Chapter 184

Chapter 184
ISABELLA

After hours buried in stacks of dusty papers and yellowed files, Knox and I were still no closer to anything solid. We’d found a few mentions of hunters here and there—mostly isolated cases. They’d never been this organized, never operated like the coordinated force we were seeing now. It seemed as though, for generations, they’d just been scattered groups, lashing out at lone werewolves. Nothing compared to the scale of what we were facing.

A gentle knock broke our concentration, and Maggie entered the room carrying a tray with sandwiches and drinks. I hadn’t even realized how hungry I was until I caught the scent of fresh bread. “Here, I thought you two could use a break,” she said, smiling warmly as she set the tray down on the old desk.

“Thank you, Maggie,” I said, reaching for a sandwich. Knox, however, looked up with a barely masked hint of discomfort, muttering something about getting fresh air and suggesting we take a break outside. I could only chuckle under my breath, finding it amusing how he seemed to be avoiding his own mother like he was a teenager again.

As Knox made a quick escape, Maggie’s gaze followed him, and she shook her head with a soft smile. “You’d think he was still fifteen the way he runs off sometimes,” she said, sounding both amused and slightly exasperated. “I suppose he’s still not used to the idea of me… having my own life.”

I laughed, taking a sip of my drink. “You can tell. He looked like he couldn’t wait to get out of here.”

She chuckled, and then a thoughtful silence settled between us. She glanced at me as if deciding whether to continue. “I assume Knox might’ve mentioned Spencer earlier?”

I nodded. “He did. Though, to be fair, he seems to have dramatized it a bit. He’s just… adjusting.”

She smiled, her expression softening. “I’ll admit, it’s strange for me too. I never expected to have… well, let’s say ‘male company’ at my age, especially from someone like Spencer.”

I watched her, intrigued by the openness in her eyes. “You mean because he’s younger?”

“Exactly. He’s charming and considerate, but he’s closer in age to my boys than to me.” She sighed, fidgeting with the corner of a napkin. “At first, I assumed he was just being friendly out of respect, or maybe politeness. But lately…” She looked away, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. “He’s made it clear he enjoys my company. That he’d like to spend more time together.”

I nodded, listening intently. “And how does that make you feel?”

She looked thoughtful, almost surprised by the question. “Conflicted, I suppose. Part of me feels… flattered. I haven’t had anyone look at me like that in years.” She gave me a small, wistful smile. “But then, there’s the voice in my head saying, ‘What are you thinking, Maggie? You’re a mother and a grandmother; you’re supposed to be beyond all that.’”

I reached over, resting my hand on hers. “You’re also a woman, Maggie. You deserve happiness and companionship just as much as anyone else. It’s normal to feel conflicted, but if Spencer makes you feel good, then that’s what matters, right?”

She looked at me with a grateful glint in her eyes. “Thank you, Isabella. It’s nice to have someone to talk to who understands. I love my sons, but they… well, they have a way of complicating things.”

I laughed, nodding in agreement. “They’re very protective. But I think, in time, they’ll come around. They just want to see you happy.”

She squeezed my hand gently, her gaze softening. “You’ve brought so much light into their lives, into all of ours. I’m grateful you’re here, Zaza.”

“Thank you, Maggie. That means a lot.” I smiled, a warmth spreading through me.

We sat together for a few more moments, finishing our sandwiches in companionable silence. It was comforting to share this moment, just two women, navigating the complexities of love and family together.



I walk back into the living room with Luca wrapped in his soft, blue towel, his hair damp and curling in every direction. He babbles happily, playing with the edge of the towel, but I can already hear the low, serious tones of my mates’ conversation. It doesn’t take long to figure out what they’re talking about.

Knox’s voice is animated, retelling what I shared with him earlier. “…I’m just saying, it’s not that big of a deal. They’re two grown adults—”

“Two grown adults?” Asher cuts him off. “That’s our mother we’re talking about. Spencer might be a nice guy, but he’s younger and—who knows if he’s looking for something serious? She doesn’t need any… complications.”

Jax chimes in, sounding a little less intense. “Asher, calm down. You’re acting like he’s going to break her heart. Maybe we don’t need to police her every move.”

“But she deserves respect,” Asher insists. “I’m not going to let someone walk into her life and just—”

“That’s enough,” I say firmly, stepping into the room with Luca on my hip. All three heads turn toward me, and I meet Asher’s gaze, unwavering. I know he means well, but he’s taking it too far. “Maggie is a strong, intelligent woman. She’s fully capable of making her own choices.”

Asher sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I know, Isa, but I just… I don’t want to see her get hurt. She’s been through so much already.”

“I get that,” I reply, my tone softening as I look around at each of them, wanting them to understand. “But Maggie is happy, and I think we all need to respect that. Spencer isn’t a threat. He respects her, and if anything, she deserves someone in her life who cares about her.”

Knox nods in agreement, casting Asher a meaningful look. “She doesn’t need us hovering over her, Ash. We don’t want to make her feel like we don’t trust her judgment.”

Asher sighs, shoulders relaxing just a little. He glances at Luca, who’s listening intently to the conversation as if he understands every word. Finally, he nods. “Alright, alright… We’ll leave it alone. But if Spencer ever gives her a reason to be unhappy…”

“Then we’ll talk to him,” I finish for him, smiling to let him know I appreciate his concern.

There’s a beat of silence, and then Jax leans back, chuckling. “Look at us, acting like a bunch of worried kids over our mother. We sound ridiculous.”

I laugh, relieved as the tension melts from the room. Luca giggles along with us, clapping his hands like he’s in on the joke. “Exactly. Maggie’s just fine, and so are we.”

Knox grins, clearly glad to put the matter to rest. He reaches over, tousling Luca’s hair before looking up at me. “Thanks, Isa. You always know how to keep us in check.”

“Someone has to,” I tease, squeezing Luca closer as he cuddles into my shoulder.

The three of them share a look, and just like that, the moment is over. With the matter settled, a sense of ease settles back into the room. We might be overprotective, but we’re family—and sometimes, knowing when to stand back is the best way to show we care.