Chapter 81

ISABELLA

I sat in the living room with Maggie, a cup of herbal tea cradled in my hands. The warmth seeped through the porcelain, but it did little to calm the nervous energy bubbling inside me. I could sense the tension in the air, even though Maggie was making an effort to keep the conversation light. She was good at that—distracting me when I needed it most. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Asher, Jax, and Knox. I wondered how their meeting had gone, what had been said, and whether everything was going according to plan.

Just as I took another sip, I heard the front door open. The sound of heavy footsteps filled the hallway, and my heart skipped a beat. They were back. Maggie noticed my sudden stillness and gave me a reassuring smile. "Sounds like the boys are home."

I nodded, setting my cup down on the coffee table just as Asher, Jax, and Knox walked into the room. Asher’s face was set in that determined way I’d come to know so well, but there was a glint of something else in his eyes—satisfaction, maybe? Jax was close behind him, and Knox brought up the rear, his expression unreadable.

"How did it go?" I asked, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.

Asher came over to me, his hand immediately finding mine. "Better than expected," he said, squeezing my hand lightly before letting go. He took a seat beside me, Jax and Knox following suit.

I could feel Maggie’s gaze on us, her curiosity almost as palpable as my own. "Tell us everything," I urged, unable to keep the anticipation out of my voice.

Asher exchanged a glance with Jax and Knox before turning his attention back to me. "The meeting was intense. The alphas were already debating when we walked in. Some of them were skeptical about the idea of reinstating a monarchy, but others… well, they seemed to think it might be necessary, given everything that’s been happening lately."

I leaned in closer, my eyes searching his. "And what did you say?"

Asher’s lips curved into a small, confident smile. "I suggested that the alphas should have a choice. That if we’re going to have a king, it should be someone they elect, not someone who takes the throne just because of bloodlines or tradition."

Jax chimed in, nodding in agreement. "It was a smart move. It caught them off guard, but in a good way. They didn’t expect Asher to give them a say in it."

I glanced between the three of them, trying to piece together the full picture. "So, what happens now?"

Asher leaned back against the couch, his hand still resting on my knee. "Now, we let them think they have control. We’ll start rallying support, getting the other alphas on our side. When the time is right, we’ll call for a vote."

I could see the wheels turning in his mind, the way he was already planning the next steps. "And you really think this will work?" I asked, wanting to understand the full scope of his plan.

Asher’s gaze softened as he looked at me. "I do. By giving them the illusion of choice, we’re making them feel empowered. But in reality, we’re guiding them towards the outcome we want. When the time comes, they’ll choose the strongest leader—the one who’s already been working to unite them. That’s going to be us."

There was a certainty in his voice that made my heart swell with pride. I knew Asher was intelligent and strategic, but hearing him lay out his plan like this only reaffirmed that he was the right person to lead. I could see it now, how he was positioning himself not just as an alpha, but as a true leader, someone who could bring the packs together.

Maggie, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "It sounds like you’ve thought this through, Asher. I’m proud of you."

Her words seemed to settle something in the room, a quiet affirmation of what we all felt. I reached for my tea, taking a small sip as I let the conversation sink in. The idea of Asher becoming king, of all of us standing by his side as he took the throne, was daunting. But with the way he was handling things, I knew we could make it work.

"I’m with you," I said softly, meeting Asher’s eyes. "Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."

Asher smiled, a real, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. "That’s all I need, Isa. We’re in this together."

Jax and Knox nodded in agreement, and I felt a sense of solidarity between us, a bond that nothing could break.

As the conversation about the pack and Asher's plan began to wind down, I noticed the shift in their focus. The intensity in their eyes softened, and they turned their attention fully toward me. Asher’s hand tightened slightly on my knee, and Jax leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concern.

"How are you feeling, Isa?" Jax asked, his voice gentle. "Is there anything you need? Anything at all?"

Knox nodded, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something much more serious. "Yeah, if you’re tired, or if anything’s bothering you, just let us know. We’ve got you."

I couldn’t help but smile at their concern. Despite the weight of everything they were dealing with, here they were, fussing over me like I was the most important thing in their world. And to them, I suppose I was.

"I’m okay," I assured them, reaching out to touch each of their hands in turn. "Really. Just being here with you, knowing everything’s going according to plan, that’s all I need right now."

Asher’s eyes searched mine, as if making sure I was telling the truth. "You sure? You don’t need to rest, or maybe some food? Anything at all?"

I chuckled softly, feeling a wave of warmth at how much they cared. "I’m sure. But maybe some food wouldn’t hurt," I added with a teasing smile, knowing how much they loved pampering me.

Maggie, who had been watching us with a tender expression, finally spoke up. "You boys take such good care of her. It’s no wonder she’s glowing."

There was a flicker of pride in her eyes as she looked at her sons, and it made my heart swell. I’d never had a chance to know my own mother as an adult, but in these moments with Maggie, I felt a piece of what that might have been like.

Asher turned to his mother, a small smile on his lips. "She deserves the best, and that’s what we’re going to give her."

Jax and Knox murmured their agreement, and I felt a lump rise in my throat. These three men, my protectors, my mates—they were everything to me. And as much as they were looking out for me, I knew I’d do anything for them, too.

"I’m lucky to have all of you," I said softly, my voice thick with emotion.

Maggie reached over, placing a gentle hand on mine. "And they’re lucky to have you, too, sweetheart."

I nodded, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. I wasn’t used to this, this overwhelming sense of being cared for, of being loved so completely. It was still new to me, but I was learning to embrace it, to let myself be vulnerable and lean on them when I needed to.

With their reassuring presence around me, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we’d face them together. And that was enough to keep me going, one step at a time.