TRIXIE The dark slowly thinned again. It was slow, like dawn creeping over the ridge. My eyes fluttered open. My body felt heavy, every limb weak, but I was here. I was breathing. The first thing I saw was Ryker, his face close to mine. His eyes were red, but when he saw me stir, his whole body softened. His hand closed over mine, warm and trembling.“You’re back,” he whispered. His voice cracked. “You came back.”I tried to smile, though my lips barely moved. My throat ached, but I forced the words out anyway. “The pups… Ryker, what are they?”His eyes shone, and for the first time in hours, joy broke through his fear. He leaned close, brushing his lips to my forehead before answering.“Two girls,” he said softly. “And one boy.”My chest tightened, not from pain this time, but from something so big and warm it stole my breath. “Three,” I whispered. “Three of them…”A nurse stepped forward, arms full of blankets. I saw the tiniest faces, soft and wrinkled, fists curled tight. One let
Last Updated : 2025-09-14 Read more