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. “
** Paige’s POV **After two stories, Jax is asleep. He’s peaceful, content and safe. The way it should be.I press a kiss to his forehead before slipping out, easing the door closed behind me. The sound of low voices drifts up from downstairs, the kind that makes my stomach twist even before I know
“Different?” I pull back enough to meet her gaze. “Pops, you could have three heads and blue skin, and I’d still claim you. We’ve been through too much for a word like ‘half’ to mean anything.”Her laugh breaks through the tears, shaky but real, and the sound loosens the knot in my chest.Ronnie exh
** Remy’s POV **The alarm rings through the air, sharp and piercing, cutting through the peace like a blade. Every muscle in my body locks.Hunters.I’m already moving before Ryder gives the order, instincts taking over, adrenaline flooding my veins. Chairs scrape, boots hit tile, and in seconds th
For a moment, there’s nothing but silence on the link, then a long exhale. “Well, that’s new, but actually, it might fit with what I’m seeing here. Not that I have any clue what that is.”“You think?”“No wonder my readings are all over the place,” he mutters. “A solar connection would explain the r







