MasukParker joins us on the porch for a while, handing me a cup of steaming tea I don’t remember asking for. I hold it; using it to warm my hands, but I don’t sip it. It feels wrong to be standing here sipping tea whilst the enemy is literally on our doorstep, waiting to attack at any moment. He doesn’t
** Paige’s POV **The forest doesn’t explode into chaos. That’s the strangest part. The wind doesn’t rise. The hunters don’t burst through the trees, and the shots don’t come, but they will. It’s just a matter of time.Everything is silent, too silent as we wait for something, anything to happen.I
Paige’s gaze flicks toward her, worry threading through the bond like a soft ache.Poppy stands abruptly. “I’m going to check on Jax.”Paige nods. “Okay.”Poppy doesn’t meet her eyes. She slips out quickly, like she’s escaping a conversation that hasn’t even started. I could tell her that Jax is sti
There’s no screaming this time. No crying, no chaos, no panic. It’s the cleanest evacuation I’ve ever seen, and I hate that I’m impressed by that.I should not be grateful that we’ve had enough experience that we can move our families like chess pieces, but I am.As the main territory empties, Leo t
**Ryder’s POV **Preparation for what’s coming doesn’t feel dramatic, not anymore. Now it’s a quiet acceptance.I call the pack into the clearing just after first light. Not because we need the daylight, but because I want them to see my face. I want them to see certainty, not panic, not doubt, not
“Someone the pack already trusts,” Parker adds.Paige looks between us, thoughtful. “You’re talking about giving up your positions?”I don’t miss the way her shoulders tense just slightly.“No, just bringing in a third in command to keep things running and keep the pack directed whilst we focus on o







