LOGIN"I trust you too. Caden, I trust that—that you chose me. That you'll keep choosing me. That Emily's pursuit doesn't—doesn't tempt you. Doesn't make you question whether comfortable friendship with her is—is easier than complicated bond with me." "It's not about easy. It's about right. You're right
Caden kissed my shoulder. "You're devious. Hope Reed-Castellan, you're absolutely devious and I love it." "I'm protecting the bond. Emily wants to play games? Fine. We play smarter. We—we gather evidence instead of just reacting. We build case that gets her exiled if she doesn't back down." "I'l
The Next Generation Hope pov I sat in Caden's lap, comfortable and warm, his arms around me while we watched a movie. The mate bond hummed contentedly. Three days since we'd acknowledged it, and already it felt—felt natural. Right. Like we'd always been meant to be exactly here. My phone rang.
Three dots appeared. Then: **Liam:** Sure? What kind of advice? Is everything okay with you and Hope? **Emily:** Not really. We had—had a fight. About Caden. The whole mate bond situation. I just—I need perspective from someone who knows her. Someone who can help me understand if—if she's really
The Next Generation Emily pov I slammed my bedroom door so hard the walls shook. Screamed. Actually screamed. Let all the rage and hurt and—and betrayal out in one long, furious sound that probably had my parents running to check if I was okay. I wasn't okay. I was—I was devastated. Destroye
I thought about it. About Emily's determination. Her strategic mind. Her—her refusal to accept that the mate bond was non-negotiable. "I'm worried she'll try to create doubt. Make you think—think I'm not committed. Or make me think you're—you're not worth the complications. She could—could spread
Marcus came out of nowhere. A blur of brown fur slamming into the leader from the side. Father and daughter. Protecting each other. They rolled, savage and desperate. Marcus was good—Beta for a reason—but the leader was better. More experienced. More brutal. I reached them and dove in, three wol
"I know. I'm done making that mistake." I paused. "Dad, I slept for twenty hours yesterday. My body literally shut down. That's not going to happen again." "How can I be sure?" "Because Emma will kill me if it does," I said, only half-joking. "She made it very clear—if I go back to those pattern
Gunshots rang out. Silver bullets that made wolves scream when they hit. Some of the mercenaries were in human form with rifles, providing covering fire for their shifted pack members. "Protect the pack house!" My father's command echoed through the mind-link. "Don't let them reach the safe rooms!
"She needs to hear it from Alpha command. From me and Marcus together." He checked his watch. "I'm waking Marcus now. We'll meet here in thirty minutes. That gives you time to prepare Emma for what's coming." After he left, I returned to the living room. Emma was still asleep, her face peaceful in







