LOGINLincoln's POVI lift my head at the sound of Tobias's voice.He's sitting up on Zahra's other side, blinking sleepily as he looks between us. His hair is sticking up, and there's a crease down one side of his face from the pillow, but the last traces of sleep disappear when he gets a proper look at me.“Linc? What's happened?”I try to answer, but my throat tightens, and all I can manage is a miserable shake of my head. Fuck, I must look a state. I'm still struggling to breathe properly, and the tears haven't stopped, no matter how hard I try to get myself under control.Tobias moves closer, his gaze dropping to Zahra before returning to me. I can feel his concern growing through the bond, along with Thor's confusion as he begins to wake.“Nightmare,” Zahra tells h
Lincoln's POVI wake with a violent jerk, a shout tearing from my throat as I scramble upright.“ZAHRA!”For a moment, I can't see properly. My heart is pounding so hard it fucking hurts, and I'm struggling to drag enough air into my lungs.I'm not in the meadow anymore, but I don't recognise where I am. There's a bed beneath me, unfamiliar walls and pale light coming through the windows, but none of it makes any fucking sense.Where is she? The rogues had her. I saw what that bastard did, heard her neck snap and felt the bond disappear.Fuck, where's Zahra?My hands are searching the sheets before I even realise what I'm doing, throwing the duvet aside as I desperately search the space beside me.
Lincoln's POVThe sun is warm against my skin, and the air smells of freshly cut grass and jasmine.Zahra walks beside me, her fingers entwined with mine, laughing at something I've said. I can't remember what it was, but I don't particularly care. She's smiling up at me, her eyes bright, and the sound of her laughter makes me smile.We're walking through the meadow behind Shadow, following the narrow path towards the woods. The grass is long enough to brush against our legs, and there are little white flowers scattered amongst it. Somewhere nearby, bees are buzzing lazily amongst the wildflowers, and a gentle breeze carries the familiar sounds of the pack going about their day.I haven't been down here in ages. I used to come here when I was younger, when being Alpha was still something I was preparing for rather than a responsibility I carried every fucking day. I remember spending hours wandering through these meadows, enjoying the peace and quiet before returning to whatever lesso
Lincoln's POVI glance towards Zahra again. She's still curled up on the bed, completely oblivious to our conversation.Tobias is right. The pack is safe, Daemon has given us somewhere to stay, and there's nothing I can accomplish in the next few hours that wouldn't be better handled after some sleep.I just need to convince the part of me that's spent the last twenty-four hours expecting something terrible to happen.Tobias gives my back another gentle rub before moving away to find some clean clothes.It's such a small gesture, but I'm beginning to realise how much I appreciate his quiet affection. He doesn't make a fuss of it or expect anything in return. He simply notices when I'm struggling and does what he can to help.I watch him for a moment, then head into the bathroom to wash my
Lincoln's POVWhen she's dressed, Tobias settles her onto the bed, and I pull the duvet back. She immediately curls onto her side, tucking one hand beneath her cheek.I can't help laughing softly. “Goddess, sweetheart. You didn't even give us a chance to sort the pillows.”“Don't care,” she mumbles into the mattress, making no attempt to move.“Clearly,” I reply, smiling as I go around to the other side of the bed.I gently guide her head onto one of the pillows before spreading her damp hair across the towel, I've laid over it. She sighs, apparently satisfied, and closes her eyes again.Tobias stands beside me, watching her. I notice the way his shoulders finally begin to relax.“She's completely done in,” h
Lincoln's POVZahra's been quiet for a while now, her head resting against the back of the bath, her eyes closed as Tobias gently strokes his thumb over her knuckles.I glance at him across the tub, and he gives me a small smile before looking back at our mate.She's not quite asleep, but she's getting there. Her breathing has slowed, and every so often her fingers twitch against his hand as though she's reminding herself he's still there.I can't blame her for wanting to stay in the water. She looks more relaxed than she has since she woke up at Shadow before everything kicked off, and after everything that's happened, I'm reluctant to disturb her. But the water's beginning to cool, and I can feel how exhausted she is through the bond.“Sweetheart,” I murmur, brushing a damp strand of hair away from her cheek. “We should probably get you out before you fall asleep in there.”She makes a small noise of protest, although she doesn't bother opening her eyes.Tobias chuckles quietly, his







