Chapter 96

ISABELLA

The evening at Maggie’s had been filled with warmth and laughter, the kind that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. After the celebratory dinner, the boys insisted on helping their mother tidy up the kitchen, leaving me with a moment of peace. I slipped out onto the terrace, cradling a cup of herbal tea in my hands, and took in the cool night air.

The stars twinkled above, their gentle light reflecting in the distant horizon, and I found myself lost in thought, the happiness of the day slowly giving way to a deeper, more lingering worry. I sipped my tea, the warmth doing little to chase away the chill that had settled in my chest.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn’t hear Spencer approach until he was right beside me, his presence quiet but reassuring. He sat down in the chair next to mine, his gaze searching my face.

“You seem troubled,” he said softly, his voice cutting through the silence.

I glanced at him, then back at the stars. “It’s just… memories,” I murmured, tracing the rim of my cup with my thumb.

Spencer didn’t push, just waited, giving me the space to speak when I was ready. There was something comforting in his silence, an understanding that made it easier to share what was weighing on my heart.

“I lost my mother when I was nine,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “It was a car accident. She was picking me up from a friend’s house, and on the way home… it happened so fast. One moment she was there, and the next, she was gone.”

The words hung in the air between us, the pain still fresh even after all these years. I took a shaky breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. “My father did his best to raise me after that, but he got sick when I was nineteen. Cancer. It took him slowly, bit by bit, until there was nothing left.”

Spencer’s gaze never wavered, his eyes filled with a quiet compassion that made it easier to continue.

“And then there was Dominic,” I said, the name leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. “That marriage… it was chaotic, toxic. He made me doubt myself, made me feel like I wasn’t enough. And now, with this baby on the way, I keep wondering… Can I do this? Can I be a good mother when I’ve lost so much? When I’ve been through so much?”

The tears I’d been holding back slipped down my cheeks, and I quickly wiped them away, embarrassed. But Spencer reached out, his hand resting gently on mine, the gesture simple but full of reassurance.

“You’ve been through more than most people can even imagine,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “But that doesn’t mean you’re not capable. If anything, it’s made you stronger. Your past doesn’t define your future, Isabella. And from what I’ve seen, you already have everything it takes to be a wonderful mother.”

His words wrapped around me, soothing the ache in my heart. I looked at him, searching his face for any hint of doubt, but all I saw was sincerity.

“You’re not alone in this,” Spencer continued. “You have Asher, Jax, and Knox. And you have Maggie. They all love you and they’ll be there every step of the way. And so will I, if you’ll allow me.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Thank you, Spencer. That means more to me than you know.”

He returned the smile, a rare softness in his eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m here because I believe in you, Isabella. And I know that your son will be lucky to have you as his mother.”

I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. For the first time in a long while, the future didn’t seem so daunting. With the support of the people around me, maybe—just maybe—I could do this after all.

The door to the terrace creaked open, and Knox’s head poked out, a playful grin on his face. “We’re all done in the kitchen. Thought you might want some company.”

I glanced at Spencer, who gave me a nod of encouragement before I turned back to Knox. “Sure, I’d like that.”

As I stood to join the others, I took one last look at the stars, the worry in my chest replaced by a tentative hope. With Spencer’s words still echoing in my mind, I walked back inside, ready to face whatever came next.

ASHER

In the stillness before our departure, I gathered with Knox and Jax in my office at the penthouse. The tension in the room was palpable as we prepared for the trip, but our minds were on a different concern—Nicole.

Knox was pacing, the agitation clear in his movements. "Nicole's been out of line for a while, Asher. That stunt she pulled at breakfast with Isa was the last straw. We can’t keep letting her slide."

Jax, leaning against the desk, added, "She's a problem, Asher. Every time we ignore her behavior, she thinks she can keep pushing. And now, with Isa pregnant, we can't afford any more risks."

I nodded, the weight of their words settling in. Nicole had always been difficult, but her recent actions had crossed a line. Isabella was our mate, the mother of our child, and Nicole's growing hostility was unacceptable.

"You're right," I agreed. "We can’t let this continue. Nicole’s behavior isn’t just petty jealousy anymore—it’s a threat, especially with everything that’s going on."

Knox stopped pacing, his expression serious. "So, what’s the plan? Do we confront her or take more decisive action?"

"Confronting her won’t be enough," Jax said firmly. "She’s too far gone for that. We need to make it clear that if she steps out of line again, she’s done. No more chances."

I leaned back in my chair, considering our options. Nicole had connections and influence within the pack, but her actions were endangering Isabella. We couldn’t allow that.

"We'll handle this quietly," I decided. "Knox and I will be gone for the next few days, but we’ll make it clear that when we return, any further incidents will have consequences. We protect Isa and our child, no matter what."

Knox nodded, his resolve clear. "Agreed. We’ll deal with her, but right now, our focus has to be on keeping Isa safe while we’re gone."

Jax, who would be staying behind with Isabella, looked determined. "Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on things here, and Spencer will be around. Nicole won’t get near her."

I stood, ready to leave. "Good. Let’s make sure she knows we’re serious, but for now, let's focus on the task at hand."

As Knox and I prepared to leave for the airport, I couldn’t help but think of the challenges ahead—not just with Nicole, but with everything else we were facing. But I knew one thing: we would protect Isabella and our family, no matter what it took. And when we returned, we would deal with Nicole once and for all.