Chapter 114

ASHER

I closed the door to my study, shutting out the noise and chaos that had engulfed the penthouse. My head was spinning with everything we’d learned about Isabella’s mother, her family, and now this mysterious letter. I needed space—just a few moments to think clearly. I had always been able to compartmentalize, to keep my emotions in check, but this was different.

I sat down at my desk, staring at the phone in my hand. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t know what to do. So I did the only thing that made sense—I called my mother.

The line rang a few times before Maggie picked up, her warm voice instantly soothing in a way that only a mother’s could be. “Asher, darling, what a surprise. Everything alright?”

I leaned back in my chair, letting out a long breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Not really, Mom. I... I need your advice.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could practically hear her shift into her 'Mom mode,' ready to listen and help. “Tell me what’s going on, honey.”

I started from the beginning—explaining the discovery about Isabella’s family, how Mark had dropped the bombshell about her mother being part of a family of werewolf hunters. How we had no idea about this, how Isa had no idea about this. I told her about the letter Isabella had found, one supposedly written by her mother after she died, and how Isabella had fainted when she read it.

Maggie didn’t interrupt, didn’t ask questions, just listened. When I finally finished, I could hear her processing everything.

“My poor Zaza,” she said softly. “That’s a lot for anyone to take in. No wonder she fainted.”

“I know,” I replied, rubbing my forehead. “She’s been through enough, and now this... And I don’t know what to do, Mom. I’m supposed to protect her, and I feel like I’m failing.”

“Oh, Asher.” There was a tenderness in her voice that I hadn’t realized I needed. “You’re not failing her. You’re doing everything you can. But sometimes, protecting someone doesn’t mean shielding them from the truth. It’s about being there when they need you the most, even if you can’t fix everything.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m trying. But this—her mother being a part of a family of werewolf hunters—I mean, how do we even begin to deal with that? What if there are still hunters out there?”

“You know as well as I do that nothing in this life is black and white,” Maggie replied thoughtfully. “Just because her family has a history doesn’t mean Isabella is tied to that legacy. She’s her own person. But you need to give her space to figure out what all of this means for her. She’ll need time.”

“I hate seeing her like this,” I admitted, the frustration creeping into my voice. “And the boys... they’re all so on edge. Jax is a wreck, Knox is brooding as usual, and Spencer—he’s been a godsend, but even he can’t handle this alone.”

“That’s because they love her,” Maggie said, a smile evident in her tone. “And so do you. But, Asher, you need to remember that you’re all a team. Don’t try to bear this burden alone. Let your brothers support her in their own way. And for heaven’s sake, don’t let this discovery about her mother change how you see Bella.”

“I won’t,” I promised, meaning it with everything in me. “I just... I don’t want her to feel like she’s a danger to us. Like we’ll see her differently.”

“She needs reassurance, and she’ll need you to help her make sense of it all. But don’t push her,” Maggie advised. “When she’s ready, she’ll come to you. Just be there when she does. And as for the werewolf hunters... well, that’s a bridge you’ll cross if you ever have to. Right now, the most important thing is Bella and your little family.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Thanks, Mom. I think I needed to hear that.”

“I’m always here, you know that. And if you need anything—advice, a distraction, or just to talk—call me. But take care of Bella, and take care of yourself too, alright?”

“I will,” I said softly. “Thanks again. I’ll keep you posted.”

AAs I hung up with my mom, a new resolve settled in my chest. I wasn’t going to let this thing with Isabella’s mother hang over us like a dark cloud. We needed answers. And if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was get those answers.

I pulled out my phone again, scrolling through my contacts until I found the name I was looking for—Connor Briggs. Connor had been a friend of the family for years, but more importantly, he was one of the best investigators I knew. Discreet, thorough, and loyal. If anyone could find out the truth about Isabella’s mother, it was him.

I pressed the call button and waited as the phone rang.

“Asher Black,” Connor’s voice came through on the other end, casual but professional. “It’s been a while.”

“It has,” I agreed, getting straight to the point. “I need a favor, Connor. And it’s a big one.”

There was a brief pause. “I’m listening.”

I leaned forward, elbows resting on my desk. “I need you to look into someone for me. Isabella Moretti’s mother. I have reason to believe she might still be alive.”

Connor didn’t ask why or how, he just got to the task immediately. “What’s her name?”

"Emilia Morris—Moretti, after she married Isabella’s father, Salvatore,” I supplied. “She supposedly died when Isabella was a kid, but now... well, let’s just say we’ve uncovered something that suggests she might not be as dead as we thought.”

“That’s... unusual,” Connor said, but there was no judgment in his tone, just curiosity. “Any idea where she might be?”

“None,” I replied, feeling a pang of frustration. “That’s what I need you to find out. If she’s alive, where she is, and more importantly, what she’s been doing all these years. I don’t care how deep you have to dig, Connor. I need the truth.”

“You’ve got it,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll start with the basics, dig into death records, property, and financials. Then, if there’s any sign she’s still out there, I’ll expand the search.”

I exhaled slowly, feeling a little of the tension ease. “Thanks, Connor. And keep this between us. No one else can know.”

“You know me. Discreet is my middle name.”

I chuckled softly. “Yeah, I know. I owe you one.”

“Add it to the list,” he said with a light laugh. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I have something.”

We hung up, and I set the phone down, staring at it for a moment. I didn’t know what Connor would find—if anything—but at least now we were doing something. The unknowns were the worst part, especially with Isabella caught in the middle of all this.

As I left my study and walked back toward the others, I reminded myself of what my mother had said: Be there for her. That’s what matters most right now. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever we uncovered next could change everything.

And I had to be ready for that.