LOGIN“I don’t mean out here,” I add.“I know.” “I…” I rub my forehead, searching for words that refuse to come. “I don’t even know how to explain it.” “Then don’t.”I frown. “What?”“You don’t have to explain it.” “I have to explain something.” “Only if it helps you,” he shrugs.I let out a laugh, sh
** Poppy’s POV **For a long time, neither of us speaks. The forest settles around us slowly, one careful breath at a time. The leaves stop trembling, the branches grow still, and somewhere not too far away, the stream continues to run as if nothing ever happened. As though I didn’t almost tear the
“No…” she whispers. The word barely leaves her lips before the air around us drops a few degrees. Leaves skitter across the forest floor, despite there being no wind, and a nearby branch groans. Somewhere above us, birds explode from the treetops in a frantic chorus of wings and shrieks. I stay whe
**Bastian’s POV **The forgotten sister… the words seem to freeze the room for a moment. As if every person in the room and on the video call collectively holds their breath.Jake is the first to speak. “Is that what the voice said?” Poppy doesn’t answer. I can’t see her face from here, but the ten
Alaric presses his lips together, giving a small wave towards the phone, and Bastian bows his head slightly. “It looks like Ronnie found something, we thought you might want to hear it,” Callen says. “Hang on.” Muffled voices come through the speaker, and something thumps before Paige speaks agai
** Jake’s POV **The silence that settles after Ronnie’s words is uncomfortable. For a long moment, no one moves. The forest seems unnaturally still around us, as though even the birds have decided this isn’t a conversation they want any part of. Ronnie clears his throat. “So,” he says, his gaze d
“You have a baby sister,” I smile at him through tear-filled eyes.“She’s so tiny,” he says.Parker crouches slightly so Jaxon can see her better, angling her gently. “She’s perfect,” he says quietly. “Just like you.”Jaxon straightens at that, pride shining in his eyes.“She’s my sister,” he says,
“Push,” Jake urges. “That’s it. That’s it… keep going…”Paige’s body bows, every muscle straining. I feel it all through the bond, the effort, the fire, the sheer will it takes not to break under it.“I’m here,” I keep saying, over and over. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”“That’s the head. Well done,
** Paige’s POV **If someone had told me eight months ago that the thing most likely to end my mates would be a jar of pickled onions and a tub of vanilla ice cream, I would have laughed in their face, yet here we are.Ryder stands in the kitchen doorway like a man staring down an active crime scene
** Paige’s POV **Callen is already moving, like the baby might come out in the next few seconds. “Okay, everyone stay calm. Parker, get the bags. Ryder, you take Jax to Regina’s. Remy… Remy do something useful!”“I am useful,” Remy growls.Ryder’s voice is too steady. “Paige, tell me what you’re fe







