calculating whether she might spread this information to others. I needed to control this situation carefully.

More pressing was my need to reach Bella before the council could coerce her into confessing something that could destroy everything.

"Besides, what does it matter anyway?" Moon’s voice turned sharp, trembling with rage. "Even if you fathered her child, she’s married now. Her husband showed up here, and from what everyone’s saying, she was practically throwing herself at him."

Her fury puzzled me. Our marriage had been an arrangement, not a love match. Why was she reacting as if her heart had been shattered?

"I’ve told you repeatedly this doesn’t involve you, Moon. You don’t need to concern yourself with any of this. I’ll take care of it," I said, my patience wearing thin.

As I moved toward the door, she slammed her palm against the frame, blocking my path with desperate determination.

"You should be disgusted with yourself. You have children now, and you’re seriously considering abandoning your wife for some old flame," she spat, her accusations making my temples throb with frustration.

She finally stepped aside, allowing me to enter the room where Tara waited.

Tears streamed down her small face again, probably longing for her mother’s comfort.

"What’s wrong? Why are you crying, sweetheart?" I asked softly, settling beside her on the bed.

"Is everything they’re saying really true?" she whispered, her voice fractured with pain. I assumed she meant the revelation about my paternity, but she continued before I could respond. "They told me I was trying to murder my brothers and sisters. None of them wanted to come near me. They screamed whenever they saw me."

A chill ran down my spine as she spoke. I took her trembling hand in mine, feeling how violently she was shaking.

"No, Tara, that’s absolutely not true," I assured her, though I had no idea what had transpired during my absence.

"Then why did I push them down the well? And why was I trying to hurt them while they slept?" she asked, and suddenly everything became clear.

The sickness was manifesting. It was heartbreaking that a child so young had to question whether she had harmed her own siblings.

Seeing her so devastated by these accusations was agony, though I knew others would never comprehend the complexity of her condition.

The door burst open violently, and Moon stormed in with clenched fists and eyes blazing with accusation.

"Why are we harboring this murderous child?" she screamed, causing Tara to leap from the bed and seek refuge in my arms.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Moon?" I shouted back, but noticed how Tara’s tiny body shook with each raised voice, and it broke my heart.

"Tara, can you wait here for just a moment?" I said gently, releasing our embrace and cupping her face tenderly.

"No. This conversation ends now. She cannot remain with us. She admitted to attempting murder on her siblings. You have two young daughters. How is it fair to separate her from her family only to endanger someone else’s children?" Moon’s bitter words showed complete disregard for everyone else involved.

Tara’s sobs intensified with each cruel word.

"You’re absolutely despicable, Moon," I hissed, lifting Tara into my protective embrace.

"Where do you think you’re going? We just got here, and you’re already running off? With this killer?" she shrieked after us, but I refused to acknowledge her venom.

Her behavior was utterly repulsive.

I walked away, gently rubbing Tara’s back in soothing circles.

"Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m taking you with me, and we’re going to see your mother," I decided firmly.

I rushed from the guest house and secured her in my car, carefully fastening her seatbelt.

At that moment, I spotted Derek emerging with Leah, both preparing to drive to the center.

The realization hit me that this had become a race, and I needed to arrive before them.

We sped down the road, both vehicles pushing their limits.

Hugo was driving as well, but he maintained a more cautious pace.

I suspected he was trying to project an image of responsibility because Zack was with him, wanting to appear measured and careful.

I wouldn’t be deceived by his performance, and I refused to lose this opportunity.

Since Tara felt secure with me, I pressed the accelerator as hard as possible until we reached the center.

I hurried from the car alongside the others, though Hugo lagged slightly behind.

Upon arrival, I discovered the council members explaining Bella’s singular option: she would need to marry one of us if she wanted to retain custody of her children.

It seemed like a reasonable solution. Now the critical question remained: who would step forward first? That was the true competition we faced.