LOGINMate.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
No. Absolutely not.“We’re heading to the same place,” he continues before anyone answers. “And apparently it’s easier to get between here and your territory by vehicle, which we didn’t bring.”I stare at him blankly. “Then hire one.”Callen snorts loudly. Traitor.Alaric just grins wider, as if he
** Leo’s POV **The meeting drags on for hours. By the time the sun starts dipping lower outside the lodge windows, every Alpha in the room smells like stress, exhaustion, and brewing aggression. Arguments spark at least every twenty minutes before Alpha Josh, or Ryder manage to drag things back und
The discussion around the table shifts toward territorial alliances and emergency response plans, but my attention keeps dragging back toward them despite myself. Catching Alaric’s amused stare and Bastian’s unsettling calm.“Alpha Ryder, Alpha Callen, I have spoken to everyone here, and we each agr
** Leo’s POV **Alpha Josh finally calls for the meeting to start officially, but I can barely focus on what’s being said because the twins keep watching me. They’re not doing it openly enough for anyone else in the room to notice, but I feel it every damn time I look up.Bastian lounges against the
** Paige’s POV **The sentence lands heavily, but I can’t say I’m totally shocked.“What?” I ask softly.She finally looks at me then, eyes bright and too guarded all at once. “I’m not staying, Paige. Not here. Not now.”My chest tightens, but I don’t interrupt.“I need space,” she continues, her vo
** Paige’s POV **Leo’s chest rises as he sucks in a breath. His fists are clenched at his sides. He looks like he’s on the verge of shifting, and I can almost see the war in him, duty versus love, control versus fear.“You’re not safe alone,” he says, his voice low now, dangerous.Poppy shakes her
Paige’s gaze flicks toward her, worry threading through the bond like a soft ache.Poppy stands abruptly. “I’m going to check on Jax.”Paige nods. “Okay.”Poppy doesn’t meet her eyes. She slips out quickly, like she’s escaping a conversation that hasn’t even started. I could tell her that Jax is sti
Parker joins us on the porch for a while, handing me a cup of steaming tea I don’t remember asking for. I hold it; using it to warm my hands, but I don’t sip it. It feels wrong to be standing here sipping tea whilst the enemy is literally on our doorstep, waiting to attack at any moment. He doesn’t







