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Her voice faded as Hyder Furman shifted in the luxurious seat, angling himself so she could see his face. She couldn't help but notice the lines etched deeper around his eyes, making his face look harder, more weathered than she remembered. The wave of his hand towards the chair was a silent invitation, and she automatically stepped forward to take her seat.

Even as her knees protested with a sharp crack, she managed to sit down gracefully, hiding the discomfort of her arthritis with a practiced elegance. The sound of the tea being poured into her cup made her fingers tighten on the handle of her cane, and she felt a sudden surge of anxiety. She reached for the cup, her hand hovering hesitantly above the steaming liquid, as she eyed the brew with suspicion when he sat back.

“It’s not poisoned. You are too valuable to me at the moment to kill you—no matter how tempting it is,” he said.

She placed the fragile teacup on the end table between the chairs and sat back. “What do you want, Hyder? How did you get in?”

“I want to know why you want a human bad enough to work with someone like Eric Singleton. I want to know what you have on Lorne Timberwolf. There is a lot I want to know, Isabella, and this time, you are going to tell me everything,” he said.

The icy glint in his eyes had mellowed, but his voice still carried the weight of his hardened emotions. This was a different man from the one she had planned to kill at her villa. She wondered what Eric had done to change him.

“Eric—”

“Is no longer available. I heard through the grapevine that he met a rather unfortunate accident while exploring the wilds of Olympic National Forest. He and a dozen of the Knights of the Dii Bellatore. The elders will not be happy to hear that, I’m sure.”

She lifted her chin. “I had nothing to do with his demise. If he and the others are dead, then obviously they weren’t as good as they claimed they were.”

“They aren’t, but I am. Now, you can either tell me everything or I’ll get Theodore to do it. In which case, you will no longer be an asset,” he said.

“Perhaps I can have Frances?—”

The words died on her lips when he shook his head.

“Frances won’t be making any more tea. In fact, you may want to consider learning how to make it yourself,” he said.

Regret washed over Isabella, primarily because it would be a huge inconvenience to train another exceptional bodyguard who could also fulfill the role of her personal maid. She pressed her lips together and regarded Hyder with an air of thoughtfulness. Perhaps this new version would fit her needs better. A serene smile played on her lips as she relaxed comfortably in her seat.

“There’s no need to trouble Theodore. I’m sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Now tell me, are you familiar with the story about King Or’Ang?” she asked as she picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Four weeks later, Jayden stood on the front porch of her new home, a sense of excitement and anticipation buzzing in her chest. The railing that surrounded the wrap-around porch was smooth and cool beneath her fingertips, and she traced its curve as she walked. The ranch, purchased by Van and Peterson, was right on the edge of the new human compound, a short distance separating her family and the rest of her clan from the sprawling property.

She watched as Van carried the last of bags from the truck, her eyes following his every move. Her heart raced with a mixture of love and joy, her eyes fixed on him as he ascended the stairs. The last four weeks had been a nonstop rollercoaster ride, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. Their trip to the hospital had lasted longer than any of them expected.

Red’s attack on Peterson resulted in four cracked ribs and the need for stitches to repair the damage. Van had to get stitches for his knife wounds. Ben had arranged for a thorough medical checkup for Jayden, much to her dismay. Ella had gone into labor while she was there and given birth to a beautiful baby girl. Jayden had been there by her side, witnessing the raw intensity of labor, soothing both Ella’s cries of pain and Ty’s desperate pleas to protect his wife from such agony.

Holding his newborn daughter, Ty had been the epitome of a proud father. It was obvious he was a touch overwhelmed by his daughter’s fragility and sweetness. The moment the baby wrapped her tiny hand around his finger and she saw the tears in Ty’s eyes, Jayden knew why Ella had made the choice to follow her heart.

The nurses, their patience frayed, told the weary father that a sedative was their final option if he didn't allow them to care for the baby and prepare her for Ella’s feeding. The family drama, with its dramatic outbursts, had left Jayden amused. The fierce grizzly, with its sharp claws and menacing growl, became as docile as a teddy bear under her friend’s gentle touch.

“What do you think?”

Peterson’s arm found its way around her waist, drawing her near. She met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat at the warmth of his touch. A wave of awareness washed over her, igniting a curious warmth that hinted at the intoxicating experience of surrendering to both men. Her fingers traced the matching gold bands on her ring finger.

“I can’t believe that we’re married,” she murmured.

“We can’t believe you said yes when Michaela asked,” Peterson confessed.

She giggled. “Tracy and Ty’s aunt has a very forceful way about her. I was afraid she would eat me if I said no.”

Placing her bag on the chair, Van walked over and raised her hand to his lips. He gently kissed the rings they had just put on her finger, a few hours earlier. They had given her the last four weeks to adjust to life outside of the forests. They aimed to dispel any uncertainty she might have about their feelings. The courtship process had left her both confused and hungry for them.

“Do you two have any idea how much I want to jump your bones?” she blurted out.

Her bold statement brought a bright, rosy blush to her cheeks, a clear sign of her nervousness. The men had been attentive and polite, their chivalry great, but she craved something a little less civilized. A feverish heat had consumed her for the past week, leaving her aching and restless, and now she felt the pressure building, much like a volcano about to erupt.

“Van and I tossed a coin. He gets to carry you across the threshold, I get to carry you to bed,” Peterson said.

“Unless you want to see the rest of the house,” Van said.