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"Good night, Belle," I say instead, my voice rougher than I intended.

"Good night, Marcus," she replies, and I can see in her eyes that she's feeling the same pull I am.

But she doesn't suggest that I stay, and I don't ask. We're building something real here, something worth taking the time to get right.

As I drive home, I can't stop smiling. Our omega is starting to trust us, starting to see the possibilities we could create together. Felix and Theo are going to be over the moon when they hear how well today went.

And Belle wants to see them next. She wants to continue dating, to keep exploring what we could mean to each other.

For the first time in years, I'm allowing myself to believe that we might actually get our happy ending after all.

Our omega is saying yes, one careful step at a time. And I couldn't be more grateful for her courage, her curiosity, and her willingness to let us prove ourselves worthy of her trust.

The dating has officially begun, and I can't wait to see where it leads us.

26

THE WILLOWBROOK CHRONICLE

Dearest Drama Devotees,

Well, well, WELL! What an absolutelydivineevening the Masquerade Ball turned out to be! Lady Inkwell is practically beside herself with the delicious developments that unfolded at Thornfield Palace, and oh my stars, where does one even BEGIN?

Our dear librarians certainly provided the evening's mostfascinatingplot twist! Miss Belle Hartwell may have arrived on the arm of Mr. Adam Chen, but she most decidedly did NOT leave with him, darlings! No, no, no - our sweet Belle was spotted emerging from beneath the palace grounds (during that dreadful tornado, no less!) in the company of not one, not two, but THREE devastatingly handsome alphas!

Could it be?Has our beloved librarian found herself courted by the infamous "Beasty Pack" - those mysterious, brooding alphas who've been the subject of suchwhispered speculationaround town? Lady Inkwell has it on excellent authority that a certain construction magnate, a brilliant architect, and a deliciously dangerous security specialist were all seen departing the palace with stars in their eyes and the scent of our dear Belle clinging to their formal wear!

And speaking of Mr. Chen - mercy me! - it appears Cupid struck TWICE in the library that evening! Our dashing librarian was observed leaving the festivities with a stunning omega beauty, looking absolutelysmittenbeyond all reason. Has anyone seen hide or hair of either of our literary lovebirds since the ball? Lady Inkwell suspects they're both far too busy withromantic pursuitsto worry about book cataloguing!

But wait, there's MORE, my precious gossip-hunters! The evening was simplyrifewith romantic revelations:

• Young Claire Mitchell from the flower shop was seen sharing rather intimate conversations with Dr. James Rodriguez (wedding bells, perhaps?)

• The Walsh twins appeared to have found their perfect matches in visiting cousins from the countryside

• Sweet Emma Thompson looked positivelyradiantdancing with that handsome newcomer from the shipping company

• And dear Jake Sullivan? Well, let's just say Mrs. Henderson's lovely niece won't be returning to the city alone!

However, Lady Inkwell must report one ratherscandalousdevelopment that has tongues wagging from here to the county line! There are WHISPERS of a certain omega who was spotted at various points throughout the evening with no fewer than TEN different alphas!Ten!Really, darling, isn't that just a touch... greedy? Some of us are still searching for our ONE perfect match, and here this mysterious omega appears to be collecting alphas like party favors!

The tornado may have damaged some of the palace gardens, but it certainly blew in a whirlwind of romance that has left our entire community absolutelytransformed! Lady Inkwell can barely contain her excitement about the dating, engagements, and perhaps evenweddingsthat are sure to follow!

One does wonder what other secrets the storm might have revealed... and what new romances might be blooming in the aftermath!

Yours in delirious romantic satisfaction,Lady Inkwell

P.S. - Has anyone else noticed that the library has been suspiciously quiet these past few days? Lady Inkwell suspects our dear librarians are far too busy writing their own love stories to worry about organizing anyone else's! How perfectlydelicious!

27

FELIX

I've been standing outside the chocolate shop for fifteen minutes, checking my watch every thirty seconds like some nervous teenager. The irony isn't lost on me, but I’ve designed million-dollar buildings without breaking a sweat, but the thought of spending an afternoon with Belle has my hands actually trembling.

When I called her yesterday to ask about our date, the conversation had flowed so naturally I'd almost forgotten how terrified I was. "I thought we might explore that chocolate theory of yours," I'd said, and the way her voice had lit up over the phone made my chest tight with anticipation.

"You remember my chocolate philosophy?" she'd asked, sounding genuinely surprised.