Chapter 159

ASHER

I stepped off the plane into the crisp California air, the weight of responsibility settling squarely on my shoulders. This trip had been looming for weeks, and as much as I wanted to be back with my family, it was necessary. The packs here needed to see me, needed reassurance that I could be the king they hadn’t exactly wanted but had now come to accept.

One by one, I visited each pack. Some had small, tightly knit communities nestled deep in the forests, while others operated more like modern towns, wolves mingling seamlessly among humans. The alphas, the ones who had been vocal about their disapproval of my rise to power, were surprisingly more welcoming than I’d expected.

At each meeting, I could see the shift in their attitudes. The hunter attacks had changed everything, leaving all of us vulnerable in a way none of them had anticipated. My stewardship through the crisis had earned me their respect. Whether it was leading the charge against the hunters or ensuring the protection of their territories, it wasn’t my title that had convinced them. It was action.

“King Asher,” one of the older alphas greeted me, shaking my hand with a firm grip, his once-steely gaze softened. “You’ve done more than prove yourself. My pack is in your corner.”

I nodded, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "We’re stronger together. We all knew that."

It was the same story at each stop. Once adversarial alphas now pledged their loyalty, acknowledging the necessity of uniting under my leadership. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t where I wanted to be. My place was with Isabella and Luca.

At a final packhouse, a grand estate sprawled across rolling hills, I noticed the lingering gazes from a young woman who was clearly one of the alpha's daughters. I’d caught her watching me several times throughout the day—eyes too intent, smiles too eager. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the meeting, she sauntered up to me, her smile as bright as the California sun.

“You must be exhausted, King Asher,” she said, her voice a purr. “It’s a shame you have to rush off so soon. We could’ve made sure your stay here was... memorable.” Her fingers brushed my arm, a boldness in her touch that I immediately shrugged off.

I took a step back, forcing a polite smile. "That’s kind of you, but I’m expected back home. My family’s waiting."

Her expression faltered for a split second before she masked it with another bright smile. "Of course, family first," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. But I knew what she wanted, what she was hoping for, and it wasn’t something I was ever going to give.

I nodded once more, stepping away, making it clear that the conversation was over. As I made my way back to my car, my thoughts drifted to Isabella, the pull of home growing stronger with each passing moment. No matter how much the packs needed me, no matter how many alphas I had to win over, nothing felt right unless I was with her and Luca.

The flight home was quiet, the hum of the plane almost lulling me into a much-needed sleep. But my mind wouldn’t rest. Thoughts of Isabella dominated everything else. I’d given her space, more than I wanted to, but Jax was right. She might be seeing my distance as indifference.

I sighed, staring out the window at the clouds below. I didn’t know how to fix this, not entirely. But I had to try. Because nothing else mattered—not the crown, not the packs—if I didn’t have her by my side.

As the plane began its descent, the thought of being back with her and our son was the only thing that grounded me. I didn’t know what I’d say to her when I got home, but I’d figure it out. I had to.

I arrived home just as the evening light faded into twilight, the house quiet, almost eerily so. It was too still, like it had been abandoned in a hurry. Dropping my bag by the door, I strained to hear any sign of life—Luca’s giggle, Isabella’s soft voice, the sound of Jax or Knox. But there was nothing.

My footsteps were muffled on the hardwood as I made my way down the hallway, my pulse quickening in the silence. I headed first to Luca’s room, opening the door gently. The dim glow of a nightlight bathed the room in soft shadows, and there he was, my son, sleeping peacefully in his crib. His chest rose and fell with each steady breath, his little hands clutching a stuffed animal tight to his chest. A wave of warmth settled in me, a reminder of why I fought so hard for everything. For him.

I watched him for a long moment, letting the calm of his presence seep into me. At least he was safe, cared for. But where was everyone else?

I closed the door softly behind me and moved through the house, checking the rooms one by one. First, the room Isabella and I sometimes shared—empty. The bed was untouched, cold, like no one had slept in it for days. Next, I checked Isabella’s own room, the one she retreated to when she needed space, when she needed to be alone. It was empty too. The feeling of something being wrong tightened in my gut.

Jax’s room was next, but I found nothing there either. I was starting to get irritated, a knot of frustration building as I continued down the hall. Why hadn’t anyone told me what was going on?

Finally, I made my way to Knox’s room. I knocked once before opening the door. Knox was sitting on the edge of his bed, reading through some pack files. He looked up, surprised to see me.

"Asher? You’re back early," he said, setting the papers aside.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, the edge in my voice sharper than I intended.

Knox’s face softened as he realized why I was upset. "Isabella and Jax went on a little getaway. A romantic thing. They’re supposed to be back tomorrow afternoon."

I stood there, processing his words. A romantic getaway? And no one thought to tell me? My frustration flared into something sharper, an uncomfortable mix of hurt and irritation twisting inside me. "Why didn’t anyone tell me?"

Knox shrugged, trying to keep the peace. "I guess they thought you’d still be in California. They didn’t want to disrupt your trip."

"They should’ve called me. I should’ve known," I snapped, the tension clear in my voice. I knew I was being unreasonable—Jax and Isabella had every right to spend time together—but after the week I’d had, after everything, the idea that they’d just gone off without me sat bitterly.

Knox looked at me carefully, understanding but firm. "Look, they’ll be back soon. You can talk to them then."

I exhaled, the anger still simmering but not as sharp. There was nothing to be done about it now. I just nodded, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I guess."

"I’ll let you know when they get back," Knox added.

"Thanks," I muttered, turning on my heel and heading back down the hall. The house still felt too empty, too quiet, like something was missing. And right now, that something was my family.