Chapter 94

ISABELLA

As I waited in Maggie’s living room, my nerves fluttered. I tried to focus on the soft hum of the air conditioning and the comforting aroma of the tea Maggie had brewed, but my mind kept wandering back to Asher, Jax, and Knox. They’d been gone for hours, attending the meeting that would determine so much of our future. Now, they were finally back.

The door swung open, and the three of them walked in, each of them radiating a different energy. Asher was calm and composed as always, but there was a fire in his eyes that told me things had gone well. Jax followed close behind, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and Knox looked as serious as ever, but there was a lightness in his step.

Maggie and I exchanged a glance, and I could tell she was just as eager as I was to hear what had happened. I set my cup down on the coffee table, leaning forward as the boys took their seats around us.

“So?” I asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice. “How did it go?”

Asher smiled at me, that slow, confident smile that always made my heart skip a beat. “It went well,” he said, his voice steady. “The alphas were divided at first, but we managed to sway most of them to our side. They’ve agreed to hold a vote just before the baby is due.”

Maggie let out a breath she’d been holding, her eyes lighting up. “That’s wonderful news!”

“It is,” Jax added, nodding. “But there’s still a lot to do. We need to make sure everything goes smoothly leading up to the vote.”

Knox, always the practical one, chimed in. “We can’t leave anything to chance. We need to start calling in favors and securing support.”

Asher was already ahead of him. “I’m going to make a few phone calls. We need to arrange a meeting on the West Coast. If we can get certain key alphas on our side, it’ll make all the difference.”

I watched as Asher stood, pulling his phone from his pocket. There was a determination in his eyes that was both reassuring and intimidating. He was so sure of himself, so confident in what needed to be done. It was one of the things I loved most about him, but it also made me anxious. The stakes were so high, and while I trusted him completely, the uncertainty of it all gnawed at me.

Maggie reached out and squeezed my hand, her warm smile soothing some of my nerves. “They’ve got this, Zaza,” she said, using the nickname she’d given me that always made me smile, even when I didn’t feel like it.

I nodded, squeezing her hand back. “I know.”

Asher was already dialing a number, pacing near the window as he spoke quietly into the phone. Jax and Knox were deep in conversation, discussing the logistics of the upcoming weeks. I knew they were all thinking several steps ahead, planning for every possible outcome.

But as I watched them, a thought occurred to me. They were doing all of this for our future, for our family. The lengths they were willing to go to, the risks they were taking—it was all for us. And while that thought filled me with a sense of pride and love, it also reminded me of the enormity of what we were up against.

Maggie leaned in closer, her voice low. “You okay, honey?”

I nodded again, offering her a small smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just… a lot to take in.”

She gave me a knowing look. “It’s always going to be a lot, but you’re strong, and so are they. You’re going to be just fine.”

I held onto her words, letting them sink in as I looked back at my mates. Asher was still on the phone, his voice calm but authoritative, while Jax and Knox continued their quiet discussion. They were already moving forward, making plans, ensuring that everything would work out in our favor.

And deep down, I knew Maggie was right. We would be okay. We had to be. Because now, more than ever, we had something—someone—worth fighting for.

SPENCER

I watched Isabella closely as we all sat down for breakfast at the café. It was a rare sight, being invited to sit at their table. Typically, I kept my distance, observing from the sidelines to give them space while still fulfilling my duty. But this morning was different. Asher had extended the invitation, and though Knox had looked less than thrilled, they all welcomed me to join them.

The café was cozy, filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of soft chatter. Maggie had chosen the place, and it suited her well—bright and full of life, just like her. Asher, Jax, and Knox settled into their seats, engaging in easy conversation with Isabella. I positioned myself at the edge of the group, keeping an eye on our surroundings while trying to blend in.

Isabella seemed relaxed, her hand resting on her growing belly. I could see the happiness in her eyes, a glow that came not just from the pregnancy but from the life she was building with the Black brothers. It was a sight that tugged at something deep within me—a sense of purpose that had been awakened when I first recognized her as my queen. Protecting her and her unborn child had become my sole mission, and I took it seriously, even if it meant crossing certain boundaries.

After ordering, Isabella excused herself to use the bathroom. I remained seated, trying to suppress the instinct to follow her. She had specifically told me not to, insisting she could manage on her own. But as the minutes ticked by, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something might go wrong. Finally, unable to sit still any longer, I rose from my seat and made my way toward the bathroom.

As I approached, Isabella emerged, stopping short when she saw me standing there. Her brows furrowed slightly, and I could tell she was annoyed.

“Spencer,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind. “I told you I didn’t need you to wait for me.”

I met her gaze, trying to explain without seeming overbearing. “I know, but it’s my job to keep you safe. I couldn’t help it.”

She sighed, but the tension in her face softened. “I understand,” she said, her tone gentler now. “But you need to trust me, too. I’m not completely helpless, you know.”

“I do trust you,” I replied, feeling a pang of guilt for overstepping. “But I also trust my instincts, and they tell me not to leave your side.”

Isabella gave me a small smile, one that conveyed both exasperation and understanding. “Alright, let’s just go back to the table. I’m starving.”

We turned to head back when a familiar figure blocked our path. Nicole. She wore a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Isabella with a glint of something mean-spirited.

“Isabella, congratulations on the pregnancy,” a blond, called Nicole said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You must be so excited. But I’m curious… do you even know who the father is?” She chuckled, the sound grating on my nerves.

Before I could react, Isabella stiffened beside me. I could see the hurt flash in her eyes, quickly masked by composure. But it was enough to ignite something protective within me. I stepped forward, closing the distance between us and Nicole.

“Watch your words,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “If you have nothing kind to say, keep your fucking mouth shut.”

Nicole’s eyes widened, and she took a step back, clearly not expecting the confrontation. Isabella placed a hand on my arm, gently pulling me back. I relented, but my gaze remained locked on Nicole until she turned and walked away, her smug expression faltering.

As we made our way back to the table, I could feel the anger simmering beneath my calm exterior. The audacity of that woman, to speak to Isabella that way—it took everything in me not to escalate the situation further. But I knew better. My role was to protect, not to provoke.

When we sat down, the brothers were all focused on Isabella, but I didn’t want to alarm her any further. Instead, I focused on the connection I had recently discovered—the mind link. It was something I hadn’t expected, but it allowed me to communicate with Asher, Jax, and Knox in a way that was both surprising and reassuring.

I reached out through the link, sending a message to all three of them. Nicole just confronted Isabella. She made a snide remark about the pregnancy, questioning who the father is. I intervened, but I thought you should know.

I watched as the three brothers reacted, their expressions hardening almost simultaneously. But to Isabella, they maintained their calm, not letting on that anything was amiss.

Asher was the first to respond through the link. Thank you, Spencer. We’ll deal with Nicole later. For now, let’s focus on Isabella.

I nodded subtly, acknowledging the message. As the conversation at the table resumed, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the brothers. Despite our differences, we all shared the same goal—to keep Isabella safe and happy.