LOGINA heartbeat. That was the first thing she registered before the rest of the world filled in.A scent that engulfed her. Pine. Rain on rock. The forest. Something else she didn't have a name for but wanted more. Gods.Fin.Had he always smelled this good?Skin against skin and atingling sensation everywhere they were making contact which was everywhere.Then she heard it.MATE.That word. A big word. Maybe he wasn't confused after all.Then the memory slammed into her. Jax.
Fifty children. No casualties. She'd stayed calm, formed a strategy, and it worked. Pride pulsed through Fin with every step. Nova was unconscious in his arms, and if he wasn't worried about her, he'd have been smiling. Xeon: Made for you. Fin: I know.Fin gave Jax a sideways glance. "You weren't kidding about the powers."Jax gave a small smile. "Nope. You've got that to look forward to. Hopefully you don't lose your mind and vanish into the woods for a week like I did."Fin's throat moved on a swallow that he tried to hide. "I owe you for this."Jax's hand brushed his shoulder once, where her mark sat under the fabric. His gaze flicked down to Nova for half a second before he looked away."Anytime. What are Gammas for?" He didn't mention that every ounce of her grief over the past day had cracked against his heart like a hammer. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets and kept walking. Xeon: He's a good one. Tell him again. Use words."She's lucky to have you. So am I." "
Aeron's voice carried from behind Fin. "I'm channeling into her and it's not enough. Jax, can you do the same? She's about to drop."Jax had been quiet with his fists clenched, frozen by the sight. Every instinct in him screamed to protect her. The matebond might have been severed, along with his marking on her neck. But the mark she gave him still burned on his shoulder, and he had no intention of removing it or accepting her rejection.His hand drifted to the spot through his shirt, pressing once, hard.Nothing had changed for him. He still loved her, completely, relentlessly. Matebond or not. Blessed by fate or not. He loved this girl with every fiber in his body and nothing would change that.Talon: Real Mate.Jax: I know buddy.His jaw locked. A muscle jumped beneath his ear. He'd felt her all day, her panic and pain. All of it felt like a blade twisting in his chest. But he was going to respect her wishes. Talon: That's stupid. Pick mate up and mark her again. Fix this.Jax:
Five times. That's how many times Elle had to stop with Nova to get her to breathe. Nova was clearly not okay. Ell tried to mindlink Cael, but she wasn't able to get through.That was the first sign. The second sign was the smell of smoke in the air when there shouldn't have been any.When they reached the ridge, both froze at the sight.Below them, in the clearing, at least fifty pups were huddled together, wrists bound by rope. Masked warriors encircled them. In the center, a single masked figure stood, dark magic leaking from his body. He was calling out orders, and Nova recognized the voice instantly. The one who almost killed Fin and sucked her blood. Because of course he would show up here on the day she was having a meltdown.A crumpled note lay near their boots. Unbeknownst to either, it was delivered to the castle minutes earlier:TURN IN THE WHITE WOLFONE PUP DIES EVERY HOUR YOU WAITTHE CLOCK HAS STARTEDElle's throat tightened. "They think you will surrender."Adrenali
"We're taking the day off," Elle announced. "Let's get out of this stuffy castle and go into the city. A good run and some shopping. I could use some Nova time.""Okay. Should I... tell Fin I'm going? I don't even know what I'm doing anymore.""I'll tell Cael once we're on our way. Otherwise they'll assign us some overbearing chaperones.""Good point." Nova gave a small, sad smile.But her hands were trembling, and she knew Elle noticed."Why would you tell Fin where you're going?"That's when Fin stepped back into the room, catching the tail end of the question.He paused, his gaze shifting from Elle to Nova. He didn't say anything—didn't want to crowd her—but the flicker of confusion on his face made Nova's cheeks flush. Her uncertainty rolled off her like a wave, and he felt every inch of it.Elle looked between them, clearly not understanding.Nova turned to Fin. "Is it okay if I take the day off from shadowing?""Of course," Fin answered, a little too quickly. There was concern et
"What you did yesterday? That was the most badass thing I've ever seen. And I've seen you shoot arrows and recite the entire war strategy archives like you were born in a military tent."Nova let out a raspy laugh. "Heartbreak is significantly less fun."A single tear slipped down her face, and Fin brushed it away. His thumb lingered on her cheek a second longer than it needed to before he pulled back."There's something I need to tell you. Something overdue." His tone shifted, growing more serious. "There's a reason you're here. Why you're in my bed. Why you've been in my heart this whole time."Her eyes widened."When I found you in the tower, it wasn't just a scent I couldn't shake. It was a bond. A calling. I tried to pretend it wasn't real because I was betrothed to Meredith, because duty and honor and alliances told me I couldn't have you."His voice broke slightly. "But I knew. I knew you were my mate.""I assigned you to the omega quarters to keep my distance. I told myself tha
Nova's wolf stood in the ring. Glowing like the moon with blood on her back from where Helga had taken a bite.She put her head down, taking control back.She saw their faces.Her classmates. Professor Draven. The warriors.Eyes wide. Frozen. Uncertain. Afraid.Nova took one shaky step back. Then an
Reeling, Hunter caught his balance just long enough to slam her into the ground.A pained grunt escaped her before she could stop it. But she didn't skip a beat, sweeping her leg out to take his feet from under him.He hit the dirt beside her with a choked, "Fuck."Before he knew what was happening
And the torches guttered as if something else had entered the room with them.Nova yanked again, as hard as she could and pulled it away from the woman. Her heart was pounding but deep down, she felt defeat. Like something bad was going to happen and she couldn't fight it.Fin felt that through the
Jax watched Nova as she exited the field, her expression unreadable. No anger, no pride—just that same quiet, deliberate calm.Elle was already at her side, talking animatedly, but then paused looking at Nova's face."You need to get ice on that, Nova. Damn." Elle said."I have a meeting I have to







