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
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
Her voice cracks. “What if I can’t do this, Paige? What if loving them both breaks me?”I swallow the lump in my throat and squeeze her hand again. “It won’t, but if it does, I’ll be here to help put you back together.”Her eyes fill again, but this time, she nods. “Okay,” she whispers.For the firs
** Remy’s POV **The second Ryder says the words, I can see the ripple of shock go through Poppy. She goes pale, and her fingers clench tight around her cup, and Paige reaches for her without hesitation. I don’t miss the way Poppy’s eyes dart toward the tree line like she might bolt if given the cha
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







