MasukChapter 152DAMONShe laughed softly, shaking her head. "I don't even know where to start with this. How to parent supernatural children. What rules apply and what rules need to be completely rewritten.""We'll figure it out together," I promised. "And Isabella, about yesterday—""Not now," she interrupted gently. "I meant what I said last night. I'm staying, we're moving forward with the wedding, and I want complete honesty from now on. But right now, I need to focus on getting three children fed and settled and feeling secure. The heavy conversations can wait until they're occupied."I nodded, understanding. The cubs came first. Everything else could be dealt with later."I'll help with breakfast," I offered. "Mom probably already has everything ready, but three five-year-olds are a lot to handle even for her.""Three five-year-old werewolf cubs," Isabella corrected. "Is there a difference? Between regular kids and wolf cubs, I mean. In terms of behavior or needs or..."She trailed
Chapter 151DAMONI woke up to sunlight streaming through the bedroom windows and Isabella still in my arms.For a moment, I just lay there, afraid to move, afraid to even breathe, afraid that any motion that i would make, would shatter this fragile reality that was playing out right now and reveal it as nothing more than a desperate dream that i was clinging onto.But her warmth was real against my chest, her breathing steady and even, her heartbeat a gentle rhythm that my wolf recognized and responded to with bone-deep contentment.She'd stayed.After everything—after the attack, after the revelations, after watching me transform into the monster I'd been hiding from her—she'd stayed.The relief was so overwhelming it physically hurt to even breath. My chest felt tight, my throat constricted, and if I'd been alone I probably would have broken down completely. But I couldn't afford that luxury. Not when Isabella was still processing, still deciding whether she could truly trust me ag
Chapter 150ISABELLAI thought about it. Really thought about it. About what I wanted versus what I was afraid of. About the man standing in front of me who'd lied but also loved me fiercely. About the children sleeping down the hall who needed stability and safety.About the fact that despite everything, despite the lies and revelations and supernatural complications, I still wanted this. Still wanted him. Still wanted the family we'd been building together."I don't want to postpone," I said finally. "I want to go forward with the wedding. But I want to go in with full knowledge of what I'm agreeing to. No surprises on the day. No parts of the ceremony that you forgot to mention. Complete transparency."The relief that washed over his face was almost painful to witness. "Complete transparency. I promise. And Isabella—thank you. For not running. For not hating me. For still being willing to try.""I don't hate you," I said softly. "I'm hurt and angry, but I don't hate you. And I'm wi
Chapter 149ISABELLA"Finally," I confirmed, still not turning around. "All three of them crammed into Lucas's bed like puppies.""They'll probably end up in wolf form by morning," Damon said, and I could hear the slight smile in his voice. "Cubs usually shift in their sleep when they feel safe. It's more comfortable for them."The casual way he said it—like children turning into wolves overnight was completely normal—should have freaked me out more than it did. But I was running out of capacity for shock today."There's a lot I don't understand about this world," I said finally, turning to face him. "About what you are. What they are. What I'm apparently supposed to become.""I know," he said simply, staying near the door. Giving me space. "And I'm sorry. I should have told you from the beginning. I should have given you the choice to accept or reject us with full knowledge of what you were getting into.""Yes, you should have," I agreed. "But I understand why you didn't. Why you wer
Chapter 148ISABELLALucas's face brightened at the possibility of having brothers, especially after being an only child living in a very huge mansion and having no kids from school that came here to play with him. "Like real brothers? Who live here and play with me and go to school with me?""Exactly like that," I confirmed."Then they can definitely wear my clothes!" Lucas declared, his earlier possessiveness forgotten in the excitement of potential siblings. "Come on, I'll show you my room! I have so many toys and books and—"The three of them took off running down the hallway, their earlier trauma temporarily forgotten in the joy of children finding playmates. I followed more slowly, my body and mind both exhausted from the day's revelations.By the time I caught up to them, Lucas had already pulled out half his wardrobe and was showing Tommy and Sean his collection of toy cars and stuffed animals. The twins were impressed, and within minutes they were all chattering away like t
Chapter 147ISABELLA Getting three hyperactive, emotionally overwhelmed five-year-old boys settled down turned out to be more challenging than fighting off supernatural creatures in the woods.After the initial reunion and Damon's declaration that he'd challenge for custody of Tommy and Sean, I'd ushered all three boys upstairs, away from the gathered staff. They needed normalcy right now. Or as much normalcy as possible when your entire world had just been turned upside down.. "Mama, is this really where you live now?" Tommy asked, his eyes wide as he took in the bedroom I'd been sharing with Damon. "It's huge! Our room at Dad's house could fit in here like ten times!""It's very fancy," Sean agreed, running his hand along the silk duvet cover. "Are you a princess now? Did you marry a prince?""Not yet," I said, the words catching in my throat. The wedding. God, the wedding was supposed to be in five days. Five days until I was supposed to stand in front of everyone and promise fo







