LOGINHis mouth twitches slightly, but he doesn’t quite smile.“Good,” he says.Good? I stare at him.“That’s not an answer.”“No,” he agrees. “It isn’t, but you also didn’t ask a question.”My hands clench at my sides, which is more Leo’s style than mine. I force them to relax.“Ronnie…”“When something
** Jake’s POV **That baby should have died. The thought swirls in my mind, no matter how many times I try to push it aside. I’ve seen enough births to know the difference between a close call and a miracle. That wasn’t a close call; it was impossible.I stand at the end of the bed, watching as the
“Poppy,” Jake’s voice calls, softer than before.I glance over at him. He’s watching me now.A flicker of unease slides through me.“Yeah?” I call back, forcing a small smile.His gaze narrows slightly, as if he’s trying to piece something together that doesn’t quite fit.“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Jake watches me closely.“I’m fine,” I insist, before he can say anything. I know he doesn’t fully believe me, but he doesn’t argue.We step out into the corridor together, and I hear a few voices drift in the distance. “Jake,” Leo says quietly beside me. “What’s going on?”Jake exhales slowly as
** Poppy’s POV **Spending my first night after completing the mate bond back in the clinic was not on my bingo card, but here we are. I wake up stiff. Like I slept too heavy for too long. Jake and Leo insisted we spend the night here, which makes no sense. Yes, I had a bit of a funny turn, but I r
The baby cries a second later, strong, clear, alive. Relief floods the room. I hand the baby to my assistant, who quickly runs through checks before passing him to Mum.My chest tightens at the sight, but it’s tainted by an uneasy feeling, because I just witnessed a miracle, and in my experience, th
I nod slowly, gripping Parker’s hand tighter while Ryder keeps his warm palm over mine. “Yes,” I whisper. “Please. I need her safe. At least until we can figure something out for her.”I replay the scene from earlier. Seeing my sister handle the situation so professionally filled me with pride. Afte
Remy glances at me. “We should give them space. Let her rest, let him calm down.”I nod, but I can’t bring myself to leave. Not yet. I need to see her eyes open. I need to know she’s okay.Jake moves beside her again, pressing two fingers gently against her pulse. “She’s strong. She’ll wake soon,” h
“Leo,” I warn out loud this time, my voice a sharp cut through the air. “She’s here. She sees you. Don’t ruin it by rushing her.”His jaw works, but he doesn’t move closer. His eyes soften, just barely. “I would never hurt you,” he says, the words directed at Poppy, his voice breaking on the promise
I look up, meeting his eyes, and in them, I see the same quiet determination reflected back in every man at the table. I realise then the weight of what’s stirring inside us, the bonds, the power, the pull of something older than any of us. And somewhere deep in my chest, beneath the fear, a spark o







