LOGIN“For a bit.”“A bit?”“Ten minutes.”“You said you’d shift!”“I lied.”“I hate you.”“No, you don't.”“I'm reconsidering.”I grin and head into the forest. For the first few minutes, Poppy complains about the incline and the mud and the fact that nobody thought to mention her new home required ‘fuck
** Alaric’s POV ** Leaving Phoenix was harder for them than I expected. There were tears. Too many hugs. Several threats about how often Paige intended to visit, and one from Callen that sounded suspiciously like he planned to move in if Poppy didn't come back often enough. Eventually, we got in th
I pick up the bag. Leaving Phoenix still hurts, but Poppy was right. Leaving doesn't always mean running away. Sometimes it means choosing where you're going next.“Please tell me that's not all you're taking.”Poppy stands in the doorway to her room, a bag hanging from her shoulder and a suitcase b
** Jake’s POV ** I have absolutely no idea how to pack up a life. My first attempt involves three medical textbooks, two pairs of jeans, my stethoscope, four chargers, a first-aid kit, and my lab coat. I stare into the open bag on my bed. This is ridiculous.The cabin feels different already, but n
“You absolutely have,” Leo laughs.I point at him. “You're still my patient.”“Terrifying.”I look back at Alaric.“What equipment does he have?”“I have no bloody idea. Medical shit.”“Of course you don’t,” I sigh.“I can ask him.”“Don't bother. I'll see when I get there.”The words leave my mouth
** Jake’s POV **A knock sounds at the clinic door.“Come in,” I call. The door creaks opens, and Alaric steps inside.Leo groans. “Oh good. Another Alpha, we just got rid of the other two.”“Nice to see you alive too,” Alaric smirks.“Everyone keeps saying that. It’s getting old.”“Probably becaus
** Alaric’s POV **The problem with being an Alpha in 2026 is that you can no longer pretend politics don’t exist. You can’t just patrol your borders, snap a few necks, and call it leadership. Now it’s all diplomacy and meetings, and not even the exciting ones where there’s the potential of a fight
“Stop,” one of them says calmly.I step half a pace in front of Alaric without making it obvious. “Who are you?”“Phoenix Pack,” the other replies.Of course they are. The pack every Alpha is suddenly talking about. The pack tied to the goddess rumours, and whose territory hunters seem to avoid as i
** Paige’s POV **Morning comes softly. Not with alarms or panic or the edge of fear that’s lived under my skin for days, but with light filtering through the curtains and the quiet sound of breathing around me. The cabin smells like coffee and earth and clean air, like the forest itself has forgive
“Take your clothes off for me, beautiful,” I say softly, trying not to let her hear how close I am to completely losing control.I had planned to undress her slowly, to unwrap her like the gift that she is, but I’m too keyed up for this. There’s no way her clothes will come off in one piece if I do







