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. “
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
** Ryder’s POV **The moment Paige’s eyes roll back, the world goes sideways.Her body goes limp and heavy in my arms. For a heartbeat, everything inside me stops. Then the panic slams in all at once.“Paige!” I shout, shaking her gently. Her head lolls against my shoulder, her hair spilling over my
** Paige’s POV **Callen leads me to the bathroom, flipping on the small light over the mirror. The glow is warm and golden, giving the room a cosy feel. He rolls his sleeves and starts the water running in the tub.For a moment, I just watch him. The quiet focus on his face, the way his shoulders m







