LOGINMEGAN'S POV"Nothing," Xarion interjects swiftly, stepping closer. "He didn't do anything, Megan. He was just… being himself. You know how he is.""That's exactly the problem," I reply, my voice rising slightly. "I know how he is. And if he said or did anything to upset my pups…""Our pups," Xarion corrects gently.I glare at him. "My pups, Xarion. And if Wilson can't act right around them, then he doesn't need to be around them at all.""He didn't hurt them," Xarion insists, his tone calm but firm. "They just… they noticed he was upset. That's all. He didn't say or do anything mean to them. I swear."I press my lips together, my hands balling into fists at my sides.The twins are good at reading people. They always have been.And if they didn't like Wilson, it's because they sensed something off about him.Which doesn't surprise me in the slightest.Before I can respond, the twins poke their heads out the door again, their faces curious."Mommy, are you mad?" Makayla asks softly.I f
MEGAN'S POVI’ve been pacing in the hallway outside my hotel suite for the past twenty minutes, checking my phone obsessively, my irritation climbing with every passing second.It's twelve noon.Twelve.Xarion promised he'd have the twins back early. Early means morning. Not lunchtime.But he still hasn't arrived with them, and I'm losing my mind.What could possibly have happened that he hasn't brought the twins back?I'm about to scroll to Xarion's contact on my phone when the elevator doors slide open, and I hear them.Oh goddess.The twins' voices echo down the hallway, high-pitched and excited, chattering about something I can't quite make out yet.And then I see them.Maverick and Makayla burst through the hallway, their little faces glowing with joy, their hands waving wildly as they spot me standing by the door."Mommy!" they shout in unison, sprinting toward me.I drop to my knees instantly, arms open, and they crash into me with so much force I nearly topple backward."Hey,
VANCE'S POVI'm sitting in my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, staring out at the city streets as they blur past.I left Megan's hotel about ten minutes ago, and I still can't get the image of her out of my head.The way she looked at me when I kissed her.That brief, fleeting moment where time seemed to stop, and it was just us.Her lips were soft, warm, and for a second, I thought maybe, just maybe, she'd kiss me back fully.But she didn't.She didn't pull away either, which has to count for something, right?Still, I could feel the hesitation and conflict.And I'd be lying if I said I didn't know exactly why.Xarion.That bastard's shadow is still looming over her, over us, and it pisses me off more than I care to admit.I let out a harsh breath, trying to shake off the frustration building in my chest, when my phone suddenly vibrates in the cup holder beside me.I look down and see my father's name flashing on the screen.Alpha Elias Stone
XARION'S POV“Surprise!” Mom smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she walks over and pulls me into a hug. "I arrived this morning. Your father told me the twins were here, and I couldn't wait another second to meet them."I hug her back, relief washing over me. My mother's been away visiting her sister in another pack for the past few months, and I've missed her presence more than I realized.I look over at my father, who's standing a few feet behind her, his arms crossed and his expression neutral. Of course he'd know the twins are here.Mom's always been the calm to my father's storm. The warmth to his coldness.And she's one of the few people who never judged Megan.In fact, she liked her. A lot."I'm glad you're back," I murmur, pulling away.She cups my face briefly, her expression soft. "Me too."Then she turns her attention to the twins, her face lighting up instantly as she moves past me. "And these must be Maverick and Makayla."The twins pause mid-bite, staring at h
XARION'S POVThe twins are freshly bathed, their hair still slightly damp, their little faces glowing as they sit at the dining table, digging into the breakfast I had prepared for them.Well, "prepared" is generous. I heated up some pre-made pancakes, scrambled some eggs, and sliced up some fruit. But they're eating it like it's a five-star meal, so I'll take the win."This is so yummy, Daddy!" Makayla chirps, her fork stabbing into a piece of pancake dripping with syrup."Yeah!" Maverick agrees, shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "You're a good cook!"I chuckle, leaning against the counter with my arms crossed, watching them with warmth in my chest. "Thanks, buddy. I try."They're happy. Comfortable. And they're here with me, in my home, eating breakfast like this is where they belong.It feels right.And I don't want it to end.But I know it has to. I promised Megan I'd have them back early, and I can already picture the look on her face if I'm even a minute late.Still, I l
MEGAN'S POVVance grins, that easy, charming smile of his lighting up his face. "Good morning to you too, Megan."I cross my arms, squinting at him in curiosity. "Seriously. It's eight in the morning. What are you doing here?""I came to see you," he replies simply, holding up the bag. "And I brought breakfast. Thought you might be hungry."I stare at him for a moment, then step aside, gesturing for him to come in."You really didn't have to do all this," I mutter as I close the door behind him."I know," he says, walking over to the small dining table by the window and setting the bag down. "But I wanted to. So here I am."I shake my head, following him, but I can't help the small smile forming on my lips. "You're something else, you know that?""Oh, I know," he quips, flashing me a wink as he hands me the flowers.I roll my eyes, but the warmth in my chest is undeniable as I take them. "Thank you. They're beautiful.”"Not as beautiful as you," he replies smoothly, his eyes twinkling







