LOGINMate.The word rolls through me, low and possessive, but tonight it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It feels certain. Poppy swallows hard.“You calm it too,” she whispers suddenly.I frown slightly. “Calm what?”“That feeling.” Her eyes lift back to mine. “The pressure. The noise in my head. It gets quie
** Jake’s POV **The second Leo leaves the cabin feels wrong.It’s quieter and colder, even though the fire still crackles softly in the corner. Rain still taps steadily against the roof, and Poppy is still standing only a few feet away from me.But something shifted when he left. I felt it immediat
“I’ll be okay,” she whispers.I wish I believed that.Instead of answering, I lean forward until our foreheads touch, and for a second, everything else fades away. It’s just her breathing against me and the warmth of her hands on my face.“What if this thing isn’t new?” she asks quietly. “What if it
** Leo’s POV **“It’s not staying silent anymore.”The words have been stuck in my head for the last two fucking hours since Jake explained what happened at the clinic.I tighten my grip on the strap of the knife sheath sitting across my chest harder than necessary, checking it for the third time si
Of course, the voice remains completely silent. Coward.“So what am I?” I ask.No one answers quickly enough. Jake steps closer, crouching in front of me so I have to look at him and not the horror show printed on the paper in my hands.“We don’t know yet,” he says. “But we will.”I want to believe
** Poppy’s POV **The room feels too small and too hot.I swallow. “Not the same how?”Jake exhales slowly, reaching for another sheet. “Paige’s blood showed abnormal energy markers, mostly consistent with what Ronnie later connected to Dawn energy, cleansing, regenerative and life-based.”“Sounds l
I’m about to say the words, to tell him to kiss me when his eyes flick towards the house, and he pulls back slowly, his hand falling away from my face. “Jax is awake,” he says softly. I nod, clearing my throat. “I should go check on him.” The spell he had me under might have just broken,
** Ryder’s POV **I don’t want to let go of Paige’s hand. It feels perfect in mine. Like it should always be there.Today has been one of the best days of my life, actually… it’s the best yet.Waking up with my beautiful mate’s body next to mine. Then a wonderful morning with my son, whose laughter
** Paige’s POV **The knock on the door is urgent. I’m already on my feet before it comes a second time, with my heart hammering so hard I can feel it in my throat.I peek through the spy hole and then wrench the door open to find Parker standing there, dried blood crusted down one side of his face.
It suddenly feels colder out here than it did before. When I reach Callen’s room again, my chest is tight, and my eyes sting with unshed tears. I forget about needing the toilet. I just walk straight back in, close the door softly behind me, and sink back into the chair beside him. His hand is







