LOGINI'm so sorry for going MIA. I was struggling to write due to intense pain and swelling in my hand and wrist, I went to my doctor and things got crazy from there. I was admitted to hospital with a suspected bone infection. Luckily it wasn't that, but it is an infection in my vein and small clots. I was also struggling to stay awake for more than two hours, plus some other scary symptoms, and it was found out I have severe anemia too. I know there was a rumour going around that I had passed, I'm not sure where that came from, and although I may look half dead, I promise I am alive 😂 I am not fully healed yet, so need to take it easy for a while, but I'll update what I can. Thank you for your patience 💜
“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. “
**Paige’s POV **When I wake up, the world is quiet.The faint grey light of early morning seeps through the curtains and spills over the bed. For a second, I can’t remember how I got here. Then it comes back in pieces… the vision, the fear, the sound of Ryder’s voice shouting my name. He must have
** Paige’s POV **For a few minutes, everything feels normal. I rest my hands against the cool stone of the wall. Then Callen lands hard after taking a hit to the ribs. He doesn’t flinch much, but I feel it, sharp and sudden, like the echo of pain pressing against my chest.I blink, clutching the ed
** Paige’s POV **The house feels alive again this morning.Soft laughter drifts from the living room along with the low hum of conversation. Jaxon is curled up on the couch, a blanket tucked around him, his cheeks flushed from coughing, but his fever has gone. Ryder sits beside him, his hand absent
** Paige’s POV **I wake to the sound of footsteps. Heavy, quick, and urgent.For a moment I think I’m dreaming it, but then I hear the whisper of voices from downstairs. They’re low and serious, definitely not the usual morning chatter. My stomach tightens. Something’s wrong.Sliding out of bed, I







