Liam's POVI paced the sidewalk outside Mia's apartment building, checking my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. She'd been gone for hours, and every minute that passed made my anxiety worse.Where is she? She should have been back by now.I couldn't shake the feeling that she'd gone to confront the Blackwood brothers, despite my warnings about the danger they represented.Those bastards. If they've hurt her...The thought of Mia going back to them, of possibly returning to their pack and their control, made my stomach churn with possessive fury.I won't let them take her. Not when I've worked so hard to gain her trust.When another hour passed with no sign of her, I made a decision. I pulled out my phone and called my beta."Marcus, I need the current address for the Blackwood brothers."Time to end this before it goes too far."Alpha, are you sure that's wise?" Marcus's voice was concerned. "If they recognize you—"They probably already know who I am. The question is what
Nathan's POVI moved quickly to block Mia's path to the door, my heart racing with desperation. We couldn't let her leave like this—not with these suspicions eating away at her trust in us.If she walks out that door believing we're working with murderers, we'll never get her back."Mia, wait," I said urgently, holding up my hands. "Please don't go."She looks so angry. So betrayed. We did this to her."Get out of my way, Nathan," she snarled, her eyes flashing with fury. "I'm done with all of you."No. Not again. I can't lose her again."We can't keep hiding things from her," I said, turning to face my brothers. "Not anymore."The truth. She deserves the truth.Xavier's eyes widened in alarm. "Nathan, don't—""She needs to know," I interrupted firmly. "If we keep lying to her, we'll lose her forever."Forever. The word tastes like ash in my mouth."You can't tell her everything," Rolex warned. "It's too dangerous."Too dangerous for who? For her, or for our mission?"I'm going to tel
Mia's POVI stared at Liam in disbelief, my mind reeling from his words about the danger back home."Tell me everything," I demanded, sinking onto my couch. "What exactly is happening in my territory?"Everything. I need to know everything.Liam ran a hand through his hair, clearly reluctant to share bad news. "There's a secret rogue organization that's been systematically targeting packs across the country."Rogue organization? How is this the first I'm hearing about this?"What kind of targeting?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.Please don't be as bad as I think it is."They're not just attacking," Liam continued grimly. "They're taking over. Destroying pack leadership, forcing submission, enslaving survivors."Enslaving? This sounds like war."How long has this been going on?" I whispered.How long have I been completely oblivious to this?"At least two years," Liam said. "Maybe longer. They're organized, well-funded, and they have inside information on pack vulnera
Mia's POVI grabbed the nearest object—a decorative vase—and hurled it at the door where they'd been standing moments before.Get out! Get out and never come back!"Mia, please!" Xavier's voice came from the hallway. "Let us explain!"Explain? There's nothing to explain.I picked up a lamp this time, throwing it with all my strength. "GET OUT!"How dare they? How dare they touch me like that?"We didn't mean for it to go that far," Nathan called through the door.Didn't mean it? You pinned me to a wall and tried to force me!"I don't care what you meant!" I screamed, grabbing another object to throw. "You're monsters! All of you!"Just like five years ago. Just like when you destroyed my life before."Mia, we're sorry—" Rolex's voice now.Sorry? You think sorry fixes this?"I will never forgive you for this!" I shouted, my voice breaking with rage and pain. "NEVER!"Never. Not this time. Not after what you just did."I'm going to make you pay for hurting me," I continued, grabbing my
Mia's POVThe sound of that woman's voice echoed in my head as I stormed down the hallway, my hands shaking with a mixture of rage and heartbreak.Five years. Five years I've been alone, and they've had someone else."Mia, wait!" Nathan's voice called behind me, his footsteps quick on the hardwood floor.No. I'm done waiting. Done listening to their excuses."Please, just let me explain—"I whirled around to face him, my eyes blazing with fury. "Explain what, Nathan? How you've all been playing house with some other woman while I've been raising your children alone?"Children you didn't even know existed until a few days ago."It's not what you think—""It's not what I think?" I laughed bitterly. "She said she missed you. All of you. That sounds pretty clear to me."Crystal clear. While I've been struggling and suffering, they've been moving on.Nathan stepped closer, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Mia, you don't understand—""I understand perfectly," I spat. "You threw me
Sean's POVHaving Mia in the house again felt like a miracle I didn't deserve. She was here, taking care of me, and for the first time in five years, I had hope that we might actually have a chance.This is it. This is my opportunity to remind her how good we were together.She'd been checking on me every few hours, taking my temperature, monitoring my vitals with that focused professionalism I'd always found incredibly sexy.She cares. Even if she won't admit it, she still cares about me."How are you feeling?" she asked during her evening rounds, placing a cool hand on my forehead.Like I'm in heaven every time you touch me."Better," I said, letting my voice sound weaker than I actually felt. "But still pretty rough."A little exaggeration never hurt anyone.Her brow furrowed with concern. "Your fever should have broken by now. Let me get you some more medication."Perfect. More reason for her to fuss over me."Mia," I said softly, catching her hand as she turned to leave. "Thank y