FAZER LOGINWe step out into the corridor together, heading towards the room we’d seen him go into. “Hey,” I call as we spot Jake’s assistant leaving the room opposite. “Have you seen Jake?”She looks up, relief flickering across her face as if she’s glad it’s not another emergency.“Yeah,” she says. “He stepp
**Poppy’s POV **After the tree of death tried to kill me, we head back into the clinic for breakfast. Jake leaves to check on his patients, promising to catch up with us soon. I want to tell him no, that I need him with me, but that will only worry him and Leo. I feel fine; the chill I had last ni
His mouth twitches slightly, but he doesn’t quite smile.“Good,” he says.Good? I stare at him.“That’s not an answer.”“No,” he agrees. “It isn’t, but you also didn’t ask a question.”My hands clench at my sides, which is more Leo’s style than mine. I force them to relax.“Ronnie…”“When something
** Jake’s POV **That baby should have died. The thought swirls in my mind, no matter how many times I try to push it aside. I’ve seen enough births to know the difference between a close call and a miracle. That wasn’t a close call; it was impossible.I stand at the end of the bed, watching as the
“Poppy,” Jake’s voice calls, softer than before.I glance over at him. He’s watching me now.A flicker of unease slides through me.“Yeah?” I call back, forcing a small smile.His gaze narrows slightly, as if he’s trying to piece something together that doesn’t quite fit.“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Jake watches me closely.“I’m fine,” I insist, before he can say anything. I know he doesn’t fully believe me, but he doesn’t argue.We step out into the corridor together, and I hear a few voices drift in the distance. “Jake,” Leo says quietly beside me. “What’s going on?”Jake exhales slowly as
I can’t speak. My mouth is dry, my brain short-circuited by the images Callen’s words just painted across the inside of my skull. I should be furious with him. Embarrassed and offended. But I’m not. I’m burning. Heat runs down my spine, blooming between my legs, pulsing with every erratic beat o
Pain roars through my spine as it arches backwards, my bones popping in a horrible chain reaction. My legs bend at impossible angles, reversed at the knee, my feet… no, my paws, dig into the earth. My skin is gone, hidden under thick, coarse fur. The air is thick with scents, sounds, and sensation
I nod on instinct, but I have no intention of trusting the man. “Good girl,” the voice says before slowly moving his hand from my mouth. I suck in a shaky breath, urging my heart to slow before I pass out again. “Why are you helping me?” I whisper, wishing there was some light in here so I cou
“You okay, Rem?” I ask in the mind link. “Leave me alone,” he snaps. “Okay, but if you need me, just shout.” The door opens a few seconds later and Callen steps out. He’s wearing shorts now, and he places three bottles of beer on the table before he flops down into the chair with a sigh. He







