Chapter 242

Isabella

I lay in Richard's massive bed, sandwiched between Michael's warm presence and Richard's soon-to-be-filled empty space. The soft Egyptian cotton sheets caressed my skin.

Fuck, how is this possible? I thought, my fingers absently tracing patterns on the luxurious fabric beneath me. I'd known these men for what—a few months? But it felt like we'd established some kind of soul bond.

The wolf inside me hummed contentedly, finally peaceful after weeks of restless agitation. She'd been driving me crazy with her anxious pacing and worried whimpers, but now she was practically purring with satisfaction.

I stared at the ceiling, my chest tight with gratitude. They had taken my confession about the stalker with remarkable composure. No judgment, no anger at me for keeping secrets—just fierce protectiveness and determination to keep me safe.

That's way more than I fucking deserved after pushing them away, I thought, struggling to swallow the lump forming in my throat.

Michael reclined comfortably beside me, one arm tucked behind his head. His hazel eyes reflected the soft light as he watched me with that mischievous smile that made my damn heart flutter like a teenager's. Yet beneath his casual demeanor, I could detect a trace of tension in his scent—unusual for such a confident Alpha.

Water ran in the bathroom. Richard had excused himself minutes earlier, leaving Michael and me alone. I shifted slightly, suddenly hyperaware of the thin t-shirt covering my body and the fact I wore only panties underneath. The domesticity of the moment wasn't lost on me—three people preparing for bed as if we'd always done this.

"Do you mind me staying here tonight, beautiful?" Michael asked, his hazel eyes searching mine with playful heat. He was still in casual clothes, lying on top of the covers rather than under them. Always the gentleman.

I smiled, appreciating his consideration, briefly catching my lower lip between my teeth. "The more the merrier," I answered, then added more seriously, "Especially when it's you." My fingers nervously twirled a strand of hair. "I've been sleeping like shit lately, but you guys make me feel safe..." I paused, feeling my cheeks heat up, "...and maybe other things too."

God, Isabella, why don't you just climb on top of him already? I chastised myself mentally, but couldn't bring myself to regret the admission.

Michael's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "I'm glad you feel safe with us, darling." His voice dropped lower, rumbling in his chest. "Trust me, nothing's happening to you when all three of us are around... except what you want to happen."

My heart hammered under his words and the promise they contained. Holy shit. This wasn't just about protection—there was more brewing between us, something we'd eventually have to face. Heat pooled low in my belly, and I subtly pressed my thighs together, hoping he wouldn't notice my body's response.

He patted the middle of the mattress, eyes twinkling with mischief. "You better get over here before Richard returns and takes up all the space with his massive..." he paused dramatically, "...ego."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud, the sound surprising even myself. When was the last time I'd genuinely laughed? It felt like forever ago. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly, and I realized how much I'd missed this—the easy teasing, the comfort of their presence.

"Well?" Michael raised an eyebrow, urging me. "What are you waiting for? I promise I don't bite... unless you ask."

Still smiling, I crawled across the mattress, lying back in the middle, surprised at how natural it felt. No awkwardness, just an immediate return to comfortable familiarity. The wolf under my skin stirred restlessly, both satisfied and somewhat anxious. I couldn't help wondering if things had changed—if my confession had made them reconsider. Was I now an even bigger burden? My body tensed slightly at the thought, my smile fading.

What if they were only doing this out of obligation now? What if I'd fucked everything up by bringing all this danger into their lives?

Michael's keen gaze caught the shift in my mood. "Hey?" he said softly. His fingers brushed against mine, warm and reassuring. "What's going on in that head? Thinking about me?" His tone was light, but his eyes reflected genuine concern.

"We probably have a lot to talk about, don't we?" I admitted, fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on the comforter, nails scraping against the fabric in a nervous rhythm.

Michael nodded, his expression gentle. "Yes, we certainly do, but it can wait until you've rested and feel ready. No pressure, baby. Take your time, and we'll be patient until you're ready... for conversations or otherwise."

His words eased some of the tension in my shoulders. I turned my head to thank him when something on the ceiling caught my attention. I gasped, my gaze fixed upward, body completely still.

"The constellations..." I breathed, voice barely audible.

The ceiling had been repainted to be an exact image of the night sky. Stars formed precise patterns against the dark surface, and there, highlighted, was the configuration of seven particularly bright stars known in werewolf legend as Luna's Constellation.

I was speechless with shock. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I realized what this meant. Richard had remembered. In one of our earliest conversations on the terrace, I'd told him about the star legends my grandmother had taught me.

"Do you like it?"

Richard's voice drew my attention to where he stood in the bathroom doorway, fresh from his shower, water droplets still clinging to his chest. His skin gleamed in the soft light, outlining every well-defined muscle. "I wanted you to think of that night... of our time together, every time you lay in this bed."

"You remembered," I whispered, emotion making my voice unsteady. My fingers twisted in the sheets, gripping them tightly as I fought against the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

"Of course I did." He walked toward the bed, amber eyes never leaving mine. "It's one of my favorite memories. I wanted to preserve something from that night, especially the way your eyes lit up when you talked about the wolf constellation... just like they're doing now."

I swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. "It's one of my most treasured memories too," I admitted quietly. "Every time I see the full moon, I think about how your hand held mine."

My gaze drifted downward, discovering Richard wore only black boxers hanging low on his hips. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of his muscled body—he seemed to have added even more definition since I'd last seen him like this. My mouth suddenly went dry, and I had to force myself to swallow.

Damn, he's fucking beautiful. I felt my pulse quicken as my eyes wandered over the contours of his chest, down the clear lines of muscle on his abdomen, to the obvious bulge wrapped in the thin fabric of his underwear.

"I thought you slept naked," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "Are you being considerate for my sake?" I immediately blushed, hearing how disappointed I sounded. Why did that sound like disappointment? Get it together, Isabella!