Chapter 63

ISABELLA

For the past few days, an unsettling feeling had settled in the pit of my stomach. It was more than just intuition—something deeper, tied to the bond I shared with Asher, Jax, and Knox. The mating bond was supposed to bring us closer, to strengthen our connection, but lately, it felt like it was amplifying the sense that they were keeping something from me. I could feel it in the way they avoided my questions, in the tension that lingered in the air whenever we were together.

Tonight, the feeling was stronger than ever. I stood alone on the penthouse terrace, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The city below glittered with lights, but I was too distracted to appreciate the view. My mind kept circling back to the same thoughts, the same doubts. What were they hiding? And why didn’t they trust me enough to share it?

As I stared out into the night, the familiar voice returned, whispering in the back of my mind. You must take your rightful place, Isabella. Start acting like the queen you are.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Whatever this voice was—whether it was the pack’s spirit or something else entirely—it was pushing me toward something. Urging me to take action. And maybe it was right. Maybe it was time I stopped letting my mates keep me in the dark. I couldn’t stand this distance between us, the feeling that they were pulling away when we should be closer than ever.

Turning away from the edge of the terrace, I made my way back inside, determination settling in my chest. I didn’t know what they were hiding, but I was going to find out. If I was truly meant to take my rightful place, then it started with this—with standing up for myself and demanding the truth.

I found them in the living room, deep in conversation. Asher glanced up when I entered, his expression instantly guarded, while Jax and Knox exchanged a quick look. The tension was palpable, and I knew I couldn’t put this off any longer.

“We need to talk,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart was racing. “I can feel that something’s going on. You’ve been distant, all of you, and I need to know why. No more secrets. Not between us.”

As I stood there, facing the three of them, I could feel the tension crackling in the air. Asher, Jax, and Knox exchanged a glance, something unspoken passing between them. I waited, my heart pounding, as the silence stretched on.

Finally, it was Asher who spoke, his voice calm but with an edge of something I couldn’t quite place. “Isa, we’ve been keeping something from you, but it’s not what you think.”

Knox nodded, stepping forward with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ve been planning a surprise for you. The four of us are going on a romantic getaway. Somewhere special, just to spend time together and relax. We thought you’d like that.”

Jax chimed in, his tone light and playful. “You’ve been working so hard on your book, and we’ve been caught up with everything going on. We figured it was time to take a break and focus on us.”

I looked at each of them, trying to read their expressions. On the surface, it sounded wonderful—exactly what we needed. A chance to reconnect, to escape the pressures that had been mounting. And yet, something about it felt off. The way Asher avoided my gaze, the tension still lingering in the room—it didn’t add up.

I wanted to believe them, to let go of the unease gnawing at the back of my mind, but the bond between us was too strong to ignore. I could sense that there was more to this than they were letting on.

“Really?” I asked, forcing a smile as I looked at them. “A romantic getaway sounds amazing, but… is that really all this is about? You’ve been so distant lately, and I can feel that something’s been weighing on you. Are you sure there’s nothing else?”

Jax was the first to respond, flashing a grin that was a little too quick. “We promise, Isa. It’s all about the getaway. We just wanted to surprise you.”

Knox reached out and took my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “You’ve been so patient with us, and we wanted to do something special for you. We wouldn’t lie to you, Isa. Not about this.”

Asher finally met my eyes, his expression softening as he stepped closer. “We just want you to be happy, Isa. That’s all that matters to us.”

I wanted to believe him, wanted to let myself be swept up in the excitement of their surprise. And yet, as I looked into Asher’s eyes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being left unsaid. The bond between us buzzed with unspoken tension, a reminder that they were holding something back.

But I didn’t press further. Maybe it was because I wanted to hold on to the happiness they were offering, or maybe it was because I wasn’t sure I was ready to face whatever truth they were hiding.

So I nodded, letting the smile stay on my face. “Okay,” I said softly. “A getaway sounds perfect.”

The relief that washed over their faces was almost palpable, and for a moment, I let myself believe that everything would be fine. That this romantic escape would be exactly what we needed.

But deep down, I knew better. The voice in my mind whispered again, a warning I couldn’t quite ignore. This isn’t the whole truth, Isabella. Be ready.

And as much as I wanted to push that thought aside, I knew I’d have to confront it eventually. Because secrets had a way of coming to light, and when they did, everything could change.