Se connecterMorgan's POVThe porch swing creaked under our weight as Ross and I watched another sunset over Moonfall territory.Ninety-three years old and somehow these moments still took my breath away."Your hands are cold," Ross said and wrapped both of his around mine."They are always cold now. Old age does that.""Then I will keep them warm."Twenty years since Ryder passed. Twenty years of waking up next to this man and choosing him all over again.We never got the mate bond back. The ancient presence made sure of that when it severed the connection.But honestly? I did not miss it as much as I thought I would."Remember when we could feel each other's emotions?" Ross asked."Every single second of every single day. It was overwhelming sometimes.""And now?""Now when you tell me you love me I know it is real because you chose to say the words."He turned my face toward his. "I love you, Morgan. More than these old bones can properly show.""I know. I love you too."Footsteps on the grass
Ryder's POVI knew I was dying and the knowledge brought peace instead of fear.Ninety-eight years was long enough. More than long enough for any soul to walk this earth.My body was shutting down piece by piece. Joints that no longer bent. Lungs that struggled with each breath. A heart that beat slower every day.But my mind remained sharp. Crystal clear as I watched my family move around me.I had lived an extraordinary life. Survived wars that should have killed me. Raised children who made me proud. Led Moonfall Pack for decades.Watched my family grow from tragedy into triumph.Now I was ready to rest. To join my parents and grandparents wherever souls went after death.But before I went I had work to do. Wisdom to pass down to the youngest generation."Sera bring me Skylar first," I said to my mate of seventy-three years.She squeezed my hand gently. "Are you sure you have the strength?""I will make the strength. This is important."Skylar came within minutes. Her young face wa
Skylar's POVOne year with Elias taught me that love was messier and more beautiful than I ever imagined.We fought sometimes. Stupid arguments about training schedules or whose turn it was to choose where we ate dinner.Last week we had a huge fight because I pushed him away. My insecurities about my powers surfaced and I convinced myself he deserved better."You think I care about your powers?" Elias had demanded. "I care about you, Skylar. Just you.""But what if I lose control again? What if I hurt someone you love?""Then we deal with it together. That is what relationships are. Facing things together."He had pulled me close and I cried against his chest while he promised everything would be okay.We always talked through our issues. Always came back to each other stronger than before
Skylar's POVI stared at the dimensional equations floating in front of me and felt my concentration slip for the tenth time that hour.Not because the work was difficult. Because Elias was sitting three feet away and I could not stop thinking about him."You are distracted today," Master Orin observed. The elderly Architect had been training me for two years now."Sorry. I will focus.""Distraction is natural at your age. Especially when the source sits so close."Heat flooded my face. Was I that obvious?Elias looked up from his own work and grinned. "Are we the source of distraction Master Orin?""You know you are a young man."I wanted to disappear into the floor. Instead, I forced myself to concentrate on the equations.After training ended Eli
Ross's POVThe first memory hit me three weeks after the ancient presence warned us.I was drinking coffee when Morgan laughed at something Skylar said and suddenly I remembered that exact laugh from thirty years ago.We had been at a pack gathering. She had worn a blue dress and laughed just like that when I told a terrible joke.The memory was so vivid I dropped my mug. It shattered on the floor and everyone stared."Ross what is wrong?" Morgan asked."I remembered something. Your laugh. A blue dress. A pack gathering decades ago."Her eyes widened. "The memories are starting."Over the following months, they came in fragments. Random and unpredictable like rain.A touch would spark recollection of our wedding night. The way her skin felt under my hands and how nervous we both were.A look would recall a fight we had when the kids were young. Something stupid about discipline that escalated into yelling.Sometimes I would be mid-conversation and suddenly remember teaching Skylar to
Morgan's POVI was going insane and nobody understood why.I did not remember Ross. Did not remember our life together or the mate bond everyone kept talking about.But my body remembered. God my body remembered.When he walked past my heart raced like I was running. When he spoke something in my chest ached with longing I could not explain.Every night I dreamed about him. Not clear memories but feelings. The sense that I was missing something crucial.That there was a Ross-shaped hole in my soul."You look tired," Skylar said one morning at breakfast."I am not sleeping well." I poured coffee with shaking hands.Ross walked into the kitchen and my pulse immediately jumped. I hated that reaction. Hated not understanding it.He glanced at me and something flickered in his eyes. Recognition maybe. Or confusion."Morning," he said quietly."Morning."The word felt inadequate. Like there should be more between us but neither of us knew what.After breakfast I found myself following him o







