Mag-log inZara's POV My heart nearly stopped the moment I saw Kali in Celine’s arms. “Kali!” I rushed across the room immediately, panic surging through me as I grabbed hold of her shoulders. Celine hesitated. Just for a second. Her grip tightened protectively around Kali before she finally loosened her hold enough for me to take her. That alone made alarm bells ring in my head. “Kali,” I said quickly, brushing damp strands of hair away from her face. Her skin was warm. A little too warm. But at least she was conscious now. Barely. Her eyelids fluttered weakly before she whispered my name so softly it almost broke my heart. “Zara…” Relief flooded me instantly. “I’m right here,” I murmured gently. Carefully, I guided her back toward the bed and lowered her onto the mattress. Kali winced faintly as her head touched the pillow, exhaustion written all over her face. She looked terrible. Like something had drained the life straight out of her. Once she settled back against the bl
Celine's POV My heart nearly burst straight through my ribs.“Ike—”The rest of the words died in my throat.Because Ike wasn’t just standing there casually.He looked furious.Not loud furious like Emmett.Worse.Controlled furious.His broad shoulders filled the doorway completely as his sharp eyes moved from me… to the unconscious Kali in my arms… then back to me again.The silence stretched painfully.I swallowed hard.Think, Celine. Think.“I can explain,” I blurted quickly.“I’m waiting,” Ike said flatly.Panic clawed violently at my chest.Kali shifted weakly in my arms with a faint groan, and instinctively I tightened my hold on her.“She needs to leave,” I said desperately. “Please.”Ike’s brows furrowed slightly.“She’s not safe here.”That made his expression darken immediately.“Not safe?” he repeated slowly.I nodded quickly. “Kali isn’t happy here. Everyone treats her terribly. Kora openly hates her, Emmett terrifies her, and now whatever happened in the forest…” My voi
Celine's POV I had to get Kali out of this house.Tonight.The thought repeated itself over and over in my head as I stayed hidden beside the cabinet, listening carefully to the silence stretching through the hallway.No footsteps.No voices.Good.Slowly, I stepped away from the wall.My pulse still raced hard beneath my ribs, but now fear had tangled itself together with determination. I didn’t fully know what was happening to Kali. I didn’t understand the fire, the shield, or the terrifying amount of energy Lilith sensed inside her.But I knew one thing.If Emmett discovered the truth before we did, everything would become dangerous.Maybe it already was.I glanced once more toward Kali’s room before carefully making my way back down the hallway.The door remained cracked open.Warm golden light spilled softly across the floorboards.I hesitated outside for half a second.Then slipped inside.The room smelled faintly of herbs and smoke now, probably from whatever Lilith used durin
Celine's POV Fear still clung to me like damp cloth as I made my way back toward the house. Every instinct screamed that this was a terrible idea. Emmett had ordered me to leave. And judging by the look in his eyes back in the forest, disobeying him today felt about as smart as jumping into a wolf pit wearing raw meat. Still… My feet kept moving. Because Kali was in there. Unconscious. And no matter how frightened I was of Emmett, the thought of leaving Kali alone with him felt worse somehow. Also, I couldn't risk her telling Emmett the truth. I slowed as thehouse came into view through the trees, its tall windows shimmering under the afternoon light. The entire place looked too calm compared to the chaos twisting inside my chest. I lingered near the edge of the shadows for several minutes, making sure Emmett hadn’t doubled back outside. He hadn't. Just distant voices drifting faintly from somewhere deeper inside the house. Finally, I exhaled slowly and slipped toward t
Celine's POV Panic shot through me instantly. “What?” I stuttered. Emmett frowned at me, his expression hardening with impatience. The pressure rolling off him felt suffocating, thick with alpha authority and something far more dangerous beneath it. I bowed my head quickly, trying to steady my nerves. “Take me to where you found Kali,” he repeated coldly. “Now.” My stomach twisted. I glanced toward the bed where Kali still lay unconscious, her face flushed with unnatural heat. Even from across the room, I could still remember the sight of those flames swallowing the forest whole around her. Fire. Actual fire. My pulse quickened again. “Who is going to look after Kali if we both leave?” I asked carefully. Emmett’s eyes snapped toward me. The look he gave me made my throat tighten instantly. “Of course, Alpha,” I said quickly. I turned immediately and headed for the door before he could question me further. But just before stepping out, I glanced back once at Kali. Stil
Kali's POV I walked slowly deeper into the forest, my pulse hammering against my ribs as my eyes darted frantically between the trees. The footsteps. I knew I heard them. Heavy boots crunching against leaves and twigs. Someone had been out there behind the guest house. The sound came again faintly ahead of me. My breath caught. Without thinking, I hurried forward. The footsteps grew fainter with every passing second. Panic flickered inside me and I broke into a run, branches snagging against my sleeves as I chased after the sound. My lungs burned almost instantly, but I kept going. This was crazy. Absolutely crazy. But if I could find whoever it was… Maybe this would finally be useful. Maybe if I discovered something important enough to tell Emmett, then I wouldn't have to do something as crazy as this or drag Celine into any more messed with Kora. My feet pounded harder against the forest floor. Then suddenly Celine flashed through my mind. Her stan
Kali's POV This was my chance.If I leave now, I should be able to make it back to the house in an hour or less, grab my things and be on my way. If I miss this opportunity now, now that the entire pack was either here hunting for their mate or just drinking somewhere, I might never get another o
Zara's POV My eyes snapped open. I wiggled out of his grip, shoving him so hard he started backwards, his eyes popping open in shock. "Zara what did I..." "What did you say?" His brows scrunched together in confusion, only for a split second. "That you're mine." I scoffed. He had to b
Zara's POV "Shh! it's starting!" Suzie squeaked. My heart skipped inside my chest. The forest immediately fell silent except for the soft rustle of leaves under the night wind. We stood gathered in the open square — a wide, flat space surrounded by tall trees that seemed to guard us . The ea
Kali's POV I folded the last of my things — if they could even be called things — into a small canvas bag I’d borrowed from the storage tent. My hands shook slightly, though I told myself it was from exhaustion, not fear. The truth was harder to admit. My heart was hammering because this time, I w







