Masuk“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. “
** Parker’s POV **We reach the country road just as the first headlights cut through the mist. Wolves rush to load the kids and the injured. Poppy and Jax climb into the back of the lead truck, which is some kind of old military vehicle. Ryder goes next with Paige in his arms. Jake follows, securin
“Jax is still sleeping.”I nod, glancing at the clock. It’s barely 8 AM, and so much has happened already.Poppy studies me quietly for a moment. She’s never needed words to see through me; she just knows. It’s both comforting and infuriating sometimes.“What happened out there?” she asks finally. “
Remy’s voice is low, conflicted. “You think you can pull off a lie like that to the Midnight Pack?”“If it keeps her safe, yes,” I snap before I can stop myself. “You saw what she did, Rem. You saw what it cost her. If this gets out, every pack and hunter across the world will want her. Some to stud
I nod, gripping his fur tighter, taking strength from him. But the reassurance barely lasts a second, because something in the air changes.The pack’s rhythm falters, a ripple of unease running through the air. The ground beneath us seems to hum with tension, and then Parker stumbles.It’s small at







