Chapter 249

Chapter 249
Isabella

I sat at Kevin's kitchen island, surrounded by the three mates who had turned my world upside down. The scent of cinnamon pancakes hung in the air, but despite the warm food and their protective presence, tension crackled between us like static electricity.

My fingers fidgeted nervously with the sleeve of Richard's borrowed T-shirt, which hung loosely on my frame, the fabric sliding against my skin with each anxious movement.

God, I could feel them watching me. Like they were deciding my fate without my consent.

Silence stretched between us, not the uncomfortable kind, but the kind filled with unspoken words. I could sense they'd been discussing something important before I came in—something about me. Their scents carried notes of determination and protectiveness that made my inner wolf restlessly alert.

"We've made a decision," Richard finally spoke, his voice carrying that familiar authority that sent a shiver down my spine and a clench deep in my belly. He exchanged glances with the other two men before continuing, "For your safety, we think it's best if you move into Kevin's fortress in the suburbs."

I froze, fork halfway to my mouth, my hand suddenly trembling. "You're kidding, right?" The pancake slipped from my fork, landing with a soft plop on my plate as my stomach tightened with anxiety. Move in with them? All of them? Fuck, that was... intense.

"We're very serious," Michael added, his expression softening when he noted my shock. "We can't risk your stalker making another move. Kevin's place is the most secure location we have."

"But... you don't have to do this," I protested, setting down the fork completely with a slight clatter. My teeth caught my lower lip as I struggled for the right words. "I can handle this on my own. I don't want to be a burden to any of you."

My inner wolf whimpered, strongly disagreeing with my words. Shut up, I hissed at her mentally. She craved their protection, even pacing anxiously in my mind. But my human pride still resisted complete dependence, the need to prove I wasn't weak gnawing at me.

Kevin didn't speak. Instead, he placed his hand on my bare knee, sending an electric current through my body that made me inhale softly. His touch was warm and firm, rough fingers drawing small circles on my skin. I felt a blush creep up my neck as I fought against my body's immediate response to his proximity—a mixture of desire and alertness that made it difficult to concentrate. Damn traitorous body.

"Kevin's right," Richard nodded, his eyes briefly flashing red as he looked at Kevin's hand on my leg. I realized it wasn't out of jealousy but something like approval. That possessive gaze involuntarily made my thighs press tightly together. "And we're not discussing this further. The decision has been made."

"Michael?" I turned to him, hoping for some support, only to find his expression had hardened, his usually warm hazel eyes flickering with gold. My heart sank as I realized they were completely united on this.

"Are you really suggesting we let you face this alone?" Michael's voice carried an edge I rarely heard from him, making me flinch slightly. "After everything we've learned? After seeing what it's doing to you? Absolutely not, Bella."

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling small under their collective intense gaze. My shoulders hunched slightly, and I resisted the urge to slide off the stool to make myself physically smaller. Kevin's fingers tightened slightly on my knee, not enough to hurt but enough to emphasize their united front, the heat from his palm burning into me.

Then Michael's expression softened, and he reached out to take my hand. His fingers entwined warmly with mine, his thumb caressing my knuckles. "We care about you deeply, Isabella. We're all falling in love with you." As Michael spoke, Kevin's fingers squeezed my knee gently, as if confirming the sentiment.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I blinked rapidly against the sudden sting of tears in the corners of my eyes. They still wanted me. After everything. The fear that had been consuming me for weeks since discovering the truth about my stalker began to recede, but in its place came another worry—that my mates might have lost interest during our time apart. Hearing Michael's confession was a relief.

"Since you asked for space," Michael continued, his voice thick with emotion, "we've all been miserable. How could we possibly send you away now when all we want is to pull you closer?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My eyes moistened, and my heart was beating so loudly I was certain they could all hear it. I gripped Michael's fingers tighter, seeking an anchor as emotions threatened to overwhelm me.

"He's right," Richard added, coming around the island to stand closer to me. His familiar scent enveloped me. "There wasn't a day we didn't miss you." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "It's crazy how you've managed to make us feel so deeply for you in such a short time."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I unconsciously leaned toward him, drawn by his scent and the comfort he offered. My body betraying me again, seeking the connection my mind had been fighting against.

"We would have fought for you indefinitely," Richard continued, his eyes never leaving mine, the intensity in them making me hold my breath. "Until you accepted us again. But this, you moving into Kevin's fortress, has nothing to do with that, and you don't need to choose between the two; our protection comes with no strings attached."

I understood what they were offering—not just protection, but unconditional care. My wolf urged me to confess my own feelings, to tell them I'd been just as miserable without them. She clawed at me from within, desperate for me to speak the truth.

Taking a deep breath, I turned my hand to grasp Kevin's that rested on my knee. His skin was rough against mine, his hand so large it nearly encompassed my entire knee. "You know, that day I received your first gifts, the flowers and pastries?" I looked at all three of them, gathering my courage, my voice slightly shaky. "I was ready to forgive you then. I was falling for you too."

The atmosphere in the kitchen immediately changed, filled with an almost tangible energy of hope. Richard's smile was radiant, Michael's eyes sparkled with joy, and even Kevin's stoic expression noticeably softened, the corner of his mouth turning slightly upward.

"I was struggling with anger and hurt," I admitted, my free hand nervously playing with the hem of my shirt. "But I realized I couldn't imagine life without the three of you. I was willing to risk trusting you again."

"And then?" Kevin prompted when I paused, his deep voice almost a whisper, rumbling through me like distant thunder.

I felt bitterness and hatred rise in my throat, my jaw clenching painfully. "And then he contacted me for the first time." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, and I had to suppress the urge to spit after saying them.

The kitchen fell silent. The only sounds were the distant hum of the refrigerator and our collective breathing. I could feel the tension radiating from the three men, their scents turning sharp with anger.

"I couldn't ignore the threat hanging over your heads because of me," I continued, my voice slightly broken as my throat constricted. "I don't know what kind of lunatic I'm dealing with, or if he even poses a real threat, but I couldn't take that risk."

Kevin's fingers left soothing traces on my forearm, the gentleness from such a strong man breaking my heart. How could hands capable of such violence be so tender with me?