Saffron’s chest tightened.They had wanted it—a tribute to the woman who had anchored them across centuries, who had lived and died to break Matthew’s hold.She kneaded the arm of the chair with her paws, as if grounding herself.
Willow fussed, offering Ursula a bottle of water.“Do you need anything?More light?Different ink?”
Ursula shook her head, smiling faintly.“I’ve got it, babe.You keep those boys distracted.They flinch, I’ll blame you.”
Laughter rolled between them, warm and bright.Saffron let it wash over her, the ache inside twisting.She wanted to join, to laugh, to lean against them like she once had—but her mates weren’t here.Not yet.
Ursula’s eyes flicked toward the cat on the chair.“I know what you’re thinking.You are wondering if your mates came back last night,” she murmured under her breath.The needle buzzed on.“The Moon Goddess promised that you would get your fated ending.”
Saffron’s ears twitched.She had said that, but when?This century?The next?Hell, the way the world was burning under climate change it would be a fucking miracle if we lasted another fifty years!Saffron understood all too well.Two hundred years was a long time to walk this world alone.She’d endured, but the weight of it pressed heavier every year.
She needed them.Needed the warmth of her wolves, the rough laughter, the way their touch had made her feel whole.She hadn’t even craved another’s touch—not really.Well, except for once—no, twice.Her whiskers twitched at the memory of two firemen stripping out of their gear, muscles slick, voices low.Hotter than hot.She’d taken herself in hand more than once in the privacy of her bathroom after that.
As if her thoughts had conjured them, the bell over the door chimed.The two men strode in, tall and broad, the air shifting with their presence.Saffron’s heart nearly exploded in her chest.Isaac and Nolan King.One look was all it took for her to know who they were to her.Her wolves.Her mates.
Both men were striking—muscular and tall, shoulders stretching their shirts.Isaac was slightly shorter, though his frame was broader, his dark brown hair falling across his forehead and those startling blue eyes locking onto everything with protective intensity.Nolan had the same piercing eyes, but stood an inch or two taller, his short dark blond hair catching the light.Both carried full, sensual lips and a dusting of facial hair that only sharpened their rugged beauty.
They scanned the room, jaws tight, eyes glowing faintly as if daring anyone to challenge them.“Where is she?”Nolan demanded, voice rough with possession.
Liam sat up straight, Jacob right beside him.The recognition was instant, like a spark leaping a gap.The four of them froze, shock widening eyes, breath catching in chests.
Then, Liam whispered, awe breaking his voice.“Brothers ...it can’t be.”
Jacob’s mouth curved into a disbelieving grin.“It is.I’d know you anywhere.”
The reunion was fierce and messy, arms clapping around shoulders, laughter and curses mixing with the sting of unshed tears.Isaac pulled Liam in hard, Nolan crushed Jacob against his chest, the four of them gripping like they’d never let go again.Centuries fell away in that moment, the bond of blood and fate reknit before everyone’s eyes.Around the room, Willow, Ursula, and even Saffie in her cat form found that their eyes were damp, each woman moved by the sheer intensity of the brothers finding one another again.
Willow stepped back, watching with wide eyes, her voice hushed but sure.“You’re family,” she breathed.“I don’t know how, but I feel it.Like you’ve always been part of us.”
Nolan laughed shakily, thumping Jacob’s back.“Part of you?Hell, sister, we were lost without you.And now...”he trailed off, eyes shining.“Now we’re whole again.”
Saffron sat frozen, breath trapped in her feline chest.She compared them—then and now.Isaac, protective as ever, just as he had been when he’d shoved his brother clear of the falling beam.Nolan, still chaos, still the reckless one, the boy who had once run headlong into battle and centuries later had run into flames to save a dying cat from a burning stairwell.
They were asking Ursula where she was.Saffron stretched, sliding gracefully from the chair to the floor, padding forward with deliberate steps.Nolan’s head whipped around, eyes narrowing.Predator stillness wrapped around him as he focused on her.
“Kitten,” he murmured, crouching low.“Our little kitten.”
Isaac was at his side in an instant, both of their eyes glowing now.They had caught her scent.
Saffron’s heart thundered.She let the moment stretch, then the air shimmered.Her body shifted, bones lengthening, fur dissolving into skin.When she stood, she was in her black dress, heels clicking against the floor, makeup perfect.She tilted her head and drank in their stunned faces.
“Surprise, boys,” she drawled, lips curving.“Didn’t expect your kitty to clean up this well, now, did you?”
For a beat neither brother moved, shock written across their rugged faces.Nolan’s lips parted, his gaze raking over her like he couldn’t believe she was real.
“Holy hell,” he whispered.“It’s really you.”
Isaac’s jaw flexed, his voice rough and reverent.“Two hundred years and you still look like sin wrapped in silk.”He took a step closer, blue eyes burning.“Our mate.Our Saffron.”
Her lips quirked, sarcasm her only shield.“Took you long enough to find me.What, did you stop for coffee first?”
That broke the tension.Nolan huffed a laugh even as his hands twitched like he wanted to grab her and never let go.Isaac swore softly, then closed the distance—hands cupping her face, mouth claiming hers in a kiss that devoured two centuries of longing, a kiss that tasted of fire and promise and the beginning of their forever.
