LOGINLIANA POVI freeze at first when he kisses me, passionately and urgently, like he’s trying to say something he’d been unable to communicate with words.But then, like a switch flipping, I respond.My fingers slowly curl where they’re resting on his hard chest and my eyes flutter closed to allow him entrance into my mouth. My wolf, which I’ve been fighting to keep dormant, is howling inside me as his scent continues to enthrall my senses.As much as I want to get out of what’s happening, in my head, my body and emotions are saying otherwise. So much for trying to bottle up my feelings, all it takes is being in the warmth and strength of his arms again to send everything rushing back up to the surface.I kiss him back, this time letting my hands slide slowly up his chest to grip his shoulders, leaning into him greedily.Kane gradually becomes bolder with my acceptance and secures his hand more firmly behind my neck, and a little gasp from me is swallowed by his eager mouth when his othe
KANE POVThis is when I decide to release Jimmy with a slight push, watching as he jerks away and angrily dusts off his jacket.At the tavern now, I cut the ignition.Although I feel a tiny bit exhausted from the day’s investigation, the sight of the warm, glowing windows of the tavern is enough to lift my spirits.Coming out of the car, I can already notice Lina waving enthusiastically from the top balcony.I break into a smile instantly and wave back at her.That little girl has wormed her way into my heart faster than I'd like to admit. She's got Liana's eyes, as well as that spark of intelligence and mischief. I’ve come to love her to the extent I get jealous whenever I remember I’m not her father, and that there’s been some nameless, faceless man who got to be a part of Liana's life when I couldn't, who helped create this amazing little person.It's refreshingly empty of customers inside the tavern and the "Closed" sign is already hanging on the door.I hear the patter of small f
KANE POVGrinding up to a halt, I crouch down to brush my fingers over the forest floor."Hold on," I say.The ground here is different, softer, and more porous. I close my eyes to focus on the scent—there’s a faint trace of something unusual that has my mind peeking up with vigilance."The soil composition here is unique," I note, looking up at Sam."It's more alkaline than the surrounding area, likely due to mineral deposits beneath. This could affect the local flora and, by extension, the behavior of the rogues."Sam nods thoughtfully as I continue,"If we map out these soil anomalies across the territory, we might be able to predict their movement patterns. It's possible they're using these areas as navigational markers or even as meeting points."I swear I’m not surprised when I hear the scoff behind me.“You think a bunch of mindless beasts are following some dirt map? That's a waste of time when there's an SOS signal coming from the eastern border.”"You have a better idea, Jim
Liana POV He's probably already left for his early morning patrols with Sam.Still, I can't help the way my heart races whenever I turn the knob to go in.The room is empty, and the bed is already neatly made, but I still move around the room to straighten things that don't really need straightening.The fact that our regular cleaner is on leave is the only reason I'm in here at all. It doesn't matter that my fingers linger a moment too long on his jacket hanging over a chair, or that my eyes are drawn to the notepad on the desk where his handwriting is calling out to me from the front page.A burst of high-pitched giggles reaches my ears while I’m trying to still read what Kane has scribbled down. I recognize that laugh even though it’s not something I hear very often.I walk to the window, carefully pushing it open.Still giggling is Lina, whose body is suspended high in the air, and below her is the one who's holding her up, grinning from ear to ear as she stretches her tiny arms
LIANA POV"Lina."Her head swings in my direction immediately and she comes scampering to my side. And as she does, I exchange a loaded glance with Kane, where he’s seated, eyes brimming with curiosity. At first, I didn't realize trying to hide Lina from him would be such a hassle until Sam asked me to let Kane stay here. The last thing I want is for him to become aware of our child.I close the door behind me, my heart racing.Lina looks up at me."Mommy, who's that man?" she asks."Why was he staring at me like that?""It's nobody, sweetheart. Just... someone who's staying here for a little while."I pat her hair fondly with a smile, then pull her gently away from the door before kneeling down to her level.My voice sinks to a whisper."Listen, I need you to do something for me, okay? I don't want you hanging around this place too often while he's here. After school and homework, you can play with your friends at the back until dinner time. And if he tries to talk to you or ask you
KANE POVI stop with one foot over the threshold to allow myself a moment to devour the scene I’ve just walked into.It’s her world, which I’ve not been a part of for years.It's smaller than I'd imagined while someone from Sam’s house was leading me here, but it’s alive in a way that takes my breath away. There’s a din of laughter and banter in the room, which feels delightful to see; aromas of spiced meat, fresh bread, whatnots, and something that’s uniquely Liana.A couple brushes past me where I’m standing, tossing a wordless apology my way as they leave. I return the gesture with a friendly smile before turning to finally go in.There she is.Confidence. Radiant. At home in her own skin in a way I've never seen before.Her dark hair is swept back in a practical braid, her green eyes alight with warmth as she approaches the man she’s talking to with a frothy mug balanced in her hand.At first, I’m not really paying attention to anything but her, but then I see that something she s
Caleb POVThe howl tore through the trees and landed somewhere in my chest like a hook.I knew it wasn't one of mine. The pitch was wrong, the pattern unfamiliar not Moon Edge. But a wolf calling out like that wasn't asking for anything complicated. She was surrounded and lost. We were close enou
Caleb POVI made the full loop around the commune's edge on foot before patrol, same as I usually did when time allowed. My second could've handled it, or I could've sent anyone down the line but I preferred seeing things with my own eyes. There was no substitute for that, regardless of what Jule
Josephine POVThis was where they belonged to both of them, together again, beneath these trees. I pressed my fingers around the pendant and let the quiet of the forest settle over me before I let go of it.I crouched in front of the azalea bush and didn't care about the mud soaking through my jean
Josephine POVThe two-lane road cutting toward Kisatchie unspooled ahead of me like something without an end point. My dad's old truck groaned every few miles, a familiar complaint I'd never quite figured out how to fix. That had always been his department."Almost there," I told the cardboard box







