登入When I catch one beat, Leo’s breath stops, and his eyes widen. This time, I return it immediately. He drags in a breath as darkness blooms beneath my palm, spreading into curled lines that circle a tiny crescent.“Wow,” he breathes.I laugh. Then, his expression changes, his eyes going wide.“Oh.”“
** Poppy’s POV **I walk towards Jake, each step feels more important than the last. A step closer to something huge. His eyes drop to my hand as I lift it.“Does it hurt?” he asks as he studies my hand.I shake my head. “It feels cool, but not uncomfortable.”He swallows, his eyes meeting mine agai
“Unfortunately,” Jake says.Owen leans back in his chair. “I thought they were a myth.”“So did I,” I mutter. “Then again, this time last year, I thought werewolves were a myth too, so apparently I know fuck all.”“And they’re looking for our Luna?” Conner asks.“We think so,” Alaric says. “It seems
** Poppy’s POV **By the time we get back to the house, the atmosphere on the mountain has changed. There are wolves everywhere. Most of them are still in their human forms, but their wolves are so close to the surface that their eyes glint gold.I can sense more of them moving through the trees. Tw
“No,” Bastian says.Jake blows out a breath. “I never thought I’d ever be wishing it was a hunter.”The words settle heavily between us. He’s right. Hunters are awful and cruel, but at least we know what we are dealing with, and we know how to stop them, but vampires? Can they even be killed? Do we
** Poppy’s POV **I frown. “What guy?”“I don’t know, I think he said he was your neighbour. Said he hadn’t seen you for a few days and was worried.”My stomach tightens, and all four bonds sharpen. I never had a neighbour that would even notice if I was there or not.“Did you get his name?” I ask.
Callen sits beside her on the couch, arm draped loosely around her shoulders. She leans into him without hesitation, and I see the way his presence steadies her.Parker catches my eye from across the room and gives a small nod.“She’s stable,” he says through the mind-link.I nod back.Later, when t
Paige inhales sharply.I feel it through the bond, the spike of heat, the pull, the very human want she hasn’t let herself acknowledge yet.Good.“Touch him,” I say quietly.She hesitates just long enough for me to know she’s asking permission, not defying me.“Yes,” I answer before she can speak it
** Paige’s POV **The sentence lands heavily, but I can’t say I’m totally shocked.“What?” I ask softly.She finally looks at me then, eyes bright and too guarded all at once. “I’m not staying, Paige. Not here. Not now.”My chest tightens, but I don’t interrupt.“I need space,” she continues, her vo
** Paige’s POV **Leo’s chest rises as he sucks in a breath. His fists are clenched at his sides. He looks like he’s on the verge of shifting, and I can almost see the war in him, duty versus love, control versus fear.“You’re not safe alone,” he says, his voice low now, dangerous.Poppy shakes her







