“This idiot was supposed to stay with Cliff and his team,” Lizzie explained. “My team and I were in the surveillance van when we got boarded by those scumbag guns for hire. He must have heard it over the comms and rushed back to help us. He managed to take down about six of them, but the rest shot him down. They were distracted enough though and my team and I took them down. Then I dug the bullets out of his chest.”
“And look, he’s already healing thanks to you,” Jade said. “Your Majesty,” she nodded to Deedee’s husband, King Karim, who was right behind her. “How was everything?”
“Easy as pie, as you Americans say,” he scoffed as he helped his wife up.
“Is that guy the dragon?” Ransom whispered to her.
“Yeah,” she confirmed. “The silver one. The other one is Jade’s husband.”
“Oh, forgive my rudeness,” Jade said. “Your Majesty, this is Isabelle Anderson, sister to our Alpha, Lucas Anderson. And her …” Light green eyes squinted at Ransom.
“My mate, Ransom,” Isabelle finished.
Jade’s eyes lit up. “Oh.”
“Mate?” Deedee asked. “As in, True Mate?”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations, Isabelle,” she replied, pulling her into a quick hug.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The other Lycan laughed. “Please. Just Deedee when it’s us.”
“Ransom and Isabelle were the ones who rescued Reed,” Jade explained.
“Then we are in your debt,” King Karim said with a slight nod of his head.
“I should go find my husband.” Jade raised the bag slung over her shoulder. “I told him this time I was going to bring him his own clothes. Will you be all right, Lizzie?”
“I’ll be okay, Mrs. Creed. I’ll watch over him until the medics can get here.” But, as soon as Jade was out of earshot, she leaned down and whispered into Wyatt’s ear. “If you die today, I’m going to hack into your credit card and order ball gags and gimp suits and have them sent to your office. Or your parents’ house.”
“Er, we should go over there,” Isabelle said. “I think I see Julianna and Adrianna there by those trees. You haven’t met her yet. Your Majesties, please excuse us.”
“Of course. We’ll see you around, Isabelle,” Deedee said.
They walked to her sisters, who were also with their respective mates.
“Isabelle!” Adrianna cried as she enveloped her in a hug. “It’s been so long.” Adrianna was Lupa of New Jersey which was why she didn’t live in Manhattan, but also, since the mages had been after both her and Lucas, they had to stay separated at all times to reduce the risk of them being kidnapped together. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, sis. This is Ransom.”
Adrianna placed her hands on her hips and raised a brow. “So, you’re Ransom. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her mate, Darius, stood behind her, silent as usual, but his expression was just as foreboding.
“Lupa,” he bowed his head in respect. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Huh.” Her oldest sister’s eyes narrowed at Ransom. “You’re not what I expected.”
While Adrianna could be the sweetest person in the world, she was also very intimidating as well as protective of her family. “Adrianna,” Isabelle began. “He’s my True Mate. And father to Evan and”—she slid her hand down to her belly—“Evan’s baby brother or sister.”
Adrianna’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “Really?” She wrapped Isabelle up in another tight hug. “Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“My congratulations,” Darius offered curtly. “It is a blessing to have an addition to our family.”
“Ransom, this is my mate, Darius. And don’t worry, his face is always like that,” Adrianna joked. “He’s just envious because he’s been trying to get me knocked up for months.”
“Diana will need a sibling soon,” Darius explained matter-of-factly.
“What’s your secret, Ransom?” Duncan piped in. “Asking for a friend.”
“Don’t even think about it, MacDougal. I’m definitely not having your litter any time soon.” Julianna smacked him on the arm, then turned to Isabelle. “So, you finally told him?”
“It was pretty obvious,” she retorted.
“Isabelle?”
Turning around, she saw her mother and father standing behind them. “Oh, my baby.” Frankie reached out and pulled her into her arms. “Did I hear right? Are you really pregnant again?”
She nodded. “And by the way, thanks for the save, Mama.”
“You know I’d do anything for you,” Frankie said, tears in her eyes.
“Pregnant?” Grant rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, then let out a sigh. “I supposed that means only one thing.” He reached his hand out. “Congratulations, son. I’m looking forward to seeing more of you.”
Isabelle felt tears burning at her eyes when her father and Ransom shook hands sincerely. She knew there would be a lot of healing to be done, but it was a good start.
“We should go get Evan,” Ransom said. “I think I see Daric over there.”
After promising they’d return once they got their son back, they strode over to where the tall Viking-like warlock stood. But before they could reach him, a man and woman approached them.
“Isabelle, it’s me, Elise. From San Francisco.” Elise’s electric blue eyes were shiny with tears. “I heard what you did for Reed, thank you.”
The tall, dark-haired man beside her smiled at Isabelle and Ransom. “I can’t thank you enough for saving my life,” he said, his English accent posh and crisp. “I would have died without you.”
“You’re welcome,” she said. “Ransom was the one who carried you out,” she explained. “He’s my True Mate.”
“Splendid,” Reed exclaimed, reaching his hand out and shaking hands with Ransom. “I owe you one.”
“You’re welcome in San Francisco, anytime,” Elise said. “Now, if you excuse us, I have to go find my mom and dad.”
They said their goodbyes and proceeded onward until they reached Daric, who was with his wife Meredith, as well as Astrid, Zac, and Gunnar.
“Stop hogging her!” Meredith groused at her husband, who held their granddaughter, Annaliese in his arms.
“You have had your turn,” the warlock retorted. “And she prefers me.”
“She does not,” his mate replied. “Tell him, Astrid.”
Astrid slapped a hand to her forehead and then
