LOGINBastian turns to face Miles, his head tilting as he studies him.I nod. “That tells us two things… first, it wasn’t a hunter. Second, I think there’s only one or two. Otherwise, they’d have snatched Miles too.”Miles’ gaze snaps to me. “You know what happened?”Alaric steps forward, crouching in fro
** Leo’s POV **“He’s gone.” Bastian’s words hang in the air. “Who?” Poppy asks.Alaric and Bastian’s gazes turn distant, and we all go utterly still as we wait for them to communicate with their patrol. I hate being out of the loop, especially on something like this. In Phoenix, I was a part of ev
I gasp. “Jake!”“Hey.” Parker’s voice comes through clearly. “I’m going straight to Ronnie with this, but I have a feeling he’s not going to have an explanation.”Bastian tilts his head. “Ewan might know something. We should ask him too.”“If he’s up to it, maybe he and Ronnie could video call and p
** Poppy’s POV **All four of my mates stare at me like I just grew horns. Am I hallucinating? I don’t dare move. I barely dare to even breathe. Because I know that voice. I’d recognise it anywhere, but there’s no possible way my sister just spoke inside my head.“Poppy? Oh my god. Poppy, can you he
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
** Ryder’s POV **I feel it the moment I cross the threshold. The bond tightens, sharp and alert, and my wolf lifts his head inside me like he’s just scented a deer on the breeze. The cabin feels different, steadier somehow, but also charged, like the air itself is holding its breath.Parker feels i
** Ryder’s POV **We don’t celebrate. We don’t howl with victory cries or shake ourselves clean of blood and fear. We simply settle, our shoulders relaxing after carrying too much weight. Maybe all that will come later.The pack moves quietly. Not in shock or grief, but in assessment. Enforcers regr
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







