The door swung open, revealing a tall and robust man.
His brows furrowed upon spotting Bella and Fiona, and his voice was tinged with annoyance when he spoke.
âBella? Why did you bring Fiona back? Iâve told you, the Barton familyâs special medicine works.
You should think about her health-â
His reproachful words cut off abruptly when he noticed Zoe and me emerging from the car.
His eyes hardened as they settled on me.
Before he could say anything, Bella rushed to explain, âDebra and Zoe have come to rescue our family.
We wonât have to live under the Barton familyâs threat anymore.
â
Bella turned to look at us.
âThis is my husband, Jackson, Fionaâs father.
â
Unexpectedly, Jackson seemed averse to our presence.
He crossed his arms over his chest and said fiercely, âBella, sheâs a witch.
Whyâd you bring her here? Witches are not welcome in our family.
Get her out of here!â
Taken aback by her husbandâs impolite behavior, Bella felt her cheeks flush as she stumbled to explain.
âDebra is the future Luna.
She has pledged to protect Fiona.
Itâs our best chance to break free from the Barton familyâs influence.
â
But Jackson remained unwavering, his voice stern.
âWhatâs the difference between living under the Barton familyâs thumb and collaborating with a witch?â
Bella had no option but to stress her point.
âIf we donât leave, the Bartons will coerce us into acting against the pack again.
Then weâll become traitors!â
Jackson paid no heed to her words and retorted coldly, âAlpha Caleb is obsessed with her.
Even knowing she was a witch, he never punished her.
Now youâre doing the same.
I think youâre enchanted by the witch.
It doesnât matter what you say, I wonât let her in.
â
He pointed a finger at Bella, accusing her.
âYou once blamed me for being manipulated by the Barton family for their dirty work.
But now, it seems Like youâre no different.
Youâre bringing a witch home.
Are you betraying the Thorn Edge Pack?â
Initially, Zoe had intended to defend Bellaâs honor, but upon hearing these hurtful words, she snapped at Jackson, her voice tinged with anger.
âJackson, thatâs going too far! Debra is our future Luna, and sheâs given her all for the pack.
How can you say such a thing?â
Jackson responded rudely, âWitches have a long-standing feud with the Thorn Edge Pack; itâs right there in the history books.
Zoe, are you incapable of reading or just plain foolish?â
Zoe retorted with a sarcastic smirk, âSeems like youâre not any better than the witches in those books.
Otherwise, you wouldnât have intentionally lead people into the foggy forest.
â
Jacksonâs irritation flared.
âWhat did you just say?â
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Zone taunted him, âWhatâs the matter? Canât you understand normal words?â
âGet out! Both of you! Get out of here!â Jacksonâs anger flared, and he forcefully shoved me and Zoe.
I hadnât anticipated his action, and, given my fatigue, I stumbled and fell backward.
At that moment, a set of hands steadied me.
A familiar and reassuring scent flooded the air.
It was Caleb.
I felt dazed, my head spinning with confusion.
I had confided in him during our journey here, and he should have been tending to matters in the foggy forest.
Why did he come here so soon?