LOGIN“Hey,” Paige says softly.“Hey,” I reply, my voice cracking. Her smile fades and her eyes narrow as she studies me. “What happened?”“Nothing, I’m okay.”Callen snorts a laugh, and I shoot him a look. “Callen, get out,” Paige orders.“Well, that’s rude.”“Out,” she demands, and he wisely retreats,
** Poppy’s POV **The door closes behind us with a soft click, and I finally take my first real breath in hours. I want to freak out. I want to shout that this isn’t supposed to be happening. But allowing myself to get worked up is not good for anyone or anything. Stuff will break, people will pani
“I was trying to figure you out,” he shrugs.“You were lurking.”Callen gasps. “Shadow boy was lurking?”Bastian’s eyes narrow. “Shadow boy?”“Oh, don’t worry,” I say. “It suits you.”For one strange moment, his expression softens. Not much, but enough that I see it. Enough that my heart skips a bea
** Poppy’s POV **The branch is still lying where it fell. I try not to look at it as we walk away, but my eyes keep finding it anyway. Split wood, torn bark, and leaves scattered across the ground as if it had exploded from the inside out. Because of me.One stupid argument. One moment when everyth
“At least she didn’t pass out this time.”Poppy groans. “Callen.”“What?” he shrugs innocently. “That’s personal growth. I’m proud of you.”“Pass out?” Bastian frowns. “Yeah, when she found out Leo was her mate, she tried to run. But she ran right into Jake, who immediately told her she was his mat
** Leo’s POV **“No, seriously, humour is my thing,” Callen says enthusiastically. “True,” Ryder nods."Aww, thanks, Rye. It's nice to finally be appreciated.""Last week you got stuck in a camping chair," Ryder continues. "I have to admit that was pretty funny."Callen's face drops immediately. “
Callen’s tongue flicks against my clit, drawing a cry from my lips. My hips writhe as he sucks, teasing me with relentless skill. Ryder kisses me again, swallowing my sounds. He deepens the kiss as his hand slides down my body. When his fingers join Callen’s mouth, spreading me to expose me mor
I’m about to ask what’s wrong, but all words and reasonable thoughts leave me as Callen starts to move with a punishing rhythm. His hands pin mine to the mattress, fingers laced with mine like he needs the contact just as much as the friction. “You feel f*cking perfect,” he grits out. “You were
I swallow hard, throat tight. I’ve been so busy trying to protect myself that I didn’t stop to consider that maybe he’s been doing the same thing. That maybe we’re not that different after all. Now I don’t know if he’ll ever trust me again, but I have to try. I glance at the door once mo
A door slams upstairs, and I flinch. I hope he didn’t wake Jaxon. “Sorry, he doesn’t like changes much,” Parker says. “I’ll talk to him.” “It’s fine,” I lie. “I’m going to crash soon, anyway. If you need anything, you know where to find us.” Parker smiles and I nod. “Good night, Parker.”







