Mag-log in“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. “
** Ryder’s POV **Halfway up the stairs, she tightens her grip on me, her lips brushing the side of my throat. Not kissing, just… there. Like the contact is something she needs to stay steady.“Ryder…” she whispers.I stop.Every muscle tenses because of how she says my name. Like she’s stripping th
“You’re not stupid,” I say immediately. “They’re good at hiding. Hunters. Parasites. People like Greg. They know how to make you doubt your instincts. It’s what they do. Besides, you had no idea any of this existed, so why would you look for it?”“What if my instincts aren’t enough?” she whispers.I
“Paige,” I murmur against her skin. “I can feel your power; it’s reacting to this. To us.”“Then don’t stop,” she whispers the command, and everything in me wants to obey.I lift her top slowly, giving her time to stop me if she wants. She doesn’t. Instead, she lifts her arms for me, letting me pull
And then there’s Jaxon. He runs straight at me the second he sees me.“Mummy!”I kneel just in time to catch him, lifting him into my arms. He squeezes my neck so tight I nearly lose my breath.“You look shiny again!” he announces proudly.I blush. “Do I?”“Uh-huh! Like a Christmas fairy.”Ryder lau







