LOGIN“Hey,” I say, dropping to my knees in front of her, not caring about the glass. “Look at me.”Her eyes snap to mine, and for a second, they’re not right. There’s something deeper in them. Something darker flickering beneath the surface like a storm trying to break through. The hairs on my arms lift.
** Jake’s POV ** The thought that I shouldn’t have left hits me hard and sudden, but I don’t know why. I’m halfway down the corridor in the clinic, the faint hum of the lights buzzing overhead, when something in my chest pulls tight. Not the mate bond exactly, but close enough that every instinct
** Poppy’s POV **Things have changed. Not just around me, but inside too. The voice has remained silent. Its presence is still there, watching, waiting, but somehow it’s more settled now. Content even. Which is surprising; I was sure it would be complaining about how close we were to completing th
** Jake’s POV **My eyes close for half a second, grounding myself the way I do when my wolf fights for control, or trying to.“You’re…” I start, then stop, because I don’t have a word for what she is right now.I move to stand directly behind her, both of my hands on her hips now. So close, just on
** Jake’s POV **My mate is unreal. She tastes like heat and something softer beneath it, sweet, with a bite that keeps pulling me back for more. And the way she responds, every breath, every sound, it hits heavier than anything I’ve ever known.Hard enough to drop me to my knees, not that I’d choos
** Poppy’s POV ** I don’t remember deciding to move. One second I’m breathing both of them in, and the next I’m acting on it.Heat coils low and tight inside me, sharper than before, impossible to ignore now that I’ve stopped pretending I can. This isn’t hesitation anymore. This is choice. Jake do
Remy’s voice is low, conflicted. “You think you can pull off a lie like that to the Midnight Pack?”“If it keeps her safe, yes,” I snap before I can stop myself. “You saw what she did, Rem. You saw what it cost her. If this gets out, every pack and hunter across the world will want her. Some to stud
I nod, gripping his fur tighter, taking strength from him. But the reassurance barely lasts a second, because something in the air changes.The pack’s rhythm falters, a ripple of unease running through the air. The ground beneath us seems to hum with tension, and then Parker stumbles.It’s small at
** Callen’s POV **Whispers are already rippling through the air. News of an attack spreads fast between packs, and I’m sure the light show we left behind will only fuel the rumours.Ryder stays quiet, eyes fixed on me, one hand resting protectively over Paige’s. Jake crouches beside her, still moni
“Put her on the couch,” Leah says. “I’ll get some bandages in case she’s bleeding under those blankets.”“Not necessary,” Jake says quickly, stepping forward. “I’ve already checked her over, no open wounds. She’s stable. I’d prefer to monitor her myself if you don’t mind.”Leah’s eyebrows lift, her







