Chapter 55

JAX

From the moment Isabella entered our lives, everything changed. Asher, with his quiet strength, softened in her presence. Knox, usually all jokes and mischief, found himself watching her with an intensity I’d never seen. And me? I fell hard and fast the moment she smiled at me. The connection between us was undeniable, but it became even more real when we finally introduced her to our wolves.

Bella met each one with awe and calm, as if she had always belonged. Knox's wolf, usually so full of energy, nuzzled her playfully, making her laugh—a sound that made my heart race. Asher’s wolf, stoic like its human counterpart, leaned into her touch, a soft rumble of approval vibrating in his chest. My own wolf was content, circling around her, marking her as ours.

After that, it felt right to visit our mother. Isabella had met her before, but this time was different. We had marked her, and that was a big deal in our world. Maggie, with her eccentric ways and boundless energy, had always welcomed our mate, but today was about sharing something deeper.

When we arrived at our childhood home, she was in the kitchen, stirring something in a pot, her usual hum filling the room. She didn’t even look up as we walked in, but I knew she sensed the change.

“Welcome back, darling,” Maggie greeted Isa warmly, finally looking up from her cooking with a knowing smile. “And you boys too, of course.”

Isabella grinned and walked over to hug her. “Good to see you again, Maggie.”

Mom returned the hug, then stepped back to look Isa over. Her eyes sparkled as she took in the sight of the three of us standing close to her, almost protectively. “Well now, I see something’s different. My boys finally made things official, didn’t they?”

Asher nodded, his usual calm demeanor hiding the pride I knew he felt. “We did.”

Our mom clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable. “Oh, this is wonderful! I knew it would happen eventually, but seeing it...it’s more than I could have hoped for.”

Knox, never one to miss a chance to tease, smirked. “Guess you were right all along, Mom.”

Mom laughed, a bright, joyful sound. “Of course I was! I’ve been around long enough to know when something is meant to be.” She turned to Bella, her expression softening. “I’m so happy you’re truly part of this family now, Isabella.”

Isa blushed, her hand instinctively reaching for mine, and I squeezed it, feeling that same surge of affection. “Thank you, Maggie. I’m happy to be here.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, with our mom sharing stories about us as kids that made Isa giggle and Knox groan. It felt right—like this was where we were all meant to be. Isa fit in perfectly, as if she had always been part of our lives.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, I knew this was just the beginning of something incredible. With Isa by our side, the future felt full of endless possibilities.

ISABELLA

As I woke, inspiration surged through me like a wave. I slipped quietly out of the house, not wanting to disturb the others, and found myself drawn to the garden. The early light was soft, the air crisp. I settled on the cool stone bench, the scent of morning dew filling my senses. My notebook rested on my lap, and I began to write, my hand moving almost of its own accord. Words poured out, a stream of thoughts, emotions, and images that had been building inside me.

The pages filled quickly, each line more urgent than the last. I felt as if I was chasing something elusive, capturing fragments of an idea before it slipped away. Occasionally, I paused to sketch, adding delicate drawings to the margins—small flowers, twisting vines, the silhouettes of the trees that surrounded me. My pen moved fluidly between words and images, the two blending together in a dance of creativity.

Time seemed to blur, each moment becoming a part of the next. The quiet of the garden was a perfect backdrop, allowing me to sink deeper into my thoughts. I was lost in the process, completely immersed, until something snapped me out of it. A voice, familiar yet strange, echoed in my mind. “Where have you been?” it asked, clear and insistent. I looked around, startled, but the garden was still, undisturbed. The voice lingered, pulling at my thoughts, but I had no idea where it was coming from.

I sat there, confused, the flow of creativity suddenly halted. The peace of the morning felt distant now, replaced by a growing unease. The words on the page in front of me seemed foreign, disconnected from the voice in my head. I couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was reaching out to me, trying to make contact. But who? And why now?

As I sat there, trying to make sense of the voice, I heard soft footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Maggie, walking toward me with a warm smile. She handed me a cup of coffee, its rich aroma grounding me in the moment.

"Morning, Isabella," she said, her eyes full of kindness. "You look a bit lost in thought."

I hesitated, unsure if I should share what had just happened, but the concern in her gaze encouraged me to speak. "I... I heard a voice," I confessed, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. "In my head. It felt familiar, like I should know who it was, but I can’t figure it out."

Maggie’s smile deepened, and she sat beside me, her eyes searching mine. “Isabella, there’s something you need to understand,” she began, her voice gentle yet firm. “That voice you heard... it’s not just in your head. It’s the spirit of the pack.”

I blinked, trying to grasp what she was saying. “The pack’s spirit?”

Maggie nodded, her expression serious now. “Yes. You’re bonded to three alphas now, Isabella. That bond isn’t just physical or emotional—it’s spiritual. The pack’s spirit is ancient, a guiding force that connects all of us. It speaks to those who are deeply tied to it, especially the mates of its leaders.”

I stared at her, the confusion slowly giving way to a dawning realization. “So, the voice... it’s the spirit reaching out to me?”

“Exactly,” Maggie said, squeezing my hand. “It’s a connection that will grow stronger as you settle into your new role. The spirit recognizes you as part of the pack, and it’s trying to guide you. That’s why it feels familiar—it’s been with the alphas all their lives, and now it’s with you.”

Her words resonated with something deep inside me. The voice, once unsettling, now felt like a part of something much larger, something I was meant to be a part of. “Why now?” I asked, still trying to piece it all together.

“Because of the mating and because you’re ready,” Maggie replied softly. “The spirit only reaches out when it knows you’re prepared to hear it. You might not have all the answers yet, but they’ll come. Trust in the bond you share with your mates, and trust in the spirit. It’s there to guide and protect you.”

I nodded slowly, the weight of her words settling over me like a comforting blanket. The confusion I’d felt began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of purpose. I wasn’t just a part of their lives—I was now connected to something timeless, something that transcended the physical world.

As we sat together in the morning light, Maggie’s presence and the knowledge she’d shared made everything clearer. The voice wasn’t something to fear; it was the spirit of the pack, a powerful force that was now a part of me. And with it, I knew I’d never be alone.