JACKSON’S POV“She’s gone,” I growled under my breath as I paced the front porch. “She’s really gone.”My heart thundered against my ribs like it was trying to break free, and my wolf was damn near clawing through my skin. The bond was still silent. Blocked. Dead. Like a door had been slammed shut on the other end.And I couldn’t take it.Liam had already sent for Alex and Logan. They were on their way. At this point, I must have forgotten how to inhale because I didn’t know how to breathe anymore. One minute, I had her in my arms—safe, happy, ours. We were planning furniture arrangements and bickering over curtain colors. Laughing. Kissing. And now… nothing. Just silence and empty space where her presence used to be.I was going feral.“She wouldn’t just leave,” I kept muttering, over and over like a damn broken record. “She wouldn’t just leave. Someone took her from me.”“No, she wouldn’t,” Laila said firmly beside me, gripping my arm. “Karen wouldn’t just up and leave like that. We
JACKSON’S POVThe sunlight was already filtering through the curtains when I stirred, blinking against the soft golden light streaming into our bedroom. I stretched, arms out across the bed, expecting to brush my fingers against soft skin—maybe tug her back into bed for one more lazy hour together.But all I felt was cold sheets.I rolled over, eyes still half-shut, thinking maybe she’d just gone to the bathroom. Or maybe the kitchen. Karen had this annoying habit of trying to make breakfast before I woke up—as if I didn’t have arms to help.Babe? I called out, voice scratchy from sleep.No answer.I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. The house was quiet. Not the kind of quiet that comes with peace… but the kind that suddenly felt a little too loud. I threw the blanket off and padded barefoot to the bathroom.Empty.I checked the kitchen. There was no sign of her. Okay. Maybe she went to see Laila or Sarah. That had to be it. They were thick as thieves lately, and it wouldn’t be the firs
KAREN’S POVThe last guest had finally left, the front door clicking shut behind them with a soft, final sound. The air smelled of vanilla frosting and champagne, the remnants of laughter still clinging to the walls like a sweet aftertaste.I stood barefoot in the center of our living room, the hardwood cool beneath my soles, my fingers wrapped around two empty glasses. The silence was warm, thick with contentment, wrapping around me like a well-worn sweater.Across the room, Jackson bent over the dessert table, gathering the last of the disposable plates with an exaggerated groan. His dark hair was tousled from running his hands through it all evening, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the faint scars and ink that marked his forearms.He tossed the plates into a trash bag with a rustling thud, then straightened, rolling his shoulders with a tired but satisfied sigh. When his eyes met mine, they crinkled at the corners, that slow, crooked grin spreading across hi
KAREN’S POVBy evening, the whole place glowed. The fairy lights—after some cursing and at least one electric shock—finally worked. The table was covered in homemade treats, fresh fruit, savory snacks, and a punch bowl that smelled suspiciously spiked. A fire crackled in the backyard, chairs arranged in circles, ready for stories, singing, and laughter.Guests started arriving as the sun dipped low, casting gold through our windows. Pack members brought housewarming gifts—handmade rugs, flower arrangements, carved wooden frames. Everyone hugged, laughed, and filled the house with energy so full of life, I almost couldn’t believe it was mine.Ours.I stood at the entrance with Jackson’s arm around me, watching as people we loved walked into the home we built together.Laila leaned close and whispered, “So… when are we planning the baby shower?”I choked on my punch.“LAILA!”She just grinned and wiggled her brows. “What? A girl can dream.”Sarah laughed so hard she nearly dropped a pla
KAREN’S POVThe living room looked like a design store had exploded in it—paint chips everywhere, fabric swatches covering every surface, and an absolutely ridiculous stack of home décor magazines that Laila had somehow summoned in under five minutes.I flipped through one with golden accents and floaty, boho vibes. Okay, but seriously, how did you even carry all this over here?Laila shot me a smug grin. “Easy. I have Sarah. She’s the muscle, I’m the brain.”Sarah rolled her eyes from the other end of the couch. “Excuse you. I’m both, thank you very much.”Over by the kitchen counter, Jackson leaned back with his arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold with a look that was somewhere between entertained and mildly alarmed.I held up a soft, sage-green swatch. “What about this for the bedroom?”Laila made a face. “Too peaceful. You two aren’t going to be sleeping much in there anyway.”“Laila!” Sarah choked, scandalized.Jackson just about spit out his drink. I turned bright red.He sa
KAREN’S POVThe door creaked open, its sound soft but deafening in the silence of the moment. The second I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat, my lungs refusing to work.It wasn’t enormous, but it didn’t need to be. The space was alive—sunlight spilled through wide windows, painting the cream-colored walls in streaks of gold. The hardwood floors gleamed under my feet, still smelling faintly of polish, and the air carried the crisp, clean scent of pine from the new furniture.A small but perfect kitchen stood at the back, its countertops bare but waiting, while the living room held only a single loveseat and a fireplace, a neat stack of unlit wood resting beside it like a promise.And then—the hallway. There were three doors. Which meant three bedrooms.My throat tightened so fast it hurt.Jackson’s arms slid around my waist from behind, his chest warm against my back, his chin settling on my shoulder. His voice was a low hum in my ear, rough with emotion. “It’s not fully do