LOGIN“Because we didn’t,” Jake grumbles.“Why, is something wrong?” I sit up, needing to be able to see them both. Neither of them answers right away, which tells me everything and nothing. “It’s nothing you need to worry about,” Leo says, sitting up and rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “We ju
** Poppy’s POV **For the most part of the day, I hold myself together, the way I always have. Showing weakness and crying helps no one. I have been through loss before, and I made it out the other side. This isn’t as bad as then. I’m older now, and my sister isn’t dead; I just can’t be around her
“I’ve got you,” I whisper softly.She makes another noise that sounds remarkably close to my name as she turns to face me. She doesn’t wake up, not fully, but she knows I’m here. Her breathing evens out again, and I feel nothing but peace through the bond from her.I’m not sure how long I lay there,
** Jake’s POV **Today was not the happy, carefree day I had hoped for. I thought mating with Poppy would stabilise her the way it had with Paige, but we are very quickly learning that the sisters may be similar, but they are not the same.Seeing the devastation on her face when she realised there w
Mate.The word rolls heavily through me from my wolf.Mine.Beside me, Leo adjusts slightly in his seat, closer to me. It’s small enough that he probably doesn’t realise he’s done it, but I notice. His body language remains tense, but he’s no longer actively rejecting our proximity.Callen and Ryder
** Bastian’s POV **The silence inside the car should feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t. Which is odd. I sit in the back with my arm pressed against the door, one boot stretched beneath the seat in front of me whilst Leo sits in the space beside me like a trapped storm. He’s irritated enough that I
Callen doesn’t let go of me as we step inside. His hand rests at the small of my back, steady and grounding, but I can sense the tension rolling off him. He’s trying not to show it. He always tries not to show it.Remy moves ahead of us, his stride purposeful, but I can see the tightness in his jaw.
Their laughter is quiet, relief disguised as humour. Even Ronnie’s lips twitch before he hides it behind his hand. For a moment, the room feels lighter. Then, something shifts in the air, subtle but undeniable.It starts as a prickle along my spine, a sudden pulse that doesn’t belong to me. My finge
Ryder goes to her first. I hang back, giving them space, but my focus doesn’t leave her. His hand cups the back of her neck, his voice low. I don’t listen to the words, not because I can’t, but because his tone is private, and I respect that, but I can feel the bond between them settle.I let out a
** Paige’s POV **The forest is quiet and still. The only movements are the leaves as they flutter in the breeze, and the enforcers who are spread out wide, keeping a perimeter around us.Remy’s the one who breaks the quiet. “There’s residue,” he murmurs, crouching beside the bank. “I can’t tell if







