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
He nods and stands to take it all in. “It’s looking good.” Parker’s voice floats into my head through the mind-link. “She’s in the bath now with a face mask on. She’s relaxed, Rye. So don’t rush, you’ve got plenty of time.” I let out a sigh of relief, closing my eyes to settle my nerves. I can i
Of course, that’s when Jaxon pipes up. “Uncle Cal,” he says, wrinkling his nose. “Why are you kissing my mummy?” Heat floods my cheeks. I turn away, not sure whether to laugh it off or pray for the ground to swallow me up. Callen crouches down to Jax’s level, his smile wide. “That’s a good que
** Paige’s POV **“That was so much harder than I expected,” I admit, my eyes meeting Ryder’s.“You held your ground,” he says, voice low, pride and fury mixed in his tone. “You didn’t back down once.”“I wanted to,” I admit, my throat tight. “The way they looked at me… like I didn’t belong. Like I
That gets him laughing properly, the sound healing something in me. “We’re not that mystical, Paige. Some of us run businesses, some work in town, some do online stuff. The pack has investments too, thanks to Ronnie. We make it work and live comfortably.” I sink back onto the sofa, deciding to dis







