Chapter 108

SPENCER

The warmth of the dinner lingered in the air, the table now cleared, leaving behind satisfied smiles. Alex, Chase, and Isabella had all praised the meal, but I shrugged it off like usual. It wasn’t about the food, not really. It was about the calm, the sense of peace that settled over us as we ate together. I had come to realize that this wasn’t just another assignment—far from it. Protecting Isabella was my destiny, written in some ancient part of me I could never fully ignore. And now, as we sat around like old friends, I could feel that bond growing.

"Spencer, seriously," Alex said, stretching his arms behind his head. "You’ve missed your calling. The restaurant business would love a guy like you."

Chase nodded in agreement, looking just as impressed. "You’d have a line out the door."

Isabella chimed in with her warm smile. "He’s just being modest."

I gave a half-smile but didn’t engage much further. Cooking wasn’t my passion; keeping them safe was. But this—seeing them relaxed, at ease—it meant I was doing my job, even if no one else could see it.

After dinner, they convinced me to stay for a movie. A romantic comedy, of all things, which wasn’t exactly my speed, but they seemed excited. I couldn’t say no, even if my instinct told me I should be keeping an eye on the perimeter, or checking in on the brothers.

We gathered in the living room, Isabella nestled comfortably on the corner of the large sectional, her feet tucked under her, the glow of the TV illuminating her face. Chase and Alex sprawled out, already invested in the storyline. Meanwhile, I sat back, quietly observing more than watching, always aware of my surroundings.

It didn’t take long before Isabella’s breathing softened. I glanced over to see her fast asleep, her head tilted against the armrest, her peaceful expression catching me off guard. Without hesitation, I grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and gently covered her with it, making sure she was comfortable.

Chase’s eyes flicked over as I did so, a knowing smile crossing his face. Alex, who’d been unusually quiet, watched me for a moment before speaking.

"You know, Isabella’s always been like a little sister to me," Alex said softly, careful not to disturb her. "When her dad passed, we all stepped up to make sure she was okay, but it’s never been easy for her. She’s had more than her share of loss."

I didn’t respond right away. I knew about her past, about the weight she carried—losing her parents, suffering through a toxic marriage. All of it was written in the lines of her face when she thought no one was looking. It was why I was here, why I had accepted my fate to protect her. She needed me, not just as muscle but as someone who could stand guard over her in ways others couldn’t.

"I’m glad she has someone like you," Alex continued. "Not just the brothers, but you. You’re here when they’re not. It makes a difference, Spencer."

His words surprised me. I wasn’t used to people acknowledging my role beyond the surface level of protector. But he was right. It wasn’t about doing a job anymore—it was about being there for her, for all of them, when they needed me. And with each passing day, it felt more like I was part of something bigger.

"I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do," I said quietly, not used to this kind of conversation.

Alex chuckled softly. "Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re good at it."

I shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. It wasn’t about being good or bad. It was about duty, about fate. The pull to protect Isabella wasn’t something I could shake off, even if I wanted to. It was deeper than that—something primal, rooted in the very essence of who I was.

Isabella stirred slightly, her hand gripping the edge of the blanket I had tucked around her. Watching her sleep, I realized just how much she meant to me now. Not in the way the brothers cared for her, but in a way that felt ancient and protective, like I’d been waiting for this moment my whole life without even knowing it.

As the movie played on, Chase leaned forward, still watching Isabella. "She’s stronger than she knows, you know? And she’s lucky to have you watching her back."

I didn’t respond, just gave him a nod. Deep down, I knew that no matter what happened in the coming weeks—no matter what challenges we faced—I would always be there for her. Because that’s what destiny had bound me to do.

And in the quiet of the night, with the soft sounds of the movie in the background and Isabella resting peacefully beside us, I couldn’t help but feel that maybe, for the first time in a long time, I had found a place where I truly belonged.

JAX

Mark’s office was cluttered, mismatched, and smelled faintly of cigar smoke—an unpleasant contrast to the sleek order we kept in our own lives. Asher sat beside me, quiet, brooding, while Knox stood near the door, arms crossed, eyes sharp. We were here for answers, and Mark seemed too smug for my liking. Something was coming, and I could feel it in the air.

Mark sat back in his chair, a satisfied smile curling on his lips. He relished this moment—holding something over us, something big. My patience was running thin.

"We want an explanation." Asher said, his tone low, controlled.

Mark leaned forward, hands clasped on his desk, relishing every second of his reveal. "I’ve done some digging," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Turns out, your precious mate has a little secret she’s been keeping from you."

I exchanged a quick glance with Asher, then Knox, who remained tense but silent. Mark had always had a way of drawing things out, but this was different—he wasn’t just trying to get under our skin, he was enjoying it.

"The Morris family," Mark continued, letting the words hang in the air. "Isabella’s mother’s family. They’re an old line of werewolf hunters. And not just in the distant past—some of them are still active."

The room went cold. I felt my chest tighten. Werewolf hunters? Isabella? No way. She couldn’t have known. Could she?

Mark reached into his drawer, pulling out a thick file. He tossed it onto the desk between us like it was some casual business deal. "All in there. Everything you need to know. The research I did. I’ve done the job you three should’ve done from the start, but you were all too blinded by your bond with her."

I stared at the file, my mind racing, unable to process this sudden shift. The woman we’d bound ourselves to—the one carrying our child—came from a line of people who existed to kill us? The thought turned my stomach.

Knox’s voice cut through the tense silence, gruff and barely contained. "What the hell are you saying, Mark?"

Mark stood, his smug grin never faltering. "I’m saying, you’ve been too trusting. You think because she’s your mate, she’s safe. But her bloodline says otherwise. It’s all there." He pointed at the file, then strode toward the door, pausing only to look back at us. "Good luck with that."

As the door clicked shut behind him, I exhaled, realizing I’d been holding my breath.

We were left alone in the room, the file sitting between us like a bomb waiting to go off. I looked to Asher, who hadn’t moved, his expression still unreadable. Knox paced by the door, agitated, his energy barely contained.

For a moment, none of us said anything.

Finally, Asher reached for the file, fingers hovering over the cover as if he could somehow feel the weight of its contents. He didn’t open it—just held it, staring down at it like it might bite. His jaw clenched. "What do we do with this?"

I met his gaze, then Knox’s. The silence stretched, thick with uncertainty. We didn’t have an answer, not yet. But one thing was clear: whatever was in that file, it was going to change everything.

And none of us knew how to feel about that.