LOGINWe step out into the corridor together, heading towards the room we’d seen him go into. “Hey,” I call as we spot Jake’s assistant leaving the room opposite. “Have you seen Jake?”She looks up, relief flickering across her face as if she’s glad it’s not another emergency.“Yeah,” she says. “He stepp
**Poppy’s POV **After the tree of death tried to kill me, we head back into the clinic for breakfast. Jake leaves to check on his patients, promising to catch up with us soon. I want to tell him no, that I need him with me, but that will only worry him and Leo. I feel fine; the chill I had last ni
His 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
Finally, I can’t stand the silence anymore. “She’s not just your mate,” I say quietly, breaking the air between them. “She’s my sister, and she’s scared of this new world enough as it is. When she wakes up, she’s going to need both of you to be patient, not territorial.”Jake looks at me, then, real
“He adores you,” I tell her. “And he’d love to see you this morning.”The sound of clattering pans and Ryder’s voice carries up the stairs as we make our way down. Poppy’s steps are confident, but she doesn’t let go of my hand.The moment we step into the kitchen, Jaxon spots us. His whole face ligh
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







